Fat-Coated Micro Particles for Ruminant Feed Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oral administration of active substances in the zootechnical field, particularly in ruminants, faces challenges in ensuring intestinal absorption while avoiding massive degradation during passage through the digestive tract and during the pelleting process, resulting in significant loss of bioavailability.
Innovation Solution
Micro particles with a core containing pharmacologically active substances and carboxylic acids, coated with a layer of fats or waxes, are designed for controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract, protecting the substances from degradation in the rumen and during pelleting, utilizing a synergistic interaction between basic and acidic functional groups and the barrier effect of the outer fat layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active substances are administered orally to ruminants, then intestinal absorption can be achieved, but massive degradation occurs during passage through the digestive tract especially in the rumen
Solution Approach 1:
The active substance is segmented into micro particles with specific size distribution (0.1-5000 microns), allowing different portions to behave differently in the digestive tract. This segmentation enables protection from rumen degradation while maintaining intestinal absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary coating layer is applied to the micro particles, consisting of fats or waxes that act as a protective barrier between the active substance and the rumen environment. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact and degradation while allowing controlled release in the intestine.
2Ease of manufacture
If active substances are incorporated into feed products through pelleting, then feed formulation is improved, but significant loss of bioavailability occurs during the pelleting process
Solution Approach 1:
The micro particles are coated with protective fat or wax layers before being incorporated into the feed formulation. This beforehand cushioning protects the active substances from the harsh conditions of the pelleting process, preventing degradation and maintaining bioavailability.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the active substances are modified through the coating process, changing their interaction with the pelleting environment. The coating alters surface properties and protects against thermal and mechanical stress during pelleting.
3Reliability
If micro particles are coated with fat or wax layers, then protection against degradation is achieved, but controlled release mechanism is enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer provides dynamic protection that adapts to different stages of digestion. The fat or wax coating is resistant to rumen enzymes but becomes progressively more permeable in the intestinal environment, enabling controlled release over time while maintaining protection during transit.
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 controlled-release system effectively reduces rumen degradation and maintains bioavailability, with less than 30% release after 24 hours, and demonstrates protection against degradation during pelleting, ensuring efficient absorption of active ingredients in animals.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier effect of the outer fat layer
Implementation Method 2
the acidic function interacts with the basic function of the active ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the protection against degradation during pelleting of one or more physiologically or pharmacologically active substances, comprising compositions in the form of micro particles or granules, particularly for use in the zootechnical and/or veterinary field. The micro particles include a core which contains one or more substances having a pharmacological action, food supplements or diagnostic media, said one or more substances being characterized by the presence, within their chemical structure, of a basic functional group, specifically including an amine functional group. The core comprises also one or more carboxylic acids and/or their salts and eventually one or more excipients. Said core is coated by an outer layer of fats or waxes, and preferably by a mixture of glyceride of fatty acids.