Probiotic Tablet Dual-Zone Formulation for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Probiotic micro-organisms in tablet form are highly unstable when mixed with nutritionally active materials, leading to poor recovery of viable micro-organisms upon rehydration, especially when stored for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A probiotic tablet formulation with at least two zones, where the probiotic micro-organisms are kept separate from other active ingredients, maintaining water activity below 0.2 and incorporating selenium and antioxidants in one zone, while potentially destabilizing ingredients are separated or encapsulated to prevent adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If probiotic micro-organisms are mixed with nutritionally active materials in tablet form, then the tablet provides comprehensive nutritional benefits, but the stability of the probiotic micro-organisms deteriorates rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet is divided into multiple zones or layers: a first zone containing probiotic micro-organisms with water activity ≤0.2, and a second zone containing nutritionally active materials. This segmentation allows each zone to maintain its optimal properties independently while being part of a single tablet formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic micro-organisms are extracted or separated from the nutritionally active materials into a distinct zone. This separation removes the harmful interaction between probiotics and certain nutrients (like iron, vitamin C, zinc) that would otherwise degrade the probiotics, while still allowing both components to be delivered together in one tablet.
2Stability of the object's composition
If probiotic micro-organisms are kept separate from nutritionally active materials, then the stability of probiotics is improved, but the complexity of tablet formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple zones containing probiotics and nutritionally active materials are merged into a single tablet structure. This integration maintains the stability benefits of separation while providing the convenience of a unified dosage form that delivers all components together.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the tablet have different water activity levels and compositions tailored to their specific requirements. The probiotic zone maintains low water activity (≤0.2) for stability, while other zones can have different properties optimized for their respective ingredients, allowing each component to exist in its most favorable local environment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water content is reduced to maintain low water activity, then probiotic stability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more aggressive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The water activity parameter in the probiotic zone is controlled to be ≤0.2 through formulation strategies rather than aggressive drying. This parameter control is achieved by selecting appropriate carrier materials and formulation approaches that naturally maintain low water activity, avoiding the need for extreme drying conditions while still ensuring probiotic stability.
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 formulation achieves storage stability for up to two years with minimal decline in viable micro-organisms, improving stability through the use of selenium and antioxidants, and allowing higher water content without aggressive drying, while maintaining separation from destabilizing ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
selenium increases the storage stability of the tabletted micro-organisms... as an antioxidant
Implementation Method 2
the carrier material for said probiotic micro-organisms is a desiccant
Data Source
AI summary
A probiotic tablet comprising a probiotic micro-organism and other nutritionally active ingredients in two zones, a first zone comprising said probiotic micro-organism and prcicrably selenium, and a second zone comprising at least one said other active ingredient such as iron, other minerals and vitamin B6 kept separated from the probiotic micro-organism of said first zone, the water activity in said probiotic micro-organism containing first zone being no greater than 0.2 and the water content of said tablet being as much as 3% by weight. Good viability of the micro-organisms is obtained despite the relatively high overall moisture content.