U.S. patent application number 12/896305 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-07 for feed additive composition for ruminants containing acidic or neutral amin acid, and method for production thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to AJINOMOTO CO. INC.. Invention is credited to Yumi Goto, Yuki Miyazawa, Hidetsugu NAKAZAWA, Sachiko Oka, Hiroyuki Sato, Susumu Shibahara.
Application Number | 20110081445 12/896305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41135705 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110081445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAZAWA; Hidetsugu ; et
al. |
April 7, 2011 |
FEED ADDITIVE COMPOSITION FOR RUMINANTS CONTAINING ACIDIC OR
NEUTRAL AMIN ACID, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF
Abstract
A feed additive composition includes a protective agent,
lecithin, an acidic or neutral amino acid, and water. A method of
producing a feed additive composition includes preparing a molten
mixture of a protective agent, lecithin, and an acidic or neutral
amino acid, and immersing the molten mixture in water or an aqueous
liquid to obtain a solidified mixture. Feed additives may be
obtained by such method. The protective agent may include a
hydrogenated vegetable oil or hydrogenated animal oil having a
melting point of higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than
90.degree. C.
Inventors: |
NAKAZAWA; Hidetsugu;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Sato; Hiroyuki; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Miyazawa; Yuki; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Shibahara; Susumu; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Oka; Sachiko;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Goto; Yumi; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Assignee: |
AJINOMOTO CO. INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41135705 |
Appl. No.: |
12/896305 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2009/057236 |
Apr 2, 2009 |
|
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12896305 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/2 ;
426/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23K 20/158 20160501;
A23K 50/10 20160501; A23K 20/142 20160501; A23K 40/35 20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/2 ;
426/601 |
International
Class: |
A23K 1/16 20060101
A23K001/16; A23K 1/18 20060101 A23K001/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2008 |
JP |
2008-097408 |
Claims
1. A feed additive composition, comprising: at least one protective
agent; lecithin; an acidic or neutral amino acid; and water;
wherein the at least one protective agent comprises at least one
member selected from the group consisting hydrogenated vegetable
oils and hydrogenated animal oils having melting points of higher
than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C.
2. The feed additive composition according to claim 1, wherein the
at least one protective agent comprises at least one member
selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated soybean oil,
hydrogenated rapeseed oil, hydrogenated groundnut oil, hydrogenated
olive oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated palm
oil.
3. The feed additive composition according to claim 1, comprising
lecithin in an amount of from 1 to 2% by weight.
4. The feed additive composition according to claim 1, wherein the
acidic or neutral amino acid comprises at least one of glutamic
acid and salts thereof.
5. The feed additive composition according to claim 1, wherein the
acidic or neutral amino acid comprises at least one member selected
from the group consisting of isoleucine, methionine, glutamine,
tryptophan, threonine, and salts thereof.
6. The feed additive composition according to claim 1, wherein the
acidic or neutral amino acid has an average particle size of 100
.mu.m or less.
7. A method of producing a feed additive composition, comprising:
preparing a molten mixture of at least one protective agent,
lecithin, and an acidic or neutral amino acid; and immersing the
molten mixture in water or an aqueous liquid to obtain a solidified
mixture; wherein the at least one protective agent comprises at
least one member selected from the group consisting hydrogenated
vegetable oils and hydrogenated animal oils having melting points
of higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: preparing the molten
mixture comprises preparing the molten mixture by heating and
melting with an extruder; and immersing the molten mixture
comprises placing the molten mixture in a multi-hole shooter having
comprising a vessel bottom including a plurality of holes, and
allowing the molten mixture to fall through the plurality of holes
into water or the aqueous liquid.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein a distance from the
vessel bottom to the surface of the water or the aqueous liquid is
from 5 to 50 mm.
10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising
heat-treating the solidified mixture.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one
protective agent comprises at least one member selected from the
group consisting of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated rapeseed
oil, hydrogenated groundnut oil, hydrogenated olive oil,
hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated palm oil.
12. The method according to claim 7, wherein lecithin is employed
in an amount sufficient to yield from 1 to 2% by weight.
13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the acidic or neutral
amino acid comprises at least one of glutamic acid and salts
thereof.
14. The method according to claim 7, wherein the acidic or neutral
amino acid comprises at least one member selected from the group
consisting of isoleucine, methionine, glutamine, tryptophan,
threonine, and salts thereof.
15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the acidic or neutral
amino acid has an average particle size of 100 .mu.m or less.
16. A feed additive composition, obtained by a method, comprising:
preparing a molten mixture of at least one protective agent,
lecithin, and an acidic or neutral amino acid; and immersing the
molten mixture in water or an aqueous liquid to obtain a solidified
mixture; wherein the at least one protective agent comprises at
least one member selected from the group consisting hydrogenated
vegetable oils and hydrogenated animal oils having melting points
of higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C.
17. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein:
preparing the molten mixture comprises preparing the molten mixture
by heating and melting with an extruder; and immersing the molten
mixture comprises placing the molten mixture in a multi-hole
shooter having comprising a vessel bottom including a plurality of
holes, and allowing the molten mixture to fall through the
plurality of holes into water or the aqueous liquid.
18. The feed additive composition according to claim 17, wherein a
distance from the vessel bottom to the surface of the water or the
aqueous liquid is from 5 to 50 mm.
19. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
the method further comprises heat-treating the solidified
mixture.
20. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
the at least one protective agent comprises at least one member
selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated soybean oil,
hydrogenated rapeseed oil, hydrogenated groundnut oil, hydrogenated
olive oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated palm
oil.
21. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
lecithin is employed in an amount sufficient to yield from 1 to 2%
by weight.
22. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
the acidic or neutral amino acid comprises at least one of glutamic
acid and salts thereof.
23. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
the acidic or neutral amino acid comprises at least one member
selected from the group consisting of isoleucine, methionine,
glutamine, tryptophan, threonine, and salts thereof.
24. The feed additive composition according to claim 16, wherein
the acidic or neutral amino acid has an average particle size of
100 .mu.m or less.
25. A process for raising a ruminant, comprising feeding a ruminant
the feed additive composition according to claim 1.
26. A process for making meat, comprising: feeding a ruminant the
feed additive composition according to claim 1; and harvesting meat
from said ruminant.
27. A process for making milk, comprising: feeding a ruminant the
feed additive composition according to claim 1; and harvesting milk
from said ruminant.
28. A process for making a dairy product, comprising: feeding a
ruminant the feed additive composition according to claim 1;
harvesting milk from said ruminant; and converting said milk into
said dairy product.
29. A process for making wool, comprising: feeding a ruminant the
feed additive composition according to claim 1; and harvesting wool
from said ruminant.
30. A process for making leather, comprising: feeding a ruminant
the feed additive composition according to claim 1; harvesting skin
from said ruminant; and converting said skin into said leather.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of International
Patent Application No. PCT/JP2009/057236, filed on Apr. 2, 2009,
and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-097408,
filed on Apr. 3, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a feed additive composition
for ruminants, for example, a feed additive composition for
ruminants that is capable of bypassing through a rumen in lactating
cows, and a method of producing the same.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] When ruminants ingest feed, a portion of the nutrients in
the feed is exploited as a nutrient source for microorganisms
living in the first stomach (i.e., rumen). Therefore, feed additive
preparations for ruminants have been employed in which nutrients in
the preparations are protected with protective agents that are not
degradable by microorganisms in the rumen. As a result, the
nutrients are not exploited by microorganisms when they pass
through the rumen.
[0006] The main nutrients used to supplement feed for ruminants are
amino acids. In general, amino acids that are important in feed are
basic amino acids. Feed additive compositions for ruminants
including basic amino acids are known. However, workable feed
additive compositions for ruminants employing acidic or neutral
amino acids are not known.
[0007] Feed additive preparations for ruminants in which nutrients
are protected with protective agents, may be prepared by a
dispersion-type technique in which the nutrients and protective
agents are kneaded together. However, in dispersion-type
preparations, amino acids are partially exposed at the preparation
surface, and thus when the amino acids are in contact with the
rumen juice at a pH of from 6 to 8, the amino acids tend to be
eluted. Therefore, dispersion-type preparations do not effectively
prevent the loss of amino acids in the rumen. A variety of
protective agents are employed to reduce the loss of amino acids
from preparations. As a result, a problem that arises is that the
content of amino acids in the preparations decreases. Thus, in
general, it is difficult to produce dispersion-type preparations
containing amino acids in amounts exceeding 40% by weight. To
prevent the loss of amino acids in dispersion-type preparations,
there have been developed coated-type preparations formed by using
the dispersion-type preparation as a core, and further coating the
core with a coating agent to encapsulate the dispersion-type
preparation. In such preparations, because there is no chance for
the amino acids to be exposed at the preparation surface due to the
coating, the amino acids are relatively stable in the rumen juice.
However, such preparations have drawbacks in terms of production,
because the production process is complicated compared to the
production process of dispersion-type preparations. Accordingly,
new processes are needed.
[0008] JP-B-49-45224 describes the production of dispersion-type
granules having a size of several millimeters or less, using a
mixture of oils and fats having a melting point of 40.degree. C. or
higher and oils and fats having a melting point of 40.degree. C. or
lower as a protective agent, by dispersing amino acids or peptides
in the mixture, and injecting the mixture into water having a
temperature of 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. through nozzles
having a diameter of 0.8 to several millimeters. JP-B-49-45224 also
describes the production of granules containing 30 to 40% of
L-methionine or L-isoleucine as the amino acid, which both have low
solubility in water.
[0009] JP-A-2005-312380 describes a method of producing a
dispersion-type rumen bypassing agent by solidifying a mixture
containing hydrogenated (hardened) oil, lecithin, and saturated or
unsaturated fatty acid monocarboxylates having 12 to 22 carbon
atoms as protective agents into spheres having a diameter of 0.5 to
3 mm, by an air spraying method in which the mixture is sprayed
into air at a liquefaction temperature of the protective agents,
which is from 50 to 90.degree. C. JP-A-2005-312380 also describes
that a rumen bypassing agent containing 40.0% by weight of L-lysine
monohydrochloride can be produced by means of the above production
method. However, in the production method described in
JP-A-2005-312380, it is necessary to use a mixture having low
viscosity so as to allow the mixture to pass through the spray
nozzles. However, if the content of L-lysine monohydrochloride in
the mixture exceeds 40% by weight, the molten mixture will have
high viscosity, and thus it will be difficult to make the mixture
pass through the spray nozzles. Therefore, a preparation containing
L-lysine monohydrochloride at a content which exceeds 40% by weight
cannot be obtained by the above method. In fact, JP-A-2005-312380
does not describe a preparation containing L-lysine
monohydrochloride at a content which exceeds 40% by weight.
Furthermore, although the method described in JP-A-2005-312380 has
a characteristic feature wherein small spherical granules having a
diameter of 3 mm or less with relatively well established
granularity can be obtained, there is a drawback. Because the
granules are small particles, the granules are likely to escape
through dry fodder and be sorted out when mixed with feedstuff.
[0010] JP-A-2006-141270 describes a process in which L-lysine
monohydrochloride is coated with a coating composition including
(A) hydrogenated oil, (B) lecithin and (C) a preservative, and thus
yielding a dispersion-type rumen bypassing agent for ruminants
containing (C) in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight. In Table 1
of JPA-2006-141270, particles containing 37.5% by weight of
L-lysine monohydrochloride are described. However, the method
described in JP-A-2006-141270 utilizes the air spraying method
which sprays a mixture into air with an extruder as in the case of
the method described in JP-A-2005-312380, and therefore, an
L-lysine monohydrochloride preparation having a content exceeding
40% by weight cannot be obtained, as discussed with respect to the
method described in JP-A-2005-312380. In addition, it is pointed
out in Example 1 of JP-A-2006-141270 that a rumen bypassing agent
solidified into spheres of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in size was obtained; and
it is pointed out in paragraph [0005] of the specification, by
citing from JP-A No. 2000-60440, "since the particle size is as
large as 4 to 15 mm, the particles are prone to disintegrate by
mastication . . . " That is, when the particle size is large, the
agent is physically destroyed by cow's mastication, and the rumen
bypass rate is decreased. With regard to coated-type preparations,
it is pointed out that " . . . since this rumen bypassing agent is
double-coated, there has been a drawback that when the coating at
the core surface layer part is destroyed by rumination, mastication
or the like, the protective effect is extremely reduced, or the
like."
[0011] Meanwhile, JP-A-63-317053 describes a coated type feed
additive for ruminants, wherein a core containing a biologically
active substance consisting of L-lysine monohydrochloride and other
excipients or binders is coated with at least one of fatty acid
monocarboxylic acids including lecithin, glycerin fatty acid
esters, hydrogenated oils, and beeswax/waxes. The content of
L-lysine monohydrochloride in the core was 65% by weight, but when
the coating layer which constitutes 20 to 30% by weight in the
final preparation is also included, the content of L-lysine
monohydrochloride in the preparation becomes 52 to 39% by
weight.
[0012] JP-A-5-23114 also describes a coated type feed additive
composition for ruminants, wherein cylindrical granules produced by
extruding a mixture containing a biologically active substance such
as L-lysine monohydrochloride through a screen. The granules are
rendered to be spherically shaped and used as a core, and this core
is coated with a composition including one of aliphatic
monocarboxylic acids, hydrogenated oils, beeswax and waxes, and
lecithin and an inorganic salt which is stable under neutral
conditions and soluble in acidic conditions. It also describes a
preparation containing L-lysine monohydrochloride in the core in an
amount of 50% by weight.
[0013] The above-described coated type preparations are indeed
advantageous in view of containing large amounts of biologically
active ingredients, however, because their production includes
first making a core containing a biologically active ingredient,
and further coating this core with a coating agent, the production
is achieved not in a continuous mode but in a batch mode,
therefore, an increase in the number of production processes is
unavoidable. Furthermore, in the invention described in
JP-A-5-23114, when the biologically active substance is exposed at
the surface by the grinding or damage due to mastication of
lactating cows, the resistance to degradation in rumen juice is
reduced. In order to avoid such reduction, the particle size is
controlled to be several mm or less, or to 3 mm or less. However,
such a particle size may present difficulty because the product may
be sorted out when mixed with a feedstuff.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a
dispersion-type feed additive composition for ruminants containing
a large amount of an acidic or neutral amino acid which is a
biologically active substance, and a method of producing the same.
For example, the feed additive composition may include granules
which have rumen bypass properties, can release the biologically
active substance at a high concentration in the small intestine of
a ruminant animal to thereby promote the milk production of a
lactating cow, and can be shaped into an arbitrary form that is
unlikely to be classified when the composition is mixed with a
feedstuff. A further object of the present invention is to provide
a method of continuously producing the above-described granules at
high efficiency.
[0015] As a result of intensive studies to solve the problems
described above, the inventors of the present invention found that,
granules that are arbitrarily shaped may be obtained in a highly
productive manner when a feed composition containing a biologically
active substance is heated to melt by extruding with a screw in a
cylinder of an extrusion granulator (extruder), and the discharged
molten mixture is allowed to fall into water from a certain height.
Granules of a solidified mixture may thus be obtained. Exemplary
embodiments of the present invention include:
[0016] (1) A feed additive composition for ruminants, comprising at
least one protective agent selected from a hydrogenated vegetable
oil and a hydrogenated animal oil having a melting point higher
than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C., lecithin, an
acidic or neutral amino acid, and water.
[0017] (2) A method of producing a feed additive composition for
ruminants, comprising a process of preparing a molten mixture
formed from at least one protective agent selected from a
hydrogenated vegetable oil and a hydrogenated animal oil having a
melting point higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree.
C., lecithin, and an acidic or neutral amino acid, and a process of
obtaining a solidified mixture by immersing said molten mixture
into water.
[0018] (3) The method of producing a feed additive composition for
ruminants according to (2) above, wherein said process of preparing
a molten mixture comprises preparing a molten mixture through
heating and melting using an extruder, and said process of
obtaining a solidified mixture comprises obtaining a solidified
mixture by allowing the molten mixture which is retained in a
multi-hole shooter having a plurality of holes at the vessel bottom
to fall through said plurality of holes to be immersed into
water.
[0019] (4) The method of producing a feed additive composition for
ruminants according to (2) or (3) above, further comprising a
process of heat-treating the solidified mixture.
[0020] (5) A feed additive composition for ruminants, which is
obtainable by a processes of preparing a molten mixture formed from
at least one protective agent selected from a hydrogenated
vegetable oil and a hydrogenated animal oil having a melting point
higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C., lecithin,
and an acidic or neutral amino acid, and a process of obtaining a
solidified mixture by immersing said molten mixture into water.
[0021] (6) The feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(5) above, wherein said process of preparing a molten mixture
comprises preparing a molten mixture through heating and melting
using an extruder, and said process of obtaining a solidified
mixture comprises obtaining a solidified mixture by allowing the
molten mixture which is retained in a multi-hole shooter having a
plurality of holes at the vessel bottom to fall through said
plurality of holes to be immersed into water.
[0022] (7) The feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(5) or (6), which is obtainable by further comprising a process of
heat-treating the solidified mixture.
[0023] (8) A process for raising a ruminant, comprising feeding a
ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(1).
[0024] (9) A process for making meat, comprising: feeding a
ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(1); and harvesting meat from said ruminant.
[0025] (10) A process for making milk, comprising: feeding a
ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(1); and harvesting milk from said ruminant.
[0026] (11) A process for making a dairy product, comprising:
feeding a ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants
according to (1); harvesting milk from said ruminant; and
converting said milk into said dairy product.
[0027] (12) A process for making wool, comprising: feeding a
ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(1); and harvesting wool from said ruminant.
[0028] (13) A process for making leather, comprising: feeding a
ruminant a feed additive composition for ruminants according to
(1); harvesting skin from said ruminant; and converting said skin
into said leather.
[0029] Embodiments of the feed additive composition for ruminants
according to the present invention have a resistance to
microorganisms in rumen juice, dissolve in the small intestine, and
can carry high contents of an acidic or neutral amino acid
efficiently to the small intestine of lactating cows. Therefore,
the lactating cows can absorb large quantities of amino acids as
nutrients, and the milk production can be enhanced. Furthermore,
embodiments of the method of producing a feed additive composition
for ruminants according to the present invention involve, for
example, retaining a molten mixture produced with an extruder
temporarily in a multi-hole shooter, and allowing this mixture to
fall through a plurality of holes at the bottom of the multi-hole
shooter into water. In embodiments of methods according to the
present invention, it is possible to increase the production amount
of the feed additive composition in accordance with the capacity of
the extruder. Furthermore, by controlling the drop (fall distance)
from the multi-hole shooter, the granules of the composition
produced can be made into various shapes such as a spherical shape,
a granular shape, a pellet shape or a shape of pressed barley,
based on the energy with which the composition impacts the water
surface. Granules of pellet shape and the shape of pressed barley
are not easily sorted out when added to a feedstuff. Embodiments of
the feed additive composition for ruminants according to the
present invention include granules having a shape that is easily
ground by the mastication of lactating cows, but remains stable in
the rumen juice, irrespective of the shape. Further, because such
feed additive compositions have a high content of amino acids which
are biologically active substances, it is possible to obtain high
quality granules that are capable of releasing more amino acids
from the granules in the small intestine of lactating cows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same become better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between a
lecithin content and elution rate of L-lysine monohydrochloride
from an exemplary feed composition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Embodiments of feed additive compositions for ruminants
according to the present invention contain at least one protective
agent selected from a hydrogenated vegetable oil and a hydrogenated
animal oil having a melting point higher than 50.degree. C. and
lower than 90.degree. C., lecithin, water and an acidic or neutral
amino acid.
[0033] The amino acid may include free acidic or neutral amino
acids, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof.
Suitable examples of the acidic amino acid include glutamic acid
and salts thereof. Suitable examples of the neutral amino acid
include isoleucine, methionine, glutamine, tryptophan, threonine,
and salts thereof. In regard to the acidic or neutral amino acid, a
commercially available product may be mixed with the other raw
materials directly or after being pulverized. The pulverized
crystals of the amino acid preferably have an average particle size
of 100 .mu.m or less, and more preferably 50 .mu.m or less. The
average particle size as used herein means the median diameter.
Furthermore, embodiments of the feed additive composition for
ruminants according to the present invention may also contain other
amino acids, such as lysine, in addition to the acidic or neutral
amino acid.
[0034] As for the at least one protective agent selected from a
hydrogenated vegetable oil and a hydrogenated animal oil having a
melting point higher than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree.
C., hydrogenated vegetable oils such as hydrogenated soybean oil,
hydrogenated rapeseed oil, hydrogenated groundnut oil, hydrogenated
olive oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated palm oil,
are preferably used. In addition to these, it is also possible to
use beeswax, waxes and the like.
[0035] The content of lecithin in the feed additive composition is
not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 2% by weight. It
is considered that when lecithin, which is an amphoteric
surfactant, is incorporated in a small amount, a complex of an
amino acid (hydrophilic) and lecithin is formed, and when this
complex is instantaneously cooled and solidified together with a
hydrogenated oil (hydrophobic) in water, a granulation product
having a very low elution rate of amino acid into water can be
obtained.
[0036] In embodiments, the feed additive composition for ruminants
according to the present invention is produced by a method
including a process of preparing a molten mixture consisting of at
least one protective agent selected from a hydrogenated vegetable
oil and a hydrogenated animal oil having a melting point higher
than 50.degree. C. and lower than 90.degree. C., lecithin and an
acidic or neutral amino acid; and a process of obtaining a
solidified mixture by immersing the molten mixture into water or an
aqueous liquid. In the above method, a protective agent, lecithin
and an acidic or neutral amino acid are used as raw materials, and
these are melted and mixed. When this molten mixture is immersed
into water to be formed into a granular shape, a portion of the
acidic or neutral amino acid is eluted in water, but the amount is
very small. Meanwhile, water is incorporated into the mixture at
this stage. This water can be reduced by a subsequent drying
process.
[0037] In embodiments of a process of preparing a molten mixture by
a continuous production method according to the present invention,
a commercially available extruder may be used, but it is preferable
to remove the die plate which is placed at the outlet of the
extruder. By removing the die plate, a molten mixture of the raw
materials for the feed additive composition for ruminants can be
obtained in a state in which the inside of the cylinder tube of the
extruder is not subjected to extreme pressure. A molten mixture
containing a large amount of an acidic or neutral amino acid is
difficult to granulate by air spraying, but when such a molten
mixture is allowed to fall freely directly from orifices having an
appropriate diameter, the mixed molten product having a continuous
rod shape is formed into a fine fiber form, and finally cut under
the action of surface tension during falling to become separate and
individual liquid droplets. When the liquid droplets are dropped
into water which is in the state of being stirred, the liquid
droplets are instantaneously cooled and solidified in the water. It
is the production capacity of the extruder which determines the
production amount of the feed additive composition. However, in
production methods according to the present invention, it is
possible to operate the extruder at its upper limit of capacity.
Furthermore, exemplary methods according to the present invention
need not employ an extruder, as long as the employed device is
capable of preparing a molten mixture of the raw material
composition, and preparing a molten mixture that is turned into
liquid droplets upon falling from the device.
[0038] A multi-hole shooter may be employed to increase the amount
of production in methods of producing the feed additive composition
for ruminants according to the present invention. An exemplary
multi-hole shooter according to the present invention includes a
vessel having a perforated bottom with a plurality of holes, and is
capable of temporarily storing a heated molten mixture discharged
from the extruder. The multi-hole shooter preferably includes a
heating capability so that the retained heated molten mixture is
not cooled.
[0039] In such embodiments, the amount of the feed additive
composition for ruminants that is produced is directly proportional
to the number of holes provided at the bottom of the vessel. The
distance from the bottom surface of the multi-hole shooter to the
water surface (fall distance) determines the final shape of the
granules. When the heated molten mixture is allowed to fall at a
temperature of 65.degree. C., granules having a spherical shape or
a rugby ball-like shape are obtained at a drop (fall distance) of 5
cm to 15 cm. Furthermore, when the fall distance is further
increased, the impact energy at the water surface is increased, and
thus more flattened granules having a shape of pressed barley are
obtained. At a fall distance of about 50 cm, granules having a
shape of pressed barley with an undulating fringe are obtained. The
diameter of the holes of the multi-hole shooter is selected
depending on the viscosity and the size of the granules to be
produced. In the case of producing small granules, it is preferable
to have holes having a size of 0.5 to 3 mm. To obtain granules
having a size with a diameter of about 10 mm, it is preferable to
have holes having a size of about several millimeters. Typically, a
size of 0.5 to 5 mm is preferred.
[0040] Exemplary processes employed in the method of the present
invention will be described. The acidic or neutral amino acid which
is used as the raw material may be pulverized prior to use.
Pulverization is performed using, for example, a pulverizer, until
the average of the particle size of the acidic or neutral amino
acid becomes 100 .mu.m or less and preferably 50 .mu.m or less. If
necessary, sieving may be performed. The order of addition of
lecithin is not particularly limited. That is, in order to coat the
surface of the acidic or neutral amino acid with lecithin, the two
substances may be mixed in advance with use of a Nauta mixer.
Alternatively, in order to improve the production efficiency, the
protective agent, lecithin, and acidic or neutral amino acid may be
nearly simultaneously charged into the cylinder of an extruder. It
is also possible to charge predetermined amounts of the three
components through a feed inlet provided near the inlet of the
cylinder. Further, a molten mixture may be obtained by first
charging a acidic or neutral amino acid and hydrogenated oil and
mixing them at near room temperature, then finally charging
lecithin, and heating the raw material composition to be melted.
The temperature for melting and mixing the raw material composition
may be at or above the melting point of the hydrogenated oil. For
example, in the case of fully hydrogenated soybean oil, since the
melting point is 67 to 71.degree. C., a heating temperature for
melting may be 80 to 85.degree. C. A temperature higher than the
melting point by 5 to 15.degree. C. may be sufficient. The heating
temperature should not be a temperature above the melting point
from the beginning. That is, the raw materials are initially
pre-heated to a temperature lower than the melting point by 5 to
10.degree. C., conveyed by the screw in the cylinder of the
extruder, and then heated to a predetermined temperature above the
melting point. By heating in this manner, a stable molten mixture
can be obtained efficiently. The discharged heated molten mixture
may be temporarily retained in a multi-hole shooter, and then
allowed to fall freely into water from the holes having a size of 1
to 4 mm provided at the bottom. The temperature of water into which
the falling objects are immersed may be about 10 to 30.degree. C.
The molten mixture dropped from the multi-hole shooter may fall
into water which is being stirred in a water tank configured to
cool granules, and become instantaneously solidified there. Water
may constantly be replenished while the water temperature is
maintained constant. At the same time, the solidified mixture may
be discharged from a water tank configured to cool granules along
with overflowing water. In embodiments, the solidified mixture has
a specific gravity of about 1.1, and drifts in the water. The
granules of the solidified mixture discharged from the water tank
may be collected with a net or a netted vessel, and dried to yield
a feed additive composition for ruminants.
[0041] In another embodiment, present invention provides novel
processes for raising a ruminant by feeding the ruminant such a
feed additive composition. Such ruminants include cattle, goats,
sheep, giraffes, American Bison, European Bison, yaks, water
buffalo, deer, camels, alpacas, llamas, wildebeest, antelope,
pronghorn, and nilgai. These ruminants may be fed the feed additive
composition of the present invention at any time and in any amount
during their life. That is, the ruminant may be fed the feed
additive composition of the present invention either by itself or
as part of a diet which includes other feedstuffs. Moreover, the
ruminant may be fed the feed additive composition of the present
invention at any time during their lifetime. The ruminant may be
fed the feed additive composition of the present invention
continuously, at regular intervals, or intermittently. The ruminant
may be fed the feed additive composition of the present invention
in an amount such that it accounts for all, a majority, or a
minority of the feed in the ruminant's diet for any portion of time
in the animal's life. Preferably, the ruminant is fed the feed
additive composition of the present invention in an amount such
that it accounts for a majority of the feed in the animal's diet
for a significant portion of the animal's lifetime.
[0042] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel
processes for making meat by harvesting meat from a ruminant which
have been fed such a feed additive composition. The ruminants in
this embodiment are the same as those described above in connection
with the present process for raising ruminants. The feeding may be
carried out as described above in connection with the process for
raising ruminants.
[0043] The meat may be harvesting at any suitable time during the
animal's lifetime. The harvesting of the meat may be carried out
using the techniques conventional in the art of butchering. Typical
meats to be harvested include, beef, pork, mutton, lamb, venison,
bison, etc. The meat may be sold fresh or frozen. The meat may be
processed as described in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology, Fourth Ed., Wiley-Interscience, NY, vol. 16, pp. 68-87,
1995, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel
processes for making milk by harvesting milk from a ruminant which
have been fed such a feed additive composition. The ruminants in
this embodiment are those which produce milk, such as cattle, oxen,
bison, deer, goats, sheep, etc. The feeding may be carried out as
described above in connection with the process for raising
ruminants. The harvesting of the milk may be carried out using the
conventional techniques known to those in the art. The milk may be
processed, stored, cooled, shipped, and packaged, as described in
Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Ed.,
Wiley-Interscience, NY, vol. 16, pp. 700-746, 1995, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0045] In another embodiment, the present invention provides
processes for making a dairy product from the milk harvested from a
ruminant which has been fed the feed additive composition of the
present invention. Such dairy products include evaporated and
condensed milk, dry milk, cream, anhydrous milk fat, butter,
buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, and frozen desserts (such as ice cream,
frozen yogurt, ice milk, sherbets, and mellorine), lactose, and
casein. The conversion of the milk into the dairy product may be
carried out using conventional techniques known to those skilled in
the art as described in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology, Fourth Ed., Wiley-Interscience, NY, vol. 16, pp.
700-746, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0046] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel
processes for making wool by harvesting wool from a ruminant been
fed such a feed additive composition. The ruminants in this
embodiment are those which produce wool, such as goats, sheep,
lambs, lama, alpaca, etc. The feeding may be carried out as
described above in connection with the process for raising
ruminants. The wool may be harvested and treated by conventional
techniques known to those skill in the art and as described in
Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Ed.,
Wiley-Interscience, NY, vol. 25, pp. 664-712, 1998, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0047] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel
processes for making leather by harvesting skin from a ruminant
which have been fed such a feed additive composition and converting
the skin into leather. In the context of the present invention, the
term leather also includes suede and the term skin include hides
and pelts. The ruminants in this embodiment are those whose skin
may be converted into leather, such as cattle, oxen, bison, deer,
goats, sheep, lambs, lama, alpaca, yaks, etc. The feeding may be
carried out as described above in connection with the process for
raising ruminants. The skin may be harvested and converted into
leather by conventional techniques known to those skill in the art
and as described in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology, Fourth Ed., Wiley-Interscience, NY, vol. 15, pp.
159-177, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference
[0048] Other features of the invention will become apparent in the
course of the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments which
are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to
be limiting thereof.
EXAMPLES
Method for Measuring Viscosity
[0049] A molten mixture in a slurry form obtained by heating (at
85.degree. C.) and melting the mixture using an extruder was
weighed to 100 g in a 200-ml beaker made of heat resistant glass,
placed in a constant temperature water bath at 90.degree. C., and
slowly stirred to set the temperature of the molten mixture at
90.degree. C. When the temperature became constant at 90.degree.
C., viscosity at 90.degree. C. was measured using a rotational
viscometer (trade name: VISCOMETER MODEL BL, manufactured by
TOKIMEC, INC.). For the measurement, a rotating shaft for direct
viscosity measurement was immersed into the molten mixture in the
beaker, the rotating shaft was rotated, and the viscosity was
measured several times. When the value became constant, the value
was determined as the rotational viscosity (Pas) at 90.degree.
C.
<Content of Amino Acid in Preparation>
[0050] In a 50-ml conical tube manufactured by FALCON, Corp., 4.00
g of the preparation and 20.0 g of pure water were weighed and
tightly closed with a stopper cap. The conical tube was immersed in
a constant temperature water bath at 85.degree. C. for 20 minutes,
to melt the hydrogenated soybean oil. The hydrogenated oil and the
amino acid were separated, and the amino acid was dissolved in an
aqueous solution. The amino acid thus recovered was analyzed by
conventional liquid chromatography, and thus the content (% by
weight) of the amino acid in the preparation was determined.
<Elution Rate of Amino Acid>
[0051] 2.00 g of the preparation was weighed in a 50-ml conical
tube manufactured by FALCON, Corp., and 10.0 g of pure water was
added thereto. The conical tube was tightly closed with a stopper
cap and laid horizontal, and the tube was shaken for 10 minutes in
an oscillating shaker at 40.degree. C. Subsequently, the amino acid
in the aqueous solution was analyzed before and after the shaking,
and the proportion (%) of the amino acid in the preparation which
was eluted out at 40.degree. C. for 10 minutes, was designated as
the elution rate (%).
<Protection Rate>
[0052] 2.00 g of the preparation was weighed in a 50-ml conical
tube manufactured by FALCON, Corp., and 10.0 g of pure water was
added thereto. The conical tube was tightly closed with a stopper
cap and laid horizontal, and the tube was shaken for 20 hours in an
oscillating shaker at 40.degree. C. Subsequently, the amino acid in
the aqueous solution was analyzed before and after the shaking, and
the proportion (%) of the amino acid in the preparation which was
not eluted out at 40.degree. C. for 20 hours, was determined as the
protection rate (%).
Example 1
[0053] In a 1 liter vessel made of stainless steel, 410 g of fully
hydrogenated soybean oil (melting point 67.degree. C.; manufactured
by Yokozeki Oil & Fat Industries Co., Ltd.) and 10.0 g of
soybean lecithin (manufactured by Ajinomoto Co., Inc.) were
weighed, and the mixture was heated to 85.degree. C. while mixed on
a plate heater. Thus, a solution at 85.degree. C. formed by fusing
fully hydrogenated soybean oil and soybean lecithin was prepared.
Subsequently, the amino acids for medical use indicated in Table 1,
which had been pulverized, were each continuously introduced into
the solution (85.degree. C.), in small portions in a heated state
(85.degree. C.) while the mixture was sufficiently mixed. When the
limit at which the molten slurry of amino acid can form liquid
droplets (rotational viscosity of slurry 5 Pas/85.degree. C.) was
reached, the introduction of the amino acid was stopped.
Subsequently, this molten slurry of amino acid was placed in a
multi-hole shooter (number of holes: 30, diameter of hole: 2 mm),
and the liquid droplets which had turned into liquid droplets and
were falling from the bottom face of the shooter, were introduced
into a water tank (temperature: 10.degree. C., distance from the
bottom of the shooter to the water surface: 10 cm), which was
placed immediately below the shooter and was being agitated, so
that the liquid droplets would be cooled. Thereby, a granulation
product which had been instantaneously solidified was obtained.
This granulation product was recovered, dehydrated and dried (air
dried). Thus, granulation products of the amino acids indicated in
Table 1 were obtained. Here, there were almost no raw materials
left in the compositions obtained, and there were almost no other
losses. The recovery ratio was as high as 98% or more in all cases.
As such, granulation products (particle size: 2.0 to 5.6 mm) having
high contents of the respective amino acids were obtained.
[0054] The content of amino acid can be adjusted to 40% by weight
or more, except for tryptophan, and the elution rate of amino acid
into water for the invented granulation products was very low,
while the protection ratio for amino acid after elution for 20
hours was also high.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Raw material composition (% by weight)
Elution Amino Fully Soybean rate of Protection acid hydrogenated
lecithin amino rate (% by soybean oil (% by acid (20 h) Invention
Amino acid weight) (% by weight) weight) %/min (%) 1 Isoleucine 40
59 1.0 0.04 87.1 2 Methionine 46 53 1.0 0.05 87.5 3 Methionine 52
47 1.0 0.04 83.3 4 Glutamine 64 35 1.0 0.01 95.4 5 Glutamic acid 66
33 1.0 0.02 91.7 6 MSG* 63 36 1.0 0.07 78.6 7 Tryptophan 36 62 2.0
0.02 94.1 8 Threonine 59 40 1.0 0.12 65.6 *MSG: Mono sodium
glutamate
Comparative Example 1
[0055] 100 g of a mixture obtained by adding soybean lecithin and
fully hydrogenated soybean oil to each of the amino acids indicated
for the inventions of Example 1, was placed in the container for a
speed blender, and the mixture was finely pulverized at a speed of
rotation of 15,700 rpm for 5 minutes at normal temperature, while
the material temperature of the mixture of soybean lecithin and
fully hydrogenated soybean oil was kept from exceeding 55.degree.
C. Thus, a composition having each amino acid, soybean lecithin and
fully hydrogenated soybean oil uniformly mixed therein, was
prepared.
[0056] As indicated in Table 2, the preparations of various amino
acids obtained by such a method had very high rates of elution of
amino acid into water.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Raw material composition (% by weight)
Elution Ratio of Amino Fully Soybean rate of elution rate acid
hydrogenated lecithin amino of amino acid (% by soybean oil (% by
acid (20 h) Invention Amino acid weight) (% by weight) weight)
%/min (%) 1 Isoleucine 40 59 1.0 2.8 1/70 2 Methionine 46 53 1.0
3.0 1/60 3 Methionine 52 47 1.0 3.1 1/78 4 Glutamine 64 35 1.0 3.1
1/310 5 Glutamic acid 66 33 1.0 1.0 1/50 6 MSG* 63 36 1.0 7.7 1/110
7 Tryptophan 36 62 2.0 0.9 1/45 8 Threonine 59 40 1.0 4.4 1/37
*Mono sodium glutamate
Comparative Example 2
[0057] When the contents of the respective amino acids indicated
for the inventions of Example 1 were respectively further
increased, the viscosity drastically increased, exceeding the level
which is capable of forming liquid droplets (rotational viscosity 5
Pas/85.degree. C.), and the preparations turned into paste forms.
Accordingly, dispersion of the molten slurry could not be achieved.
As a result, granulation products having high amino acid protection
ratios, which are obtainable by instantaneously solidifying the
molten slurry in water, could not be obtained.
Test Example
[0058] 100 g of three components including finely pulverized
L-lysine monohydrochloride for feed (manufactured by Ajinomoto Co.,
Inc.) having an average particle size of 75 .mu.m, soybean lecithin
(manufactured by Ajinomoto Co., Inc.), and fully hydrogenated
soybean oil (melting point: 67.degree. C., manufactured by Yokozeki
Oil & Fat Corp.) was weighed in a beaker at the ratio of
percentage by weight shown in Table 3, and the mixture was heated
to 80.degree. C. while sufficiently mixing to obtain a molten
slurry of L-lysine monohydrochloride. Then, under the conditions
described in Example 1, dispersion of the molten slurry by means of
a multi-hole shooter, conversion into liquid droplets, and
solidification by cooling in water were carried out to prepare feed
additive compositions for ruminants 1 to 7 and a comparison
composition 8. In addition, since the heated molten product of the
comparison composition 8 was highly viscous so that liquid droplets
from the multi-hole shooter were not formed, a granulated
composition was prepared by collecting the heated molten product in
small amounts with a microspatula and immediately immersing them
into water to solidify.
[0059] 2.00 g of each of the compositions was weighed in a 50-ml
conical tube manufactured by FALCON, Corp., and 10.0 g of an
artificial rumen juice was added thereto. The tube was tightly
closed with a stopper cap and laid horizontally, and the tube was
shaken in an oscillating shaker at 40.degree. C. for 20 hours. The
contents of L-lysine monohydrochloride in the aqueous solution
before and after the shaking were analyzed, and thus the elution
rate of L-lysine monohydrochloride per unit time was
calculated.
[0060] The results are presented in Table 3 and FIG. 1.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Raw material composition (% by weight) Fully
Ratio of L-lysine hydrogenated Elution rate of elution rate Test
No. Lecithin monohydrochloride soybean oil lysine %/h of lysine 1
0.05 54 45.95 8.5 1/1.5 2 0.1 54 45.9 4.1 1/3.2 3 1 54 45 2.2 1/6.0
4 2 54 44 2.3 1/5.7 5 4 54 42 5.9 1/2.2 6 5 54 41 11.9 1/1.1 7 6 54
40 30.1 2.3 8 0 54 46 13.1 1
[0061] As shown in Table 3 and FIG. 1, it was confirmed that
elution of L-lysine monohydrochloride from the composition in the
rumen juice can be suppressed by the addition of lecithin. The
effect of suppressing the elution of L-lysine monohydrochloride was
noticeable with an additional amount of lecithin of about 5% by
weight or less, and particularly 1 to 5% by weight. In addition,
when lecithin is contained in the raw materials in an amount of 6%
by weight or more, the elution rate of lysine can also be increased
in comparison to the composition having no lecithin added.
[0062] Where a numerical limit or range is stated herein, the
endpoints are included. Also, all values and subranges within a
numerical limit or range are specifically included as if explicitly
written out.
[0063] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the
appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
[0064] All patents and other references mentioned above are
incorporated in full herein by this reference, the same as if set
forth at length.
* * * * *