Antibacterial Food Composition Using Cranberry and Propolis Extracts
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatments for urinary infections, particularly those caused by Escherichia coli, face challenges due to growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and there is a lack of characterized and reproducible food supplements that effectively address these infections while also considering zinc and iron deficiencies and vitamin C bioavailability.
Innovation Solution
A food composition combining cranberry extract (Vaccinium macrocarpon) with Propolis extract, containing caffeic acid, ferulic acid, galangin, and pinocembrin, in a specific weight ratio, along with zinc, iron, and vitamin C, to enhance antibacterial effects and improve bioavailability, while being formulated to maintain effectiveness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antibiotic therapy is used to treat urinary infections, then bacterial infections are initially effectively treated, but bacterial resistance to antibiotics grows over time reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cranberry extract (containing proanthocyanidins) with propolis extract (containing flavonoids like galangin and pinocembrin) to create a synergistic antibacterial composition. This merging of two different natural extracts with distinct mechanisms of action addresses bacterial infections while reducing the risk of resistance development, as the bacteria are exposed to multiple simultaneous attacks rather than a single antibiotic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining multiple bioactive compounds from different sources: proanthocyanidins from cranberry and various flavonoids (galangin, pinocembrin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid) from propolis. This composite approach creates a multi-component antibacterial system that targets bacteria through multiple mechanisms, thereby overcoming the limitation of single-antibiotic therapy and reducing selective pressure for resistance.
2Reliability
If cranberry extract and propolis extract are combined in undefined formulations, then antibacterial effects are achieved, but the lack of standardized composition limits reproducibility and practitioner information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific quantitative parameters for the extract combination: cranberry extract standardized to contain 10-50% proanthocyanidins (measured by Vanillin method) combined with propolis extract containing defined amounts of galangin (0.1-5 mg), pinocembrin (0.1-5 mg), caffeic acid (0.5-10 mg), and ferulic acid (0.5-10 mg) per day. This parameter standardization transforms the formulation from an undefined mixture to a precisely characterized product with reproducible antibacterial activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional approach of using undefined natural product mixtures with a standardized formulation system based on quantified phytochemical content. Instead of relying on variable natural compositions, the patent defines specific concentration ranges for each active compound, enabling consistent manufacturing and reliable clinical effects across different batches and products.
3Quantity of substance
If high doses of vitamin C are administered to improve bioavailability, then nutritional benefits are achieved, but overconsumption risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes vitamin C dosage within specific parameters (50-500 mg per day) rather than using high unlimited doses. This parameter-based approach ensures sufficient bioavailability enhancement for the antibacterial compounds while staying within safe consumption limits. The controlled dosing range prevents overconsumption risks while maintaining the synergistic effect on bioavailability of the phytochemicals in cranberry and propolis extracts.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antibacterial food composition including an extract of Propolis and an extract of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon).