Granular Feed Additive with Core-Coating Structure for Piglet Appetite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current animal feed additives fail to effectively stimulate appetite in piglets to maximize food consumption and growth, as they lack a combination of taste modifiers and aromas that provide successive sensory experiences.

Innovation Solution

A food additive in the form of granules, comprising a core with a taste modifier (sweet, salty, bitter, acidic, or umami flavor) and a coating with at least two flavors, designed to release flavors as the product dissolves in saliva, enhancing palatability and increasing food intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional single-flavor additives are used, then the additive structure is simple, but the appetite stimulation effect is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood consumptionVSAvoidadditive structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive is divided into two distinct parts: a core containing a taste modifier and a coating containing flavor compounds. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the core provides the primary taste sensation while the coating adds aromatic flavor, together creating a more effective appetite stimulant than either component alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is applied around the core, creating a nested structure where the flavor-containing coating encapsulates the taste-modifier core. This nested design ensures that both taste and flavor components are delivered together in a single additive unit, maximizing their synergistic effect on appetite stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If multiple flavor compounds are combined, then the sensory experience is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidcoating formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies particular parameters for the coating formulation including the use of cyclodextrin derivatives with specific molecular structures (alpha, beta, or gamma forms) and defined ratios of flavor compounds. These parameter specifications standardize the manufacturing process while ensuring the dual sensory effect is achieved, making complex multi-flavor formulations reproducible and manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 additive significantly increases consumption and growth in piglets by providing a dual sensory experience, combining the benefits of taste modifiers, flavor enhancers, and flavorings, as demonstrated in animal tests.

Implementation Method 1

the coating is dissolved by the animal's saliva, which releases the nucleus, which amplifies the first sensation and provides two successive sensations at the time of dissolution of the product in saliva

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP2330921B1Additive for animal feeds having two aroma compounds, and process of manufacture

Publication Date: 2015.12.02 PANCOSMA SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an additive, particularly for promoting food intake and the growth of animals such as piglets. Said additive is in the form of granules, each including: a core that includes at least one compound selected from taste modifiers, taste enhancers, and flavors; and a coating that includes at least two flavors. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such an additive.