Aquaculture Probiotic Compositions for Pathogen Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for probiotic compositions that effectively deliver beneficial molecules to the gastrointestinal tract of animals to improve health and reduce the reliance on antibiotics, which can promote resistant bacteria and pose risks in feed products and human consumption.
Innovation Solution
A probiotic composition comprising specific strains of Lactilactobacillus species, including Lactilactobacillus curvatus and Lactilactobacillus sakei, with high genomic sequence identity, administered with a suitable carrier to colonize the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit pathogenic bacteria, enhancing animal health and production performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If antibiotics are used to promote animal growth and prevent disease, then production performance is improved, but antibiotic resistance develops and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of pathogenic bacteria into a benefit by using probiotic Lactilactobacillus strains that produce bacteriocins and organic acids, which selectively inhibit pathogenic bacteria while promoting beneficial gut flora. This approach eliminates the need for antibiotics by using natural antimicrobial mechanisms that target harmful organisms without causing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic Lactilactobacillus strains serve as an intermediary between the animal host and the gut microbiome ecosystem. These strains modulate the gut environment by producing metabolites, competing for nutrients, and interacting with the immune system, thereby creating a balanced microbiome that naturally prevents pathogenic colonization without requiring antibiotic intervention.
2Reliability
If probiotic compositions are administered to deliver beneficial molecules to the gastrointestinal tract, then animal health is improved, but the complexity of strain selection and formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probiotic composition into distinct functional components: specific Lactilactobacillus curvatus strains (e.g., ELA204093, ELA204100) and Lactilactobacillus sakei strains (e.g., ELA214391), each selected for particular functionalities such as bacteriocin production, acid tolerance, and gut colonization capability. This segmentation allows for targeted selection of strains that collectively address multiple health benefits while maintaining formulation manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes formulation parameters including the ratio of different Lactilactobacillus strains, their viability counts (CFU/g), and carrier composition to enhance delivery efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the composition achieves improved gut colonization and health benefits while maintaining a practical formulation approach that balances complexity with effectiveness.
3Reliability
If specific Lactilactobacillus strains with high genomic sequence identity are used, then consistency and reliability of effect are improved, but the specificity of strain selection requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies Lactilactobacillus curvatus and Lactilactobacillus sakei as universal probiotic genera that consistently provide multiple benefits including pathogen inhibition, gut colonization, and immune modulation. Within these genera, specific strains are selected that share high genomic identity (≥97% 16S rRNA sequence similarity), ensuring consistent performance across different batches while maintaining manageable selection criteria based on established taxonomic and functional characteristics.
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 probiotic composition effectively reduces pathogenic colonization and improves growth performance and gut health in animals, providing a safer alternative to antibiotics by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and enhancing nutritional metabolism.
Implementation Method 1
Lactilactobacillus species which colonizes the gastrointestinal tract
Implementation Method 2
The microorganisms can also produce factors having inhibitory or cytotoxic activity against certain species of pathogens
Implementation Method 3
The beneficial activity provided by a DFM can be through the synthesis and secretion of vitamins or other nutritional molecules needed for a healthy metabolism of the host animal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are probiotic compositions and methods for improving animal health and animal production. The probiotic compositions include two or more novel Lactilactobacillus strains which are capable of colonizing the gastrointestinal tract to improve the health of an animal. A probiotic composition includes Lactilactobacillus curvatus and a second Lactilactobacillus strain. The second Lactilactobacillus strain can include a second strain of Lactilactobacillus curvatus, Lactilactobacillus sakei, Lactilactobacillus fuchuensis, and combinations thereof, and a carrier suitable for animal administration. Also disclosed are Bacillus strains.