Antimicrobial Feed Composition Using Trans-2-Hexenal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial solutions for animal feed face challenges in effectively controlling a wide range of bacteria and fungi, and there is a need for more natural and synergistic formulations that enhance the microbicidal effect of organic acids.

Innovation Solution

A synergistic antimicrobial composition is developed, which includes a mixture of organic acids, the aldehyde trans-2-hexenal, and antimicrobial terpenes or essential oils, along with an ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant. This composition is designed to improve the microbicidal effect on animal feed by creating a synergistic effect among the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial solutions are used for animal feed, then microbial contamination is controlled to some extent, but the effectiveness is insufficient against a wide range of bacteria and fungi

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial control effectivenessVSAvoidcoverage against diverse microorganisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple antimicrobial agents (organic acids, terpenes, and α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes) into a single synergistic formulation. This combination creates a broader spectrum of microbial control by leveraging the complementary mechanisms of action of different components, thereby improving both reliability and versatility against diverse bacteria and fungi.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite antimicrobial formulation containing multiple chemical components working together. The composite nature of the formulation allows it to target a wider range of microorganisms more effectively than single-agent solutions, addressing the need for versatile microbial control in animal feed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If natural and organic antimicrobials are sought, then more natural alternatives are found, but the cost of raw materials increases due to low commercial availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural antimicrobial alternativeVSAvoidraw material cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes, which are naturally occurring compounds that can be produced through the lipoxygenase pathway in plants. By leveraging these naturally occurring substances rather than synthesizing them entirely, the formulation maintains natural antimicrobial properties while potentially reducing raw material costs compared to using rare or expensive natural extracts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation employs antimicrobial compounds that are naturally produced by plants through their own metabolic pathways (lipoxygenase pathway) when damaged by cutting, trimming, or pathogen exposure. This self-service mechanism allows the use of naturally occurring antimicrobials without requiring external intervention or expensive rare natural products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If single-component antimicrobial agents are used, then the formulation is simple, but the antimicrobial activity is limited compared to synergistic combinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidantimicrobial activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple antimicrobial components (organic acids, terpenes, and α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes) into a single synergistic formulation. This combination creates enhanced antimicrobial activity through synergistic interactions, where the combined effect is greater than the sum of individual components, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable formulation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite antimicrobial formulation that integrates multiple chemical components with complementary mechanisms of action. This composite approach enhances the overall antimicrobial activity and reliability while maintaining a relatively simple single-phase formulation that can be easily applied to animal feed.

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 composition effectively controls various bacteria and fungi present in feed and water, demonstrating a significant reduction in microbial contamination, even after prolonged periods. It achieves this through a synergistic interaction between trans-2-hexenal, organic acids, and terpenes, enhancing the antimicrobial activity beyond what would be expected from the individual components.

Implementation Method 1

Lipoxygenases are enzymes widely distributed in nature that catalyze the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, forming fatty acid hydroperoxides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

These compounds are very unstable and are cleaved into aldehydes and oxo acids by the enzyme hydroperoxide lyase (HPL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic breakdown: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

The volatile compound used in this invention is trans-2-hexenal... Trans-2-hexenal is present in many edible plants such as apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, olives, etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMembrane disruption:

Implementation Method 4

The composition may further contain a ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20250064058A1Antimicrobial Formulation
Publication Date: 2025.02.27 ANITOX CORP

AI summary

An anti-microbial composition for treating animal feed, comprising:1 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight, of a C1 to C24 organic acid,1 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight, of trans-2-hexenal provided it constitutes at least 5 wt. % of the organic acid and aldehyde mixture,0 to 50 wt. % based on the total weight of terpenes,0 to 20 wt. % based on the total weight of a surfactant, andwater.