Fermented Seaweed Composition for Feed Bioavailability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved processes to enhance the nutritional characteristics and digestibility of seaweed-based food and feed products, while reducing spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, particularly in liquid animal feed, and to increase the bioavailability of proteins and antioxidants.
Innovation Solution
A process involving fermentation of seaweeds using lactic acid-producing bacteria for a prolonged period, optionally combined with phytase and other plant materials, to create a fermented composition that increases protein and antioxidant availability, and improves digestibility, which can be further processed into biofuel or food/feed products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If seaweed is used directly in feed without processing, then it provides protein and antioxidants, but the cell walls remain intact reducing nutrient bioavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting fermentation before feed formulation. Lactic acid bacteria are introduced to pre-break down seaweed cell walls through enzymatic action, making nutrients more bioavailable before the feed is prepared and administered to animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming the chemical environment through fermentation. The addition of lactic acid bacteria changes pH levels and produces enzymes that degrade cell wall structures, converting seaweed from a low-bioavailability state to a high-bioavailability state while preserving nutrient content.
2Productivity
If liquid feed systems are used for delivering livestock feed, then feeding efficiency is improved, but pathogenic bacteria and organisms can contaminate and ferment the feed causing illness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful fermentation action of bacteria into a beneficial process by using controlled lactic acid fermentation. Instead of preventing all bacterial activity, the patent harnesses beneficial bacteria to ferment the feed in a controlled manner, producing lactic acid that actually prevents pathogenic bacteria growth while improving nutrient availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lactic acid bacteria as an intermediary organism that mediates between the liquid feed and potential pathogens. These beneficial bacteria establish themselves first, consuming available nutrients and producing antimicrobial substances that protect the feed from pathogenic contamination throughout the liquid feeding system.
3Reliability
If fermentation is used to reduce pathogenic microorganisms, then food safety is improved, but prolonged fermentation is needed to break down cell walls which increases processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing fermentation conditions including pH control, temperature management, and inoculum concentration. These parameter optimizations accelerate the dual objectives of cell wall degradation and pathogen reduction, achieving both goals in a shorter time frame than conventional fermentation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite fermentation approaches by combining multiple strains of lactic acid bacteria with different functional capabilities. Some strains are selected for rapid pathogen inhibition while others excel at cell wall degradation, allowing simultaneous achievement of both objectives without requiring excessively long processing times.
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 process effectively breaks down seaweed cell walls, enhances nutrient bioavailability, and produces a fermented composition with improved digestibility and probiotic properties, reducing the risk of pathogenic infections and improving feed quality.
Implementation Method 1
fermenting the combinatorial material of step d) using the inoculum of step a) for a period of at least 15 days
Implementation Method 2
providing a source of phytase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising fermented seaweed and/or algae. The invention also relates to processes for providing such compositions, wherein the fermentation times are prolonged to increase bioavailability of the nutrients.