Probiotic Ice Cream for Chemotherapy Side Effect Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemotherapy side effects such as mucositis, weight loss, and immunocompromisation in cancer patients are not adequately addressed by existing treatments, which often harm healthy cells and lead to severe gastrointestinal issues.
Innovation Solution
A functional food product containing the Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 22105 strain, capable of surviving extreme temperatures, is incorporated into ice cream and other oral food products to counteract these side effects by maintaining probiotic concentrations and promoting immune response and weight gain in cancer patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemotherapy is administered to treat cancer, then cancer cells are eliminated, but healthy cells are damaged and severe side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic formulation acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the harmful chemotherapy treatment and the patient's healthy cells. The probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 22105, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 22106, and Streptococcus thermophilus DSM 22107) restore the gut microbiota damaged by chemotherapy, thereby protecting healthy cells from chemotherapy-induced damage while maintaining treatment effectiveness
2Temperature
If probiotic formulations are incorporated into frozen foods, then probiotic survival through temperature extremes is achieved, but maintaining viable concentrations during storage is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by selecting specific probiotic strains with optimized characteristics for freeze tolerance. The formulation includes Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 22105, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 22106, and Streptococcus thermophilus DSM 22107, which are chosen for their ability to maintain viability through freezing and thawing cycles, thereby preserving probiotic concentration despite temperature extremes
3Weight of moving object
If patients consume high-protein and high-calorie foods during chemotherapy, then weight loss is prevented, but gastrointestinal issues and mucositis worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of chemotherapy on the gut microbiota into a beneficial opportunity. By administering probiotic formulations, the damaged microbiota is restored, which in turn protects against mucositis and gastrointestinal issues while enabling patients to tolerate and benefit from high-protein, high-calorie nutrition during chemotherapy treatment
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 product effectively increases weight, stabilizes immune responses, and reduces chemotherapy-related side effects like mucositis and diarrhea, maintaining probiotic concentrations and organoleptic properties for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
whose active principle includes viable probiotic strains that produce lactic acid, Lactobacillus spp., preferably but not exclusively, the Lactobacillus plantarum strain DSM 22105
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a probiotic functional food comprising: a biomass of Lactobacillus spp. strains conditioned to withstand temperatures of between -30 and -40 °C, and cryoprotective agents. Said food comprises jellies, desserts, juices and/or milk derivatives, preferably ice cream. This functional food is intended for patients undergoing therapies such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, since it counteracts the side-effects cancer treatment.