Antibacterial Peptides from Degraded Date Pits for Animal Feed
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of conventional antibiotics in animal feed to promote weight gain leads to antibiotic resistance and residual antibiotics in meat products, prompting the need for alternative solutions to treat and prevent bacterial infections in animals.
Innovation Solution
Development of antibacterial peptides derived from degraded date pits, specifically those with molecular masses less than 10 kDa and sequences such as SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:6, which can be administered to animals to prevent or treat bacterial infections, reducing the need for conventional antibiotics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antibiotics are administered to animals to promote weight gain and prevent bacterial infections, then animal health and growth are improved, but antibiotic resistance develops and residual antibiotics remain in meat products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the antibacterial agent by using modified peptide sequences (SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:6) with specific amino acid compositions and molecular masses (1-10 kDa), derived from degraded date pits, to achieve effective antibacterial activity while avoiding the resistance issues associated with conventional antibiotics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs short-lived peptide molecules that are naturally degraded in the environment and animal systems, preventing long-term accumulation and resistance development. These peptides are derived from renewable date pit waste material, making them economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to persistent conventional antibiotics
2Reliability
If conventional antibiotics are administered to animals to prevent bacterial infections, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but residual antibiotics remain in meat products intended for human consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes peptides with specific molecular mass parameters (1-10 kDa) and defined amino acid sequences that are optimized for rapid metabolism and elimination from animal tissues, ensuring minimal to no residual presence in meat products while maintaining effective infection prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates specific antibacterial peptide sequences (SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:6) from degraded date pits through solid state degradation processes, purifying the active components to achieve effective antibacterial activity without the contaminant residues associated with conventional antibiotic use
3Reliability
If date pits are degraded by solid state degradation to produce antibacterial peptides, then antibacterial activity is achieved, but the production process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid state degradation processes where naturally occurring enzymes and microbial activity break down date pits into peptide components, reducing the need for complex chemical processing equipment and enabling simpler, more sustainable production of antibacterial peptides
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 antibacterial peptides effectively inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria, reducing microbial loads in animals, and can be used in animal feed to promote growth without the adverse effects of residual antibiotics, achieving results comparable to antibiotic-supplemented feeds.
Implementation Method 1
The antibacterial peptides effectively inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria, reducing microbial loads in animals
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of treating or preventing a bacterial infection in an animal comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of an antibacterial peptide, the antibacterial peptide being derived from degraded date pits which are degraded by solid state degradation by a fungus, Trichoderma reesei. The antibacterial peptide has a molecular mass of less than 10 kDa and an amino acid sequence including (a) SEQ ID NO:4 or (b) SEQ ID NO:6. The bacterial infection is caused by a Gram-positive bacteria or a Gram-negative bacteria, for example, a Salmonella species, a Campylobacter species, a Shigella species, an Escherichia species, a Pseudomonas species, and a Staphylococcus species.