Fermented Mixed Feed Using Lactic Acid Bacteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
The farming industry faces challenges in producing fermented feed products due to high microbial pressure, leading to uncontrolled fermentation and the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which can result in animal illness and the transmission of infections to humans, and the use of antibiotic-based growth promoters has been banned in several countries.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of lactic acid-producing bacteria to ferment feed products, creating a fermented mixed feed with a pH of at least 4.2 within 24 hours, which acts as a non-antibiotic growth promoter and controls the growth of unwanted bacteria and yeast, ensuring a safe and palatable feed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid feed is used, then ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled fermentation and pathogenic bacteria growth occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-inoculating the liquid feed with specific lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms before delivery. This preliminary colonization ensures that when the feed reaches the animal, the beneficial microbes are already established and can immediately outcompete pathogenic bacteria, preventing uncontrolled fermentation and ensuring feed safety while maintaining the ease of liquid feed delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of microbial presence in liquid feed into a beneficial outcome by intentionally introducing controlled amounts of beneficial bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, yeast, molds) that will outcompete pathogenic organisms. The natural fermentation process, which was previously problematic, is harnessed and directed to produce beneficial acids and compounds that preserve the feed and promote animal health
2Reliability
If conventional inoculation with starter cultures is used, then fermentation control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple beneficial microorganisms (lactic acid bacteria, yeast, molds) into a single composite inoculum that can be applied in one step. This combined approach simplifies the inoculation process while maintaining fermentation control, as the different microorganisms work synergistically to acidify the feed, produce beneficial compounds, and suppress pathogens without requiring separate handling of each culture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the feed system to inoculate itself by incorporating the beneficial microorganisms directly into the liquid feed formulation. The feed becomes self-inoculating, eliminating the need for separate sterile handling and manual inoculation steps by farmers. The system automatically ensures consistent microbial colonization through the liquid delivery mechanism
3Productivity
If continuous fermentation is used, then productivity is improved, but accumulation of unwanted microorganisms occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using batch fermentation cycles with standardized inoculation at the beginning of each cycle. Rather than continuous fermentation, the system periodically replenishes beneficial microbes in each batch, preventing the accumulation of unwanted microorganisms while maintaining high productivity through efficient batch processing and rapid turnover
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 method effectively controls fermentation, reduces the need for antibiotic-based growth promoters, improves animal health, and enhances feed preservation, palatability, and nutritional value, while reducing the risk of infections and microbial pressure in animal environments.
Implementation Method 1
lactic acid-producing bacteria capable of producing sufficient lactic acid to decrease the pH to at least 4.2 within 24 hours
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to the field of liquid feed, and relates to fermented feed products, methods for their preparation, as well as uses thereof. Furthermore, the invention further relates to animal liquid feed and methods of preparing liquid feed using lactic acid bacteria. In particular, a method of preparing a fermented mixed feed is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a liquid fermented product; (b) providing a feed product to be fermented; (c) combining the products from step (a) and (b), and fermenting the feed product of step (b) using the liquid fermented product of step (a) as inoculum.