Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Composition for African Swine Fever Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack effective solutions for preventing the spread of viral particles and treating viral infections caused by the Asfarviridae family, such as African Swine Fever Virus, particularly in animal feed and drinking water.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and their derivatives is used in animal feed and drinking water to inhibit and reduce the viral titer of African Swine Fever Virus, providing a preventive and curative effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical mitigants such as formaldehyde are used to disinfect feed, then viral particles can be inhibited, but harmful effects on animal health and environmental safety occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviral particle inhibitionVSAvoidchemical toxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms a harmful substance (formaldehyde) into a beneficial application by using medium-chain fatty acids that naturally occur in animal digestion. These MCFAs are converted from dietary components into effective antiviral agents within the animal's digestive system, eliminating the need for external chemical disinfectants while maintaining viral inhibition efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces medium-chain fatty acids as an intermediary substance that mediates between the animal's diet and viral particles. Instead of directly applying harsh chemicals like formaldehyde to feed, the MCFAs serve as a natural bridge that selectively inhibits viruses while being safely metabolized by the animal, thus resolving the contradiction between viral control and animal safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If no effective prevention method is used, then viral infections spread rapidly, but animal health and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal health and productivityVSAvoiddisease prevention effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating medium-chain fatty acids into the animal's feed before viral exposure occurs. This proactive approach ensures that the antiviral mechanism is already in place within the digestive system, preventing viral infections before they can spread and cause productivity losses, rather than treating infections after they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the animal's digestive system to self-generate antiviral protection through the metabolism of medium-chain fatty acids from the diet. The animal's own physiological processes convert these fatty acids into active antiviral compounds, creating an internal defense system that maintains both health and productivity without requiring external medical interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20230114459A1Composition for Use in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Viral Infections of the Asfarviridae Family

Publication Date: 2023.04.13 NUTRITION SCI N V

AI summary

The current invention provides a composition for use in the treatment, suppression and/or prevention of viral infections of the Asfaraviridae and the spreading thereof, preferably African Swine Fever virus, characterized in that said composition comprises one or more medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and/or derivatives thereof.