Bacillus licheniformis Enzymes for Animal Dental Plaque Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dental plaque removal in animals are inadequate in effectively breaking down biofilms and preventing conditions like tooth decay and periodontitis.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising strains of Bacillus licheniformis bacteria and their extracellular enzymes, combined with natural and synthetic polymers, is applied to animal chews or food items to break down dental plaque through enzymatic action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical chewing or gnawing action is used to remove dental plaque, then some plaque removal is achieved, but the effectiveness is insufficient to break down biofilms and prevent dental diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical chewing action with a biochemical system using Bacillus licheniformis bacteria and their extracellular enzymes. The enzymes (proteases, lipases, nucleases) chemically break down the biofilm matrix components, substituting mechanical force with chemical catalysis to achieve more effective plaque removal and biofilm degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from mechanical removal to enzymatic degradation by introducing specific biochemical parameters - extracellular enzymes with specific catalytic activities. These enzymes target and break down the complex polymers in the biofilm matrix, transforming the plaque removal mechanism from physical to chemical level.
2Reliability
If enzymes are applied to break down biofilm, then plaque removal effectiveness improves, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Bacillus licheniformis bacteria produce a suite of extracellular enzymes that perform multiple functions simultaneously - proteases break down proteins, lipases break down lipids, and nucleases break down nucleic acids in the biofilm matrix. This multi-functional enzyme system addresses the complexity issue by using a single bacterial source that provides comprehensive biofilm degradation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite composition combining Bacillus licheniformis bacteria with their extracellular enzymes and potentially other components. This composite approach integrates multiple functional elements (bacteria, enzymes, polymers) into a unified system that works synergistically to break down the complex biofilm structure, managing composition complexity through functional integration.
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 composition effectively breaks down biofilms, reducing dental plaque and associated health issues in animals by releasing enzymes that hydrolyze the biofilm matrix, thereby preventing tooth decay and periodontitis.
Implementation Method 1
compositions for dental plaque removal comprising strains of the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis, and/or the extracellular enzymes produced by B. licheniformis
Implementation Method 2
releasing enzymes that hydrolyze the biofilm matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A composition of matter for dental plaque removal comprising at least one of a strain of the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis and the extracellular enzymes produced by B. licheniformis, and at least one of a natural and synthetic polymer, are disclosed. A method of manufacturing an animal chew or food item coated with the disclosed composition of matter, and animal chews or food items produced therefrom, are also disclosed.