Microalgae-Enriched Guacamole for Shelf-Stable Spaceflight Nutrition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in the food chain include resupply, spoilage, appropriate nutrient content, and caloric value, particularly in remote environments such as spaceflight, where pre-packaged foods lack the health benefits of fresh foods, and there is a need for instant nutritious foods enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential amino acids to combat oxidative stress and muscle atrophy.
Innovation Solution
Development of Microalgae-Enriched Guacamole (MEG) formulated with microalgae like Spirulina, Chlorella, and Dunaliella, enriched with essential amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, designed to be shelf-stable and easy to prepare, addressing nutrient density and palatability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If pre-packaged foods are used in spaceflight, then shelf stability and ease of storage are improved, but nutritional value and health benefits deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming fresh avocado into a shelf-stable powder form through freeze-drying and milling, while simultaneously incorporating microalgae powders. This parameter transformation maintains nutritional value (protein, fiber, vitamins) while achieving long-term shelf stability required for spaceflight missions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite food product by combining avocado powder with microalgae powders (Spirulina, Chlorella, Dunaliella, Nannochloropsis). This composite formulation enhances nutritional density by combining the benefits of avocado (healthy fats, fiber) with microalgae (protein, vitamins, antioxidants), resolving the contradiction between shelf stability and nutritional value.
2Quantity of substance
If microalgae are added to enhance nutritional value, then essential amino acids and antioxidants are improved, but product complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes commercially available microalgae powders that can be directly incorporated into the avocado mixture without complex cultivation or processing. This approach simplifies manufacturing by using ready-to-use nutritional supplements rather than requiring complex algal culture systems, thus enhancing amino acid content while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges avocado powder with multiple microalgae powders into a single unified product formulation. This consolidation of multiple nutritional sources into one composite product simplifies the manufacturing process compared to producing separate supplements, while achieving comprehensive nutritional enhancement including essential amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If freeze-drying is used to ensure shelf stability, then storage duration is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing freeze-drying during the manufacturing phase to create shelf-stable avocado and microalgae powders before spaceflight missions. This advance processing ensures long-term storage stability without requiring additional processing time during missions, as the products are pre-prepared and ready for immediate rehydration and consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including products of manufacture, foods and drinks and kits, comprising one or mixtures of two or more or a plurality of microalgae, wherein the microalgae, optionally blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, or extracts of the microalgae, or dried extracts of the microalgae, are formulated into a food, candy, nutritional supplement, or an ingestible liquid. In alternative embodiments, the one or two or more or a plurality of microalgae comprise a microalgae from the genus: Spirulina sp., Arthrospira sp., Limnospira sp, Dunaliella salina, and/or Nannochloropsis salina. In alternative embodiments, the one or two or more or a plurality of microalgae are formulated into a food such as a guacamole (to generate for example, to generate a Microalgae-Enriched Guacamole (MEG).