Solid Enzyme Formulations with Hydrophobic Coating for Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid enzyme compositions face challenges in achieving uniform and reproducible distribution in animal feed and food products, especially when highly concentrated, due to high enzyme stability requirements and processing difficulties such as dusting and flow issues.

Innovation Solution

A solid enzyme formulation comprising a mixture of salt-stabilized enzyme compositions, particulate carriers, and hydrophobic liquids, which are processed through spray drying and agglomeration to achieve high segregation stability, low dusting, and excellent flow behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If highly concentrated solid enzyme compositions are used, then enzyme activity is sufficient with small dosages, but uniform distribution in feed becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenzyme activityVSAvoiduniform distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The enzyme composition is divided into small individual particles through spray drying, creating a segmented structure that facilitates uniform distribution. The enzyme solution is atomized into droplets that dry into discrete particles, preventing clumping and enabling even dispersion in feed matrices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the enzyme is changed from liquid solution to solid particles through controlled drying. This parameter change from liquid to solid phase, combined with controlling particle size distribution, enables the enzyme to be dosed in small amounts while maintaining uniform distribution properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If salt stabilizers are added to maintain enzyme stability, then enzyme activity is preserved, but processing properties such as flow behavior deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidflow behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The addition of salt stabilizers changes the physical parameters of the enzyme solution, including ionic strength and viscosity. By controlling the concentration and type of salt, and by optimizing the drying process parameters, the formulation achieves a balance where enzyme stability is maintained while flow properties remain acceptable for processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If spray drying is used to produce solid enzyme compositions, then enzyme stability is improved, but dusting increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoiddusting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A binder substance is introduced as an intermediary component during the spray drying process. This binder acts as a mediator that binds particles together, reducing dust generation while maintaining the stability benefits of spray-dried enzyme particles. The binder creates agglomerates that are less prone to airborne dust formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The final product is a composite material consisting of enzyme particles, binder, and potentially other excipients. This composite structure combines the stability advantages of spray-dried enzyme with the handling advantages of bound agglomerates, reducing dusting while preserving enzyme activity.

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 resulting formulations exhibit improved handling properties, reduced dusting, and uniform distribution, ensuring effective enzyme activity in animal feed and food products with enhanced processing characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

spray drying liquid enzyme solutions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

mixing a particulate, salt-stabilized enzyme composition, a particulate carrier and a hydrophobic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic coating: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP1996028B2Solid enzyme formulations and process for their preparation
Publication Date: 2015.12.02 BASF SE
  • EP1996028B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1996028B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to novel solid enzyme formulations comprising mixtures of at least one salt-stabilized enzyme composition, at least one particulate support and at least one hydrophobic fluid. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of such solid enzyme formulations, and to animal feeds, foodstuffs and food supplements containing such enzyme formulations.