Controlled Release Lipid Matrix for Nutrient Encapsulation

Solution Overview

Problem

The animal feed industry faces challenges in maintaining the integrity, stability, and bioavailability of bioactive nutrients due to sensitivity to environmental conditions, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased costs from excessive use of excipients or overdosing, which can be harmful and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

The use of a controlled release lipid matrix comprising hydrogenated vegetable or animal triglycerides to encapsulate vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, ensuring targeted release within the animal's digestive system, thereby protecting nutrients from environmental degradation and optimizing bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If excipients or carriers are added to minimize unfavorable ingredient interactions or improve handling and stability characteristics, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases and valuable space in feed formulations is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the nutrient from its conventional carrier form and encapsulates it directly in a lipid matrix, eliminating the need for separate excipients and carriers. This extraction approach maintains stability while reducing formulation complexity by removing unnecessary components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite lipid matrix system combining multiple triglycerides (vegetable and/or animal) to create a stable encapsulation environment. This composite material approach provides the stability benefits of excipients while integrating the protective function directly into the nutrient delivery system, reducing overall formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If overdosing is used to compensate for losses in stability or biological activity, then stability is improved, but loss of substance increases and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidnutrient waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective action by encapsulating nutrients in a stable lipid matrix before feed formulation and storage. This pre-protection prevents degradation during storage and handling, eliminating the need for overdosing to compensate for stability losses and reducing nutrient waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the nutrient delivery system by using encapsulation in a lipid matrix with controlled release properties. This parameter change improves stability without requiring increased dosing, as the encapsulated nutrients are protected from degradation and released efficiently when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If overdosing is used to compensate for losses in stability or biological activity, then stability is improved, but formulation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidformulation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective action by encapsulating nutrients in a stable lipid matrix before feed formulation and storage. This pre-protection prevents degradation during storage and handling, eliminating the need for overdosing to compensate for stability losses and reducing nutrient waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the nutrient delivery system by using encapsulation in a lipid matrix with controlled release properties. This parameter change improves stability without requiring increased dosing, as the encapsulated nutrients are protected from degradation and released efficiently when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional feed formulation is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but bioavailability of nutrients is reduced due to chemical or microbial exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbioavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a lipid matrix as an intermediary between the nutrient and the harsh feed environment. This intermediary protects the nutrient from chemical and microbial exposure during storage and digestion, improving bioavailability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward encapsulation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a lipid matrix shell to encapsulate the nutrient, creating a flexible protective barrier that survives the feed manufacturing process and protects the nutrient from degradation. This thin film approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving nutrient bioavailability by shielding it from harmful exposures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This approach enhances the bioavailability of nutrients, reduces the need for excessive dosing, minimizes environmental impact, and maintains nutritional efficacy while improving growth performance and meat quality in animals.

Implementation Method 1

one or more nutrients encapsulated within the controlled release lipid matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

controlled release lipid matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectControlled release: Diffusion Barrier

Data Source

PatentUS20250008985A1Encapsulation of nutritional and/or compounds for controlled release and enhancing their bioavailability by limiting chemical or microbial exposure

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 JEFO NUTRITION INC

AI summary

Described are compositions comprising one or more nutrients encapsulated in a controlled release lipid matrix for feeding an animal.