Balanced SCFA-MCFA Composition for Feed Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current feed additives composed of short and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA-MCFA) often have non-optimal ratios and are not well-balanced, leading to reduced effectiveness in inhibiting microbial and viral contamination in animal feed.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a balanced fraction of SCFA-MCFA, specifically including fatty acids selected from C2 to C12 or their esters or salts, with preferred ratios of at least 15% C6, between 0.1% and 30% C4, and varying percentages of C5, C7, C8, and C9, optimized to provide broad-spectrum applicability and enhanced efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current feed additives use medium-chain fatty acids with non-optimal ratios, then the composition is simpler to manufacture, but the effectiveness in inhibiting microbial and viral contamination is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness in inhibiting microbial and viral contaminationVSAvoidcomposition balancing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ratios of different medium-chain fatty acids (C6: 15-99%, C4: 0.1-30%, C5: 0.1-5%, C7: 0.1-10%, C8: 0.1-35%, C9: 0.1-20%) to achieve enhanced antimicrobial and antiviral effectiveness. This systematic adjustment of compositional parameters resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance between manufacturing simplicity and inhibition effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If feed additives use a broader spectrum of fatty acids (C2-C12), then the broad-spectrum applicability against various pathogens is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad-spectrum applicability against pathogensVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the broad spectrum of fatty acids (C2-C12) into specific sub-groups with defined concentration ranges. This segmentation approach (C2-C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9) allows for targeted optimization against different pathogen types while maintaining manageable compositional complexity through structured categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If optimal ratios of multiple fatty acids are used, then the antimicrobial and antiviral efficacy is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial and antiviral efficacyVSAvoidfatty acid ratio precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific concentration ranges for each fatty acid component rather than requiring exact fixed ratios. This approach (e.g., C6: 15-99%, C4: 0.1-30%) provides manufacturing flexibility while ensuring enhanced efficacy, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250049745A1Composition comprising short and medium-chain fatty acids and its use in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections
Publication Date: 2025.02.13 NUTRITION SCI N V

AI summary

The current invention relates to compositions comprising a short and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA-MCFAs) fraction to be used in food or feed applications.