Clay Interlaced Yeast Cell Wall Extract for Mycotoxin Sequestration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mitigating mycotoxin contamination in animal feed and food products are inadequate, as inorganic materials interfere with nutrient absorption, chemical agents are inefficient and hazardous, and biological processes are slow and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Development of yeast cells with clay interlaced into their cell walls, cultivated in the presence of minerals like bentonite or zeolite, which are then used to create a clay interlaced yeast cell wall extract that can be added to feedstuffs or organic materials to sequester mycotoxins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If inorganic materials such as clays, bentonites, and aluminosilicates are added to feedstuffs to sequester mycotoxins, then mycotoxin toxic effects are minimized, but absorption of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemycotoxin toxic effectsVSAvoidnutrient absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines yeast cell wall material with clay particles to create a composite adsorbent. The yeast cell wall provides selective binding sites that preferentially bind mycotoxins while allowing nutrients to pass through, whereas clay alone would bind both mycotoxins and nutrients. This merged structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining mycotoxin sequestration efficacy while preserving nutrient absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials consisting of yeast cell wall components (such as beta-glucans) integrated with clay particles. This composite structure leverages the adsorptive properties of clay for mycotoxin binding while the yeast cell wall matrix provides selectivity and prevents excessive binding of beneficial nutrients, thus resolving the trade-off between mycotoxin sequestration and nutrient absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical agents such as acids, bases, oxidants, and formaldehyde are used to degrade mycotoxins, then aflatoxin degradation is achieved, but significant chemical waste is generated and safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaflatoxin degradationVSAvoidchemical waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful mycotoxins into harmless complexes through adsorption onto the yeast-clay composite material. Instead of using chemical agents that generate waste and safety issues, the invention uses physical adsorption processes where mycotoxins are bound to the composite material and removed from the system, transforming the harmful substances into manageable waste that can be safely disposed of with animal feces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The yeast-clay composite acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of mycotoxins without requiring direct chemical reactions. The composite material mediates between the mycotoxins and the animal digestive system, binding the toxins and preventing their absorption while generating minimal waste compared to chemical degradation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If large quantities of feedstuff additives are used to sequester mycotoxins, then mycotoxin binding is enhanced, but environmental impact through animal feces is extremely detrimental

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemycotoxin bindingVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the adsorbent material by using a composite structure with optimized clay-to-yeast ratios. This allows effective mycotoxin binding at lower dosages compared to pure clay additives. The enhanced surface area and binding capacity of the composite material mean that smaller quantities are needed to achieve the same level of protection, thereby reducing environmental impact through feces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If biological processes using lactic acid bacteria, propionibacteria, and bifidobacteria are used to bind mycotoxins, then mycotoxin bioavailability is limited, but the processes are slow and produce toxic metabolites

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemycotoxin bioavailabilityVSAvoidprocess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces biological processes with a physical-chemical adsorption system. Instead of relying on slow biological metabolism by bacteria to bind mycotoxins, the invention uses the immediate adsorptive capacity of the yeast-clay composite material. This substitution eliminates the time delay associated with biological processes and avoids the production of potentially toxic bacterial metabolites, while still achieving effective mycotoxin binding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 clay interlaced yeast cell wall extract effectively sequesters a wide range of mycotoxins, reducing their bioavailability and absorption in animals, while minimizing interference with nutrient uptake and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

inorganic materials such as clays, bentonites, and aluminosilicates, known for their adsorptive properties, have historically been added to feedstuffs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2387410B1Clay interlaced yeast compositions and methods of utilizing the same
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 ALLTECH CO LTD
  • EP2387410B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2387410B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C2
  • EP2387410B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to compositions comprising yeast cells and/or yeast cell components and methods for producing and utilizing the same. In particular, the invention provides novel yeast comprising altered cell wall structure (e.g., clay and/or clay component(s) integrated (e.g., interlaced) into cell wall(s) and/or cell wall(s) comprising altered glucan:mannan ratio), methods of producing the same, compositions comprising and/or derived from the same, and methods of using the same (e.g., to sequester and/or adsorb bacteria and toxins). Compositions and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications including dietary (e.g., admixing with feedstuffs or otherwise feeding to animals), therapeutic, prophylactic (e.g. admixing with bedding sources and/or other materials that come into contact with animals, usage during food and beverage processing and manufacture, and usage during filtration of liquids) as well as research applications.