GRAS Microbial Consortium for Long-Term Surface Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface disinfection methods are ineffective in providing long-term protection against harmful microorganisms, often relying on harmful chemicals and failing to breach biofilms, leading to temporary solutions and re-growth of pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A microbial consortium comprising GRAS ammonium-oxidizing strains and commensal strains, such as Nitrosomonas and Acinetobacter, which produce complex organic compounds that support the growth of commensal strains, creating a competitive exclusion of unwanted microorganisms and providing long-term surface protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical disinfection methods are used to reduce microorganisms on surfaces, then the presence of harmful microorganisms is temporarily reduced, but the effectiveness is lost over time and pathogens reappear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-replicating beneficial microorganisms that continuously reproduce and maintain their population on the surface, providing ongoing protection without requiring repeated external applications. The microorganisms serve themselves by using available nutrients to sustain their growth and protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The beneficial microorganisms are applied in advance to establish a protective population before harmful pathogens can establish themselves. This preliminary colonization creates competitive exclusion that prevents pathogen growth from the outset, rather than reacting to infections after they occur.
2Reliability
If antibacterial agents are applied to surfaces to maintain hygiene, then harmful microorganisms are reduced, but the agents lose efficacy over time requiring reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The beneficial microorganisms continuously reproduce and maintain their protective population through self-replication, eliminating the need for periodic reapplication of disinfectants. The system sustains itself by utilizing environmental nutrients to support ongoing growth and protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective effect is maintained continuously through the ongoing reproduction and metabolic activity of the beneficial microorganisms. Their continuous presence and activity provide uninterrupted protection against pathogen colonization, rather than temporary effects that require periodic reinforcement.
3Reliability
If cleaning protocols are implemented to remove pathogens, then surface contamination is reduced, but biofilms protect microorganisms from complete removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the protective biofilm concept to benefit by employing beneficial microorganisms that form protective colonies. These beneficial biofilms outcompete harmful pathogens for resources and space, transforming the previously harmful protection mechanism into a protective force against disease-causing organisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The beneficial microorganisms act as intermediaries that compete with pathogens for nutrients and attachment sites. They mediate the environmental conditions on the surface, creating a microbial community structure that favors beneficial organisms and excludes harmful pathogens through resource competition and space occupation.
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 microbial consortium effectively suppresses and excludes harmful microorganisms by promoting the growth of commensal strains, leading to sustained surface protection against pathogens and maintaining a safe microbial environment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more GRAS ammonium-oxidizing strains...which produce complex organic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention provides for a microbial consortium comprising one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains which are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and which are selected from the group of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosopumilus, Cenarchaeum, Nitrosoarchaeum, Nitrosocaldus, Caldiarchaeum; and one or more GRAS strains which are commensal to the one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains, and which are selected from the group of Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Rhizobium, Serratia and Deinococcus.