Edible Enterosorbent Clay for Broad-Spectrum Toxin Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack effective and safe strategies to mitigate the exposure to hazardous environmental toxins, including mycotoxins and chemicals, during natural and man-made disasters, particularly affecting vulnerable communities and first responders.
Innovation Solution
Development of enterosorbents, specifically acid-activated and lecithin-treated phyllosilicate-type minerals like montmorillonite clays, to adsorb a wide range of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing bioavailability and exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If activated carbon is used as an enterosorbent, then adsorption capacity for toxins is improved, but safety concerns arise due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants from activated carbon through acid treatment, extracting the harmful substance while preserving the beneficial adsorption capacity of the carbon material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of activated carbon by controlling acid treatment conditions (concentration, duration, temperature) to optimize both safety (removal of harmful substances) and adsorption capacity
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional enterosorbents are used, then limited efficacy is achieved against toxin mixtures, but broad-acting capability is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal enterosorbent formulation that can effectively bind multiple types of toxins including mycotoxins (aflatoxin, zearalenone), environmental chemicals (PCP, BaP, lindane, diazinon, aldicarb, linuron, trifluralin), and microbes through a single acid-processed carbon material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines acid-processed activated carbon with complementary sorbent materials to create a composite enterosorbent system that enhances broad-spectrum toxin binding while maintaining safety and efficacy
3Quantity of substance
If acid treatment is applied to increase surface area and porosity, then adsorption capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes acid treatment parameters (concentration ranges from 0.1M to 6M, treatment times from 1 to 24 hours, temperatures from 25°C to 100°C) to achieve desired surface area and porosity while controlling manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies acid treatment selectively to specific regions or surfaces of the carbon material to enhance local adsorption capacity while maintaining overall structural integrity and controlling processing complexity
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 enterosorbents effectively bind and reduce the concentration of toxins, providing significant protection against mycotoxins and environmental chemicals, as demonstrated by reduced toxicity in animal and human models.
Implementation Method 1
capable of non-competitive binding of aflatoxin, zearalenone, and other toxins, reducing bioavailability and toxicity by adsorption in the gastrointestinal tract
Data Source
AI summary
An edible enterosorbent containing a treated enterosorbent, wherein the treated enterosorbent comprises a parent sorbent that has been acid and/or lecithin treated, and wherein the treated sorbent is operable for adsorption of one or more toxins from a gastrointestinal tract of a living being when introduced thereto, such that a bioavailability of and exposure of the living being to the one or more toxins is decreased. Methods of making and utilizing the edible enterosorbent are also provided.