Epilobium Fleischeri Extract as a Prebiotic for Skin Microbiome Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial compounds used in topical compositions do not selectively target harmful bacteria, leading to depletion of beneficial skin microbes and potentially fostering antibiotic resistances, disrupting the skin microbiome balance.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing Epilobium Fleischeri extract as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial skin microbes over harmful ones, thereby maintaining a healthy skin microbiome balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial compounds are used to reduce harmful bacteria, then harmful bacteria are reduced, but beneficial bacteria are also depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces prebiotic compounds as intermediaries that selectively nourish beneficial bacteria without directly affecting harmful bacteria. These prebiotics serve as a mediator that indirectlly reduces harmful bacteria by empowering beneficial bacteria to outcompete them, rather than using antimicrobials that directly kill all bacteria indiscriminately
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different functional compounds to different bacterial populations: prebiotics are provided specifically for beneficial bacteria to promote their growth, while harmful bacteria are excluded from this nutritional benefit. This creates locally different conditions for different bacterial types within the same microbiome environment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial compounds are used to reduce harmful bacteria, then harmful bacteria are reduced, but antibiotic resistances are fostered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using antimicrobials to kill harmful bacteria directly, the patent inverts the approach by using prebiotics to boost beneficial bacteria, which then naturally suppress harmful bacteria through competition. This indirect method avoids the selection pressure that leads to antibiotic resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the competitive relationship between bacteria into a benefit by providing prebiotics that enable beneficial bacteria to dominate and naturally suppress harmful bacteria, transforming what would otherwise require harmful antimicrobial intervention into a beneficial natural process
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial compounds are used to reduce harmful bacteria, then harmful bacteria are reduced, but skin microbiome balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
Prebiotic compounds serve as intermediaries that selectively support beneficial bacteria without directly impacting harmful bacteria. This mediator approach allows the microbiome to self-regulate and maintain balance, rather than using antimicrobials that forcibly reduce all bacteria and disrupt the natural equilibrium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the microbiome to self-regulate by providing prebiotics that allow beneficial bacteria to naturally outcompete harmful bacteria. The system serves itself through enhanced beneficial bacterial growth and competition, rather than requiring external antimicrobial intervention that disrupts balance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an Epilobium extract, preferably an Epilobium fleischeri extract for use as a prebiotic.