Authentication Codes for Probiotic Supplements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The probiotic and prebiotic supplement market faces challenges due to variability in probiotic strains, activity, and purity, as well as issues with carbohydrate-based prebiotics causing adverse reactions and difficulties in verifying product quality and authenticity, leading to concerns about counterfeiting and consumer trust.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing RFID tags or scannable codes on product packaging allows consumers to access detailed information on product testing, authenticity, and production details, providing an anti-counterfeiting measure and enabling tracking of counterfeit products, while also collecting consumer feedback for product development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbohydrate-based prebiotics (FOS or inulin) are used to stimulate probiotic growth, then probiotic multiplication is enhanced, but adverse reactions occur including flatulence, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, and promotion of pathogenic bacteria growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature of the prebiotic from carbohydrate-based (FOS, inulin) to protein-based (peptones, casein hydrolysate, soy protein isolate). This fundamental parameter change in the molecular structure and composition of the prebiotic eliminates the harmful effects associated with carbohydrate metabolism while preserving the probiotic growth stimulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses protein-based prebiotics that are naturally occurring, cost-effective ingredients commonly used in food and supplement formulations. These replace expensive or problematic carbohydrate-based prebiotics while providing similar functional benefits without the adverse reactions.
2Quantity of substance
If FOS or inulin are mixed with probiotics in capsules or tablets, then probiotic delivery is achieved, but the required large quantities make this impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the prebiotic from carbohydrate-based to protein-based, which allows for much lower dosages (milligram range versus gram range). This parameter change in the type of prebiotic fundamentally alters the dosage requirements and makes capsule/tablet formulation practical.
3Reliability
If extensive record-keeping is implemented to track product quality and production, then quality control is improved, but consumer verification capability remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a verification system where consumers can scan a code on the product packaging and receive immediate feedback about the product's authenticity, quality testing results, and production information. This feedback loop closes the information gap between manufacturer record-keeping and consumer verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a scannable code (QR code, barcode, or RFID tag) as an intermediary carrier that bridges the manufacturer's quality records and the consumer's verification needs. The code encodes access to detailed product information, serving as a mediator between the production system and the consumer.
4Reliability
If product packaging is encoded with RFID tags or scannable codes for verification, then anti-counterfeiting capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a scannable code (QR code, barcode, or RFID tag) printed or attached to the product packaging as a copy or representation of the product's identity and quality information. This simple coded copy provides verification capabilities without requiring complex physical modifications to the product itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is encoding of probiotic and/or prebiotic and/or enzyme formulations, in order to alert both consumer and producer to counterfeiting and to allow purchasers of authentic product to gain access to quality (and probiotic growth and activity) testing of the product. The purchaser would preferably also provide, along with its identifying information, any product complaints, adverse reaction and positive responses, and consumer interest in and reaction to different formulations and products, as well as demographic, general health and education information, and other information about the purchaser (including any information useful for marketing and future product development and selection).