Iron Source Selection for Probiotic Powder Viability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing iron compounds used to fortify compositions containing probiotic bacteria often compromise the viability of the bacteria, leading to the need for over-dosing and increased waste, as they cause a significant reduction in the viability of probiotic bacteria during reconstitution.

Innovation Solution

The use of ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate, and mixtures thereof as iron sources in probiotic compositions, which do not significantly reduce the viability of probiotic bacteria, allowing for effective fortification without compromising bacterial viability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional iron compounds (e.g., ferrous sulphate) are used to fortify probiotic compositions, then iron fortification is achieved, but the viability of probiotic bacteria is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveiron contentVSAvoidbacterial viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the iron compound by selecting specific forms (ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate) that have different chemical properties from conventional iron compounds. These parameter changes in iron compound selection resolve the contradiction by maintaining iron fortification while preserving bacterial viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If probiotic bacteria are over-dosed to compensate for viability loss, then appropriate amounts of live bacteria are delivered to consumers, but production costs increase and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial viabilityVSAvoidwaste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of iron compounds on bacterial viability into a beneficial outcome by selecting specific iron compounds (ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate) that do not harm the bacteria. This eliminates the need for over-dosing and the associated waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If probiotic bacteria are over-dosed to ensure sufficient live bacteria reach consumers, then viability is maintained, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial viabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the parameter of iron compound selection to specific forms that are compatible with probiotics, the invention eliminates the need for costly over-dosing strategies, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11596649B2Composition in powder form comprising iron and probiotic bacteria

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition in powder form comprising probiotic bacteria and at least one iron source selected from ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate and mixtures thereof. Ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate and mixtures thereof advantageously do not cause significant inhibition or reduction in the viability of the bacteria and thus these iron sources are advantageously used to fortify a composition in powder form comprising probiotic bacteria.