GB2066038A - Protein/vitamin supplement - Google Patents

Abstract

A protein/vitamin supplement particularly suitable for use in animal feed is described, the supplement being the reaction product of a Torula or Candida utilis suspension with cane liquor ("cachaza"). The suspension can be prepared by fermenting the strain in vinasse in the presence of ammonium and phosphate salts. Cereal grains and Lactobacillus microorganisms may be added.

Description

SPECIFICATION Proteinlvitamin supplement The present invention relates to a vitaminic protein supplement, particularly suitable for use in animal feed.

In the past several fermentation processes for the obtention of protein concentrates have become known. For instance, Argentine Patent No 209.971 discloses a process for preparing a protein concentrate by aerobic yeast cultures on milk serum. There are furthermore Argentine patents disclosing processes for obtaining animal feed supplements based on bacitracin obtained in the form of fermentation products. In view of problems encountered during storage and which are caused by the lack of stability of bacitracin, the main object of the inventions of such patents is the obtention of stable bacitracincontaining compositions as fermentation products.

Argentine patents of this type are Patents Nos.

169.653 and 172.343.

Moreover, Argentine Patent No 154.374 discloses a process which comprises developing a microorganism having protolytic activity and transferring it to a fermentator containing at least one agricultural by-product selected from the class consisting of oleaginous soya and sunflower cakes having a protein content amounting to 10 to 55% to provide a protein/vitamin supplement.

However, all attempts have so far failed to provide protein/vitamin supplements available at low cost, as a stable and animal-growth promoting product.

The present invention, through a fermentation process provides a protein/vitamin supplement, particularly suitable for use in animal food, which meets with the above-mentioned requirements. There is thus obtained a product which fully retains its fresh state during storage for a period of at least 40-50 days, in addition to being readily digestible by bovine cattle. This product is of low cost by virtue of the raw materials employed, and it has shown to possess a high degree of desirable weightincreasing properties when supplied to animals, particularly cattle.

As raw materials in the process of the invention two residues of sugar manufacture are employed which at present cause serious problems of environment contamination.

Thus, a Torula or Candida Utilis suspension is produced which then is mixed together with cane liquor and subsequently fermented in order to provide the protein/vitamin supplement. The supplement can for example contain 3-6% proteins and Group B vitamins.

The Torula or Candida suspension can for example be prepared by the method our copending Application (agents ref. 42.134-672) of even date. That application describes a method of fermenting the strain in vinasse in the presence of ammonium and phosphate salts, e.g. potassium, calcium or ammonium phosphate or superphosphate and ammonium sulphate.

Fresh cane liquor is a residue formed in the manufacture of sugar and it is usually disposed of by discharging it into any water stream whereby it causes the above-mentioned problems of contamination. The cane liquor consists of sugar-purification clays with bagasses added to facilitate the separation thereof in rotary filters.

The Torula orCandida suspension is thoroughly mixed with fresh cane liquor and the mixture is subjected to anaerobic fermentation in suitable equipment which may not be provided with mechanical stirrers and thermostats, whilst the pH-value is allowed to change naturally, this step usually being carried out for a period of 4to 6 days.

There is thus obtained a product possessing features distinct to those of the starting components, and which can be ascertained in the fresh product by the presence of a complex microbian colony composed of anaerobe and aerobe germs (lactobacillus, yeasts and others) and by its specific organoleptic features.

The lactic acid is one of the components of the reaction which has been defined; however are other components not yet identified which are more important from the point of view of the characteristics of the taste of the feed. Other products certainly contained therein are the original vitamins of the starting products and those vitamins resulting from the reaction as well as the aminoacids formed by the proteoiysis produced.

The possible reaction mechanism is connected with the development of acidophile, cellulolytic and lipolytic anaerobe germs which show such enzymatic activity and which are favourably affected by the growth.

The presence of new components in the final product appears to be the result of the glycolysis metabolism of sugars initially present in the vinasse, the dissociation of proteins and fats from the initial components and those resulting from the biosynthesis of other components and elements.

The proportion in which the individual raw materials can be utilized to carry out the process vary depending on the desired final product.

Example 1 (Use of normal cane liquor) 100 1 of Torula suspension are mixed together with 200 Kg of fresch cane liquor and the mixture is allowed to undergo fermentation at temperatures comprised within 37" and 48"C, during a period of time ranging from 4 to 6 days. It will be possible to promote fermentation by the seeding of cultures of germs of the Lactobacillus genus, as for instance Lactobacillus plantarum or by adding fresh or undeveloped materials containing germs of this genus such as cereal grains or sugar cane cuts. The process may be performed with or without mechanical stirring. Such mechanical stirring will be effected periodically and gently.

The amount of finial product to be obtained varies depending on the conditions of temperature and the eventually stirring employed.

For instance, from a process carried out at 370C without stirring during 6 days, starting from 100 1 of Torula suspension and 200 Kg of fresh cane liquor a yield of 290 Kg of fresh final product is obtained.

Some characteristics of the thus obtained product are, in accordance with available data, as follows: Consistency: paste-like pH-value: 3.5 Humidity: 72% Proteins: 4.72% Ashes: 7.5% Lactic acid: present Group Bvitamins: present Sterols: present Analysis for the purpose of determining the pres ence of B 12 vitamin and of free aminoacids and the presence of other unknown growth factors can be effected.

Example 2 Torula utilis suspension: 150 liters Partially dehydrated cane liquor: 100 Kg.

The same way of processing as above is followed and there is obtained a product which differs from the former in its ashes and proteins content, said proteins content amounting to 6%.

Example 3 The product of Example 1 is dried in rotary ovens, whereby a dust preparation having the following composition is obtained: Dry matter: 97.4% Ashes: 26.4% Proteins: 16.38% Analysis ofStarting Materials: Cane LiquorAnalysis Humidity 67.48 Proteins (N2 x 6.25) 1.67 Sugars 9.05 Ethereal Extract 2.83 Fiber 8.13 Ashes 12.76 Calcium Oxide 0.40 Phosphorus Pentoxide 1.98 Magnesium Oxide 0.123 Torula Analysis (dry-basis calculated) Proteins (N2 x 6.25) 46.20 Fiber 3.17 Fats 1.03 Ashes 11.26 Calcium 1.42 Phosphorus 1.44 Group B vitamins present Bovine Cattle Feeding Test 5 groups of 16 young bulls each were formed.

Groups 1 to 4 with 15 Holando Argentino breed animals and 1 Aberdeen Angus and yard 5 with crossbreed animals. All the animals were maintained in yards wherein feed and water were supplied in feeding and drinking troughs, respectively.

The following rations were utilized: Yard 1: NPC, cane cuts and molasses Yard 2: NPC and integral sugar cane Yard 3: NPC, cane cuts and grain Yard 4: Balanced feed, cane cuts and molasses Yard 5: NPC, cane cuts and molasses.

The cane cuts and sugar cane were supplied in chopped form and mixed with the remaining components of the respective rations. Before starting the test, all the animals received conventional health treatment against aphthous fever, carbuncle, stigma and parasite diseases as well as a bath against ticks.

No tranquillizers or anabolies were used.

Table 7 Data from the test of feeding bovine cattle 1. Initial averageweight(Kg) 418.43 384.75 362.31 340.37 336.56 2. Final average weight (Kg) 535.80 461.37 463.75 458.01 425.49 3. Number of days 92 92 92 92 92 4. Average weight gained 114.13 76.62 101.44 117.64 88.93 5. Daily average weight gains 1.24 0.83 1.10 1.17 0.967 Hepatic Function (for the control of toxicity) Table2 Data on the bllfrubin andpiruvic-glutamic transaminase contained in the serum ofseveral animals.

Group No 1 2 3 4 5 Total bilirubin (mg%) 0,34 0,29 0,43 0,37 0,43 Direct bilirubin (mg %) 0,14 0,14 0,24 0,13 0,03 lndirectbilirubin (mg%) 0,20 0,14 0,19 0,24 0,40 Piruvic-glutamic 23 18 26 15 transaminase (G Pt) (V l/ml) The results are normal for bovines.

NPC {final product) Analysis Humidity 72.80 Proteins 3.78 Sugars 1.62 Ethereal extract 1.72 Fiber 5.93 Lactic acid 4.39 Ashes 9.09 Calcium oxide 0.27 Phosphorus pentoxide 0.81 Magnesium oxide 0.078 Alcohol < 1.00 Acetic acid < 1.00 Vitamins (B) present Some literature references on the products being employedin the manufacture ofthe NPC {final pro- duct) Cane liquor: "Any kind of feed derived from the cane liquor filter cake should be immediately consumed or dried, since otherwise the product is subjected to rapid deterioration caused by fungus and bacteriae." ("An evaluation of the cane liquor filter cake as feed for ruminants", by E. Le Grand, "Sugary Azucar", February 1979).

Furthermore, in the above iiterature the convenience of modifying the technique of cane liquor clarification in order to obtain products more suitable for use in feeding animals is emphasized.

Torula: The fresh Torula cream should be dried for use in feeding. It is well known that a cellular material having a high H20 percentage (85%, as in the case of Torula cream) is rapidly decomposed.

The process which has been discovered, upon the mixture and reaction of the components (Torula cream and cane liquor) with production of lactic acid, enables the preservation of the resulting product (which product further possesses the additional advantages derived from the by-products formed in the microbiological reactions which take place) for periods of time ranging from 30 to 40 days and which product can be stored in a silo.

Strains references: 1. Torula utills, Mayer var. NRRL 1084 2. Lactobacillus Plantarum ATTC Nos. 8041 and 14431.

Claims (12)

1. A protein/vitamin supplement, particularly suitable for use in animal feed, characterized by being a reaction product of (1) a Torula or Candida utilis suspension with (2) fresh cane liquor.

2. A supplement in accordance with claim 1, characterized by containing between 3 and 8% of proteins and Group B vitamins.

3. A supplement in accordance with claim 1, characterized by containing 3.5% of proteins.

4. A supplement in accordance with claim 1, characterized by containing 3.5 to 4% of proteins.

5. A process for obtaining the supplement of claim 1, characterized by comprising the steps of (a) fermenting a mixture of vinasse and phosphate and ammonium salts inoculated with Torula orCandida utilis in order to obtain a suspension thereof; (b) mixing the thus obtained suspension with fresh cane liquor and anaerobically fermenting to obtain the final product.

6. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that the phosphate is a potassium or calcium or ammonium phosphate or superphosphate.

7. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that the ammonium salt is ammonium sulphate or ammonium phosphate.

8. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that in step (b) Lactobacillus germ cultures are added.

9. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that Lactobacillus plantarum is added.

10. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that fresh materials containing germs of Lactobacillus genus as cereal grains are added.

11. A process in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that in step (b) other undeveloped materials containing germs of the Lactobacillus genus as sugar cane cuts or cornstalks are added.

12. A process for the preparation of a protein/vitamin supplement substantially as described herein in anyone of the Examples.