Probiotic Encapsulation in Xanthan Gum and Chitosan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Probiotic products containing live Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species face challenges in maintaining viability due to sensitivity to oxygen and high temperatures, leading to inconsistent results during storage and shipping.

Innovation Solution

Encapsulating probiotic microbes in a mixture of xanthan gum and chitosan, which forms a stable complex protecting the microbes from environmental stressors and ensuring delivery of viable probiotics to pets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are administered to maximize probiotic effects, then health benefits are improved, but viability is lost due to sensitivity to oxygen and high temperature during storage and shipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobiotic effectivenessVSAvoidmicrobial sensitivity to oxygen and temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inert atmosphere by encapsulating probiotic microbes in a protective matrix that creates an oxygen-barrier environment. The encapsulation system isolates the oxygen-sensitive Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium from atmospheric oxygen during storage and shipping, maintaining their viability without requiring specialized atmospheric conditions throughout the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by formulating an encapsulation matrix containing protective agents (such as antioxidants, humectants, and buffering compounds) combined with the probiotic microbes. This composite structure provides thermal and oxidative protection while maintaining microbial viability, resolving the contradiction between preserving live cultures and withstanding environmental stressors during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If probiotics are stored at room temperature for long term, then shipping and storage costs are reduced, but microbial viability decreases due to high temperature sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling and storage costsVSAvoidmicrobial viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating thermal protectants and stabilizing agents into the encapsulation matrix prior to storage. These pre-added protective components cushion the microbes against temperature fluctuations and heat stress, enabling room temperature storage while maintaining viability, thus eliminating the need for expensive refrigerated supply chains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical parameters of the encapsulation environment (such as water activity, pH buffering capacity, and oxidative resistance) to create conditions that maintain microbial viability at elevated temperatures. This allows the probiotics to withstand room temperature storage without requiring cold chain logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If probiotic products require consistent open and closure operations, then product accessibility is improved, but variable results occur due to difficulty in maintaining viability under these conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct accessibilityVSAvoiddosage consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the probiotic product into individual unit-dose capsules or tablets, each containing a precisely measured amount of encapsulated microbes. This segmentation ensures that each unit maintains consistent viability and dosage, while allowing consumers to open and use individual units without affecting the integrity of the entire product supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 encapsulation method effectively maintains microbial viability, facilitates consistent dosage delivery, and enhances immune responses in birds and mammals, demonstrating efficacy against gastrointestinal diseases and parasitic infections.

Implementation Method 1

xanthan gum and chitosan, which forms a stable complex protecting the microbes from environmental stressors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS7935334B2Probiotics as alternative medicines against infectious diseases

Publication Date: 2011.05.03 IMAGILIN TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes feeding animals with probiotic microbes encapsulated in a mixture of xanthan gum and chitosan, or in gelatin, specifically Pediococcus acidilactici and Saccharomyces boulardii. Such encapsulation protects the viability of the probiotic microbes against unfavorable temperatures. An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes methods of using viable probiotics in therapy of birds and mammals infected with infectious diseases. Probiotics acted as adjuvants in stimulating antibody reaction and stimulated a cellular immunity response. In particular, probiotics were shown to reduce the number of viable oocytes from fecal samples, stimulate antibody production, and stimulate of proliferation of splenocytes in chickens infected with Elimeria. In addition, probiotics were shown to relieve symptoms of parvovirus infection in dogs.