Multilayer Lipid Coating for Probiotic Bacteria Gastric Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food and supplement products containing probiotic bacteria, such as lactic and bifidobacteria, face challenges with bacterial stability due to environmental factors, pH, water content, and mechanical stresses, leading to reduced viability and colonization effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer coating technology is applied to bacteria using vegetable-derived lipids, forming 2 to 10 layers to enhance stability and resistance, allowing the bacteria to withstand gastric transit and maintain viability in various product environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are added to finished products like chocolate and yogurt, then the products have probiotic functionality, but the bacteria stability decreases and concentration declines over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protective coating into multiple discrete layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) with different functions. The first layer provides basic protection, the second layer adds mechanical strength, and the third layer enhances resistance to gastric acid, allowing each layer to address specific stability issues without interfering with probiotic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite coating materials comprising different types of substances (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, lipids) in each layer. These composite materials provide synergistic effects where the combination of materials offers superior protection compared to single materials, maintaining both bacteria stability and probiotic functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer coating is applied to bacteria, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the coating cannot provide sufficient stability across different product environments
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is segmented into multiple layers that can be applied sequentially using standard coating equipment. Each layer is applied in a separate step but using the same basic coating process, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced adaptability through the cumulative effect of multiple specialized layers
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayer coating system is designed to provide universal protection across different product types (chocolate, yogurt, supplements, beverages). The same coating structure and materials can be applied regardless of the final product formulation, making the solution universally applicable while adapting to different environmental challenges
3Stability of the object's composition
If coating materials are applied to protect bacteria, then bacteria stability improves, but the coating may erode under mechanical friction during mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The first coating layer is applied preliminarily to provide initial protection and create a base surface. This preliminary layer is then reinforced by subsequent layers that specifically address mechanical strength, ensuring the coating can withstand mechanical friction before the bacteria are subjected to mixing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The coating uses composite materials with complementary properties - some materials provide adhesion and basic protection while others provide mechanical strength and friction resistance. The combination of these materials in multiple layers creates a coating that is both stable and mechanically robust
4Quantity of substance
If bacteria are exposed to gastric acid during transit, then the digestive process occurs, but the bacteria viability decreases and colonization effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The third coating layer is specifically designed to cushion and protect the bacteria from gastric acid exposure before the bacteria encounter the harsh digestive environment. This preliminary protection allows the bacteria to survive gastric transit and maintain viability for intestinal colonization
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayer coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the bacteria and gastric acid. The coating materials are selected to be resistant to gastric acid while remaining permeable to necessary substances, mediating the interaction between the harmful gastric environment and the sensitive bacteria
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria; preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage. In particular, the present invention relates to a food product selected from among water, water- and/ or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate- based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions comprising bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity. The coating material is selected from the list comprising mono- and di-glycerides of saturated fatty acids, polyglycerols esterified with saturated fatty acids, free saturated fatty acids and glyceryl dipalmitostearate.