Lactylate Esters for Gram-Positive Bacterial Control in Animal Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing or treating intestinal infections caused by gram-positive bacteria in animals, such as Clostridium, are inadequate due to increasing antibiotic resistance and regulatory restrictions on antibiotic use in animal feed, necessitating a non-antibiotic solution.
Innovation Solution
The use of antibacterial compounds like lactylates, glycolylates, lactate esters, and glycolic acid esters, specifically lactylates with alkyl or alkenyl chains of 6-20 carbon atoms, and their salts, incorporated into animal feed to prevent or treat intestinal infections, often in combination with coccidostatic components, without relying on pH-lowering inorganic acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are administered to animals to protect them from intestinal infection, then the effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria is improved, but antibiotic resistance increases and regulatory restrictions are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from traditional lactic acid to lactylate esters with specific alkyl chain lengths (C6-C20), which have enhanced antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria while being safe for animal consumption and not contributing to resistance development
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite lactylate structures combining different alkyl chains (e.g., lauroyl lactylate with C12, myristoyl lactylate with C14) to achieve synergistic antibacterial effects while maintaining safety and efficacy in animal feed applications
2Reliability
If traditional lactic acid is used to treat intestinal infections, then antibacterial effect is achieved, but higher concentrations are required compared to lactylates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure by converting lactic acid to lactylate esters with longer alkyl chains, which increases lipophilicity and membrane permeability, thereby enhancing biological activity and reducing the required concentration from typical lactic acid levels (1-3%) to lactylate levels (0.01-1%)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple acid mechanism with esterified lactylate structures that utilize hydrophobic interactions and membrane disruption mechanisms, providing more efficient antibacterial action at lower concentrations
3Reliability
If pH-lowering inorganic acids are used to enhance antibacterial activity, then effectiveness against bacteria is improved, but animal welfare may be compromised and feed palatability reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from inorganic acids (e.g., sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid) to organic lactylate esters, which provide antibacterial activity through molecular interaction with bacterial membranes rather than pH reduction, thus maintaining animal welfare and feed acceptance while achieving effective gram-positive bacteria control
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
These compounds effectively reduce the incidence and severity of intestinal infections by gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridium, and can be administered at lower concentrations than traditional lactic acid, promoting animal growth and improving feed efficiency without the need for antibiotics.
Implementation Method 1
use is made of an antibacterial compound selected from lactylate in accordance with formula (1), or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4, or Cu(II) salt
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to the use for preventing or treating intestinal infections caused by gram-positive bacteria in animals of an antibacterial compound selected from lactylate in accordance with Formula (1), Formula (1) R2 -COO- [ -CH(CH3) -C00 ] n-R1 or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4, or Cu(II) salt thereof, a glycosylate of Formula (2), Formula (2): R2-C00- ( -CH2-C00) n-R1 or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4, or C(II) salt thereof, a lactate ester of Formula (3), Formula (3): HO-CH ( CH3) -C00-R2 and/or a glycolic acid ester of Formula (4), Formula (4): HO-CH2-COO-R2 wherein R1 is selected from H, n stands for an integer with a value of 1-10, and R2 stands for a C1-C35 alkyl or alkenyl chain which may be branched or unbranched. The compound, which preferably is a lactylate or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4 or Cu(II) salt thereof, is particularly useful in the treatment or prevention of clostridia. An animal nutrition composition and a method for preventing or treating infections are also claimed.