HK1169000B - Granular feed supplement - Google Patents

Description

Granulated feed supplement

Background

The present disclosure relates generally to ruminant pellet feed supplements. In particular, the present disclosure provides a ruminant pellet feed supplement in which a physiologically active substance is stable in the rumen of a ruminant animal and is digested and absorbed in the abomasum and subsequent digestive tract. Methods of making and using the granulated feed supplement are also disclosed.

Ruminants are mammals of the suborder ruminants, which have a stomach divided into 4 morphologically distinct chambers: rumen, cellulite stomach, omasum stomach, and abomasum. The rumen and the cellulite are derived from the terminal portions of the esophagus, while only the heavy-lobed and abomasum are considered to be true stomachs. Bacteria present in the rumen enable ruminants to digest cellulosic material, such as grass. Conventional digestion occurs in the abomasum (sometimes referred to as the actual stomach). Well known ruminants include domestic animals (cattle), sheep (sheet) and goats (goats).

The rumen, a substantially continuous fermenter, supports the attack and digestion of most ingested feed items by various microorganisms under neutral conditions, which are consumed by ruminants as part of their regular life cycle. The ingested protein material is broken down in the rumen into soluble peptides and amino acids for use by the microorganisms as nutrients. A stream of ingested nutrients rich in microbial cells flows through the rumen and into the omasum. The function of the double-lobed stomach is to separate liquids from solids. A large amount of liquid re-enters the rumen, while the remaining substance enters the abomasum. Digestion and absorption then proceed in the abomasum in a similar manner to that seen in the monogastric. Enzymes secreted into the lumen of the abomasum digest large amounts of material, including microbial cells. The digested microbial cells provide proteins and amino acids to the ruminant.

The microbial action in the rumen has the great advantage of converting many feed components that do not have direct nutritional value to the host into products that can be assimilated and utilized by the host. For example, urea can be converted into microbial proteins, which can then be digested and utilized by the host animal. Cellulose can be converted to a mixture of volatile fatty acids, which can serve as an energy source for the host.

Unfortunately, this microbiological effect also shows some disadvantages. For example, soluble proteins of high nutritional value may be decomposed and digested in the rumen and partially resynthesized into microbial proteins of low nutritional value. Amino acids are also chemically altered by rumen microorganisms, which convert amino acids into carbon dioxide, volatile fatty acids and ammonia.

All proteins present in animals are composed of a combination of more than 20 different amino acids. Of these, the 10 "basic" amino acids are not synthesized sufficiently in the animal and must be taken up by the animal. When this essential amino acid is missing from the ruminant diet, ruminant health, milk production, etc. are negatively affected.

It is a common practice in ruminant production to supplement the daily diet of animals with biologically active substances in order to improve their health and their productive efficacy. Useful active substances include amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, nutrients, such as proteins and carbohydrates, probiotic microorganisms, probiotic foods, mineral salts, choline, and the like. Some of these substances have been routinely found in foods used for feeding animals. Sometimes the amount of essential active present in the diet may be insufficient or insufficient to cope with the situation of deficient state or high productivity. Therefore, the ruminant's daily diet needs to be carefully formulated or supplemented in order to address these concerns.

However, when physiologically active substances such as amino acids and proteins are orally fed, substantially most of the substances (e.g., proteins, amino acids, etc.) are decomposed by microorganisms in the rumen, and it is difficult or impossible for the animal to effectively utilize all of these administered proteins and amino acids contained in feed or the like. Thus, the basic amino acids are destroyed and made unusable for animal production. Animal production is limited by the supplementation of individual essential amino acids that escape or bypass the entire rumen and reach the lower gastrointestinal tract where they can be absorbed and become available for animal production.

Therefore, it is important to allow the biologically active substance to pass through the rumen without being decomposed by microorganisms so that the biologically active substance is effectively digested and absorbed in the abomasum and the subsequent digestive tract. Thus, a great deal of effort has been expended in order to provide biologically active substances in the form of: this form allows it to pass through the rumen substantially unaltered and to undergo disintegration and absorption in the abomasum.

Methods have been devised to increase the amount of nutrients that pass through the rumen without being degraded by the rumen flora (microflora), and thereby deliver a greater portion of the nutrients to the lower gastrointestinal tract, including: heat and chemical treatment, encapsulation and coating, using polymer complexes of amino acid analogs and amino acids.

For example, it has been proposed to coat ruminant feed additives containing biologically active substances with protective substances, such as fatty acids, hardened animal oils, and hardened vegetable oils. However, the granules coated with these fats and oils are stable not only in the rumen but also in the abomasum and the subsequent digestive tract, which makes it difficult for the biologically active substance to be released in the abomasum and the subsequent digestive tract.

Another method suggested takes advantage of the difference in pH between the rumen and abomasum, which is coated with a polymer that is insoluble in the rumen environment, but soluble in the strongly acidic abomasum. Such polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyamides and chemically modified cellulose. This solution has the disadvantage of high production costs, accompanied by the fact that the use of synthetic polymers introduces non-physiological substances into the diet of the animals. Such polymer coated products thus require FDA approval.

Several patents disclose coating biologically active substances with substances that are said to survive in the rumen, but degrade in the abomasum.

For example, U.S. patent No. 3,541,204 discloses hydrogenated vegetable and animal fats and waxes, such as rice bran wax, as coatings that survive in the rumen, but break down in the digestive tract.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,493 describes the use of aliphatic fatty acids each having at least 14 carbon atoms. The fatty acids are applied as a coating on the individual nutrients. The fatty acids are said to be resistant to rumen degradation. The active agent is then delivered to the crinkle stomach and/or intestine where the fatty acids are reduced in a post-ruminant environment.

U.S. patent 4,642,317 describes a method for supplementing ruminants with fatty acids in the form of calcium salts. However, the mere use of fatty acid salts as feed additives produces an apparently unacceptable odour resulting from the oxidation of organic volatiles in the feed, which causes a reduction in feed intake and milk production.

Us patent 4,713,245 discloses particles that can be preserved in the rumen comprising a core of a biologically active substance, a coating substance that is stable at neutral pH (as found in the rumen), but will dissolve or disintegrate at pH =3 (as found in the abomasum), and at least one other coating selected from fatty acids and waxes having at least 14 carbon atoms, animal fats, and vegetable fats having a melting point of 40 ℃ or higher.

U.S. patent No. 4,808,412 describes rumen stable compositions containing an active agent dissolved by a base polymer (basic polymer) in the molecular state. The active agent is delivered post-ruminally because the polymer can resist a pH greater than about 5, but is soluble or swellable at a pH less than about 3.5. In this type of dispersion, some of the active agent at or near the surface of the composition will be destroyed by the action of ruminal microorganisms (ruminal microbes), which reduce the effectiveness of the protection due to the ability to crack or channel at the surface.

Us patent 4,832,967 discloses a two-layer rumen-preserved coating for water-soluble bioactive substances. The resulting microparticles are stable at a pH of at least up to 5.5 and release the biologically active substance at a pH of 3.5 or less. The coating medium contains an inner first coating layer, which consists of a substance sensitive to pH changes, and an outer second coating layer, which consists of a hydrophobic composition (which must contain inorganic fillers if the biologically active core has not been surface treated (application of a hydrophobic binder)). The hydrophobic outer coating has a texture that allows diffusion or penetration of an external liquid medium. The outer coating preferably contains a mixture of hydrophobic substances.

U.S. patent No. 4,876,097 discloses coating compositions that are stable at a pH of less than or equal to about 3.5. The coating comprises a film-forming agent, a water-insoluble binder containing a substance to control hydrophilicity, and optionally a pH-sensitive substance. Both waxes (hydrophobic) and propylene glycol (soluble in water) are suitable for controlling the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. Controlling the hydrophilicity of the particles is said to limit the release of the bioactive agent in neutral or slightly acidic media (i.e., in the rumen). In a very acidic medium (i.e. in the abomasum), the pH-sensitive filler is activated by the medium, which slowly diffuses at a rate set by the hydrophilicity of the coating. The resulting dissolution or swelling of the pH-sensitive filler degrades the coating and releases the bioactive substance.

Us patent 5,093,128 describes pearl (beadlet) nutrient coatings which include fat and calcium based products. Coated ruminant nutrients have the disadvantage of being cracked or abraded during processing or chewing by the animal.

Us patent 5,145,695 provides a method wherein cows (cow) are fed a specific feed composition that delivers improved essential amino acid balance post-ruminally.

Us patent 5,227,166 discloses a ruminant feed supplement consisting of a coated bioactive substance, such as an amino acid, a drug, or a vitamin. The coating composition comprises lecithin, at least one inorganic substance which is stable in a neutral state and soluble in an acidic condition, and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 14 to 22 carbon atoms, salts thereof, hardened vegetable oils, hardened animal oils, and waxes.

Us patent 5,496,571 discloses a method of encapsulating choline to produce a ruminant supplement that bypasses the rumen. This type of encapsulation produces spherical particles with a choline core surrounded by a fat shell. Encapsulation is a relatively expensive manufacturing process. Furthermore, the high degree of fat saturation required for the solidification process tends to reduce the digestibility of choline.

U.S. patent No. 5,714,185 describes a protocol for treating proteinaceous material with zein/formaldehyde so that the ingredients are protected from rumen degradation. However, formaldehyde causes destruction of most essential amino acids and decreases in bioavailability. Broderick, G.A. et al, "Control of rate and extent of protein degradation," physical assays of diagnostic and metabolic in nutrients, Tsuda et al, eds., 541, 1991; academic Press, London. Moreover, the concentration of formaldehyde sometimes used is too high, creating health concerns related to its carcinogenicity, and is not FDA approved for animal feed applications.

Us patent 5,807,594 describes a method of improving weight gain and feed efficiency in ruminants by encapsulating a choline chloride composition in a ruminal-protecting carrier. Suitable encapsulating or coating materials for use in this invention include hydrogenated oils, mono-and di-glycerides, waxes, and seed fats.

Us patent 6,022,566 describes the addition of fat to a feed ration, followed by the addition of encapsulated choline chloride protected in the rumen in proportion to the added fat. However, such coating and encapsulation of choline chloride can be subject to abrasion, cracking, and other mechanical damage during handling and transportation, thus making the coating permeable to rumen fluids and microorganisms that destroy choline.

Us patent 6,229,031 describes a method for making a feed supplement by converting lipids from food and meat processing industry by-products into their calcium salt forms.

Us patent 6,242,013 describes high oil materials to protect against rumination, which materials are made by baking oilseeds at high temperature to protect the fatty acids fed to ruminants. However, the baking process requires a high energy cost.

U.S. patent application publication No. 2002/0127259 teaches that coated ruminant nutrition is disadvantageous because of cracking or abrasion during handling or chewing by the animal.

Japanese patent publication No. 60-168351 proposes a method of dispersing a biologically active material in a protective material, which method comprises granulating a biologically active material comprising at least 20% by weight calcium carbonate and at least 10% by weight of a material selected from the group consisting of: monocarboxylic acids, hardened oils and fats.

Japanese patent laid-open No. 61-195653 suggests a method of dispersing a bioactive substance in a coating material containing at least 10% by weight of a substance selected from the group consisting of: insoluble salts of monocarboxylic acids, hardened oils and fats and at least 20% but not more than 50% by weight of an acid, which is weaker than hydrochloric acid.

Japanese patent laid-open No. 63-317053 describes a method comprising coating a bioactive substance with a coating material containing a protective substance consisting of: monocarboxylic acids, hydrogenated oils, lecithin and glycerol fatty acid esters.

WO96/08168 describes ruminant feed for increasing milk production in dairy cows. The feed comprises a rumen-protected choline compound having a protective coating comprising at least one fatty acid or fatty acid soap.

Watanabe et al (K.Watanabe et al, "Effects of a fat coated rule bypass lysine and methyl on performance of a day cost fed a two parameter in lysine and methyl," Animal Science Journal, 77; 495-; the present technology for producing rumen protected amino acids is limited to methionine. Watanabe et al further reported that there were significant challenges in developing rumen-protected lysines due to their physical and chemical properties. Watanabe et al also note that from an industrial point of view, it is only worthwhile to establish rumen protection technology using hydrogenated fats and/or minerals that have been registered as feed ingredients. Watanabe et al disclose the bioavailability of fat-coated rumen-protected L-lysine hydrochloride in lactating cows and the bioavailability of rumen-protected L-lysine hydrochloride and rumen-protected methionine in the lactation of high yielding cows fed with conventional silage (silage-based reactive diet). Watanabe et al reported that the intestinal availability of their fat-coated ruminal-protecting lysine was calculated to be 66.2%.

From the point of view of the aforementioned problems, there is still a need for: a feed supplement is provided that stably protects a biologically active substance in the rumen of a ruminant animal, and still allows for efficient digestion and absorption of the active substance in the abomasum and in the subsequent digestive tract.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses these and other needs by providing improved compositions comprising biologically active substances that are effectively digested, absorbed and utilized by ruminants, yet are safe and economical products.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ruminant feed composition, comprising a granulated core material comprising at least one bioactive material, and a coating layer surrounding the core material.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ruminant feed composition comprising a pelletized core material comprising at least L-lysine sulfate, and a coating material surrounding the core material comprising a hydrogenated vegetable oil and a modifier.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of providing an amino acid to a ruminant, the method comprising: the amino acid is provided in a granular core, the core is coated with a coating substance, and the coated granules are included in feed to ruminants.

Detailed description of the embodiments

The present embodiment relates to a feed supplement comprising a core coated with a coating substance, which is stable in the rumen of ruminants and is digested and absorbed in the abomasum and subsequent digestive tract.

TheThe core contains at least one granulated physiologically or biologically active substance (hereinafter referred to as "active substance"). The core may be a single particle or may further comprise a matrix comprising one or more excipients, such as binding substances, inert ingredients and flow-control substances, which together help form a pellet of the particulate active material. The core may contain one or more active substances, usually in solid form, and must be sufficiently rigid to remain intact at a later stage of processing, particularly during the coating operation.

The term "active substance" herein refers to, for example, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates, probiotic microorganisms, foods prior to the origin of life, mineral salts, acids such as lactic acid, fumaric acid, a mixture of citric acid and malic acid, choline, and choline derivatives. These active substances may be used individually or mixed together in different weight ratios.

Specifically, the active substance may include, for example: amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan, arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and threonine; amino acid derivatives such as N-acylamino acid and calcium N-hydroxymethylmethionine salt, lysine sulfate, and lysine hydrochloride; hydroxy homologue compounds of amino acids, such as 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutyric acid and salts thereof; natural nutrient powders, such as cereal powders, and feathers (feathers); proteins such as casein, corn protein, and potato protein; a carbohydrate such as a starch, for example,sucrose, and glucose; vitamins and substances with similar functions such as vitamin A, vitamin A acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin B1, vitamin B1 hydrochloride, riboflavin, nicotinic acid amide, calcium pantothenate, pantothenic acid choline, vitamin B6 hydrochloride, choline chloride, cyanocobalamin, biotin, folic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, vitamin D₂Vitamin D₃And vitamin E; antibiotics such as tetracyclic antibiotics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, macrolide-type antibiotics, polyether-type antibiotics; pesticides such as negfon; anthelmintics such as piperazine; and hormones such as estrogen, diethylstilbestrol, casein, and goitrogen (goitrogen).

Several active substances have been identified which are said to contribute to increased milk and meat production in ruminants, including the amino acids lysine and methionine. When used as a dietary supplement, various salt forms of these amino acids can be used to supplement the desired amino acids. For example, lysine may be in the form of lysine hydrochloride or lysine sulfate. In addition, the physical properties of the amino acid salt may range from very fine, almost powdery, to large particles. Thus, the chemical and physical properties of the final product and therefore its ability to bypass the rumen and be effectively utilized by ruminants are directly related to the amino acid salt selected.

The preferred form of lysine is a granulated L-lysine sulfate having the following characteristics. The particle size is preferably in the range of about 0.3mm to about 3.0mm, and more preferably in the range of about 0.3mm to about 1.0mm, or in the range of about 1.0mm to about 2.0mm, or in the range of about 2.0mm to about 3.0mm, or in the range of about 0.3mm to about 1.6mm, or in the range of about 0.8mm to about 1.2 mm.

The granulated L-lysine sulfate may be screened to remove fine particles prior to coating. In certain embodiments, at least 99%, or at least 99.2%, or at least 99.4%, or at least 99.6%, or at least 99.8%, or 100% of the particles of the particulate L-lysine sulfate have a particle size of greater than 300 μm, or 400 μm, or 500 μm, or 600 μm, or 700 μm, or 800 μm.

The lysine sample may be at least 50%. The moisture content can be up to 5% and the bulk density can be 0.70 + -0.07 g/cc. The lysine product can be used as BIOLYS^®Commercially available, manufactured by Evonik Corporation.

The coating substance used to coat the core containing the active substance may comprise an at least partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Examples of suitable vegetable oils include palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil.

The coating material should have a melting point temperature in the range of about 40 ℃ to about 80 ℃, for example in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 60 ℃, or in the range of about 60 ℃ to about 70 ℃, or in the range of about 70 ℃ to about 80 ℃, or in the range of about 55 ℃ to about 65 ℃, or in the range of about 60 ℃ to about 75 ℃, in order to ensure that the coating on the final product has a hard surface, thereby preventing caking of the final product, and also in order to increase the stability of the product in the rumen.

The vegetable oil should be at least partially hydrogenated, or may be perhydrogenated. In certain embodiments, perhydrogenated soybean oil is used as the coating substance. This hydrogenated Soybean Oil is commercially available as Bunge Oil Soybean Flakes (manufactured by Bunge, Ltd.). In certain embodiments, hydrogenated rapeseed oil may be used. Such hydrogenated rapeseed oil is commercially available as AGRIPURE AP-660 (manufactured by Cargil (Hamburg, Germany)).

The coating substance may further comprise a modifier, for example, stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin, palm oil, and combinations thereof. The amount of modifier may range from about 0.5wt% to about 10wt%, for example from about 0.5wt% to about 5wt%, or from about 4wt% to about 10wt%, or from about 3wt% to about 7wt%, or from about 2wt% to about 4wt% of the final product. The weight percent of the modifier to the vegetable oil may be in the range of about 2: 98 to about 20: 80, for example in the range of about 5: 95 to about 10: 90 range.

The core containing the active substance should be coated with a sufficient amount of the coating substance so as to completely coat the core and achieve a rumen bypass rate of at least 50%, such as at least 55%, or at least 60%, or at least 65%. In other embodiments, the core is coated with a sufficient amount of the coating substance to achieve a rumen bypass rate of at least 70%, such as at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 85%. In yet other embodiments, the core is coated with a sufficient amount of the coating substance to achieve a rumen bypass rate of at least 88%, such as at least 90%, or at least 93%, or at least 96%. The "rumen bypass rate" is the percentage of active substance retained in the core when the active substance contained in the core is excreted from the rumen before entering the rumen.

The weight percentage of the core to the coating substance may be in the range of about 50: 50 to about 70: 30 range, e.g. 50: 50, or 55: 45, or 60: 40, or 65: 35, or 70: 30. in other embodiments, the weight percent of the core to the coating material is between about 70: 30 to about 90: 10 range, e.g. 75: 25, or 80: 20, or 85: 15, or 90: 10.

d of the final product₅₀And may range from about 300 μm to about 5,000 μm. In certain embodiments, d of the final product₅₀Can be in the range of about 600 μm to about 3,000 μm, or about 800 μm to about 1,900 μm, or about 1,000 μm to about 1,500 μm, about 1,200 μm to about 1,800 μm.

In addition to exhibiting a rumen bypass rate of at least 50%, the coated core material should also exhibit sufficient intestinal digestibility. The "intestinal digestibility" is the percentage of the active substance that is digested and absorbed in the abomasum and subsequent digestive tract by passage from the rumen. The intestinal digestibility may be at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 85%, such as in the range of 70% to about 100%, or such as in the range of about 80% to about 90%, or in the range of about 90% to about 100%, or in the range of about 85% to about 96%, or in the range of about 89% to about 95%, or in the range of about 93% to about 99%, or in the range of about 75% to about 95%.

The core may be coated by spray coating, pan coating, fluid bed coating, continuous pour coating, or any other method known to those skilled in the art. This process can be accomplished in a batch process or a continuous process. The core may be coated with a single layer of the coating substance, which is applied in a single coating application method, or the core may be coated with multiple layers of the coating substance, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more layers. Each layer surrounding the core may independently comprise the same or different coating substance.

When coating the core, the coating substance is formed by mixing together the vegetable oil, the emulsifier, and any other desired additives. The coating substance may then be heated to a temperature above its melting point such that the coating substance is in a liquid state when applied to the core. The coating substance may be heated to a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 200 ℃, for example to a temperature in the range of about 70 ℃ to about 110 ℃, or in the range of about 90 ℃ to about 120 ℃, or in the range of about 100 ℃ to about 160 ℃, or in the range of about 80 ℃ to about 105 ℃, or in the range of about 100 ℃ to about 150 ℃. After the liquid coating substance is applied to the core, the coated core is allowed to cool so that the coating substance solidifies to form a solid layer surrounding the core. This process may be repeated one or more times to produce multiple layers of coating material surrounding the core.

If successive layers of the same coating substance are applied to the core as described above, the individual layers may not be distinguishable in the final product. However, the above-described multilayer coating process imparts distinguishable structural features to the final product when compared to a product surrounded by a single layer of the same coating substance (the single layer having the same thickness as the coating of the multilayer product). As the liquid coating substance is cooled and solidified into a solid layer, defects such as microcracks, cracks, and pores may form in the layer. For a ruminant environment, these defects can cause outbreaks and pathways that begin to degrade the nucleus. Although any additional layer may also exhibit such defects, such defects in the one layer may be compensated for by non-defective areas of the coating layer above or below and in direct contact with the one layer. Thus, by applying multiple layers of coating material to the core, wherein each layer is allowed to cool and solidify before the next layer is formed, the number of defects that continue to operate or cause channels from the outer surface of the outermost layer to the core is reduced.

The use of modifiers helps to limit, reduce, and/or further close microcracks, fractures, and pores that may form in the layer. Without intending to be bound by scientific theory, it is believed that the chemical nature and relative smallness of the modifier molecule allows the modifier to penetrate into the microcracks, fractures, and pores and to close these defects resulting from the curing process.

The number and size of defects present in a layer varies depending on the size of the core, the coating material, the coating process, and the process parameters used to make the coated core. Thus, the number of layers and the thickness of each layer necessary to obtain the desired bypass and intestinal digestibility may be varied according to the variables selected.

The coated core material can then be used as a feed supplement or feed additive. A suitable amount of the coated particles is added to the ruminant feed, for example by a mixing method. When the feed supplement is ingested by the ruminant, the physiologically active substance is stably delivered through the rumen at the bypass rate described above, whereupon a certain percentage of the active substance is delivered through the rumen for digestion and absorption by the ruminant system. In the case of lysine sulfate, the feed additive should be added to the ruminant feed in an amount that provides between about 5 and 120 grams of lysine sulfate per day to each cow (cattle).

Examples

Comparative examples

300 g of granulated lysine sulfate (BIOLYS)^®Evonik Corporation), having a particle diameter in the range of 0.3mm to 1.6mm, was heated to 43 ℃ by heat conduction, and then transferred to a low shear mixer. While stirring the lysine sulphate under low shear, 33% by volume of a predetermined amount of hydrogenated soybean oil (T) heated to a temperature of 93 ℃_m=49 ℃) was added to the mixer using a continuous pouring method, coating the lysine sulphate. No modifier was used. The product was cooled to 43 ℃ with constant stirring. Hydrogenated soybean oil heated to a temperature of 93 c was again added until the product temperature reached 54 c and the product was cooled to 43 c with constant stirring. This cycle was repeated once more to complete the addition of hydrogenated soybean oil. The final product has 60% core to 40% coating by weight.

Approximately 10 grams of the test product was weighed into a 5cmx10cm bag (ANKOM #510, average pore size 50. + -.15 microns). Each pouch was heat sealed twice. A total of 5 bags of the test product plus 4 empty bags were prepared for each cow (cow). Each bag was sequentially marked with a permanent marker and the sample information was recorded on a chart. A sample of the test product was collected and analyzed for initial Dry Matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) content.

The bag was soaked in 39 ℃ water for approximately 5 minutes just prior to insertion into the rumen to wet the test substance. The bag was then inserted into the rumen of 3 lactating Holstein cows (cows) pre-fitted with a rumen cannula. After an incubation period of 16 hours, the bags were removed from the rumen and immediately placed in ice water until they were washed three times. After washing, the bag was dried at 45 ℃. Once dried, each bag and its residue were weighed to determine the amount of detached ruminant degraded Dry Matter (DM) using the following formula:

the test product had a rumen bypass rate (% DM detachment) of 75.17% with a standard deviation of 2.85%.

Examples 1 – 21

300 kg of granulated lysine sulfate (BIOLYS) having a particle diameter of 0.3mm to 1.6mm^®Evonik corporation) was added to the fluid bed coating chamber and heated to 43 c using heated air at 53 c to fluidize the chamber. Once the substrate reached the initial product temperature, a coating substance (hydrogenated rapeseed oil, with a modifier) preheated to a temperature of 120 ℃ was applied by the fluid air stream to reach a product application temperature of 55 ℃. According to the design of the fluidized coater, material is moved into and out of the coating stream to establish a continuous plurality of layers. The air inlet temperature was controlled to maintain the product temperature at 55 ℃ until all pre-weighed coating mix was applied to achieve 55% by weight control and 45% coating. The product was then cooled in the fluidizing air chamber until ambient temperature (25 ℃) was reached.

Table 1 below summarizes the data obtained in examples 1-21 generated using a fluid bed process similar to the method described above. These examples illustrate various combinations of product parameters.

Table 1.

Examples 22 – 31

Examples 22-31 were prepared using a fluid bed process substantially similar to the method described above. Rumen bypass rate (% DM detachment) analysis was performed for each of examples 22-31. Certain of the example products were further analyzed by in vivo digestion testing to determine the intestinal digestibility of nitrogen.

Rumen bypass scheme

Approximately 20 grams of the test product was weighed out into a 5cmx10cm bag (ANKOM #510, average pore size 50. + -. 15 microns). Each bag was heat sealed twice. 20 bags of test product plus 2 empty bags were prepared for each cow (cow). The bags are marked in turn with permanent marks and the sample information is recorded on a log sheet (logsheets). Samples of the test product were collected and analyzed for initial Dry Matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and lysine content.

The bags were soaked in water at 39 ℃ for approximately 5 minutes to wet the test substance just prior to insertion into the rumen. The bag was then inserted into the rumen of a lactating Holstein cow pre-fitted with a rumen cannula. After an incubation period of 16 hours, the bags were removed from the rumen and immediately placed in ice water until they were washed 3 times. After washing, the bag was dried at 45 ℃. Once dried, each bag and its residue were weighed to determine the amount of Dry Matter (DM) degraded by the detached ruminant using the following formula:

in vivo intestinal digestibility test protocol

The intestinal digestibility is determined by an in vivo digestibility test. The scheme is based on the method disclosed in National Research Council, "Nutrient requirements of day title," 7^thThe recommendations in rev. ed., Natl. Acad. Sci., Washington, D.C. (2001) are incorporated herein by reference. Approximately 0.8 grams of the test product was weighed out into a 5cmx10cm bag (ANKOM #510, average pore size 50. + -. 15 microns). Each bag was heat sealed twice. The bag was soaked in a 39 ℃ pepsin/HCl solution in a shaking water bathSolution (100mg pepsin/l 0.01NHCl) for 2 hours. Sufficient hydrochloric acid was added to lower the pH to 2.4. The bag was rinsed with distilled water and kept at-18 ℃ until introduction into the duodenum. One bag was inserted into the duodenal cannula 15 minutes after feeding each day for a 3 hour period (total 12 bags per cow). These bags were collected from the feces from 8 to 12 hours after the initial insertion. After recovery, the bags were rinsed with tap water until the rinse water was clean. The bags were dried at 55 ℃ and the residue was collected by repeated preparation and analyzed for DM and N content on the test products. The apparent intestinal digestibility of N was calculated using the formula:

the results of examples 22-31 are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. A ruminant feed composition, comprising:

a granular core comprising L-lysine sulfate, the granular core having a particle size of 0.3mm to 3.0 mm; and

a coating comprising two or more layers of coating material surrounding the core that promotes rumen bypass and maintains high intestinal digestibility, the coating material consisting of:

a. an at least partially hydrogenated vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil; a modifier selected from stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin and palm oil, said modifier being present in an amount of from 2 to 4wt% of the weight of the final product;

wherein:

the coating substance has a melting point temperature in the range of 50 ℃ to 80 ℃;

the weight percent ratio of the core material to the coating material is 50: 50 to 70: 30, of a nitrogen-containing gas; and

the coating substance layer results in the composition exhibiting a rumen bypass rate of at least 80% and an intestinal digestibility rate of at least 70%.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating substance comprises a vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil and soybean oil.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the modifying agent is oleic acid, stearic acid or a mixture of oleic acid and stearic acid.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the weight% ratio of core material to coating material is 50: 50 to 60: 40.

5. a method of supplementing ruminant diet with lysine, the method comprising:

providing the ruminant with a ruminant feed composition according to any of the claims 1-4.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vegetable oil is soybean oil.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the vegetable oil is rapeseed oil.

8. A method of preparing a ruminant feed composition, the method comprising:

preparing a core comprising L-lysine sulfate, the core having a particle size of 0.3mm to 3.0 mm;

coating the core with a continuous layer of a coating substance that promotes rumen bypass and maintains high intestinal digestibility, the coating substance consisting of:

a. a liquid vegetable oil which is at least partially hydrogenated, the vegetable oil being selected from the group consisting of palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil; the coating substance has a melting point temperature in the range of 50 ℃ to 80 ℃; and

b. a modifier selected from stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin and palm oil, the modifier being present in an amount of from 2 to 4wt% of the weight of the final product;

curing the layer of coating substance to obtain a coated core; and

coating the coated core with one or more additional layers of coating substance, wherein each layer of coating substance is cured and then the next layer of coating substance is added;

wherein:

the weight percent ratio of the core material to the coating material is 50: 50 to 70: 30, of a nitrogen-containing gas; and

the coating substance layer results in the composition exhibiting a rumen bypass rate of at least 80% and an intestinal digestibility rate of at least 70%.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the core is coated in a batch process or a continuous process.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the modifying agent is oleic acid, stearic acid, or a mixture of oleic acid and stearic acid.