Agglomerated Nutrient Media for Rapid Dissolution and Sterility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nutrient media formulations, whether in liquid or powdered form, face challenges such as the need for supplements, difficulties in sterilization, and issues with solubility and handling, particularly in biotechnology settings where GMP/GLP or ISO 9000 standards apply.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating a dried, agglomerated nutrient medium by introducing powdered nutrients and an agglomeration liquid into a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, followed by wet-massing and drying, resulting in particles that rapidly dissolve and sink in aqueous solutions, with controlled particle size and density for improved handling and sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If powdered media are used to avoid sterilization issues and extend shelf life, then storage stability is improved, but dissolution and handling become difficult due to aggregation and insolubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the powdered media into agglomerated particles with controlled size distribution (0.1-5.0 mm diameter). This segmentation prevents fine dust aggregation while maintaining solubility, as the larger agglomerated particles dissolve rapidly upon contact with liquid media without forming insoluble clumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the powdered media by controlling particle size distribution and moisture content (0.5-5.0% water). These parameter changes transform the media from fine dust that aggregates into agglomerated particles that dissolve rapidly and handle easily, while maintaining long-term storage stability.
2Ease of operation
If liquid media are used for optimal cell cultivation, then ease of use is improved, but sterilization becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary sterilization to the powdered media before packaging by exposing it to gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide gas. This preliminary action ensures the media is sterile before use, eliminating the need for time-consuming sterilization steps when the media is reconstituted in the laboratory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sterilization methods (autoclaving) with alternative sterilization techniques suitable for powdered materials, such as gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide permeation. These methods are more efficient for dry powders and reduce sterilization time and cost.
3Productivity
If concentrated liquid media are used to increase batch size and shelf life, then productivity is improved, but supplements still need to be added and sterilization remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple media components into a single powdered formulation that includes all necessary nutrients and supplements in defined proportions. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate supplement additions and simplifies sterilization, as the entire formulation can be sterilized together in dry form before reconstitution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite powdered media formulation combining various nutrients, buffers, and supplements in optimized ratios. This composite material maintains stability in dry form, allows efficient sterilization, and provides all necessary components for cell cultivation without requiring additional supplements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting dried agglomerated nutrient medium facilitates rapid dissolution and sterility, addressing the handling and sterility issues of traditional media while enabling efficient microbial growth and compliance with biotechnology standards.
Implementation Method 1
The present disclosure provides flowable, dried agglomerated particles made from water-soluble powders... having a chemical composition that facilitates wetting of the surface of the particles by an aqueous solvent
Implementation Method 2
wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles
Implementation Method 3
exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium
Implementation Method 4
resulting in particles that rapidly dissolve and sink in aqueous solutions
Implementation Method 5
having a density (e.g., a gravity-packed mean particle density) selected to facilitate submersion of the particles in an aqueous solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.