Feed Additive Acid Mixture Bacterial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acid mixtures used in animal feed additives are insufficient in preventing the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella and E-coli, and may lower the pH to levels that are not acceptable for animal consumption, leading to corrosion issues and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A feed additive containing a mixture of low-molecular weight organic dicarboxylic acids (like glutamic acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid) and polyphenols (like tannic acid or ellagic acid) that synergistically enhance the antimicrobial effect without lowering the pH, combined with phenolic aldehydes to improve long-term efficacy and taste, ensuring effective bacterial inactivation in both feed and gastrointestinal tracts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acid mixtures are used to suppress bacterial growth, then the antimicrobial effect is improved, but the pH value drops too low causing feed rejection and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple organic acids (formic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid) with organic acid salts (calcium formate, sodium propionate, potassium acetate, ammonium lactate) to create a composite acid mixture. This composite formulation provides synergistic antimicrobial effects while the salt components buffer the pH, preventing excessive acidification that would cause feed rejection or corrosion of equipment.
2Reliability
If higher acid concentrations are used to improve antimicrobial efficacy, then bacterial growth suppression is enhanced, but the pH value decreases excessively affecting feed acceptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of individual acids and their salts within specific ranges: formic acid (5-20%), propionic acid (5-15%), acetic acid (5-15%), lactic acid (5-15%), calcium formate (10-30%), sodium propionate (10-25%), potassium acetate (10-25%), and ammonium lactate (10-30%). These parameter adjustments ensure sufficient antimicrobial activity while maintaining pH within acceptable limits for feed palatability.
3Reliability
If more acid is added to enhance antimicrobial action, then the effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria improves, but the total acid amount increases causing side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple free acids with their corresponding salts to achieve enhanced antimicrobial effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria. The combination of formic acid with calcium formate, propionic acid with sodium propionate, acetic acid with potassium acetate, and lactic acid with ammonium lactate creates a synergistic system that improves bacterial suppression without requiring excessive total acid concentrations, thereby avoiding associated side effects.
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 feed additive achieves almost complete inactivation of Gram-negative bacteria, reduces diarrheal diseases, and enhances animal performance without lowering the pH, thereby maintaining feed acceptability and preventing corrosion, while using lower acid concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
In their undissociated form, they are able to penetrate semipermeable bacterial cell walls, particularly those of Gram-negative bacteria. Inside the cell cytoplasm, the acids dissociate, thereby lowering the intracellular bacterial pH.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a feedstuff additive containing an acid mixture, which contains at least one low-molecular-weight, organic monocarboxylic acid and either a further organic monocarboxylic acid or inorganic acid and additionally a solid or liquid carrier, wherein the acid mixture additionally contains at least one low-molecular-weight, organic dicarboxylic acid.