Functional Soybean Meal with Phytogenic Additives for Antibiotic Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of antimicrobials in animal feed as growth promoters has led to concerns over antibiotic resistance and residues in animal products, prompting a need for alternatives that maintain productivity and safety without compromising animal or human health.

Innovation Solution

A functional soybean meal composition incorporating phytogenic feed additives, medium-chain fatty acids, or organic acids, which are plant-derived, to enhance animal feed, reducing the reliance on non-plant-derived antimicrobials and promoting gut health and productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If antimicrobial agents are used as growth promoters in animal feed, then feed efficiency and productivity are improved, but antibiotic resistance and residues in animal products increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed efficiencyVSAvoidantibiotic resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using conventional antimicrobial agents to plant-derived alternatives, changing the chemical composition and origin of feed additives. This parameter change maintains the growth promoter function while eliminating antibiotic resistance risks and residues in animal products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs plant-derived substances that can be readily produced and replaced, substituting for persistent antimicrobial agents that accumulate resistance. These natural compounds provide temporary growth promotion effects without creating long-term resistance issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If antimicrobial agents are used as growth promoters in animal feed, then mortality rate is reduced, but residues in animal derivatives increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemortality rate controlVSAvoidresidues in animal products
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses plant-derived antimicrobial compounds that act as temporary protective agents against pathogens, reducing mortality without persisting in animal tissues. These substances are metabolized and excreted, preventing residue accumulation in meat, milk, and eggs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces plant-derived compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the animal host and pathogenic microorganisms. These natural antimicrobials provide protective effects against diseases while being safe for human consumption and not accumulating in animal products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230240327A1Functional soybean meal
Publication Date: 2023.08.03 CARGILL INC

AI summary

A functional soybean meal includes soybean meal and a functional additive that includes a phytogenic feed additive, a medium-chain fatty acid, an organic acid, or a combination thereof. Also provided are animal feeds and animal feed products including the functional soybean meal, methods of feeding an animal the functional soybean meal, and methods of making the functional soybean meal.