Probiotic Delivery via Dry Glass Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preserving probiotic bacteria fail to maintain long-term stability and viability at ambient temperatures and high humidity, and provide inadequate gastric protection, leading to significant losses during storage and transit through the stomach.
Innovation Solution
A composition and method for producing a dry glass matrix of polysaccharides, saccharides, and polyols that incorporates probiotic bacteria, using a combination of trehalose and sugar alcohols to prevent crystallization and maintain viability, with a polysaccharide matrix providing gastric protection and controlled release, and a drying process that minimizes viability loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If freeze-drying is used to preserve probiotic bacteria, then storage stability is improved, but viability is significantly reduced and the process is time and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters by forming a glassy matrix through vitrification, where water is replaced by a glass-forming mixture (sugars, polyols, and polysaccharides) that creates an amorphous solid state. This glass transition state (Tg) provides stability at ambient temperatures without requiring freezing, thus avoiding the viability loss associated with freeze-drying while achieving long-term storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite matrix system combining multiple components: probiotic bacteria, glass-forming sugars (trehalose, sucrose, mannitol), polyols (sorbitol, xylitol, isomalt), and polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, pectin, alginate). This composite formulation creates a protective glassy environment that maintains cell viability while providing long-term storage stability, overcoming the limitations of single-component preservation systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cryoprotectants are used to prevent ice formation, then freezing point depression is achieved, but toxicity increases at high concentrations required for glass formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using food-grade, non-toxic glass-forming components (sugars, polyols, and polysaccharides) instead of conventional cryoprotectants. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the mixture is adjusted through compositional modification, allowing prevention of ice formation at ambient temperatures without requiring toxic concentrations of cryoprotectants. The system achieves cryoprotection through vitrification rather than through high-concentration solute addition.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If desiccation at ambient temperature is used to dry probiotics, then storage stability is improved, but the process is slow and requires extra precautions to avoid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of water and the glass transition of the sugar-polyol-polysaccharide matrix. By forming a glassy state through vitrification, the system achieves rapid drying at ambient temperatures without requiring prolonged desiccation times. The glass transition prevents recrystallization and maintains stability during the drying process, enabling fast production while ensuring storage stability and preventing contamination through the protective glassy matrix.
4Productivity
If spray drying is used to prepare probiotic preparations, then processing speed is improved, but viability losses occur and storage times are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal and compositional parameters by using a glass-forming matrix that allows ambient temperature processing. Instead of subjecting the probiotics to high-temperature spray drying, the system uses vitrification to achieve rapid drying at lower temperatures, thereby maintaining viability while achieving fast processing speeds. The glass transition temperature of the matrix ensures stability during both processing and long-term storage.
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 achieves longer shelf life stability and gastric protection for probiotic bacteria, maintaining high viability during storage and transit through the stomach, with minimal loss of probiotic viability and the ability to control release at the site of action in the gastrointestinal tract.
Implementation Method 1
a dry matrix of polysaccharides, saccharides and polyols in a glass form
Implementation Method 2
The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dried matrix is sufficient to preserve the probiotics at ambient temperature
Implementation Method 3
a polysaccharide matrix providing gastric protection
Implementation Method 4
drying process that minimizes viability loss
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a solid glass matrix of polysaccharides, monossaccharides or disaccharides in combination with polyols as delivery vehicles for preservation and post gastric administration of a probiotic. The delivery vehicle is capable of releasing the probiotic at their site of action. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid glass matrix delivery vehicle of the invention.