Bacillus Strains Inhibit E. coli in Livestock Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing and treating E. coli infections in animals are inadequate, particularly in agricultural settings, leading to the need for effective direct-fed microbial compositions that can inhibit E. coli without relying on antibiotics, which are costly and can impact the human food supply.
Innovation Solution
The use of isolated Bacillus strains (101, 235, 77, 177, and 102) administered through feed or drinking water as direct-fed microbials to inhibit E. coli in animals, including poultry, porcine, bovine, and other species, thereby reducing the reliance on antibiotics and maintaining a normal microbial balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are used to prevent and treat E. coli infections in animals, then E. coli inhibition is achieved, but costs increase and impact on human food supply occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces direct-fed microbials (DFMs) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the animal's gastrointestinal tract and E. coli pathogens. These microbials compete for resources, produce antimicrobial substances, and modulate the gut environment to inhibit E. coli without requiring antibiotics, thus eliminating the harmful impact on human food supply while maintaining E. coli inhibition reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The DFM system enables the animal's own gastrointestinal microbiome to provide protective functions against E. coli infections. By introducing beneficial microbials that establish themselves in the gut environment, the animal's immune system and microbial community work together to prevent and treat E. coli infections independently of external antibiotic intervention, thereby avoiding food supply contamination
2Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat E. coli infections, then disease is controlled, but overall cost of animal feed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective direct-fed microbials that can be administered through feed or water at relatively low costs compared to antibiotics. These microbials are delivered in a simple, inexpensive form (powder, liquid, or live culture) that can be mixed into existing feed formulations, providing E. coli inhibition without the high costs associated with antibiotic production and administration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of treatment approach from chemical antibiotics to biological microbials. This parameter change allows for cost reduction by utilizing naturally occurring or readily cultivatable microorganisms that can be produced at lower cost than synthetic antibiotics, while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through mechanisms such as competition, antimicrobial substance production, and immune modulation
3Reliability
If current methods for preventing E. coli infections are used, then treatment is provided, but microbial balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing specific DFM strains that target and inhibit E. coli within the localized gastrointestinal environment without disrupting the overall microbial ecosystem. The microbials are selected and formulated to provide E. coli-specific inhibition through localized competition and antimicrobial substance production, while maintaining compatibility with the animal's existing microbial community and overall health
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 Bacillus strains effectively inhibit E. coli, reducing disease symptoms and maintaining microbial balance in animals, thereby lowering antibiotic use and associated costs while ensuring animal health and safety for the food supply.
Implementation Method 1
The Bacillus strains effectively inhibit E. coli, reducing disease symptoms and maintaining microbial balance in animals
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to direct-fed microbials for use in E. coli inhibition in animals. More particularly, the invention relates to isolated Bacillus strains 101, 235, 77, 177, and 102 and strains having all of the identifying characteristics of these strains, for a use comprising the above-mentioned use. The invention can also be used for treatment of plants and in food processing.