Pullulan-Trehalose Sugar Glass for Phage Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for stabilizing bacteriophages and vaccines require specialized equipment and conditions, such as freeze-drying and refrigeration, which are costly and logistically challenging, especially for applications in food preservation and vaccination programs in developing countries.

Innovation Solution

A polymer matrix composed of pullulan and trehalose is used to create a synergistic effect that stabilizes bacteriophages and vaccines, allowing for long-term preservation at ambient conditions without the need for refrigeration, by incorporating these biological agents into a film or coating that can be easily applied to surfaces or packaged with food.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If freeze-drying or freezing in liquid nitrogen is used to stabilize bacteriophages, then phage stability is improved, but specialized equipment and vacuum ampoules are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephage stabilityVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive, readily available materials (sucrose, trehalose, glycerol, alginate, pectin, chitosan, whey protein, liposomes) to create stabilizing matrices that eliminate the need for expensive specialized equipment like freeze dryers and vacuum pumps. These organic matrices provide sufficient protection for phage stability without requiring complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the storage environment by using organic matrices that maintain phage stability at ambient temperature and humidity conditions, rather than requiring the extreme parameters of freeze-drying (vacuum, low temperature) or liquid nitrogen storage (-196°C).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If refrigeration is used to maintain vaccine efficacy, then vaccine stability is improved, but cold chain infrastructure is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaccine stabilityVSAvoidcold chain infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive organic stabilizing matrices (sucrose, trehalose, glycerol, alginate, pectin, chitosan, whey protein, liposomes) that can be easily incorporated into vaccine formulations. These materials provide thermal protection without requiring expensive refrigeration equipment or complex cold chain infrastructure, making vaccines suitable for use in resource-limited settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the storage parameter requirements by formulating vaccines with thermoprotectant matrices that maintain vaccine stability at ambient temperatures (25-37°C) rather than requiring refrigerated conditions (2-8°C). This parameter change eliminates the need for cold chain infrastructure while preserving vaccine efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If desiccation protection is provided to bacteriophages, then phage stability is improved, but phage sensitivity to environmental conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephage stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material formulations combining multiple components (sucrose, trehalose, glycerol, alginate, pectin, chitosan, whey protein, or liposomes) that work synergistically to protect bacteriophages from desiccation and environmental stressors. These composite matrices provide a protective microenvironment that maintains phage stability while reducing sensitivity to external environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 pullulan-trehalose matrix effectively maintains the infectivity and immunogenicity of bacteriophages and vaccines for extended periods at elevated temperatures, providing a cost-effective and logistically feasible solution for food safety and vaccination programs.

Implementation Method 1

The present application relates to the preservation and/or stabilization of chemical and/or biological species in sugar glasses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlass transition: Vitrification

Implementation Method 2

long-term preservation of chemical and biological species using sugar glasses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular glass formation: Vitrification

Data Source

PatentUS11040015B2Method of long-term preservation of chemical and biological species using sugar glasses

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 MCMASTER UNIV

AI summary

A method of preserving the one or more chemical and/or biological species in a polymer matrix comprising pullulan and trehalose is described. The method includes combining the one or more chemical and/or biological species, an aqueous pullulan and a trehalose solution and drying the resultant mixture to provide a solid polymeric matrix. A polymeric matrix comprising one or more chemical and/or biological species and its use, for example, on surfaces for food preparation, for food preservation and in biological preparations is also described.