Feed Mitigant for Viral RNA Inactivation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mitigating viral pathogens in animal feed, such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Seneca Virus A (SVA), are costly and require lengthy holding times, making them impractical for the meat industry.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of benzoic acid, eugenol, and thymol to animal feed at concentrations below 0.5 weight-%, which effectively inhibits these viruses and reduces the necessary holding time for viral degradation, using a mixture that is more cost-effective than existing solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional essential oil products are used at higher concentrations to combat viral pathogens in feed, then viral degradation effectiveness is improved, but feed cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviral degradation effectivenessVSAvoidfeed cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines benzoic acid with essential oil components (eugenol and thymol) to create a composite antimicrobial composition. This composite approach allows achieving effective viral degradation at lower total concentrations (0.01-5 wt%) compared to using essential oils alone, thereby reducing feed costs while maintaining reliability against viral pathogens like PEDV, PRRSV, and SVA

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the concentration parameter by using lower total amounts of the composite composition (0.01-5 wt%) compared to conventional essential oil products. This parameter change is enabled by the synergistic effect of the composite materials, which maintain viral degradation effectiveness at reduced concentrations, thus lowering feed costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If longer holding times are applied to ensure viral degradation in feed, then viral degradation completeness is improved, but productivity and logistical efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviral degradation completenessVSAvoidlogistical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite composition of benzoic acid, eugenol, and thymol acts rapidly to initiate and accelerate viral degradation immediately upon addition to feed. This preliminary action reduces the required holding time from conventional extended periods to just 3-7 days, maintaining viral degradation completeness while improving productivity and logistical efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dynamic solution where the holding time can be optimized based on specific viral threats and feed conditions. The composite composition provides flexibility in holding time requirements (3-7 days), allowing producers to balance viral degradation completeness with productivity and logistical needs, rather than applying fixed extended holding times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If higher concentrations of antimicrobial compositions are used to ensure viral mitigation, then viral degradation effectiveness is improved, but feed cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviral degradation effectivenessVSAvoidfeed cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The synergistic composite of benzoic acid, eugenol, and thymol achieves effective viral degradation at low total concentrations (0.01-5 wt%). This composite material approach reduces the quantity of substances needed compared to conventional single-ingredient products, thereby lowering feed costs while maintaining or improving viral degradation effectiveness against multiple viruses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the concentration parameter by using lower total amounts of the composite composition (0.01-5 wt%) compared to conventional products. This parameter optimization is achieved through the synergistic interaction of the composite components, which maintain effectiveness at reduced concentrations, thus reducing feed cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 combination of benzoic acid, eugenol, and thymol quickly inactivates viral RNA, reducing the holding time needed for viral degradation to less than 3 days, thereby reducing costs and logistical challenges for farmers while ensuring the feed is free of harmful viral RNA.

Implementation Method 1

adding more holding time to assure viral degradation in feed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViral degradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

benzoic acid, eugenol, and thymol are added to animal feed... quickly inactivates viral RNA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical inactivation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20230189843A1Prevention of viral transmission through feed

Publication Date: 2023.06.22 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method of determining the need of adding a mitigant to feed for inactivating viruses that might be present in said feed. The preferred mitigant is a mixture comprising benzoic acid flakes and a powder that comprises eugenol and thymol. Said mixture inactivates viruses quickly, even when added in low concentration only. This applies in particular (but not only) to porcine epidemic diarrhea vims (PEDV). The animal feed, by way of the invention, is thus rendered to be substantially free of harmful viral RNA.