Sophorolipid Feed Additive Modulates Gut Flora

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current coccidiosis treatments in poultry rely on synthetic coccidiostats, which are expensive and non-natural, and there is a need for naturally occurring alternatives to address diseases caused by Clostridium sp., such as necrotic enteritis, that affect animal health and growth.

Innovation Solution

The use of sophorolipids as feed additives or feed premix components to modulate gut flora and prevent or alleviate coccidiosis and Clostridium-related diseases in animals, leveraging their natural production by yeast strains and potential for antimicrobial properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic coccidiostats are used to treat coccidiosis, then disease treatment effectiveness is improved, but cost increases and natural alternative requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease treatment effectivenessVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive synthetic coccidiostats with sophorolipids, which are produced by yeast fermentation and can be synthesized cost-effectively. The sophorolipid composition provides a natural, affordable alternative that maintains treatment effectiveness while reducing costs associated with synthetic compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sophorolipids as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between natural products and synthetic coccidiostats. These glycolipid compounds, produced by yeast, serve as a natural mediator that effectively treats coccidiosis and clostridium diseases without the high costs and non-natural characteristics of synthetic alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If synthetic coccidiostats are used, then disease control is achieved, but natural product requirements are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidnatural alternative requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Sophorolipids serve as a natural intermediary that satisfies the requirement for natural products while maintaining disease control effectiveness. These compounds are produced by yeast through fermentation, providing a biologically-derived alternative to synthetic coccidiostats that meets natural product requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of product origin from synthetic to natural by utilizing sophorolipids produced through yeast fermentation. This parameter change satisfies the requirement for natural alternatives while maintaining the necessary disease control functionality through the antimicrobial properties of sophorolipids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If sophorolipids are used as feed additive, then natural alternative and cost-effectiveness are improved, but disease prevention capability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoiddisease prevention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sophorolipids as a cost-effective feed additive that can be produced through yeast fermentation at lower costs than synthetic alternatives. The composition maintains disease prevention capability while improving cost-effectiveness, making it economically viable for widespread use in animal feed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Sophorolipids act as a natural intermediary substance in feed that prevents diseases caused by coccidia and clostridium species. The composition maintains reliable disease prevention capability through the antimicrobial mechanisms of sophorolipids while providing the cost-effectiveness needed for practical application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Sophorolipids demonstrate immunomodulatory and anti-parasitic effects, reducing disease symptoms and improving animal performance by modulating gut microflora, offering a cost-effective, natural alternative to synthetic coccidiostats.

Implementation Method 1

sophorolipids have a great potential for use in animal feed. In particular it has been found that a composition comprising at least one sophorolipid specified hereinbelow may be used for the alleviation, cure or prevention of coccidiosis and of diseases caused by clostridium sp.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity:

Implementation Method 2

Sophorolipids demonstrate immunomodulatory and anti-parasitic effects, reducing disease symptoms and improving animal performance by modulating gut microflora

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmunomodulatory effect:

Implementation Method 3

Sophorolipids are surface-active glycolipid compounds that can by synthesized by a select number of non-pathogenic yeast species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface activity: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS11524020B2Use of sophorolipids as feed additive

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for modulation of the gut flora and/or for supporting immune system function in animals comprising administration of one or more sophorolipids to an animal in need thereof. Animal feed compositions comprising sophorolipids are also provided.