Odor-Free Volatile Fatty Acid Feed Supplements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Volatile fatty acid nutrients, such as butyric acid, isobutyric acid, and valeric acid, used to enhance milk production in ruminants are plagued by strong odors that are unpleasant for workers and potentially harmful, limiting their widespread use due to odor issues and high costs associated with alternative odor reduction methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of odor-free feed supplements for ruminants, swine, and poultry by reacting water-soluble polycarboxylic acid metal salts with volatile fatty acids, specifically calcium and magnesium salts derived from pectin, alginic acid, or carboxymethyl cellulose, to create a low-odor nutrient source that also includes sugars and macro minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If volatile fatty acids (butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid) are used to enhance milk production, then milk production increases, but strong unpleasant odors are generated that harm workers and limit widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses anionic polymers as intermediary substances to complex with volatile fatty acids, forming odor-free complexes. The polymer acts as a mediator that binds the volatile acids, preventing their evaporation and odor generation while still allowing them to function as energy sources for ruminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of volatile fatty acids by forming complexes with anionic polymers. This complexation alters the volatility and odor properties of the fatty acids while maintaining their nutritional value, effectively transforming them from odorous liquids to odor-free feed supplements.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternative odor reduction methods are used, then odor is reduced, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive anionic polymers (such as carboxymethyl cellulose, alginic acid, or pectin) to complex with volatile fatty acids. These polymers are cost-effective compared to alternative odor reduction methods, providing an economical solution that makes the feed supplement commercially viable.
3Productivity
If volatile fatty acids are produced for animal industry use, then milk production can be enhanced, but worker health is adversely affected due to strong odors
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polymer serves as an intermediary that protects workers from exposure to volatile fatty acid odors. By complexing with the volatile acids, the polymer eliminates the harmful odor exposure for workers while allowing the volatile acids to remain effective as nutritional supplements for enhancing milk production.
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 solution effectively reduces odor, enhances milk production, and provides a convenient, processable form of nutrients, improving the usability and safety of volatile fatty acid-derived fermentation enhancers, while also serving as an energy source for swine and poultry, with demonstrated increased milk fat production and energy-corrected milk in dairy cattle studies.
Implementation Method 1
reacting water-soluble polycarboxylic acid metal salts with volatile fatty acids, specifically calcium and magnesium salts derived from pectin, alginic acid, or carboxymethyl cellulose, to create a low-odor nutrient source
Data Source
AI summary
This invention overcomes the odor problems of volatile isoacids as energy sources for ruminants, swine and poultry, and combines the advantages of sugars and macro minerals such as, calcium and magnesium, by preparing feed supplements from polycarboxylic acid metal salts. Preferably, calcium and magnesium with pendant polycarboxylic acid groups from readily available materials, such as pectin, to provide low odor ruminant milk enhancers that are effective, easy to make and use.