Dried Microbial Cells Protection via Composite Dispersion Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing dried microbial cells often result in high cell damage and low viable cell survival rates, especially during long-term storage at high temperatures, which affects the quality and stability of dairy products and other food items.

Innovation Solution

Suspension of microbial cells in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent before drying, which helps maintain a high viable cell survival rate during long-term storage at high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microbial cells are dried using conventional dispersion media, then the drying process can be completed, but the viable cell survival rate decreases significantly after long-term storage at high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviable cell survival rateVSAvoidcell damage and killing during drying
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite dispersion medium containing multiple components: protective agents (sodium glutamate, trehalose), antioxidants (sodium ascorbate, vitamin E, catechin), and chelating agents (sodium citrate). This composite formulation works synergistically to protect microbial cells during drying and storage, with each component addressing specific threats to cell viability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary protective measures by pre-suspending microbial cells in the specially formulated dispersion medium containing protective agents, antioxidants, and chelating agents before drying. This preliminary preparation creates a protective environment that prevents cell damage during subsequent drying and long-term high-temperature storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the dispersion medium contains only protective agents, then cell damage is reduced, but the stability during long-term high temperature storage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviable cell survival rate after long-term storageVSAvoiddispersion medium composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite dispersion medium with three functional categories of additives: protective agents (sodium glutamate, trehalose) that maintain cell structure, antioxidants (sodium ascorbate, vitamin E, catechin) that prevent oxidative damage, and chelating agents (sodium citrate) that sequester metal ions. This multi-component composite system addresses multiple degradation pathways simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of each component in the dispersion medium, using specific ranges (e.g., protective agents at 1-40 mass%, antioxidants at 0.01-10%, chelating agents at 0.1-10%). These parameter optimizations ensure the formulation provides maximum protection while maintaining stability during long-term high-temperature storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If microbial cells are stored at high temperature for distribution, then distribution flexibility is improved, but the quality stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution flexibilityVSAvoidquality stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective measures during the drying stage by suspending cells in a dispersion medium containing protective agents, antioxidants, and chelating agents. This preliminary preparation creates a stable dried cell formulation that can withstand subsequent high-temperature storage without significant quality deterioration, thus enabling flexible distribution while maintaining quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively increases the viable cell survival rate of dried microbial cells, ensuring their stability and quality during storage and distribution, even at elevated temperatures, making them suitable for extended use in food and drink products.

Implementation Method 1

suspending microbial cells in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent in combination before drying the microbial cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective agent action:

Implementation Method 2

a component contained in a dispersion medium to be used when drying the microbial cells is important, and for example, the addition of sodium glutamate (PTL 1) or trehalose (NPL 1) to a dispersion medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidant action: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

suspending microbial cells in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent in combination before drying the microbial cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelating agent action:

Implementation Method 4

microbial cells are suspended in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent, followed by drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Implementation Method 5

followed by drying, and thus completed the present invention

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrying: Desiccation

Data Source

PatentUS10844347B2Method for producing dried microbial cells
Publication Date: 2020.11.24 YAKULT HONSHA KK

AI summary

An object is to provide a method for producing dried microbial cells with a high viable cell survival rate after long-term storage at a high temperature. A method for producing dried microbial cells that achieves the above-mentioned object is characterized in that microbial cells are suspended in a dispersion medium containing a protective agent, an antioxidant, and a chelating agent, followed by drying.