Freeze-Dried C. Acnes Composition for Viability and Storage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing non-pathogenic C. acnes strains for acne treatment are not suitable for common cosmetic product forms, lack high viability, and have poor storage stability.
Innovation Solution
A process involving microfiltration and optional washing of bacterial cells, followed by formulation with cryoprotectants and freeze-drying, to produce a freeze-dried composition with high viability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If centrifugation is used to collect biomass, then the product can be formulated as a gel, but the viability of the C. acnes strain is insufficient and it is not suitable for common cosmetic product forms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the collection method from centrifugation to microfiltration, and modifies the formulation from gel to freeze-dried composition. These parameter changes resolve the contradiction by achieving both high viability (≥10^9 CFU/g) and suitability for common cosmetic product forms like creams and lotions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs freeze-drying (lyophilization) which involves phase transitions from liquid to solid through freezing and sublimation. This phase transition process removes water while preserving bacterial viability, enabling the product to be incorporated into anhydrous cosmetic formulations like creams and lotions while maintaining high strain viability
2Reliability
If the product is formulated as a gel, then it can contain live C. acnes strains, but it is not easy to handle, store and ship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses freeze-drying to transform the product from a gel state to a stable dry powder state. This phase transition removes water while preserving bacterial viability, making the product easy to handle, store and ship without requiring special conditions, while maintaining high strain viability through the protective effect of the freeze-drying process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary freeze-drying to create a stable, low-moisture product before final formulation. This preliminary action removes water and creates a stable matrix that protects the C. acnes strains during storage and transport, making the product easy to handle while maintaining viability
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional methods are used to produce freeze-dried composition, then the product can be stored, but the viability decreases significantly during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes several parameters including using microfiltration instead of centrifugation for biomass collection, adjusting the formulation composition with appropriate excipients, and controlling the freeze-drying parameters. These parameter changes work together to maintain high viability (≥80% after 4 weeks storage) while ensuring storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses excipients and formulation components as intermediaries to protect the C. acnes strains during freeze-drying and storage. These intermediaries create a protective matrix that maintains bacterial viability while allowing long-term storage stability
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 significantly increases the viability of non-pathogenic C. acnes strains in the freeze-dried product, maintaining at least 80% viability after 4 weeks of storage, with residual moisture reduced to less than 3 wt%, suitable for use in topical compositions.
Implementation Method 1
concentrating the bacterial cells of the at least one non-pathogenic C. acnes strain from a fermentation broth by microfiltration
Implementation Method 2
freeze drying said biomass formulation to obtain the freeze-dried composition comprising the at least one non-pathogenic C. acnes strain
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for producing a freeze-dried composition comprising a non-pathogenic C. acnes strain, the obtained freeze-dried composition, topical compositions comprising said freeze-dried compositions as well as the use thereof for treating or preventing acne in a human subject.