Fermented Polyphenol Plant Materials for Insulin Response Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively address the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases due to insulin resistance, which is linked to high insulin levels post-meal, necessitating new approaches to manage these conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the modification of polyphenol-containing plant materials through a process that includes mixing with a solvent, heating to eliminate bacteria, adding a polyphenol-modifying strain of lactic acid bacteria, and fermenting to create a composition that reduces insulin responses, which can be used in food or pharmaceutical compositions to prevent or treat these diseases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyphenol-containing plant materials are fermented with lactic acid bacteria to reduce insulin responses, then the effectiveness in preventing/treating diabetes and metabolic syndrome is improved, but the process complexity and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in reducing insulin responsesVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling fermentation conditions (temperature, time, pH) and selecting specific lactic acid bacteria strains to optimize polyphenol modification. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable insulin response reduction through controlled parameter changes rather than complex process designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The lactic acid bacteria naturally modify polyphenols during fermentation through their metabolic activities, producing beneficial compounds without requiring additional processing steps. This self-service mechanism reduces process complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If heating is applied to eliminate bacteria before fermentation, then the safety and control of the fermentation process is improved, but the energy consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of fermentation processVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by heating the plant material before fermentation to eliminate unwanted bacteria and create a controlled environment for the desired lactic acid bacteria. This preliminary step ensures reliable fermentation control while minimizing subsequent energy requirements by preventing contamination that would require additional processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating process, while consuming energy, converts potential harm from unwanted bacterial contamination into benefit by creating a clean substrate that enhances the efficiency and reliability of the subsequent fermentation process

Inventive Principle:

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

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 modified polyphenol-containing plant materials significantly lower insulin responses by 15-25%, providing a potential solution for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.

Implementation Method 1

adding at least one polyphenol modifying strain of lactic acid bacteria and optionally at least one protein source, in optional order or simultaneously, to the heated mixture to provide a fermentation mixture; and subjecting the fermentation mixture to conditions suitable for fermentation of the fermentation mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

heating the mixture to eliminate bacterial species present to provide a heated mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal processing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9351511B2Method for modifying polyphenol containing plant materials and medical uses of modified polyphenol plant containing materials

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 PROBI AB LUND SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for modifying polyphenol containing plant material(s), wherein said method comprises: mixing at least one polyphenol containing material and at least one solvent to provide a mixture; heating the mixture to eliminate bacterial species present to provide a heated mixture; adding at least one polyphenol modifying strain of lactic acid bacteria and optionally at least one protein source, in optional order or simultaneously, to the heated mixture to provide a fermentation mixture; and subjecting the fermentation mixture to conditions suitable for fermentation of the fermentation mixture to provide a mixture of modified polyphenol containing plant material(s); and optionally eliminating the polyphenol modifying strain of lactic acid bacteria to provide a mixture of modified polyphenol containing plant material(s) free from living lactic acid bacteria.