Sporeforming Probiotic Strains for Aquafeed Digestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fish are unable to efficiently digest and utilize plant feedstuffs due to the presence of non-starch polysaccharides, which are not metabolized and can have detrimental effects on performance and health, as they lack the necessary carbohydrate-active enzymes to hydrolyze these compounds.

Innovation Solution

Isolation and characterization of novel sporeforming probiotic strains from fish gut microbiota with NSPase activity, capable of producing enzymes to hydrolyze non-starch polysaccharides, such as mannans, glucans, xylans, arabinans, and galactans, to enhance dietary utilization and fish health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plant feedstuffs are used as alternatives to fish meal, then sustainability is improved, but digestibility and nutritive value deteriorate due to high levels of non-starch polysaccharides

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoiddigestibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sporeforming probiotic bacteria as intermediary organisms that produce carbohydrase enzymes. These enzymes act as mediators between the fish's digestive system and the non-starch polysaccharides in plant feedstuffs, breaking down the complex carbohydrates into digestible forms. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the use of sustainable plant feedstuffs while maintaining digestibility through the probiotic-mediated enzymatic breakdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the biochemical parameters of the digestive system by introducing probiotic bacteria that secrete carbohydrases. This alters the enzymatic profile of the fish's gut, adding cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, and other polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. This parameter change enables the digestion of plant feedstuffs that would otherwise be indigestible, resolving the contradiction between sustainability and digestibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If non-starch polysaccharides are present in plant feedstuffs, then sustainability is improved, but fish health and performance deteriorate due to indigestible NSPs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidfish health

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of indigestible non-starch polysaccharides into a benefit by using probiotic bacteria to degrade them. The NSPs that would normally cause digestive issues and health problems are instead broken down by carbohydrase enzymes produced by the probiotics, transforming them into beneficial short-chain fatty acids and other metabolic products that improve fish health and performance while maintaining sustainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If exogenous carbohydrases are supplemented to plant-based diets, then NSPs utilization may be improved, but results on fish growth performance diverge and effectiveness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNSPs utilizationVSAvoidgrowth performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs probiotic bacteria that are self-replicating and self-sustaining in the fish's gut. Unlike exogenous carbohydrases that require continuous external supplementation, the probiotic organisms establish themselves in the gut microbiota and continuously produce carbohydrase enzymes. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent NSPs utilization and growth performance without the variability associated with external enzyme supplementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 probiotic strains improve energy utilization from indigestible dietary constituents, enhance resistance to pathogens, and contribute to better fish health and welfare, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for aquaculture by facilitating the use of plant-based diets.

Implementation Method 1

carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) that hydrolyse non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

sporeforming probiotic strain(s) with NSPase activity isolated from fish gut microbiota

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpore formation:

Data Source

PatentUS11617770B2Sporeforming probiotic strains, methods and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 CIIMAR CENTRO INTERDISCIPLINAR DE INVESTIGACAO MARINHA E AMBIENTAL

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the isolation, identification and characterization of novel sporeforming probiotic strain(s) with NSPase (Non-Starch Polysaccharides-active hydrolases) activity isolated from fish gut microbiota, methods and uses thereof. The sporeforming probiotic strain(s) with NSPase activity now disclosed are able of producing carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) that hydrolyse non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and accesses their potential as probiotics (PRO) for use in particular in aquafeeds.