Dietary Fiber Essential Oil Composition for Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for combating pathogenic infections in animals, such as antibiotics and hormones, lead to antibiotic resistance and detrimental side effects, necessitating a natural alternative that enhances immune responses against pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising dietary fiber and essential oils, specifically cinnamon, thyme, and oregano essential oils, combined with a carrier to enhance innate and adaptive immune responses, effectively boosting immunoglobulin production and activating natural killer cells, thereby reducing pathogen levels and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are used to combat pathogenic infections, then disease control is improved, but antibiotic resistance develops and pathogenic harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using essential oils (natural substances) to combat pathogens that have developed resistance to conventional antibiotics. The essential oils serve as a beneficial alternative that converts the harmful situation of antibiotic resistance into an opportunity to use natural, non-resistant-pathogen-targeting substances. The composition includes essential oils like thyme, oregano, and cinnamon which have inherent antimicrobial properties that work against resistant pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dietary fibers as an intermediary carrier that delivers essential oils to the gastrointestinal tract. The dietary fiber matrix protects the essential oils from degradation, controls their release, and facilitates their delivery to target pathogens. This intermediary approach allows the active essential oil components to effectively reach and combat resistant pathogens without being neutralized by the gastrointestinal environment.
2Productivity
If hormones are used to promote animal health and growth, then productivity is improved, but detrimental side effects and public health concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs essential oils as temporary, naturally-degrading substances that provide growth-promoting and health-enhancing effects without persistent accumulation in animal tissues or the environment. These essential oils are volatile and metabolizable, providing their beneficial effects during the treatment period then naturally breaking down, avoiding the long-term side effects associated with hormonal supplements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of immune modulation from hormonal (endocrine system disruption) to immunological (immune system enhancement). Instead of using hormones that alter metabolic parameters, the composition uses essential oils that modify immune response parameters, stimulating the animal's own immune defenses to improve health and growth without the detrimental side effects of hormonal interference.
3Reliability
If sub-therapeutic antibiotics are used as feed additives, then animal health is improved, but pathogenic antibiotic resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful situation of widespread antibiotic use into a beneficial opportunity by using essential oils that have inherent antimicrobial properties without contributing to resistance. The essential oils in the composition (thyme, oregano, cinnamon) provide health benefits to animals while their natural, complex chemical structures make it difficult for pathogens to develop resistance, thus benefiting animal health without creating the harmful resistance problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite composition combining dietary fibers with multiple essential oils. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the dietary fiber matrix enhances the stability and delivery of essential oils, while the combination of multiple essential oil types provides broader spectrum activity and reduces the likelihood of resistance development compared to single-substance antibiotics.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a composition comprising a dietary fiber, one or more essential oils, and a carrier. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of preparing a composition comprising contacting a dietary fiber and one or more essential oils with a carrier sufficient to form a composition for enhancing immune responses in subjects having or susceptible to having infections and/or diseases caused by gastrointestinal pathogens. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of administering a composition comprising administering a composition to a subject having or susceptible to having an infection and/or disease caused by a pathogen, wherein the composition comprises a dietary fiber, one or more essential oils, and a carrier.