Broad-pH Proteolytic Enzyme Blend for Complete Protein Digestion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proteolytic enzyme compositions are ineffective in digesting large quantities of protein supplements, leading to incomplete digestion, reduced absorption rates, and adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, limiting the therapeutic benefits such as increased lean muscle mass and reduced CRP levels.
Innovation Solution
A novel proteolytic enzyme composition comprising a blend of acid, alkaline, and plant proteases, along with optional animal-derived proteases, designed to enhance protein digestibility and absorption across a broad pH range in the gastrointestinal tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If endogenous digestive enzymes are used to digest large quantities of protein supplements, then protein digestion should occur, but the digestion is incomplete and absorption rate is reduced due to rapid transit time in the gastrointestinal tract
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple proteolytic enzymes from different sources (microbial proteases including subtilisin and alkaline protease, plant proteases including papain and bromelain, and animal proteases including trypsin and chymotrypsin) into a single composition. This merging of diverse enzymatic activities creates a synergistic effect that dramatically improves protein digestion efficiency and completeness, overcoming the limitations of relying solely on endogenous digestive enzymes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite enzymatic system by formulating a mixture of proteases with different optimal pH ranges and substrate specificities. This composite material approach allows the composition to effectively digest proteins across varying pH conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring more complete digestion and higher absorption rates compared to single-enzyme preparations.
2Quantity of substance
If high quantity of protein supplements are consumed to increase lean muscle mass, then amino acid availability should increase, but undigested protein causes gastrointestinal symptoms and reduces absorption rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing exogenous proteolytic enzymes that begin digesting protein supplements before they reach the lower gastrointestinal tract. This pre-digestion action prevents the accumulation of undigested protein that would otherwise cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and discomfort, allowing individuals to consume higher protein quantities comfortably.
Solution Approach 2:
The enzyme composition acts as an intermediary between ingested protein and the gastrointestinal system. By introducing external proteases that break down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids, the composition mediates the interaction between large protein quantities and the digestive system, preventing harmful effects while maintaining high protein intake levels.
3Device complexity
If single-source proteolytic enzymes are used (fungal or bacterial only), then the composition is simple, but the digestion effectiveness across broad pH range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by combining proteases from multiple sources (microbial, plant, and animal) that collectively cover a broad pH range. Each enzyme source contributes proteases with different pH optima, creating a multi-functional composition that remains effective across the varying pH conditions encountered throughout the gastrointestinal tract, from the acidic stomach to the more neutral intestine.
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 composition significantly increases protein digestibility and bioavailability, enhancing amino acid absorption, reducing nitrogen excretion, and decreasing CRP levels, thereby improving muscle synthesis and cardiovascular health.
Implementation Method 1
Proteolytic enzyme, also called protease, proteinase, or peptidase, or a group of enzymes that break the long chain proteins into shorter fragments (peptides) and eventually into their components, the amino acids.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a novel proteolytic enzyme composition more particularly an orally administered pro¬teolytic enzyme composition comprising of one or more acid proteases, one or more alkaline protease and one or more plant proteases. More particularly, the composition comprises of microbial (fungal, bacterial or other microbes) protease enzymes, proteases from plant and animals proteases thereof.