Antimicrobial Probiotic Surface Composition for Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cleaning products are insufficient in reducing pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces, particularly in environments like hospitals and industrial facilities, due to growing bacterial resistance, necessitating a more effective decontamination and inoculation method.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining an antimicrobial agent with a probiotic component, specifically a mixture of stabilized Bacillus spores and a prebiotic agent, encapsulated in microcapsules, for enhanced surface decontamination and inoculation, allowing for repeated cycles to maintain low pathogen concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning products are used, then surfaces are cleaned, but pathogenic microorganisms are not sufficiently reduced due to bacterial resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines antimicrobial agents with probiotic components (non-pathogenic bacteria) in a single composition. The antimicrobial agent kills pathogenic bacteria while the probiotic component colonizes the surface and competes with remaining pathogens for resources, creating a synergistic effect that overcomes bacterial resistance to single agents
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite decontamination product containing both biocidal (antimicrobial) and bioactive (probiotic) components. This composite approach integrates two different mechanisms of action - chemical killing and biological competition - to achieve superior and more reliable decontamination against resistant pathogens
2Productivity
If only antimicrobial agents are used, then pathogenic bacteria are killed, but pathogen population rebounds occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic component is introduced in advance to colonize the surface before pathogens can rebound. This preliminary establishment of non-pathogenic bacteria creates a protective biological barrier that prevents pathogen recolonization, extending the duration of low pathogen concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic bacteria on the surface continuously compete with incoming pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and space, providing ongoing self-service decontamination. This biological competition maintains low pathogen levels over time without requiring repeated chemical treatments
3Stability of the object's composition
If probiotic components are used alone, then surface colonization occurs, but pathogenic bacteria are not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composition merges the surface colonization capability of probiotics with the pathogen-killing capability of antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial component provides immediate pathogen reduction while the probiotic component establishes stable surface colonization, achieving both goals simultaneously
4Reliability
If repeated decontamination cycles are used, then pathogen population is reduced, but time and resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic component establishes a self-service decontamination system where non-pathogenic bacteria continuously compete with and suppress pathogenic bacteria on the surface. This reduces the need for frequent repeated treatments, saving time and resources while maintaining reliable pathogen control
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic colonization provides continuous biological competition against pathogens, maintaining constant suppression rather than periodic killing. This continuous useful action extends the effectiveness duration and reduces the frequency of required decontamination cycles
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 combination of antimicrobial and probiotic components accelerates the reduction of pathogenic microorganisms, achieving a permanently low pathogen population concentration on surfaces, outperforming single-agent compositions and maintaining effectiveness over time through delayed release from microcapsules.
Implementation Method 1
the use of at least one prebiotic agent results in a further reduction of the pathogen population concentration. Furthermore, adding at least one prebiotic agent to a probiotic component has been found to increase the speed of germination
Implementation Method 2
probiotics can be used in combating these harmful bacteria... the colonizing of surfaces with non-pathogenic spore-forming bacteria via cleaning products has a favourable effect in reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
the combination of an antimicrobial agent, such as a disinfectant, and a probiotic component has an invigorative effect on the reduction of these pathogenic population concentrations
Implementation Method 4
adding at least one prebiotic agent to a probiotic component has been found to increase the speed of germination - and thus of activity - of the latter
Implementation Method 5
said probiotic component and said prebiotic agent are at least partly encapsulated in microcapsules
Implementation Method 6
maintaining effectiveness over time through delayed release from microcapsules
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition for the decontamination and inoculation of surfaces, said composition comprising an antimicrobial agent and a mixture of stabilized Bacteria. Said composition can be used for inoculating said surfaces for the purpose of purifying said surfaces of unwanted, harmful or pathogenic micro-organisms.