Plant essential oil additive as well as preparation method and application thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a plant essential oil additive and a preparation method and application thereof, the plant essential oil additive comprises a wall material and plant essential oil, and the wall material comprises Arabic gum and maltodextrin; the plant essential oil comprises thymol, carvacrol, cinnamyl aldehyde and cineole; wherein the wall material is coated on the outer side of the plant essential oil. According to the invention, through wall material coating, the volatility of the plant essential oil is effectively inhibited, and the volatilization and degradation of essential oil components are delayed, so that the stability and durability of the essential oil in the feed are enhanced. And wall material wrapping can prevent non-uniform distribution of the plant essential oil component in the feed, so that the uniformity and effectiveness of the plant essential oil component in the feed are ensured, and the use effect is improved. The activity of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamyl aldehyde, cineole and other components in the plant essential oil can be kept, and the components have good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and immunoregulation effects and are beneficial to improving the health level of livestock and poultry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of feed additive technology, specifically relating to a plant essential oil additive, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Essential oils (EOs) are considered potential antibiotic alternatives due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. They can be added to feed for livestock and poultry. However, existing essential oils suffer from high volatility, poor stability, and low palatability, which urgently need to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a plant essential oil additive, its preparation method, and its application. The plant essential oil additive is not easily volatile, has high stability, and is highly palatable.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a plant essential oil additive, comprising a wall material and a plant essential oil, wherein the wall material comprises gum arabic and maltodextrin; the plant essential oil comprises thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol; wherein the wall material coats the outside of the plant essential oil.

[0005] Preferably, the mass ratio of gum arabic to maltodextrin is (0.5-2):1.

[0006] Preferably, the volume ratio of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol is (2-4): (2-4): (1-3): (1-3).

[0007] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for preparing the aforementioned plant essential oil additive, comprising the following steps: S1. Mix gum arabic, maltodextrin and water to obtain an aqueous phase; S2. Mix the plant essential oil with the emulsifier to obtain the oil phase; S3. Mix and homogenize the aqueous phase and oil phase to obtain a nanoemulsion; S4. Spray dry the nanoemulsion to obtain plant essential oil additives.

[0008] Preferably, in step S1, the concentration of gum arabic and maltodextrin in the aqueous phase is 2-8%.

[0009] Preferably, in step S2, the mass ratio of plant essential oil to emulsifier is 1:1; and / or, In step S2, the emulsifier is Tween-80.

[0010] Preferably, in step S4, the inlet temperature of the spray dryer is 160-190°C and the outlet temperature is 80-90°C.

[0011] Thirdly, the present invention provides the application of the aforementioned plant essential oil additive, or the plant essential oil additive prepared by the aforementioned preparation method, in the preparation of feed that enhances the immune function and disease resistance of broilers.

[0012] Preferably, the amount of the plant essential oil additive added to each ton of broiler feed is 150-300g.

[0013] Preferably, the method of using the plant essential oil additive is as follows: add it to the broiler feed 3 days before the broiler's immune stress and continue to use it until 5 days after the stress ends.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) By using a wall material coating, the volatility of plant essential oils is effectively suppressed, delaying the volatilization and degradation of essential oil components, thereby enhancing their stability and durability in feed. Furthermore, the wall material coating can prevent uneven distribution of plant essential oil components in feed, ensuring their uniformity and effectiveness in feed, and improving the use effect.

[0015] (2) The present invention can maintain the activity of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol in plant essential oils. These components have good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, which help improve the health of livestock and poultry. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can more clearly understand the present invention.

[0017] Essential oils (EOs) are considered potential antibiotic alternatives due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. They can be added to feed for livestock and poultry. However, existing essential oils suffer from high volatility, poor stability, and low palatability, which urgently need to be addressed.

[0018] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a plant essential oil additive, comprising a wall material and a plant essential oil, wherein the wall material comprises gum arabic and maltodextrin; the plant essential oil comprises thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, and eucalyptol; wherein the wall material coats the outside of the plant essential oil.

[0019] Furthermore, the mass ratio of gum arabic to maltodextrin is (0.5-2):1.

[0020] Furthermore, the volume ratio of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol is (2-4): (2-4): (1-3): (1-3).

[0021] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for preparing the aforementioned plant essential oil additive, comprising the following steps: S1. Mix gum arabic, maltodextrin and water to obtain an aqueous phase; S2. Mix the plant essential oil with the emulsifier to obtain the oil phase; S3. Mix and homogenize the aqueous phase and oil phase to obtain a nanoemulsion; S4. Spray dry the nanoemulsion to obtain plant essential oil additives.

[0022] It should be noted that in some embodiments, in step S3, when mixing the aqueous and oil phases, the oil phase is slowly added to the aqueous phase under high-speed shear (10000 rpm, 5 min) to form a primary emulsion, which is then homogenized to obtain a nanoemulsion. In some embodiments, in step S3, high-pressure homogenization is performed at 30-60 MPa for a total homogenization time of 5-20 minutes, and the homogenization is repeated 2-5 times. In some embodiments, the specific steps of spray drying are as follows: the nanoemulsion is spray dried (inlet temperature 160-190℃, outlet temperature 80-90℃) to obtain the nano-microencapsulated composite plant essential oil feed additive, with a microcapsule encapsulation rate ≥90% and a particle size range of 100-300 nm. In some embodiments, the mass ratio of the aqueous phase to the oil phase is (8-15):1.

[0023] Further, in step S1, the concentration of gum arabic and maltodextrin in the aqueous phase is 2-8%.

[0024] Further, in step S2, the mass ratio of plant essential oil to emulsifier is 1:1; and / or, In step S2, the emulsifier is Tween-80.

[0025] Furthermore, in step S4, the inlet temperature of the spray dryer is 160-190℃, and the outlet temperature is 80-90℃.

[0026] Thirdly, the present invention provides the application of the aforementioned plant essential oil additive, or the plant essential oil additive prepared by the aforementioned preparation method, in the preparation of feed that enhances the immune function and disease resistance of broilers.

[0027] Furthermore, the amount of the plant essential oil additive added per ton of broiler feed is 150-300g.

[0028] Furthermore, the method of using the plant essential oil additive is as follows: add it to the broiler feed 3 days before the broiler's immune stress and continue to use it until 5 days after the stress ends.

[0029] It should be noted that broiler chickens experience immune stress, such as from vaccination, transportation, or feed changes.

[0030] Example 1 This embodiment provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive, including the following steps: (1) Aqueous phase preparation: Dissolve the wall material (gum arabic and maltodextrin, mass ratio 1:1) in deionized water to prepare a 5% solution; (2) Oil phase preparation: The plant essential oil (thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol in a volume ratio of 3:3:2:2) and the emulsifier (Tween-80) were mixed evenly at a mass ratio of 1:1; (3) Emulsification: Under high-speed shear (10000 rpm, 5 min), the oil phase is slowly added to the aqueous phase to obtain the primary emulsion; wherein the mass ratio of the aqueous phase to the oil phase is 10:1.

[0031] (4) High pressure homogenization: The primary emulsion was homogenized under high pressure at 50 MPa for 3 cycles, with a total homogenization time of 10 min. (5) Spray drying: inlet temperature 180℃, outlet temperature 85℃; The resulting additive microcapsules have an encapsulation rate of ≥90% and a particle size of 100-300nm.

[0032] Example 2 This embodiment provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the mass ratio of thymol: carvacrol: cinnamaldehyde: eucalyptol is 2:4:1:3.

[0033] Example 3 This embodiment provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the mass ratio of thymol: carvacrol: cinnamaldehyde: eucalyptol is 4:2:3:1.

[0034] Comparative Example 1 This comparative example provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the mass ratio of thymol: carvacrol: cinnamaldehyde: eucalyptol is 3:3:2:0.

[0035] Comparative Example 2 This comparative example provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the mass ratio of thymol: carvacrol: cinnamaldehyde: eucalyptol is 3:3:0:2.

[0036] Comparative Example 3 This comparative example provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the wall material is gum arabic dissolved in deionized water to prepare a 5% solution.

[0037] Comparative Example 4 This comparative example provides a method for preparing a plant essential oil additive. The specific steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the wall material is maltodextrin dissolved in deionized water to prepare a 5% solution.

[0038] Animal experiments and effect comparison A set of animal studies were provided to verify the effect of nano-microencapsulated compound plant essential oils in alleviating immune stress from IBD vaccines. The plant essential oil additives used were prepared from the above examples and comparative examples.

[0039] Experimental design: 720 healthy AA broiler chickens aged 1 day were randomly divided into 9 groups, with 8 replicates in each group and 10 chickens in each replicate.

[0040] Group 1: The blank control group was fed a basal diet and did not receive IBD vaccine; Group 2: The stress control group was fed a basal diet and received normal IBD vaccination; Group 3: The additive prepared in Example 1 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0041] Group 4: The additive prepared in Example 2 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0042] Group 5: The additive prepared in Example 3 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0043] Group 6: The additive prepared in Comparative Example 1 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0044] Group 7: The additive prepared in Comparative Example 2 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0045] Group 8: The additive prepared in Comparative Example 3 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0046] Group 9: The additive prepared in Comparative Example 4 was added to the basal diet at a rate of 200g / ton, and the group was vaccinated against IBD as usual.

[0047] The additive was started at 18 days of age (3 days before vaccination). All groups, except the control group, received the IBD vaccine at 21 days of age. Sampling and indicator measurements were performed at 28 days of age (7 days after vaccination). The results are shown in Table 1 below: Table 1

[0048] The results above indicate that the immunosuppression model was successfully established: compared with the blank control group, the stress control group showed a highly significant decrease in the bursal index and NDV antibody titer after IBD vaccination (P<0.05), while the serum inflammatory factor IL-6 level was highly significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that the immunosuppression model was successfully established and the broilers were in a state of severe immune stress. The formulations of this invention effectively alleviated immunosuppression: all indicators in the three example groups (Examples 1, 2, and 3) were significantly better than those in the stress control group (P<0.05). This indicates that additives prepared within the volume ratio range claimed in this invention (thymol:carvacrol:cinnamaldehyde:eucalyptol = (2-4): (2-4): (1-3): (1-3)) can effectively alleviate immunosuppression caused by IBD vaccine and improve the immune function and growth performance of broilers. Example 1 (3:3:2:2) is the optimal formulation: In the three examples, the Example 1 group showed the best overall effect in all four key indicators. Its bursal index and NDV antibody titer were significantly higher than those of Examples 2 and 3 (P<0.05), and its serum IL-6 level and average daily weight gain also showed the best trend. This result establishes the volume ratio of 3:3:2:2 as the optimal formulation of this invention.

[0049] The key role of eucalyptol: The improvement effect of Comparative Example 1 (completely lacking eucalyptol) on all immune indicators was significantly worse than that of Example 1 (P<0.05). This proves that eucalyptol plays an irreplaceable synergistic role in the specific formulation of the present invention and is an essential component for achieving the best immunomodulatory effect.

[0050] Necessity of cinnamaldehyde: Similarly, the effect of Comparative Example 2 (completely lacking cinnamaldehyde) was significantly worse than that of Example 1 (P<0.05). This indicates that cinnamaldehyde is also an indispensable key component in this synergistic system.

[0051] All indicators of Groups 8 and 9 (single wall material) were significantly worse than the optimal Example 1 group, and also worse than or close to Groups 6 and 7 (lacking essential oil components). Compared with the stress control group: their improvement effect was very limited, with only slight improvements in some indicators compared to Group 2 (stress control group), indicating that the single wall material had a poor encapsulation and protection effect on essential oils. Conclusion: The effects of Comparative Examples 1-2 were not ideal and showed a significant difference from Example 1. This fully demonstrates that the technical effect of the present invention comes from the specific combination of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, and eucalyptol, which are indispensable, rather than a simple superposition of the components, reflecting a significant synergistic effect and inventiveness.

[0052] In summary, this invention has successfully developed a feed additive that can effectively alleviate immunosuppression in broilers through a specific essential oil compounding scheme and nano-microencapsulation technology. Animal experimental data clearly demonstrate its excellent effects, and rigorous comparative studies highlight the key roles of eucalyptol and cinnamaldehyde in the formulation and the non-obviousness of the optimal ratio of 3:3:2:2.

[0053] All other raw materials or structures not specifically described in this invention already exist in the prior art and can be purchased directly from the market.

[0054] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plant essential oil additive, characterized in that, include: Wall materials, including gum arabic and maltodextrin; as well as, Plant essential oils, thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, and eucalyptol; The wall material is wrapped around the outside of the plant essential oil.

2. The plant essential oil additive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mass ratio of gum arabic to maltodextrin is (0.5-2):

1.

3. The plant essential oil additive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The volume ratio of thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptol is (2-4): (2-4): (1-3): (1-3).

4. The method for preparing the plant essential oil additive according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Mix gum arabic, maltodextrin and water to obtain an aqueous phase; S2. Mix the plant essential oil with the emulsifier to obtain the oil phase; S3. Mix and homogenize the aqueous phase and oil phase to obtain a nanoemulsion; S4. Spray dry the nanoemulsion to obtain plant essential oil additives.

5. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step S1, the concentrations of gum arabic and maltodextrin in the aqueous phase are 2-8%.

6. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step S2, the mass ratio of plant essential oil to emulsifier is 1:1; and / or, In step S2, the emulsifier is Tween-80.

7. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step S4, the inlet temperature of the spray dryer is 160-190℃, and the outlet temperature is 80-90℃.

8. The plant essential oil additive according to any one of claims 1-3, or the plant essential oil additive prepared by the preparation method according to any one of claims 4-7, is used in the preparation of feed that enhances the immune function and disease resistance of broilers.

9. The application according to claim 8, characterized in that, The amount of the plant essential oil additive added per ton of broiler feed is 150-300g.

10. The application according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method of using the plant essential oil additive is as follows: add it to the broiler feed 3 days before the broiler's immune stress and continue to use it until 5 days after the stress ends.

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