A Patent Data Analysis in Nanotechnology Applied to Essential Oils

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Food Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Essential oils (EOs) are natural products rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
• Nanotechnology offers novel applications for EOs, enhancing their functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze intellectual property concerning patents on essential oils (EOs) and nanotechnology.
• To understand the patent landscape and market trends for EO nanotechnology.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of patent documents using a nanotechnology growth curve.
• Identification of dominant countries, research areas, and key materials in EO nanotechnology patents.
• Comparison of patent filings with market applications.

Main Results:

• The period 2015-2017 saw peak patent activity in EO nanotechnology, with China leading, primarily in academic research.
• The food industry, particularly for preservation, dominated patent filings, utilizing ginger essential oil, chitosan, and Tween 80.
• Market applications of EOs lean towards pharmaceuticals/cosmetics, while the food industry favors hemp oil nanocapsules.

Conclusions:

• EO nanotechnology holds significant potential for developing sustainable food systems.
• Brazil's food industry has not yet fully leveraged EO nanotechnology, despite supportive government initiatives.
• A notable gap exists between patent documentation and commercial technology transfer, representing an opportunity for EO applications.