Tocopherol Isoforms Enhance Oligosaccharide Assimilation by Bifidobacteria

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to enhance the assimilation of oligosaccharides, such as human milk oligosaccharides, by intestinal bacteria, particularly bifidobacterial strains, to promote their growth and contribute to human health.

Innovation Solution

The use of isoforms of tocopherol, specifically β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol, in combination with oligosaccharides, to promote the assimilation and growth of bifidobacterial strains in the intestines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If α-tocopherol is used to promote bifidobacterial growth, then growth promotion effect is achieved, but other tocopherol isoforms remain under-studied and insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebifidobacterial growth promotionVSAvoidtocopherol isoform variety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of tocopherol from the conventional α-tocopherol to other isoforms (β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol), demonstrating that different tocopherol isoforms can also promote bifidobacterial growth and oligosaccharide assimilation, thus expanding the versatility of tocopherol applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If oligosaccharides are assimilated by intestinal bacteria, then bacterial growth is promoted, but the assimilation efficiency needs enhancement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoligosaccharide assimilation efficiencyVSAvoidbifidobacterial growth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines oligosaccharides with tocopherol isoforms to create a composite nutritional composition, where tocopherol acts as an auxiliary substance that enhances the assimilation of oligosaccharides by bifidobacteria, thereby improving both assimilation efficiency and growth consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250120941A1Composition for Promoting the Assimilation of an Oligosaccharide

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 MORINAGA MILK IND CO LTD

AI summary

A technique for promoting the assimilation of an oligosaccharide such as an HMO by an intestinal bacterium, especially a bifidobacterial strain, is provided. As a first aspect, a composition for promoting the assimilation of an oligosaccharide containing a tocopherol is provided. As a second aspect, a nutritional composition (excluding breast milk) containing an oligosaccharide and a tocopherol is provided. The tocopherol in the aspects contains one, two or more kinds selected from the group consisting of β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol. The oligosaccharide in the aspects is preferably a human milk oligosaccharides. The mass ratio of the δ-tocopherol content to the β-tocopherol content (δ/β) in the aspects is preferably 5 or more, and the mass ratio of the γ-tocopherol content to the δ-tocopherol content (γ/δ) is preferably 8.8 or less.