Synergistic Beta-Galacto-Oligosaccharide Mixture for Infant Immune Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infant formulas lack an optimal composition of non-digestible oligosaccharides to effectively mimic the immune system benefits of breast milk, particularly in stimulating the immune system and preventing atopic diseases.

Innovation Solution

A nutritional composition comprising a mixture of beta-1,3 and beta-1,4/1,6 galacto-oligosaccharides, with a specific weight ratio, along with fructo-oligosaccharides, to enhance the immune system and vaccination response, particularly suitable for infants and individuals with a reduced Th1 response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If infant formula contains non-digestible oligosaccharides to mimic breast milk benefits, then immune system stimulation and prevention of atopic diseases is improved, but the composition complexity and difficulty in achieving optimal effect increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune system stimulation effectVSAvoidoligosaccharide composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining two different types of non-digestible oligosaccharides (beta-galacto-oligosaccharides with beta-1,3 linkages and beta-1,4/1,6 linkages) in a synergistic mixture. This composite approach mimics the complex oligosaccharide profile of human breast milk more effectively than single components, thereby improving immune system stimulation and prevention of atopic diseases while managing composition complexity through a defined synergistic ratio

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio between different oligosaccharide components (beta-1,3 linked BGOS and beta-1,4/1,6 linked BGOS) to achieve synergistic effects. By adjusting this critical parameter, the formulation maximizes immune system stimulation and Th1 response enhancement while maintaining a manageable composition structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If infant formula uses single type of prebiotic oligosaccharide, then composition simplicity is maintained, but immune system stimulation effect is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaccination response enhancementVSAvoiddiversity of oligosaccharide components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining two distinct oligosaccharide components (beta-1,3 linked BGOS and beta-1,4/1,6 linked BGOS) into a unified synergistic mixture. This combination enhances vaccination response and Th1 immune response more effectively than either component alone, achieving superior immune system stimulation while maintaining a relatively simple two-component formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If infant formula aims to prevent atopic diseases through oligosaccharides, then health benefit is improved, but the specificity of oligosaccharide structure requirements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatopic disease preventionVSAvoidoligosaccharide linkage structure specification
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by specifying particular linkage structures (beta-1,3 linkages and beta-1,4/1,6 linkages) within the oligosaccharide molecules. This structural specificity at the molecular level enables effective prevention of atopic diseases by targeting specific immune pathways, while the patent manages manufacturing precision by focusing on these two distinct linkage types rather than requiring complete structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8591919B2Synergistic mixture of beta-galacto-oligosaccharides with beta-1,3 and beta -1,4/1,6 linkages
Publication Date: 2013.11.26 NV NUTRICIA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a nutritional composition comprising at least two different beta-galacto-oligosaccharides (BGOS) A and B wherein the majority of linkages between two galactose residues in BGOS A are beta 1,4 and/or beta 1,6, and the majority of linkages between two galactose residues in BGOS B are beta 1,3. Such mixtures show superior effects on the immune system and are particularly suitable for infant nutrition.