Lignin Fraction Antimicrobial Food Supplement Ingredient
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Solution Overview
Problem
The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animal husbandry contribute to the antibiotic resistance crisis, and existing antimicrobial agents are often ineffective against various microorganisms, leading to environmental pollution and health risks.
Innovation Solution
The use of a lignin fraction as an anti-pathogenic agent in human and animal food supplements, which is effective against food pathogens without affecting probiotic microorganisms, thereby offering an alternative to antibiotics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are used to prevent and treat infections in animal husbandry, then the effectiveness against microorganisms is improved, but antibiotic resistance develops and environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using lignin with specific molecular weight (1,000-10,000 Da) and structural characteristics (specific phenolic hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups). This parameter change allows the lignin to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria while being ineffective against probiotics, thus avoiding antibiotic resistance and environmental pollution issues associated with conventional antibiotics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes specific functional groups from lignin (phenolic hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups) that are responsible for antimicrobial activity. By focusing on these extracted functional components with specific molecular weight ranges, the invention achieves targeted antimicrobial effect without the harmful side effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics
2Object-affected harmful factors
If known antimicrobial products are used to counteract bad microorganisms, then the protection against pathogens is improved, but effectiveness against many microorganisms is insufficient and multiple products are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent demonstrates that lignin with the specified molecular weight range (1,000-10,000 Da) and structural characteristics exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against multiple pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, while simultaneously being ineffective against probiotic bacteria. This single substance performs multiple antimicrobial functions that previously required multiple different products
3Object-affected harmful factors
If known antimicrobial products are used to prevent bacteria proliferation, then the hygiene maintenance is improved, but environmental pollution and product contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously underutilized lignin byproduct from the paper and pulp industry into a beneficial antimicrobial agent. By transforming this waste product into a functional ingredient with specific molecular weight characteristics, the invention achieves bacteria proliferation control while eliminating the environmental pollution associated with conventional antimicrobial products
Data Source
AI summary
The use of a lignin fraction as a human and animal food supplement ingredient, as well as food supplements comprising the same, are disclosed.