Probiotic Bacillus Strains Enhance Vitamin E Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pigs experience stress and health issues during weaning, leading to intestinal and immune system dysfunctions, reduced growth, and increased mortality, which results in economic losses for pig producers. Improving vitamin E absorption is crucial for mitigating these issues.

Innovation Solution

Administering one or more probiotic Bacillus strains, specifically Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, to meat-producing animals, particularly weaned piglets, to enhance vitamin E absorption in plasma levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If probiotic Bacillus strains are administered to increase vitamin E absorption, then vitamin E absorption is improved, but the complexity of the feed composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevitamin E absorptionVSAvoidfeed composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Probiotic Bacillus strains serve as intermediary organisms that enhance vitamin E absorption through their metabolic activities and interaction with the host's intestinal flora, rather than directly increasing vitamin E content in the feed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the biological state of the intestinal environment by introducing probiotic strains, which alter the absorption parameters of vitamin E without changing the vitamin E content itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If probiotic Bacillus strains are added to feed, then animal health and performance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the feed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal health statusVSAvoidfeed manufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Probiotic Bacillus strains are incorporated into the feed manufacturing process at an early stage, allowing them to establish in the animal's gut before stressors occur during weaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The probiotic strains self-replicate and maintain themselves in the animal's intestinal tract, providing ongoing health benefits without requiring continuous external intervention or complex manufacturing adjustments

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

The administration of probiotic Bacillus strains increases vitamin E absorption by at least 20% to 60% and raises plasma levels above 900 ng/ml, optimizing animal health and performance.

Implementation Method 1

it has now been found that vitamin E absorption can be substantially increased by administering to the animals an effective amount of one or more probiotic Bacillus strains

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProbiotic action:

Data Source

PatentEP3794952A1Feed additive comprising bacillus strains for increasing vitamine e absorption

Publication Date: 2021.03.24 DSM IP ASSETS BV

Figure 1~2

AI summary

It has been found that administering probiotic Bacillus strains to animals improves vitamin E absorption. Thus, probiotic Bacillus strains can be used when animals are stressed, e.g. during weaning. The present invention relates to a Bacillus strain as a feed additive, which is useful for improving vitamin E absorption in animals.