Probiotic Bacteria Preservation via Optimal Harvest Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing probiotic bacteria face challenges in maintaining high viability and stability during fermentation and preservation processes, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased costs in direct-fed microbial products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the harvesting of probiotic bacteria at specific growth phases, followed by concentration and preservation techniques such as encapsulation, refrigeration, lyophilization, or freezing, to maintain high viable cell counts and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are cultured using traditional fermentation methods, then production cost is reduced, but viability and stability during preservation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by harvesting bacteria at the optimal growth phase (stationary phase) before viability deteriorates, and by pre-formulating preservation compositions with specific carriers and protective agents. This advance planning and timing ensures high viability is maintained through the preservation process without requiring complex post-processing interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining probiotic bacteria with specific carrier materials (such as starch, sugar, or protein-based carriers) and protective agents in a formulated composition. This composite approach enhances stability and viability during preservation while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of food-grade carrier materials.
2Quantity of substance
If probiotic bacteria are harvested at later growth phases, then cell concentration increases, but viability and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on extended bacterial growth (time-based accumulation) with a formulation-based approach. By using optimized carrier compositions and protective agents, the system achieves high viable cell concentrations without requiring bacteria to be cultured to later growth phases where viability would deteriorate. This substitution of growth-time for formulation-quality resolves the contradiction.
3Reliability
If advanced preservation techniques are used, then viability and stability are maintained, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, food-grade carrier materials (such as starch, sugar, or protein-based carriers) that provide effective preservation without requiring complex or expensive equipment. These simple, disposable-like carrier formulations achieve high viability maintenance through their inherent protective properties rather than through complex preservation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the preservation composition, such as moisture content, pH, water activity, and carrier-to-bacteria ratio, to enhance viability and stability. By carefully controlling these compositional parameters rather than using complex preservation equipment, the system maintains high reliability with simple processes.
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
This approach enhances the viability and stability of probiotic bacteria, leading to improved product stability, consumer confidence, and increased profitability in the direct-fed microbial industry.
Implementation Method 1
Lactobacillus ferment carbohydrates to form lactic acid
Implementation Method 2
lyophilization, or freezing
Data Source
AI summary
Lactobacillus-based probiotic compositions for inclusion in microbial-based products. In one instance, the microbial-based product takes the form of an animal feed additive. When used as a feed additive for animals, especially ruminants, and in particular cattle, the following benefits from the composition are noted: (i) improved milk yield in dairy cattle, (ii) improved milk composition in dairy cattle, (iii) increased weight gain-to-feed intake ratio in beef cattle (feed efficiency), and (vi) improved average daily weight gain. Both Lactobacillus strains MB101 having ATCC Accession Number PTA-121710 and MB102 having ATCC Accession Number PTA-121711 are particularly effective at producing these results. Another marked benefit of the compositions when used as an animal feed additive is inhibition of pathogenic growth including E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.