Lactic Acid Bacteria Dual-Coating for Viability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lactic acid bacteria are unstable during distribution and storage due to digestive enzymes and bile acids, leading to reduced viability and limited industrial use, despite their beneficial properties, and existing coating methods are insufficient in providing freeze-drying viability, heat resistance, acid resistance, and bile resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method of dual-coating lactic acid bacteria with a hydrolyzed protein and a polysaccharide, where the protein is hydrolyzed to a specific rate to enhance freeze-drying viability, storage stability, and bile resistance, using isolated soy protein and a cryoprotectant like trehalose, and a polysaccharide such as xanthan gum for improved protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lactic acid bacteria are used as probiotics, then physiological effects are achieved, but viability decreases during distribution and storage due to digestive enzymes and bile acids

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveviabilityVSAvoiddigestive enzymes and bile acids
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by coating lactic acid bacteria with both protein (casein or soy protein) and polysaccharide (alginic acid, chitosan, or cellulose) to form a dual-coating structure. This composite coating provides synergistic protection against digestive enzymes and bile acids, significantly improving viability during distribution and storage while maintaining probiotic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible shells and thin films by applying protein and polysaccharide coatings that form protective barriers around the bacterial cells. These coating layers act as flexible protective shells that prevent direct contact with harmful digestive enzymes and bile acids, thereby maintaining cell membrane integrity and viability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If coating agents are used to protect lactic acid bacteria, then stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing food-grade proteins and polysaccharides that can be directly incorporated into the probiotic formulation without requiring complex coating equipment or multi-step processing. The coating agents serve dual purposes: protecting the bacteria and forming part of the final product matrix, thereby simplifying manufacturing while improving stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by selecting coating agents that perform multiple functions simultaneously. For example, casein and soy protein not only provide protective coating but also serve as nitrogen sources and texture modifiers, while polysaccharides like alginic acid provide both coating and gelation properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and simplifies the overall formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional coating methods are used, then some protection is achieved, but freeze-drying viability and heat resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreeze-drying viability and heat resistanceVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining protein and polysaccharide coatings that work synergistically to provide enhanced freeze-drying viability and heat resistance. The protein layer provides a protective barrier against thermal stress while the polysaccharide layer maintains structural integrity during freeze-drying, together achieving superior protection compared to single-material coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ratios and molecular weights of the coating materials to achieve the desired protective effect. By adjusting the protein to polysaccharide ratio and selecting specific molecular weight ranges, the coating provides optimal protection against freeze-drying stress and heat while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard processing techniques.

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 dual-coating method significantly improves the freeze-drying viability, acid resistance, and bile resistance of lactic acid bacteria, ensuring better stability and functionality, making them more suitable for industrial applications such as fermented foods and probiotics.

Implementation Method 1

a method of dual-coating lactic acid bacteria with a hydrolyzed protein and a polysaccharide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

using isolated soy protein and a cryoprotectant like trehalose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze-drying: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 3

a polysaccharide such as xanthan gum for improved protection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3725161B1Method of producing lactic acid bacteria dual-coated with protein and polysaccharide by using protein hydrolysate
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 CELL BIOTECH CO LTD
  • EP3725161B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3725161B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3725161B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method of producing lactic acid bacteria dual-coated with protein and polysaccharide by using a protein hydrolysate, and lactic acid bacteria having a dual coating, produced by the method. The lactic acid bacteria having a dual coating of protein and polysaccharide, produced according to the present disclosure, have very excellent dry-freezing viability, acid resistance and bile resistance. Accordingly, the lactic acid bacteria having a dual coating of protein and polysaccharide according to the present disclosure will be very useful for the production of fermented milk, processed milk, fermented soy products, processed foods, functional beverages, functional foods, common foods, etc.