Lactococcus lactis Phytase for Mineral Bioavailability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Micronutrient malnutrition, particularly iron deficiency anemia, is prevalent due to phytate-bound minerals in plant-based diets, which reduce bioavailability, and existing methods like phytase-producing lactic acid bacteria require fermentation, making them unpalatable for consumers.

Innovation Solution

Lactococcus lactis strains, specifically CNCM I-5450, degrade phytates in vivo, increasing mineral bioavailability without the need for food fermentation, allowing their use in supplements or familiar food products like yogurt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phytase-producing lactic acid bacteria are used to degrade phytate, then mineral bioavailability is improved, but the food requires fermentation which makes it unpalatable to consumers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemineral bioavailabilityVSAvoidconsumer acceptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses Lactococcus lactis as an intermediary organism that produces phytase enzyme to degrade phytate in the gastrointestinal tract. This mediator approach allows phytate degradation to occur in vivo without requiring pre-fermentation of the food, thus maintaining consumer acceptability while improving mineral bioavailability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical fermentation process with direct enzymatic action of phytase-producing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead of fermenting the food externally (which alters taste and texture), the phytate degradation occurs internally through bacterial enzyme activity, substituting a biological process for a chemical one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If phytate-rich plant-based foods are consumed, then dietary fiber and vitamins are improved, but mineral absorption is reduced due to phytate binding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedietary fiber and vitaminsVSAvoidmineral absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of phytate (mineral binding and reduced absorption) into a beneficial effect by using phytate-degrading bacteria to break down phytate in the gastrointestinal tract. The same phytate that previously caused mineral deficiency is now degraded by bacterial phytase, releasing bound minerals and improving absorption while maintaining the benefits of phytate-rich foods

Inventive Principle:

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

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

Enhances mineral bioavailability, particularly for individuals on plant-based diets, effectively reducing phytate levels and improving iron and other mineral absorption without altering food taste or texture.

Implementation Method 1

Lactococcus lactis strains, specifically CNCM I-5450, degrade phytates in vivo

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the use of phytases to cleave phytate chelated minerals has been proposed as a means to increase mineral bioavailability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20230200422A1Lactococcus lactis for use in preventing or treating mineral deficiency

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of Lactococcus lactis suitable for preventing or treating mineral deficiency or insufficiency by increasing the bioavailability of phytate bound minerals. The present invention provides novel strains, compositions comprising said strains and methods for the preparation of such compositions.