Bacterial Cellulose Probiotic Matrix for Infection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating bacterial infections lack effective antibiotic-free alternatives, and bacterial cellulose (BC) derivatives with enhanced properties for biomedical applications have not shown successful results due to limited surface charge and functionalization challenges.
Innovation Solution
A biomaterial comprising bacterial cellulose essentially free of cellulose-producing bacteria, combined with metabolically active probiotics such as Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, or Bifidobacterium breve, is developed by culturing aerobic cellulose-producing bacteria and facultative anaerobic probiotics under specific conditions to create a matrix that entraps and maintains the viability of probiotics, inhibiting pathogenic bacterial proliferation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bacterial cellulose is used as a carrier for probiotics, then probiotic viability is improved, but the ability to treat bacterial infections is worsened because BC itself has no activity against bacterial infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines bacterial cellulose (which provides structural support and probiotic viability) with probiotic bacteria (which provide anti-pathogenic compounds) to create a composite material that delivers both probiotic benefits and active anti-infection properties. The BC matrix houses live probiotics that can exert their beneficial effects while the probiotics themselves provide the active anti-pathogenic compounds needed for infection treatment.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If drugs are incorporated in cellulose to treat infections, then infection treatment is improved, but the overall effectiveness is worsened because attempts to incorporate drugs in cellulose did not work properly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly incorporating synthetic drugs into cellulose, the patent uses probiotic bacteria as intermediary agents. These probiotics naturally produce anti-pathogenic compounds (bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide) and are housed within the cellulose matrix, providing a more effective and biocompatible approach to infection treatment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If BC is functionalized to enhance bioactive compound anchoring, then the ability to deliver active ingredients is improved, but the process complexity is worsened due to difficulty in efficient functionalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biological self-assembly approach where probiotic bacteria naturally colonize and embed themselves within the bacterial cellulose matrix during the culturing process. This eliminates the need for complex chemical functionalization steps, as the system self-organizes to deliver the probiotics effectively without requiring additional anchoring chemistry.
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 biomaterial effectively inhibits the proliferation of pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating potential for treating or preventing infections while maintaining probiotic viability and activity.
Implementation Method 1
a biomaterial comprising a bacterial cellulose matrix and probiotics entrapped in said matrix
Implementation Method 2
probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits by restoring the microbiome or through excreted anti-pathogenic compounds as bacteriocins or hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 3
probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits by restoring the microbiome or through excreted anti-pathogenic compounds as bacteriocins or hydrogen peroxide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to biomaterials, which comprise a bacterial cellulose matrix and probiotics entrapped in said bacterial cellulose. The invention also relates to methods for obtaining the biomaterial, as well as uses of the biomaterial in medicine. It also relates to coated food products wherein the coat is composed of said biomaterial wherein the coat acts to prevent the proliferation of undesired bacteria. It also relates to packaged medical devices, wherein the package comprises said biomaterial also preventing growth of pathogenic bacteria.