Liquid Egg Stabilization for IgY Antibody Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preserving IgY antibodies from hyperimmunized chicken eggs, such as spray-drying and freeze-drying, often denature the IgY molecule and fail to maintain its stability and activity in liquid egg products, making it difficult to store them at room temperature for extended periods without degradation.

Innovation Solution

A shelf-stable liquid egg material is developed by adding antibody protectants, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, enzyme inhibitors, and alkalinizing agents to the liquid egg material, which stabilizes IgY and maintains its activity, allowing storage at room temperature for up to 6 months without the need for expensive drying techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If spray-drying or freeze-drying techniques are used to preserve IgY antibodies, then shelf life is extended, but the IgY molecule is denatured and loses its binding activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidIgY binding activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from solid (dried powder) back to liquid form by using stabilizing compositions that prevent degradation. The composition includes antioxidants, antimicrobials, and buffering agents that maintain IgY stability in liquid state at room temperature for extended periods, eliminating the need for drying processes that cause denaturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing composition acts as an intermediary system between the IgY antibody and the environment. It includes multiple components: antioxidants (to prevent oxidation), antimicrobials (to prevent microbial degradation), and buffering agents (to maintain pH stability). This intermediary composition protects the IgY molecule while in liquid state, resolving the contradiction between maintaining activity and extending shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If liquid egg products are stored at room temperature, then ease of operation is improved, but IgY stability deteriorates rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidIgY stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating stabilizing agents into the liquid egg product formulation before storage. The composition includes antioxidants, antimicrobials, and buffering agents that are pre-added to counteract potential degradation mechanisms. This prior protection allows the product to be stored at room temperature without refrigeration while maintaining IgY stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining liquid egg components with multiple stabilizing agents. The final product is a composite composition containing antioxidants, antimicrobials, buffering agents, and egg components that work synergistically to maintain IgY stability in liquid state at room temperature, resolving the contradiction between storage convenience and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If IgY is extracted and purified from egg yolk, then concentration is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIgY concentrationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains pH stability, prevents oxidation, inhibits microbial growth, and preserves IgY binding activity. By using a multi-functional composition rather than multiple separate additives, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving high IgY concentration and stability in the liquid egg product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution extends the shelf life of IgY antibodies in a liquid state for at least 6 months at room temperature, 1 to 2 years when refrigerated, and over 2 years when frozen, while maintaining the binding activity and matrix stability of the liquid egg material, providing effective passive immunity.

Implementation Method 1

The composition components complex with IgY to maintain IgY titer and activity for storage at extended periods of time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The solution extends the shelf life of IgY antibodies in a liquid state for at least 6 months at room temperature, 1 to 2 years when refrigerated, and over 2 years when frozen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature-dependent stability:

Data Source

PatentUS8828422B2Stabilized liquid egg material for extended shelf life
Publication Date: 2014.09.09 R&D LIFESCI

AI summary

The present invention is directed to shelf-stable liquid egg material, methods for making the same, and method of using the same. The present invention is also directed to an animal feed supplement containing a stabilized IgY antibody titer in liquid eggs stored at room temperature for extended periods of time with the use of glycerol and preservatives. The stabilized liquid whole egg or stabilized liquid yolks of the egg containing non-specific or elevated specific IgY titer may be used as animal feed supplements animals to provide passive immunity to these animals. The stabilized nature of the IgY and liquid egg allows for extended shelf life of these liquid products at room temperature.