GH25 Lysozyme and Phytase Feed Additives for Gut Microbiota Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current animal feed compositions fail to effectively utilize lysozyme and phytase activities to improve growth performance and environmental sustainability, as existing lysozyme products are limited in their ability to target human pathogens, and inorganic phosphate addition is costly and environmentally detrimental.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating polypeptides with lysozyme activity from glycosyl hydrolyase family 25 and phytase activity classified as EC 3.1.3.26 into animal feed, which alters the gut microbiota, increasing Faecalibacterium and Clostridiales proportions, thereby enhancing European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hen egg-white lysozyme is used in animal feed, then bacterial cell wall hydrolysis is achieved, but it cannot cleave N,6-O-diacetylmuramic acid in Staphylococcus aureus cell walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelysozyme activity against bacteriaVSAvoidsubstrate specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of lysozyme structure by selecting GH25 lysozyme from fungi instead of GH22 hen egg-white lysozyme. This structural parameter change enables the enzyme to cleave N,6-O-diacetylmuramic acid in Staphylococcus aureus cell walls, which GH22 lysozyme cannot do, thereby expanding substrate specificity while maintaining lytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If inorganic phosphate is added to animal feed to compensate for phosphate deficit, then animal growth and health are ensured, but cost increases and environmental pollution worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimal growth performanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by incorporating phytase enzyme in animal feed, which enables the animal's own digestive system to hydrolyze phytate and release phosphorus. This self-generated phosphorus eliminates the need for inorganic phosphate supplementation, reducing both cost and environmental pollution while ensuring adequate phosphorus supply for growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The phytase enzyme acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the conversion of indigestible phytate into absorbable phosphorus. This intermediary enables the animal to access phosphorus from plant-based feed without requiring direct inorganic phosphate addition, thereby solving both the nutritional and environmental problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If phytase is added to animal feed to hydrolyze phytate, then animal performance improves and phosphate burden is reduced, but further growth performance improvement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimal performanceVSAvoidgrowth performance potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two enzymatic functions into a single feed additive formulation: GH25 lysozyme for antimicrobial activity and phytase for phosphorus release. This combination creates a synergistic effect where lysozyme improves gut health by targeting bacteria, while phytase ensures adequate phosphorus supply, together achieving superior growth performance beyond what either enzyme can accomplish alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 combination of GH25 lysozyme and EC 3.1.3.26 phytase in animal feed significantly improves EPEF and FCR by altering gut microbiota, increasing butyrate-producing bacteria, and reducing Bacteroidales, leading to enhanced animal performance and environmental benefits.

Implementation Method 1

The enzyme causes the hydrolysis of bacterial cell walls by cleaving the glycosidic bonds of peptidoglycan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

bacterial cells lyse as a result of umbalanced osmotic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmotic pressure: Osmotic Pressure

Implementation Method 3

By using a phytase in animal feeds, the phytate is hydrolyzed to substrates which the animal can utilise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3316699B1Animal feed compositions comprising GH25 lysozyme and 4-phytase and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 NOVOZYMES AS
  • EP3316699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to animal feed compositions comprising polypeptides having lysozyme activity and polypeptides having phytase activity and uses thereof.