Chitosan-Alginate Probiotic Microcapsules for Mycotoxin Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing mycotoxin contamination in food and agricultural products are inadequate, as they either deteriorate product quality, cause chemical pollution, or fail to effectively address multiple mycotoxin species, and direct addition of probiotics can alter taste and quality.

Innovation Solution

Microencapsulation of endospore probiotics using chitosan-alginate polymers creates antifungal and anti-mycotoxin microcapsules that prevent mold growth and mycotoxin contamination, maintaining product quality and extending shelf life without additional disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If binders are used to remove mycotoxins from food products, then mycotoxin levels are reduced, but product quality deteriorates, taste changes, and chemical pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemycotoxin levelsVSAvoidproduct quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by using probiotics to prevent mycotoxin formation in the first place, rather than removing mycotoxins after they have formed. The probiotic treatment is applied during storage or processing before contamination occurs, creating a protective barrier that prevents mold growth and mycotoxin production, thereby avoiding quality deterioration and chemical pollution associated with post-contamination remediation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses probiotics as an intermediary organism that mediates between the food product and potential mycotoxin contamination. The probiotics act as a biological barrier that competes with mycotoxin-producing molds for resources and space, preventing harmful mold growth without requiring direct chemical intervention. This biological mediation approach maintains product quality while achieving mycotoxin prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If mycotoxin-specific binders are used, then specific mycotoxins are removed, but efficiency is insufficient when multiple mycotoxin species are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific mycotoxin removalVSAvoidmulti-mycotoxin effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies universality by using probiotics that can combat multiple mycotoxin species simultaneously. The probiotic formulation includes multiple strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Bacillus subtilis) that work together to prevent a broad spectrum of mold growth and mycotoxin production, providing universal protection against various mycotoxin contaminants rather than targeting specific types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If probiotics are added directly into the product, then consumer health is supported, but taste and quality are altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer health benefitVSAvoidproduct taste and quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses microencapsulation technology to create flexible protective shells around probiotic cells. These thin film capsules allow the probiotics to survive harsh environmental conditions (gastric acid, storage conditions) while remaining dormant and non-metabolically active during storage. The encapsulation prevents the probiotics from interacting with the food matrix and altering taste or quality, while still delivering the health benefits when the product is consumed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If probiotics are encapsulated to prevent gastric acid damage, then probiotic survival is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobiotic survivalVSAvoidencapsulation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials consisting of multiple probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Bacillus subtilis) combined with protective encapsulating agents. This composite approach provides enhanced protection against gastric acid and environmental stressors through synergistic effects of different probiotic strains and encapsulation materials, achieving high survival rates while using well-established encapsulation technologies that are not overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 microcapsules achieve 95% mycotoxin prevention, suppress mold growth, and extend shelf life up to 360 days without altering product appearance, providing a natural and harmless antifungal effect across various mycotoxin species.

Implementation Method 1

The invention is related to microcapsules obtained by microencapsulating endospore form of probiotics with chitosan-alginate polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicroencapsulation:

Implementation Method 2

The microcapsules loaded with probiotics prevent mycotoxigenic moulds and the mycotoxins which the moulds produce through biological struggle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological struggle:

Data Source

PatentEP3672640B1Microcapsules loaded with probiotics and production thereof

Publication Date: 2024.11.20 NANOMIK BIYOTEKNOLOJI AS

AI summary

The invention is related to the production method of the microencapsulated form of probiotics with the chitosan-alginate polymers, the microcapsules loaded with probiotics obtained by this method and their use in food, agriculture and cosmetics. These microcapsules do not make alterations in the colour and appearance of the product on which they are applied and have antifungal and anti-mycotoxin features.