Yeast-Bacteriophage Dry Mixture for Storage Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for drying bacteriophages with yeasts face challenges such as low viability, instability under acidic conditions, and sensitivity to UV radiation, making it difficult to maintain the effectiveness of bacteriophages in treating bacterial infections and biocontrol applications.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing a dry mixture of yeasts and/or yeast derivatives with bacteriophages, where the mixture is formed by suspending the yeast and bacteriophages together and then dried, using techniques like freeze-drying, spray-drying, or fluidized air bed drying, with the addition of drying excipients to enhance stability and viability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If bacteriophages are dried using conventional methods, then handling and storage stability are improved, but viability and effectiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidbacteriophage viability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses yeast cells as an intermediary carrier to protect bacteriophages during the drying process. The yeast cells serve as a protective matrix that maintains bacteriophage stability while enabling effective drying, thus resolving the contradiction between storage stability and viability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where bacteriophages are associated with yeast cells in a dried mixture. This composite material approach allows the combination of the protective properties of yeast with the drying capability, maintaining bacteriophage effectiveness while achieving stable dry form storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If bacteriophages are exposed to acidic conditions during drying, then drying process is simplified, but bacteriophage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying process simplicityVSAvoidbacteriophage stability under acid
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Yeast cells act as a protective intermediary that shields bacteriophages from acidic conditions during the drying process. The yeast matrix buffers the acidic environment, allowing simplified drying procedures while maintaining bacteriophage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If bacteriophages are dried without protective measures, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sensitivity to UV radiation and environmental stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidUV radiation sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The yeast cells serve as a protective intermediary that shields bacteriophages from harmful UV radiation and environmental stress during drying. This natural protective matrix reduces the need for additional expensive protective measures while maintaining bacteriophage effectiveness.

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

The method produces stable formulations that protect bacteriophages, allowing them to maintain activity in harsh environments, such as the gastrointestinal tract, and retain their beneficial properties, improving handling and storage stability while reducing costs and handling errors.

Implementation Method 1

a method of manufacturing of a dry mixture of at least one yeast and/or yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage... by the mixing of at least one yeast and/or at least one yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage in suspension and the drying of this mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

using techniques like freeze-drying, spray-drying, or fluidized air bed drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze drying: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 3

using techniques like freeze-drying, spray-drying, or fluidized air bed drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray drying: Spray

Implementation Method 4

using techniques like freeze-drying, spray-drying, or fluidized air bed drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidized air bed drying: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentUS20240415907A1Mixture of at least one bacteriophage and of at least one yeast and method for drying same
Publication Date: 2024.12.19 LESAFFRE & CIE

AI summary

A method of manufacturing of a dry mixture of at least one yeast and/or yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage, where the mixture being in the form of solid entities, and each solid entity is composed of at least one yeast and/or at least one yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage and possibly at least one drying excipient, where the method is done by the mixing of at least one yeast and/or yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage in suspension and the drying of this mixture. Also, a dry mixture of at least one yeast and/or yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage, which is in the form of solid entities, where each solid entity is composed of at least one yeast and/or at least one yeast derivative and at least one bacteriophage and possibly at least one drying excipient and uses thereof.