Anhydro-Subunit Oligosaccharide Preparations for Feed Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing oligosaccharides face challenges in controlling chemical and physical properties, and enzymatic methods generate degradation products that are harmful to livestock, while enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis methods are limited by thermostability and harsh conditions, respectively. Additionally, detecting and quantifying oligosaccharide additives in nutritional compositions is difficult due to structural similarities with other carbohydrates.
Innovation Solution
The development of synthetic oligosaccharide preparations containing anhydro-subunits, which can be used as additives in animal feed, allowing for the detection and quantification of oligosaccharides through controlled water content, reaction time, and temperature during sugar polymerization and condensation reactions, and comprising specific fractions of oligosaccharides with varying degrees of polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If enzymatic hydrolysis is used to produce oligosaccharides under mild reaction conditions, then the chemical and physical properties can be controlled, but degradation side products are generated that cause metabolic problems in livestock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by using chemical hydrolysis with controlled pH (using buffers or weak acids) and temperature, replacing enzymatic methods. This allows production of oligosaccharides without generating harmful degradation products while maintaining control over chemical and physical properties through parameter optimization.
2Temperature
If chemical hydrolysis is used to produce oligosaccharides, then production can proceed without enzyme thermostability limitations, but harsh reaction conditions make it difficult to control the chemical and physical properties of the oligosaccharides produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using milder chemical hydrolysis conditions - specifically employing buffers or weak acids at controlled pH levels and moderate temperatures. This approach enables chemical hydrolysis to proceed without extreme conditions while maintaining manufacturing precision through careful parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffers or weak acids as intermediaries to mediate the hydrolysis reaction. These intermediaries provide controlled acidity without the harshness of strong acids, enabling gentle chemical hydrolysis that maintains oligosaccharide integrity while achieving the desired degree of polymerization control.
3Reliability
If oligosaccharide preparations are added to nutritional compositions, then animal health and performance are improved, but detection and quantification of the oligosaccharide additive is difficult due to structural similarities with other carbohydrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a distinctive marker or tag on specific oligosaccharide molecules that does not affect their prebiotic function but enables selective detection. This marker creates a unique local property that distinguishes the added oligosaccharides from naturally occurring carbohydrates in the nutritional composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs detection methods that exploit optical or spectroscopic properties of the oligosaccharides or their markers. By using techniques such as mass spectrometry, NMR, or specific colorimetric assays, the patent enables detection and quantification based on unique spectral signatures or optical properties that distinguish the oligosaccharide additive from other carbohydrates.
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 synthetic oligosaccharides provide a prebiotic utility and enable accurate detection and quantification in nutritional compositions, addressing the limitations of existing production methods and enhancing animal health and performance.
Implementation Method 1
controlled water content, reaction time, and reaction temperature during the sugar polymerization
Implementation Method 2
sugar polymerization and/or condensation reaction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates oligosaccharide preparations suitable for use in nutritional compositions such as animal feed and methods of manufacturing the described oligosaccharide preparations. The present disclosure further relates to nutritional compositions that comprise the oligosaccharide preparations. The disclosed oligosaccharide preparations can be advantageous as an animal feed due to, at least in part, their prebiotic utility and the presence of anhydro-subunit containing oligosaccharides, which can be used to detect and/or determine the presence and content of the disclosed oligosaccharide preparations in the nutritional composition.