Slow-Release Yeast Bolus With Fat Coating for Prepartum Nutrition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bolus products for ruminant animals fail to effectively deliver a slow release of dried live active yeast particles and vitamins to mitigate inflammatory effects during the prepartum period, leading to reduced dry matter intake and increased prevalence of postpartum metabolic diseases, while existing methods for administering these supplements are inefficient and may degrade the yeast particles during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A biologically induced slow-release bolus containing dried live active yeast particles coated with hydrophobic fat, vitamins, and optional trace minerals, using degradable binding agents like Dolomite clays, which are administered to ruminant animals to gradually release the ingredients over an extended period, preserving yeast viability and enhancing nutrition and health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional bolus products are used to supplement vitamins and minerals, then nutritional supplementation is provided, but the products fail to effectively deliver slow release of dried live active yeast particles and vitamins, leading to reduced dry matter intake and increased postpartum metabolic diseases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of nutrient deliveryVSAvoiddry matter intake

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the bolus by incorporating dried live active yeast particles coated with hydrophobic fat and using degradable binding agents. This creates a controlled release system that maintains yeast viability and provides slow release of nutrients, resolving the contradiction between reliable nutrient delivery and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bolus uses composite materials including dried live active yeast particles, hydrophobic fat coatings, degradable binding agents (Dolomite clays), vitamins, and trace minerals. This composite structure enables both the reliability of slow-release nutrient delivery and the productivity benefit of increased dry matter intake.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing methods are used to administer supplements, then supplementation is provided, but the manufacturing process degrades yeast particles and administration is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyeast particle viabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The yeast particles are pre-coated with hydrophobic fat before being incorporated into the bolus matrix. This preliminary protective action prevents degradation during subsequent manufacturing processes while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward coating and mixing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The degradable binding agents (Dolomite clays) serve as intermediaries that protect the yeast particles during manufacturing and then gradually break down in the rumen to release nutrients. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining yeast viability and manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If nutrients are delivered quickly, then immediate nutritional support is provided, but the effect is short-lived and requires frequent administration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of nutrient releaseVSAvoidadministration frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bolus provides a single excessive dose of nutrients that is designed to release partially over an extended period. The degradable binding agents control the release rate, providing prolonged nutrition from one administration and eliminating the need for frequent dosing, thus resolving the contradiction between duration of action and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 slow-release bolus enhances microbial action, increases dry matter intake, and improves milk production by gradually delivering nutrients, addressing the nutritional challenges of ruminant animals during the prepartum and postpartum periods, thereby reducing metabolic diseases and supporting lactation.

Implementation Method 1

dried live active yeast particles coated with hydrophobic fat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic coating: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

using degradable binding agents like Dolomite clays, which are administered to ruminant animals to gradually release the ingredients over an extended period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological degradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

The slow-release bolus enhances microbial action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250360175A1Slow-release feed supplement bolus with active yeast

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 TECHMIX LLC

AI summary

A slow-release bolus product administered to the reticulo-rumen of a ruminant animal like a cow containing dried live active yeast particles, vitamins, and optional minerals for enhancing the health, nutrition, and feed intake of the animal prior to a lactation cycle post calving and to improve commercial milk production, or for enhancing the health, nutrition, and feed intake of a ruminant animal after a triggering stress event.