Milk Protein Fraction for Bone Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing or treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis and bone fractures are inadequate, particularly for elderly individuals, as existing calcium supplements and exercise regimens are not suitable for oral intake or are insufficient on their own, and pharmaceuticals cannot be used as food materials.

Innovation Solution

A milk protein fraction or its degradation product with specific molecular weight, amino acid composition, and osteoblast-promoting calcification properties is derived from milk, which can be used as a bone-reinforcing agent in food, drinks, or pharmaceuticals to promote bone health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If calcium salts or natural calcium agents are used for calcium supplementation, then calcium intake is improved, but suitability for oral intake and overall effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalcium intakeVSAvoidsuitability for oral intake and effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the effective bone-reinforcing component (basic protein fraction) from milk serum, separating it from other milk components. This extracted fraction contains specific basic proteins that promote osteoblast growth and bone formation, providing a targeted solution that overcomes the limitations of conventional calcium supplements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies precise parameters for the basic protein fraction: molecular weight of 6,000 to 150,000 daltons, basic amino acid content of 12-14 wt%, and basic amino acid/acidic amino acid ratio of 0.5 to 0.7. These parameter specifications ensure optimal bone-reinforcing effects while maintaining suitability for oral intake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If light exercise is recommended for bone health, then bone strengthening is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to troublesomeness for weakened bodies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone strengthVSAvoidease of exercise performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a biochemical intermediary (basic protein fraction from milk) that mediates bone formation processes. This substance acts as a mediator between nutritional intake and bone tissue formation, promoting osteoblast growth and bone mineralization without requiring physical exercise, thus making it accessible to bedridden or weakened individuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If insolation is used for vitamin D supplementation, then vitamin D3 activation is improved, but sufficiency for bone treatment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivated vitamin D3VSAvoidsufficiency for bone treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines multiple bone-reinforcing mechanisms into a single composition: the basic protein fraction promotes osteoblast growth and bone formation, while also enhancing calcium absorption and utilization. This merged approach addresses multiple aspects of bone health simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive solution than vitamin D alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If pharmaceuticals like 1α-Hydroxyvitamin D3 or calcitonin are used for osteoporosis treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but adaptability as food material deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidusability as food material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention identifies and isolates the active bone-reinforcing component (basic protein fraction) from natural milk sources, creating a copy of the beneficial substance that occurs naturally in milk. This copied substance can be used in both food and pharmaceutical contexts, bridging the gap between nutritional and therapeutic applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 milk protein fraction or its degradation product effectively promotes calcification in osteoblasts, reducing bone mass loss and strengthening bones, making it a safe and effective treatment for bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Implementation Method 1

the milk protein fraction has a promoting effect on calcification in an osteoblast

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalcification: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP2210507B1Bone-strengthening compositions
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 MEGMILK SNOW BRAND CO LTD
  • EP2210507B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed is a bone-reinforcing agent which comprises a milk protein fraction having the following properties (1) to (4): (1) the milk protein fraction is derived from milk; (2) the milk protein fraction is a fraction containing a protein component having a molecular weight of 6,000 to 150,000 Daltons; (3) the milk protein fraction has a basic amino acid content of 12 to 14 wt% in the constitutional amino acid composition, and the ratio of the amount of a basic amino acid(s) to the amount of an acidic amino acid(s) is 0.5 to 0.7; and (4) the milk protein fraction has an activity of accelerating the calcification in an osteoblast.