Esterified Fatty Acid Composition for Monogenean Control in Aquaculture

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Solution Overview

Problem

The aquacultural industry faces challenges in controlling monogenean parasite infections in aquatic organisms due to the limitations of conventional chemical treatments, which are ineffective, toxic, and lead to resistance, while microalgae residue from fucoxanthin extraction is underutilized.

Innovation Solution

A method using esterified fatty acids derived from microalgal residue, particularly from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, is developed to treat monogenean infections in aquatic organisms, administered through a therapeutically effective amount in water or directly to the organisms, optionally with a detergent like Kolliphor EL.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemical treatments (praziquantel, organophosphates, formalin) are used to control monogenean parasite infections, then parasite populations are reduced, but host toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparasite control efficacyVSAvoidhost toxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment by using esterified fatty acids with specific chain lengths (C4-C24) instead of conventional chemicals. This parameter change maintains antiparasitic efficacy while reducing toxicity to hosts and environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes residual biomass from microalgal culture, which would otherwise be discarded, to produce esterified fatty acids. This converts waste material into a effective treatment, reducing both cost and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If conventional chemical treatments are applied repeatedly to control parasite resistance, then infection control is maintained, but parasite resistance develops and host toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection controlVSAvoidparasite resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a different chemical approach (esterified fatty acids) with varying chain lengths to treat resistant parasite populations. This parameter change bypasses resistance mechanisms that have developed against conventional chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If microalgal residue is discarded after fucoxanthin extraction, then production cost is reduced, but valuable compounds are lost and environmental waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidvaluable compounds in residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers valuable esterified fatty acids from the residual biomass that would otherwise be discarded after fucoxanthin extraction. This dual-use approach maintains low production costs while preventing loss of valuable compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the microalgal biomass multi-functional by first extracting fucoxanthin and then utilizing the residue for esterified fatty acid production. This multi-functionality maximizes value extraction from the same biomass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260083697A1Composition and use of same for controlling infections in aquatic organisms

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 BG NEGEV TECHNOLOGIES & APPLICATIONS LTD

AI summary

The present application, provides, inter alia, a composition including an esterified fatty acid, including a fatty acid comprising 4 to 24 carbon atoms, for use in a method for prevention or treatment of a monogenean infection in an aquatic organism in need thereof.