Fermented Infant Formula with Oligosaccharides for Colic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infantile colic is a widespread clinical issue in infants, causing parental stress and discomfort, with existing treatments being either ineffective or associated with serious side effects, and the role of nutrition in its prevention or treatment is not fully understood.
Innovation Solution
A partly fermented infant formula comprising 0.5 to 20 wt.% non-digestible oligosaccharides and 0.25 to 1.5 wt.% lactate and lactic acid, fermented by lactic acid bacteria, is administered to reduce the incidence and duration of colic episodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If anticholinergic drugs are used to treat infantile colic, then colic symptoms are reduced, but serious side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using fermented ingredients that produce lactic acid and lactate as beneficial substances to prevent and treat colic. Instead of using harmful anticholinergic drugs, the invention converts the fermentation process into a beneficial treatment that reduces colic symptoms without the serious side effects associated with conventional pharmacological interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the infant formula by incorporating fermented ingredients with specific amounts of lactic acid (0.1-1.0 wt%) and lactate (0.25-1.5 wt%). This parameter change transforms the formula from a conventional non-fermented state to a fermented state that actively prevents and treats colic symptoms through the presence of these fermentation products.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If partially hydrolysed formula with fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides is used, then colic episodes are reduced, but the formula composition becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple beneficial components into a single fermented ingredient. Instead of separately adding partially hydrolysed formula, fructo-oligosaccharides, and galacto-oligosaccharides, the invention combines these elements into one fermented ingredient that provides lactic acid, lactate, and prebiotic oligosaccharides simultaneously, thereby reducing colic episodes while simplifying the overall formula composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The fermented ingredient serves as a composite material containing multiple active components (lactic acid, lactate, and prebiotic oligosaccharides) that work synergistically to reduce colic episodes. This composite approach eliminates the need for multiple separate additives while providing comprehensive colic prevention and treatment benefits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-fermented infant formula with non-digestible oligosaccharides is used, then some colic symptoms are reduced, but the effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-fermenting the infant formula to produce lactic acid and lactate before administration. This preliminary fermentation process prepares the formula with active colic-reducing components that are already present in effective concentrations, making the treatment more reliable and effective compared to simply adding non-digestible oligosaccharides to non-fermented formula.
Solution Approach 2:
The fermented ingredient acts as an intermediary that mediates between the infant's digestive system and colic symptoms. The lactic acid and lactate produced during fermentation serve as intermediate substances that actively reduce colic symptoms, providing a more reliable and effective treatment mechanism compared to non-fermented formula with added oligosaccharides.
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 formula statistically significantly reduces the incidence and number of crying episodes in infants, providing a safer and more effective alternative to existing treatments by promoting gut health and reducing colic symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
a fermented ingredient, in particular a composition fermented by lactic acid bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fermented infant or follow on formula comprising non digestible oligosaccharides for decreasing duration of crying, reducing crying episodes, and incidence of colics in infants.