Bacillus megaterium probiotic formulation for oral SPM delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPM) derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are inefficient, as direct injection is not feasible for humans and oral delivery is hindered by short half-life in biological fluids, leading to ineffective treatment of inflammatory diseases despite promising preclinical results.

Innovation Solution

Combining a suitable omega-3 source with a newly discovered microbial SPM-producer, Bacillus megaterium, in a formulation that allows concomitant release in the gastrointestinal tract, enabling enhanced and targeted SPM formation within the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct injection of SPM is used, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but feasibility for human treatment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidfeasibility for human treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains) as intermediary organisms that reside in the gut and convert dietary omega-3 fatty acids into SPM locally. This mediator approach allows SPM to be produced endogenously in the gastrointestinal tract, avoiding the need for direct injection while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through oral omega-3 supplementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If oral delivery of SPM is used, then ease of administration is improved, but effectiveness is reduced due to short half-life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoideffectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs probiotic bacteria that are pre-established in the gastrointestinal tract to perform the conversion of omega-3 to SPM before the omega-3 would otherwise be degraded and eliminated. This preliminary action by the probiotic microbiome ensures that SPM is generated in situ, extending the effective duration and improving the reliability of oral omega-3 supplementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If omega-3 supplementation is used, then availability of substrate is improved, but conversion to SPM is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of substrateVSAvoidconversion to SPM
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the body's own probiotic microbiome (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains) to perform the conversion function. These endogenous bacteria naturally possess the enzymatic capability to convert omega-3 fatty acids into SPM, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for external SPM administration or complex external conversion systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach promotes the production of extracellular SPM at nanomolar levels, exceeding those found in human plasma, effectively addressing inflammatory conditions by enhancing their availability and physiological effects.

Implementation Method 1

several oxygenation products of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been identified and functionally characterized as crucial mediators of their beneficial health effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygenation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20210392935A1Preparation comprising a probiotic strain of the genus bacillus megaterium and a polyunsaturated fatty acid component
Publication Date: 2021.12.23 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to preparation comprising at least one probiotic strain belonging to the genus Bacillus megaterium, and a polyunsaturated fatty acid component comprising at least one omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid selected from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (ARA), alpha linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid component comprises an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid salt. The invention further relates to use of the inventive preparation as a feed or food supplement, pharmaceutical product, feed-or foodstuff compositions and for topical applications.