Room-Temperature Probiotic Beverage Without Sugars or Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current probiotic beverages require refrigeration, contain unhealthy additives like sugars and flavoring agents, and are not suitable for all age groups and dietary habits, posing a health paradox and inconvenience in delivery and storage.
Innovation Solution
A probiotic drink comprising viable probiotic microorganisms, such as Bacillus spores, encapsulated in a carrier system, is formulated in a zero-calorie, unflavored, clear beverage that is stable at room temperature, using carriers like Gum Acacia and TWEEN® 80, without refrigeration needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If probiotic beverages are formulated with sugars and flavoring agents to improve palatability, then consumer acceptance is improved, but caloric content increases and health benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes harmful components (sugars, flavoring agents, preservatives, dairy products) from probiotic beverages, delivering probiotics in their natural state without additives. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the source of harmful calories while maintaining probiotic efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a single-serving disposable probiotic beverage container that is prepared and consumed immediately, eliminating the need for preservatives and stabilizers. This approach allows delivery of live probiotics without requiring unhealthy additives to maintain product stability over time.
2Reliability
If probiotic beverages are refrigerated to maintain probiotic viability, then probiotic survival is improved, but convenience and storage flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary preparation by formulating probiotics in a stable matrix that protects them during storage and delivery. The probiotics are pre-packaged in a protective environment that maintains viability without requiring refrigeration, allowing convenient storage at room temperature while ensuring probiotic survival.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the probiotic delivery system by using a specific matrix composition and pH level that stabilizes probiotics at room temperature. This parameter modification allows probiotics to survive without refrigeration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and convenience.
3Reliability
If probiotic beverages contain dairy products to support probiotic growth, then probiotic efficacy is improved, but suitability for lactose-intolerant individuals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal probiotic delivery system that is compatible with all dietary habits including lactose intolerance, vegan diets, and other dietary restrictions. By eliminating dairy and using a plant-based or synthetic nutrient matrix, the product achieves broad adaptability while maintaining probiotic efficacy through alternative nutrient sources.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If probiotic beverages are stabilized with preservatives and processing aids to extend shelf life, then product stability is improved, but health benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes preservatives, stabilizers, and processing aids from the probiotic beverage formulation, relying instead on the inherent stability of the probiotic matrix and controlled packaging to maintain product integrity throughout shelf life without harmful additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic formulation uses self-stabilizing mechanisms through its matrix composition and pH control, eliminating the need for external preservatives. The system maintains its own stability and probiotic viability through intrinsic properties rather than relying on harmful chemical additives.
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
Delivers effective probiotics in a convenient, stable, and cost-effective manner, suitable for all age groups, eliminating the need for additional calories and refrigeration, with significant cost savings and broader market appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one probiotic microorganism comprises one or more of microencapsulated viable probiotic microorganisms and spores of Bacillus sp.
Implementation Method 2
encapsulated in a carrier system, is formulated in a zero-calorie, unflavored, clear beverage that is stable at room temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A probiotic composition comprising at least one viable probiotic microorganism having a biological or therapeutic activity in the gastrointestinal tract and a carrier suitable for human consumption is disclosed. The probiotic composition may contain drinking water and electrolytes and the probiotic microorganism may be spores of a probiotic microorganism. Also provided are methods of treating acute or chronic diarrhea and of improving immune function, digestive health, and/or intestinal flora by administering the probiotic composition. In addition, a food additive comprising at least one viable probiotic microorganism having a biological or therapeutic activity in the gastrointestinal tract and a carrier suitable for human consumption is provided.