DNA Analysis for Microorganism Detection in Papermaking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying microorganisms in papermaking systems, particularly on machine felts and paper sheets, are inadequate as they often rely on live organisms which are killed during the heating or drying process, leading to false positives and negatives, and fail to accurately determine the cause of defects such as plugs and holes in the paper sheet.

Innovation Solution

A method involving DNA analysis, including qPCR, digital PCR, and sequencing techniques, to detect and quantify microorganisms in desiccated samples, using specific primers to identify organisms above a threshold concentration, and distinguishing between biological and non-biological causes of defects, allowing for targeted biocidal treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional live organism detection methods are used to identify microorganisms in papermaking systems, then the detection process is simple and quick, but the accuracy is poor because microorganisms are killed during heating or drying, leading to false positives and negatives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates DNA from microorganisms in the sample, separating the genetic material from the cellular structure. This allows detection of the organism's presence through its DNA signature even after the organism has been killed by heat or drying, resolving the contradiction between simple detection and accurate identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces DNA as an intermediary substance that persists after the microorganism is killed. Instead of detecting live organisms directly, the method detects their DNA remnants, which serve as a stable intermediary indicator of microbial presence and identity, thereby maintaining detection accuracy through complex heating processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If DNA analysis methods are used to detect microorganisms in desiccated samples, then the detection accuracy improves, but the process time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism identification accuracyVSAvoiddetection process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary DNA extraction and preparation steps before the actual detection process. By pre-processing the sample to isolate DNA and prepare it for analysis, the subsequent detection steps can proceed more quickly and efficiently, reducing the overall time loss despite the added initial complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/cultural detection methods (which require growing organisms) with molecular biology techniques (PCR amplification and sequencing). This substitution allows detection of extremely low levels of DNA directly from desiccated samples without requiring the organisms to be alive or to undergo lengthy cultivation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If microorganism detection is performed on machine felts and paper sheets, then the cause of defects can be identified, but the sampling process is difficult and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect cause identificationVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a DNA copy or replica of the microbial signature present in the sample. By amplifying and sequencing DNA, the method creates a molecular copy of the organism's genetic identity that can be analyzed without handling the original contaminated sample extensively, reducing contamination risk while preserving defect cause information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This approach enables accurate identification of microorganisms causing defects in papermaking processes, even in desiccated samples, reducing false positives and negatives, and optimizing biocidal programs to improve operational efficiency and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

conducting at least one DNA Analysis on at least one sample taken from the item, the DNA Analysis may include but is not limited to qPCR

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectqPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction):

Implementation Method 2

DNA Analysis may include but is not limited to qPCR, PCR, digital PCR

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPCR (polymerase chain reaction):

Data Source

PatentUS9290802B2Detection and quantification of nucleic acid to assess microbial biomass in paper defects and machine felts

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for identifying the specific microorganisms present in a particular potion of a papermaking processes. The method involves obtaining a sample from the process which is such that little or no live examples of the microorganism remain. However because DNA from the organisms is still present, an analysis which identifies portions of DNA specific to the particular organism will correctly identify the microorganism present. This allows for analysis of infestations present on felts or paper sheets which typically no longer have many live microorganisms on them when samples are taken for analysis.