Feed Additive with pH-Sensitive Shell for Calcium Uptake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current feed additives do not effectively improve calcium uptake in the intestine of monogastric animals, and they fail to stimulate cation resorption, particularly calcium ions, in the jejunum, caecum, and colon, which can lead to issues like reduced bone density and increased susceptibility to diseases such as osteoporosis and mastitis metritis agalactia in swine.

Innovation Solution

A feed additive comprising at least two TRP modulators, such as carvacrol and vanillin, combined with a controlled release agent like hydrogenated vegetable oils, which targets the intestine to enhance calcium uptake by stimulating TRP channels, thereby improving calcium ion resorption and immune function, reducing the severity of diseases, and enhancing feed digestibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TRP modulators are administered in conventional feed additives, then they can stimulate TRP channels, but they are resorbed too quickly in the rumen and do not reach the intestine in sufficient concentrations to effectively stimulate calcium uptake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcium uptake stimulationVSAvoidresorption speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The TRP modulators are microencapsulated within a core-shell structure where the TRP modulator is nested inside a polymer shell. This nesting protects the TRP modulator from premature release in the rumen and enables controlled release in the intestine, solving the contradiction between quick resorption and effective delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A pH-sensitive polymer shell acts as an intermediary between the TRP modulator and the gastrointestinal environment. The shell remains intact in the acidic rumen environment but dissolves or becomes permeable in the higher pH intestine, mediating the controlled release of the TRP modulator at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If essential oils are used to improve feed conversion and reduce pathogenic bacteria, then they show beneficial effects, but their bioavailability is limited and they do not specifically target intestinal calcium uptake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed conversionVSAvoidbioavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Essential oils are microencapsulated within the core-shell structure, nesting them protected from degradation and controlling their release. This increases their bioavailability and ensures they reach the intestine in sufficient concentrations to exert their beneficial effects on calcium uptake and gut health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The feed additive composition is designed to release essential oils specifically in the intestine rather than uniformly throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This local quality enhancement ensures the essential oils act where needed for calcium uptake stimulation while minimizing premature degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If antibiotics are used to prevent diseases like mastitis metritis agalactia, then disease severity is reduced, but antibiotic use has negative environmental and health implications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease preventionVSAvoidantibiotic residues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of premature TRP modulator degradation in the rumen into a benefit by using the same acidic environment as a trigger for controlled release. The pH difference between rumen and intestine is transformed from a problem into a mechanism for targeted delivery, reducing the need for antibiotics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The feed additive composition is designed to be self-regulating, using the natural pH gradient of the gastrointestinal tract to control release. The system automatically adjusts release based on environmental conditions without external control, reducing disease risk through enhanced calcium uptake and immune function while eliminating antibiotic residues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly increases calcium uptake in the intestine, improves immune function, reduces the severity of diseases like mastitis metritis agalactia, and enhances bone density, leading to improved weight gain and feed efficiency in monogastric animals.

Implementation Method 1

a controlled release agent, wherein the feed additive comprises carvacrol and vanillin. The feed additive of the invention allows for the release of the TRP modulators in the intestine rather than the stomach of the animal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH-sensitive release:

Implementation Method 2

The TRP modulator can stimulate the resorption of cations. in particular calcium ions. in at least part of the intestine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon channel activation:

Data Source

PatentEP3986153B1Feed additive

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 PERFORMANAT GMBH

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a feed additive for monogastric animal feed comprising at least two TRP modulators capable of improving calcium uptake in the intestine of a monogastric animal, and a controlled release agent, wherein the feed additive comprises carvacrol and vanillin.