Biobased Fatty Acid Arginates for Antimicrobial Efficacy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial agents face challenges due to antimicrobial resistance and potential negative impacts on health and the environment, necessitating the development of sustainable, non-toxic alternatives with improved efficacy against food-borne pathogens.

Innovation Solution

The synthesis of fatty acid arginates with linear or branched aliphatic chains and phenolic groups, produced through halogenation and argination processes, which can be used as surfactants or antimicrobial agents to inhibit microbial growth or kill microbes effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic antimicrobial agents are used, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of antimicrobial agents by using bio-based fatty acids with specific chain lengths (C6-C24) and structures (linear or branched) to create arginate derivatives that maintain efficacy while reducing toxicity. The structural parameters of the fatty acid chains are optimized to achieve the desired balance between antimicrobial activity and safety profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite molecular structures by combining fatty acid moieties with arginine residues to form fatty acid arginates. This composite approach integrates the hydrophobic properties of fatty acids with the cationic characteristics of arginine, producing a molecule that exhibits both antimicrobial activity and reduced toxicity compared to conventional synthetic agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial agents are used, then microbial inhibition is achieved, but antimicrobial resistance develops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial inhibitionVSAvoidantimicrobial resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating antimicrobial agents with specific localized structural features - particular fatty acid chain lengths and arginine configurations - that enable effective microbial interaction while avoiding the selection pressure that leads to resistance. The localized structural characteristics of the arginate molecules provide targeted antimicrobial action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using conventional synthetic antimicrobial structures that have led to resistance, the patent inverts the approach by utilizing bio-based natural product derivatives (fatty acid arginates) that offer alternative mechanisms of action, thereby circumventing the resistance development pathway associated with traditional agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If petroleum-based materials are used, then antimicrobial agent production is established, but sustainability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction establishmentVSAvoidsustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the hydrocarbon chains required for antimicrobial activity from renewable bio-based sources (fatty acids) rather than from petroleum. This extraction approach maintains the essential functional components needed for antimicrobial efficacy while eliminating dependence on non-renewable fossil resources, thereby achieving sustainability without sacrificing manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Fatty acid arginates demonstrate strong surfactant properties and significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against food-borne pathogens, with lower concentrations required to achieve similar surface tension and antimicrobial effects compared to existing agents, indicating improved capabilities and safety profiles.

Implementation Method 1

Fatty acid arginates demonstrate strong surfactant properties and significant antimicrobial activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity:

Data Source

PatentUS11840499B2Biobased-fatty acid arginates

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

A biobased fatty acid arginate may be synthesized according to the disclosed process by combining arginine and a fatty acid. The fatty acid arginate may have certain beneficial properties, such as surfactant properties or acting as an antimicrobial agent.