Alkaline Serine Endopeptidase Meat Maceration for Parasite Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting Trichinella parasites in meat are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, particularly due to the use of pepsin in acid environments, which poses health risks and may not effectively inactivate the parasites, leading to potential infection risks and supply shortages.
Innovation Solution
A method using an alkaline digestion solution with a serine endopeptidase, such as Alcalase®, to macerate meat, allowing for the detection of intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites without the need for hydrochloric acid, thereby reducing health risks and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pepsin in acid environment is used for maceration, then parasite detection sensitivity is maintained, but health risks increase and parasites may not be effectively inactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from acidic to alkaline environment, and substitutes pepsin with serine endopeptidase, achieving effective parasite inactivation while maintaining detection sensitivity and eliminating health risks associated with acid exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful acid environment into a beneficial alkaline environment that effectively inactivates parasites while preserving their structural integrity for detection, turning a health hazard into a safety advantage
2Productivity
If hydrochloric acid is used in the digestion solution, then maceration effectiveness is improved, but safety risks and supply chain vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing hydrochloric acid with an alkaline digestion solution containing serine endopeptidase, maintaining maceration effectiveness while eliminating safety risks and supply chain dependencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a more accessible and stable enzyme system (serine endopeptidase) that is less prone to supply shortages compared to pepsin, while the alkaline environment provides self-limiting safety characteristics
3Measurement precision
If traditional acid-based maceration methods are used, then parasite detection is achieved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to alkaline conditions, which accelerates the maceration process while maintaining or improving parasite detection accuracy, thereby reducing overall processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The alkaline environment with serine endopeptidase performs both maceration and parasite inactivation simultaneously in a single step, eliminating the need for separate processing steps required by traditional acid-based methods
4Measurement precision
If pepsin is used for maceration, then detection sensitivity is maintained, but operational safety and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the enzyme type from pepsin to serine endopeptidase and the pH environment from acidic to alkaline, maintaining detection sensitivity while dramatically improving operational safety by eliminating corrosive acid handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the harmful properties of acid-based systems into benefits by using alkaline conditions that are safer to handle while providing effective parasite inactivation and maintaining detection sensitivity
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
This method is quicker, safer, and more cost-effective, with the ability to inactivate parasites, reducing the risk of infection and allowing for higher sample throughput, while maintaining sensitivity equivalent to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
maceration of the meat with an alkaline digestion solution containing a digestive enzyme that is active in an alkaline environment, wherein said digestive enzyme preferably is an endopeptidase, in particular a serine endopeptidase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat, comprising the maceration of the meat with an alkaline digestion solution which contains a digestive enzyme that is active in an alkaline environment. Further, uses of a serine endopeptidase in a method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat are described. The present invention also describes serine endopeptidases for use in a diagnostic method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat. Finally, a kit is disclosed which comprises the enzymes and alkaline digestion solutions of the present invention.