Multi-Species Probiotic Composition for Poultry GI Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interventions in the poultry industry are inadequate in simultaneously reducing gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly due to pathogens like avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and Enterococcus cecorum, which hinder the growth and health of chicks, and Salmonella remains a significant concern in food safety.
Innovation Solution
A probiotic composition combining specific bacterial species with prebiotics and enzymes is introduced, which establishes a healthy microbiome in the poultry GI tract by promoting the growth of probiotics and outcompeting potential pathogens, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Eimeria, and Clostridium, through various application methods such as feed, water, and eggwash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If current industry interventions are used to control pathogens, then Salmonella control is improved, but gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens remain prevalent and cause high morbidity and mortality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple probiotic species (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, and yeast) into a synergistic formulation that simultaneously targets both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens. This multi-component approach resolves the contradiction by addressing multiple pathogen types together rather than separately, achieving broad-spectrum pathogen control while improving overall flock health.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic formulation functions as a composite biological material containing diverse microbial species that work together to suppress multiple pathogen types. The composite nature of the probiotic mix allows simultaneous control of Salmonella, APEC, and E. cecorum, resolving the limitation of single-agent interventions that can only target specific pathogen groups.
2Reliability
If probiotic composition is introduced to establish healthy microbiome, then pathogen outcompetition is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic formulation is segmented into distinct functional components: Lactobacillus species for gram-positive pathogen control, Bacillus species for gram-negative pathogen control, and yeast components for additional pathogen suppression. This segmentation allows each probiotic group to target specific pathogens while working synergistically, achieving reliable multi-pathogen outcompetition through organized functional division.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple probiotic species are combined to target diverse pathogens, then pathogen carriage reduction is improved, but manufacturing and application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic formulation is designed as a universal multi-functional product that can be applied through multiple routes (feed, water, egg wash) and targets multiple pathogen types simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single formulation to address diverse pathogen challenges across different application scenarios, improving ease of manufacture by consolidating multiple functions into one product rather than requiring separate interventions for each pathogen type.
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 probiotic composition significantly reduces pathogen carriage, improving flock health by increasing weight conversion and decreasing mortality rates, establishing a healthy GI tract microbiome, and effectively outcompeting pathogens, even in challenging feed environments.
Implementation Method 1
The probiotic composition may comprise a probiotic mixture, a prebiotic, a complex-starch reducing enzyme, an enzymatic co-factor, and a pH modifier
Implementation Method 2
a complex-starch reducing enzyme
Implementation Method 3
These starches must first be broken down by enzymes to release the nutrients
Implementation Method 4
This combination provides powerful out competition within the poultry GI track by establishing and maintaining a healthy microbiome
Data Source
AI summary
A probiotic composition comprised of a probiotic, a prebiotic, a complex-starch reducing enzyme, an enzymatic co-factor, and a pH modifier. The probiotic composition facilitates the creation of a biofilm within the GI tract of poultry that outcompetes and excludes pathogens. The probiotic composition can be incorporated into an eggwash and sprayed onto an egg, the sprayed egg developing a stable probiotic population within the GI tract of the pre-hatched chick. The probiotic composition can also be incorporated into poultry feed by applying the probiotic composition as a mash prior to pelleting. The probiotic composition can also be applied post-pelleting as a wet or dry spray, directly onto the pellets. In some instances, the probiotic composition can be added a drinking water source used by poultry as a water additive. Poultry that consume feed or water that contain the probiotic composition develop a stable probiotic population within their GI tracts.