Bovine Lactoferrin Infant Formula Immune Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Formula-fed infants have higher incidences of infectious diseases and immune-related issues compared to breastfed infants, necessitating a method to enhance immune function in newborn mammals, especially those with immature or compromised immune systems.

Innovation Solution

Administering an infant formula containing bovine lactoferrin at concentrations of 1.0 to 10 g/L to newborn mammals, including those who have not consumed colostrum or breast milk, to increase immune cell function by enhancing total serum immunoglobulin concentration and cytokine secretion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If formula feeding is used instead of breast milk, then feeding convenience and cost are improved, but immune function and health outcomes deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding convenienceVSAvoidimmune function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bovine lactoferrin is introduced as an intermediary substance in formula milk to bridge the immune function gap between formula feeding and breast milk feeding. The lactoferrin acts as a mediator that provides immune-modulating effects, compensating for the absence of maternal antibodies and immune factors in formula milk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The concentration of bovine lactoferrin in the formula milk is optimized at 1.0 to 10 g/L to achieve desired immune function enhancement. This parameter adjustment transforms the formula milk from a basic nutritional supplement to an immunologically active composition that can improve immune cell function and reduce infectious disease incidence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If bovine lactoferrin concentration is increased in infant formula, then immune cell function is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune cell functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes an optimized concentration range of 1.0 to 10 g/L for bovine lactoferrin in infant formula. This parameter optimization balances immune function enhancement with manufacturing cost considerations, identifying the minimum effective concentration needed to achieve therapeutic benefits while avoiding excessive costs associated with higher concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If colostrum consumption is restricted or eliminated, then formula feeding flexibility is improved, but immune protection and immune development deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformula feeding flexibilityVSAvoidimmune protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bovine lactoferrin serves as an intermediary that replaces the immune protective functions of colostrum. By incorporating lactoferrin into formula milk, the patent enables formula-fed infants to receive immune modulation benefits that would otherwise require colostrum consumption, thus maintaining immune protection while preserving formula feeding flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2903460A1Modulation of immune function by dietary bovine lactoferrin

Publication Date: 2015.08.12 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The invention provides methods of increasing immune cell function in a newborn mammal that has not consumed any substantial amounts of colostrum or breast milk comprising administering an infant formula comprising about 1.0 to about 10 g/L of lactoferrin to the newborn mammal.