Saponin and Sodium Chlorate Composition for Digestive Pathogen Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively reduce pathogenic microorganism populations in animals, leading to contamination of meat products and associated human health risks and economic losses, as pathogens like E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium are shed in animal manure and introduced into ground meats during processing.
Innovation Solution
Administering a saponin-containing composition, such as a Yucca extract, in combination with an anti-microbial agent like sodium chlorate to animals prior to slaughter, which reduces protozoa populations and makes pathogens susceptible to chlorite-mediated killing, thereby decreasing bacterial loads in the digestive system and subsequent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional decontamination methods are used on carcasses post-harvesting, then some pathogen reduction is achieved, but many cases of food borne bacterial disease still arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by administering saponin-containing compositions to animals before slaughter to reduce pathogen populations in the digestive tract. This pre-treatment approach addresses pathogens at their source in the animal's digestive system before they can contaminate meat during processing, rather than relying solely on post-harvest carcass decontamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining saponins (natural plant-derived compounds) with conventional decontamination approaches. The saponin-containing composition works synergistically with post-harvest treatments to provide multi-stage pathogen control, enhancing overall reliability of pathogen reduction
2Reliability
If saponin-containing composition is administered to animals, then protozoa populations are reduced and pathogen susceptibility increases, but additional treatment steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses saponins as an intermediary substance that facilitates pathogen elimination. Saponins act as a mediator by disrupting protozoa populations and making pathogens susceptible to chlorite-mediated killing, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent conventional decontamination treatments without requiring entirely new complex systems
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 combination of saponins and anti-microbial agents significantly reduces protozoal counts and pathogenic bacterial burdens, enhancing the effectiveness of sodium chlorate in eliminating pathogens from the digestive tract, thereby minimizing foodborne disease incidence and economic losses.
Implementation Method 1
Saponins are a class of naturally-occurring plant-derived compounds that have been shown to lyse protozoa
Implementation Method 2
Bacteria that can anaerobically respire on nitrate (i.e., E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium) can co-metabolically reduce chlorate to chlorite. The chlorite then kills the bacteria.
Implementation Method 3
The chlorite then kills the bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. Other embodiments are included herein.