Feed or food ingredient of fiber-rich biomass derived from soybean hulls

Abstract

The present invention provides a feed or food ingredient derived from soybean hulls, wherein the feed or food ingredient comprises dietary fiber from soybean hulls in the form of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides, and wherein the dietary fiber from soybean hulls has been partially degraded by one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase into oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30), and wherein the feed or food product comprises 5 wt% or less of monosaccharides that preferably provide a prebiotic effect.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a feed or food ingredient of fiber-rich plant biomass derived from soybean hulls, a method for producing the feed / food ingredient, the use of the feed / food ingredient, and a feed or food product comprising the feed / food ingredient. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Fiber is becoming increasingly important in the alternative feeding of production animals. Previously, fiber was considered an anti-nutritional factor that reduced the energy concentration and digestibility of feed, resulting in poor animal performance. However, during the past two or three decades, increasing evidence has shown that including a certain amount of fiber is beneficial for animal performance and the development of a healthy gut; Agyekum & Nyachoti (2017), Molist et al. (2009). The content of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) as well as the content of prebiotic oligosaccharides are all part of dietary fiber that can have a positive impact on animals. More generally, fiber is now being intensively studied to become one of the solutions for the restricted use of antibiotics and zinc in the animal field. With less use of antibiotics and zinc, poor performance, diseases, and diarrhea will increase, which are serious problems.

[0003] Specialized fiber sources are increasingly being used in monogastric feeding. Soybean hulls are such a specialized fiber source, with a high total fiber and insoluble fiber content. Surprisingly, the present inventors have now found that when the fiber biomass soybean hulls are treated with specific carbohydrate-targeting enzymes, a relatively large amount of oligosaccharides can be released from the fiber compared to many other natural biomasses with a high fiber content. Depending on the type of targeting enzyme applied, the nature of the oligosaccharides released from soybean hulls and other biomasses can be different.

[0004] In some animal feeding, "exogenous" enzymes are now commonly added to the final diet formulation, but the enzyme does not become active until it is consumed along with the rest of the diet and functions in the intestinal environment of the animal (Kiarie et al., 2013; Scapini et al., 2018). The use of carbohydrases as production aids to increase the prebiotic oligosaccharide content of feed biomass has been described only to a limited extent. When a source rich in oligosaccharides is fed to productive animals (such as pigs and poultry), some of the potential effects of the oligosaccharides are expected to be prebiotic, resulting in improved animal performance and health. For human food products or research purposes, biomass is treated enzymatically and / or physically / chemically to produce, extract, and purify prebiotic oligosaccharides. Alternatively, some prebiotic products (such as polydextrose, dextrin) are chemically synthesized and purified for the same use. Such products are expensive and thus their use in animal feed is not significant; Babber et al. (2015); Aachary & Prapulla (2011); Dotsenko et al. (2017); Kurakake et al. (2006).

[0005] Currently, there does not seem to be a feed or food product on the market derived from soybean hulls treated with carbohydrases that has an increased specific oligosaccharide content compared to untreated soybean hulls. Nor does any prior art describe carbohydrase-treated soybean hulls for consumption; some literature only describes that soybean hulls can be added to the diet together with an external source of carbohydrase before feeding animals.

[0006] The present inventors have tested different soybean hull products treated with carbohydrate-targeting enzymes such as mannanase, xylanase, or pectinase in piglet feeding trials and in vitro piglet trials and have found improved performance compared to the control group.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a new feed or food ingredient with a unique composition derived from fiber-rich plant biomass of soybean hulls.

[0008] Another object is to provide a new improved feed or food ingredient derived from soybean hulls, on the basis of the favorable cost of the applied carbohydrate-targeting enzymes, the source of which contains both a certain amount of complex carbohydrates in the form of dietary fiber and an increased amount of prebiotic oligosaccharides derived from the action of carbohydrate-targeting enzymes, which is advantageous when used in animal or human diets.

[0009] Yet another object is to provide a new feed or food ingredient obtainable by treating soybean hulls with carbohydrate-targeting enzymes.

[0010] In addition, an object is to provide an improved feed or food ingredient containing prebiotic oligosaccharides that has higher digestibility compared to untreated (unprocessed) soybean hulls.

[0011] Finally, an object is to provide new products with high water-binding capacity and low viscosity; these two properties are important for the application of the product in animal diets.

[0012] These objects are achieved by the products of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a feed or food ingredient derived from soybean hulls, wherein the feed or food ingredient comprises dietary fiber from soybean hulls in the form of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides, and wherein the dietary fiber from the soybean hulls has been partially degraded by one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase into oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30), and wherein the feed or food product comprises 5 wt% or less of monosaccharides.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the oligosaccharide DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber does not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0015] Surprisingly, the inventors have found that when a series of different fiber-rich plant biomasses are treated with a selected carbohydrase, i.e., an enzyme acting on complex polysaccharides, soybean hulls stand out as a biomass from which a relatively large amount of oligosaccharides can be released. In addition, a large amount of oligosaccharides are produced from soybean hulls by many of the selected mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, cellulase, and β-glucanase compared to what is typically seen from other biomasses. Based on the chemical properties of the oligosaccharides, it is expected that some of these oligosaccharides can act as prebiotics in animal feed or human food.

[0016] Surprisingly, such products, when applied to animal diets, can improve animal production performance, such as that of piglets and poultry. The inventors have confirmed this in piglet feeding trials. When prebiotic oligosaccharides are used, the known mode of action behind the improved production performance is: improving / stabilizing the healthy microbial community in the gut, reducing the risk of gut infections and inflammation, improving gut function (fecal bulking, regularity, and consistency), improving gut barrier function, regulating / modulating immune function, and regulating gastrointestinal peptide production and energy metabolism; Roberfroid et al. (2010). The best-known, most studied, and best-documented oligosaccharides are fructooligosaccharides (FOS); Ghoddusi et al. (2007); Probert et al. (2004), usually derived from inulin; and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS); Corrigan et al. (2015); Zivkovic et al. (2011); Kim et al. (2010). In the case of MOS, the MOS types derived from yeast cell walls have their effects well documented. They are α-1,3-branched mannans and α-1,6-branched mannans. Examples of new upcoming groups of prebiotic oligosaccharides are: xylooligosaccharides (XOS); Liu et al. (2018); Moura et al. (2008); Aachary & Prapulla (2011); Dotsenko et al. (2017); Nielsen et al. (2014); pectin-derived oligosaccharides (POS); Babber et al. (2015); Chung et al. (2017); Strube et al. (2015); and β-glucan-derived oligosaccharides; Meyer et al. (2015); Míguez et al. (2016). Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), which can be synthesized from lactose, are also new prebiotic oligosaccharides; Torres et al. (2010). For an oligosaccharide to have prebiotic effects, important chemical features are the type of chemical bond between the sugar moieties, the properties of the sugar molecules, and their branching; Markowiak & Slizewska (2018); Pourabeden & Zhao (2015), Kim et al. (2019).

[0017] The recommended amount of MOS in animal feed for pigs is about 0.25% to 0.5% of the final feed formulation, and the recommended amount of FOS is about 0.03% to 1.25% of the feed formulation. Maribo (2005): “Tilsaetningsstoffer til svin. Landsudvalget for svin”. This supports the view that even adding small amounts of prebiotic oligosaccharides to productive animal feed has an impact.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a feed or food ingredient according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:

[0019] ● Mixing soybean hulls with one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase;

[0020] ● Hydrolyzing the mixture under conditions of a dry matter (DM) content of 55 wt% or less, a temperature of 20°C to 60°C, and a period of 1 hour to 48 hours;

[0021] ● Optionally completely inactivating the activity of one or more carbohydrases; and

[0022] ● Separating the feed or food ingredient.

[0023] The present invention also provides a feed or food product or nutritional supplement for productive animals, comprising 0.5 wt% to 99 wt% of the feed or food ingredient of the present invention, such as a feed product for use in the diet of productive animals in need of prebiotic oligosaccharides, preferably neonatal and young animals, such as piglets, calves, and poultry.

[0024] Definitions

[0025] In the context of the present invention, unless defined elsewhere in the specification, the following terms are meant to include the following.

[0026] The term "comprising / including" shall be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated part, step, feature, composition, chemical, or component, but not excluding the presence of one or more additional parts, steps, features, compositions, chemicals, or components. For example, a composition comprising a compound may thus contain additional compounds, etc.

[0027] Biomass

[0028] Biomass contains biomaterials produced by photosynthesis and can be used for industrial production. In this context, biomass refers to fiber-rich plant material in the form of soybean hulls. The soybean hulls can be applied in their unprocessed form or in a ground and / or pretreated form, depending on their nature and the manner in which the person skilled in the art processes the particular raw material.

[0029] Soybean products

[0030] Refers to plant material in the form of soybean products, in particular products derived from soybean hulls and their mixtures in this context. The soybeans can be from any soybean source, such as from South America or North America or Asia or Europe, and it can be of genetically modified origin (GMO) or non-genetically modified origin (non-GMO).

[0031] Soybean hulls

[0032] Soybean hulls are a dedicated source of fiber, high in total fiber and insoluble fiber, and also contain some protein. Soybean hulls are a byproduct of soybean processing and consist of the soybean outer shell. Soybean hulls contain complex carbohydrates such as pectin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, and are a good source of dietary fiber.

[0033] Ground

[0034] Means comminuted, for example, chemically or physically (such as by grinding, mixing, cooking, and / or acid or alkali treatment) according to methods known in the art. A person skilled in the art will know whether comminution is necessary and, if so, which comminution may be suitable for the specific plant biomass used in the present invention.

[0035] Oligosaccharides

[0036] Oligosaccharides are generally defined as sugar oligomers containing a small number (3 to 10) of component monomeric sugars. In the context of the present invention, oligosaccharides are defined more broadly and can be sugar oligomers containing 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units.

[0037] Oligosaccharides with 3 to 30 sugar units / Oligosaccharide DP 3 - 30

[0038] In the context of the present invention, these terms refer to sugar oligomers containing 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units and are features applied in the definition of the new products of the present invention. In the context of the present invention, the soybean oligosaccharides contained in unprocessed soybean hulls, especially raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose, are not included in the DP 3 - 30 defined herein.

[0039] Prebiotic oligosaccharides

[0040] Oligosaccharides considered to be prebiotics must not be hydrolyzed or absorbed upstream in the gastrointestinal tract and must be selectively absorbed by beneficial microorganisms in the colon, promoting beneficial luminal or systemic effects; Meyer et al. (2015); Míguez et al. (2016). They can be fermented by microorganisms in the hindgut but need to "survive" until they reach there; Smiricky - Tjardes et al. (2003).

[0041] Monosaccharides

[0042] Monosaccharides or mono sugars are simple sugar monomers that contain five and / or six carbon atoms and are the basic units of sugars and carbohydrates. In the context of the present invention, the monosaccharides are particularly glucose, fructose, and galactose.

[0043] Polysaccharides

[0044] Polysaccharides are sugar polymers that contain a large number of component monomer sugars and are also known as complex carbohydrates. Polysaccharides can be soluble and insoluble.

[0045] Dietary fiber

[0046] Dietary fiber includes soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides and can include oligosaccharides, lignin, and resistant starch. The raw biomass selected in the context of the present invention contains only a small amount of oligosaccharides and resistant starch or is substantially free of resistant starch.

[0047] Glycosidase

[0048] The carbohydrases herein are any enzymes capable of hydrolyzing any carbohydrate structure, such as mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase.

[0049] Yeast

[0050] In the present context, yeasts can be particularly selected from strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including spent brewer’s yeast and spent distiller’s yeast and spent yeast from wine production; baker’s yeast and yeast strains fermenting C5 sugars.

[0051] Microorganisms

[0052] Microorganisms are microscopic organisms that are too small to be observed by the human naked eye. Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses.

[0053] Lactic acid bacteria

[0054] They are typically found in the decomposition of plants and dairy products and produce lactic acid as the main metabolic end product of carbohydrate bioconversion. Lactic acid bacteria are a genus of microorganisms that produce organic acids (such as lactic acid and some acetic acid) as metabolic products of carbohydrate bioconversion. In particular, the genus includes but is not limited to: Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Streptococcus, and Leuconostoc.

[0055] Other genera

[0056] In the context of the present invention, other genera refer to the other bacterial genera most relevant to the present invention. They include many genera that also produce organic acids (such as lactic acid and acetic acid) as metabolic products of carbohydrate biotransformation but generally to a lesser extent than lactic acid bacteria. In the context of the present invention, genera other than lactic acid bacteria include, but are not limited to: Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Brevibacillus, Propionibacterium, Clostridium, and Geobacillus. Certain strains are used as probiotics.

[0057] Feed products

[0058] Include ready-to-use feeds or feed ingredients for productive animals such as piglets, calves, poultry, fur animals, and sheep.

[0059] Food products

[0060] Contain ready-to-use foods or food ingredients for human nutrition.

[0061] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 Shows the first screening results after culturing soybean hull biomass with different carbohydrate-targeting enzymes under pH regulation. The measured oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0063] Figure 2 Shows a similar screening after similar culturing of soybean hull biomass without pH regulation but with the addition of baker's yeast. The measured oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0064] Figure 3 Shows the TLC results of culturing soybean hulls with different glycosidases.

[0065] Figure 4 Shows the effect of hydrolysis time when Vland pectinase or mannanase is used to culture soybean hull biomass. The measured oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0066] Figure 5 Shows the effect of hydrolysis time and enzyme dosage when culturing soybean hull biomass with different glycosidases. The measured oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0067] Figure 6 Shows the comparative quantification of oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 (excluding raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose) in different biomasses (raw biomass, biomass cultured without enzymes, or enzyme - treated biomass) after culturing with carbohydrases.

[0068] Figure 7 Shows the TLC of soybean hull biomass after culturing with Depol 793L (pectinase) from Strowin, xylanase, mannanase, and cellulase, respectively.

[0069] Figure 8 Shows the comparison of water - holding capacity of soybean hulls with different biomasses (in raw form or after treatment according to the present invention).

[0070] Figure 9 Shows the viscosities of different biomasses in raw form or after treatment according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0071] The product of the present invention in its first aspect

[0072] In its first aspect, the present invention relates to a feed or food ingredient derived from soybean hulls, wherein the feed or food ingredient comprises dietary fiber from soybean hulls in the form of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides, and wherein the dietary fiber from soybean hulls has been partially degraded by one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase into oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30), and wherein the feed or food product comprises 5 wt% or less of monosaccharides.

[0073] Herein, the oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0074] In one embodiment in this regard, the dietary fiber from soybean hulls has been partially degraded by one or more carbohydrases into oligosaccharides providing a prebiotic effect.

[0075] In any embodiment, the feed or food product comprises 5 wt% or less of monosaccharides; for example, 4 wt% or less; 3 wt% or less; 2 wt% or less; 1 wt% or less; 0.5 wt% or less of monosaccharides; substantially free of monosaccharides; or free of monosaccharides.

[0076] In another embodiment, the feed or food composition can comprise 4 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharides DP 3-30), such as 5 wt% or more, 6 wt% or more, 7 wt% or more, 8 wt% or more, 9 wt% or more, 10 wt% or more, 12 wt% or more, 15 wt% or more, or 20 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP 3-30). As used herein, oligosaccharides DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0077] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food composition can sometimes further comprise live yeast, such as live yeast selected from: Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, including spent brewer's yeast; baker's yeast; spent brewing yeast and spent yeast from wine production; and yeast strains fermenting C5 sugars. The live yeast can be present, for example, in an amount of 0.05% to 10%, such as 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8% or 9%.

[0078] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the oligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose, and / or verbascose present in unprocessed soybean hulls can sometimes be completely or partially degraded.

[0079] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food composition can sometimes further comprise one or more microorganisms and / or metabolites of carbohydrate degradation of soybean hulls by one or more microorganisms.

[0080] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food composition can sometimes further comprise microorganisms of one or more lactic acid bacteria and / or metabolites of carbohydrate degradation of soybean hulls by lactic acid bacteria (such as Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Streptococcus, and Leuconostoc).

[0081] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food composition can sometimes further comprise one or more microorganisms and / or metabolites of carbohydrate degradation of soybean hulls by one or more microorganisms selected from: Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Brevibacillus, Propionibacterium, Clostridium, and Geobacillus.

[0082] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food ingredient can be derived from soybean hulls, wherein the soybean hull fibers have been degraded by one or more β-mannanases into oligosaccharides containing 4 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units, such as 5 wt% or more, 10 wt% or more, 15 wt% or more, or 20 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP3-30). Herein, the oligosaccharides DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0083] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food ingredient can be derived from soybean hulls, wherein the soybean hull fibers have been degraded by one or more pectinases into oligosaccharides containing 4 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units, such as 5 wt% or more, 10 wt% or more, 15 wt% or more, or 20 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP3-30). Herein, the oligosaccharides DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0084] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food ingredient can be derived from soybean hulls, wherein the soybean hull fibers have been degraded by one or more xylanases into oligosaccharides containing 4 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units, such as 5 wt% or more, or 10 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP3-30). Herein, the oligosaccharides DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0085] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food ingredient can be derived from soybean hulls, wherein the soybean hull fibers have been degraded by one or more glucanases into oligosaccharides containing 4 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units, such as 5 wt% or more, or 10 wt% or more of oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP3-30). Herein, the oligosaccharides DP 3-30 derived from dietary fiber do not include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.

[0086] In any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the feed or food ingredient can be derived from soybean hulls, wherein the soybean hull fibers have been degraded by several carbohydrases into oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (DP3-30).

[0087] The method of the present invention in its second aspect

[0088] In a second aspect of the present invention, it relates to a method for producing a feed or food ingredient according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:

[0089] ● Mix soybean hulls with one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase;

[0090] ● Hydrolyze the mixture under conditions of a dry matter (DM) content of 55% by weight or less, a period of 1 hour to 48 hours, and a temperature of 20°C to 60°C;

[0091] ● Optionally, completely inactivate the activity of one or more carbohydrases;

[0092] ● Separate the feed or food ingredient.

[0093] A person skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount of carbohydrase that meets the requirements of the method based on process conditions, expected results, and optimal process economy.

[0094] In one embodiment of this aspect, the fibrous plant biomass may have been crushed before being mixed with one or more carbohydrases. The manner of crushing can be physical or chemical, and a person skilled in the art knows whether crushing is sufficient or necessary, and which manner is applicable to a specific biomass.

[0095] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the method includes a step of completely inactivating the activity of one or more carbohydrases after the step of hydrolyzing the mixture. The inactivation step ensures that oligosaccharides with DP 3 - 30 are not degraded into monosaccharides.

[0096] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the dry matter content is 55% by weight or less, such as 53% by weight or less, 51% by weight or less, 50% by weight or less, 48% by weight or less, 46% by weight or less, or 45% by weight or less.

[0097] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the reaction time is 1 hour to 48 hours, such as 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 16 hours, 20 hours, 24 hours, 28 hours, 32 hours, 36 hours, 40 hours, or 44 hours.

[0098] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the reaction temperature is 20°C to 60°C, such as 25°C, 30°C, 32°C, 35°C, 37°C, 40°C, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, or 58°C.

[0099] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, a person skilled in the art will be able to select and adjust the reaction time and reaction temperature commensurate with the selected carbohydrase and its amount.

[0100] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, before the hydrolysis step, yeast can be added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrase in an amount of, for example, 0.05% to 10%, such as 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8% or 9%, for example live yeast selected from: Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, including brewery waste yeast; baker's yeast; brewing waste yeast and waste yeast from wine production; and yeast strains fermenting C5 sugars. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount according to the process conditions and the expected results.

[0101] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, one or more microorganisms can be added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrase before the hydrolysis step. The addition of the microorganisms is suitable for converting the carbohydrates present in the soybean hulls into useful metabolites, especially organic acids, such as lactic acid and acetic acid. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount according to the process conditions and the expected results.

[0102] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, before the hydrolysis step, lactic acid bacteria can be added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrase, such as Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Streptococcus and Leuconostoc. The addition of the lactic acid bacteria is suitable for converting the carbohydrates present in the plant biomass into useful metabolites, especially organic acids, such as lactic acid and acetic acid. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount according to the process conditions and the expected results.

[0103] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, before the hydrolysis step, one or more microorganisms selected from the following can be added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrase: Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Brevibacillus, Propionibacterium, Clostridium and Geobacillus. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount according to the process conditions and the expected results.

[0104] In any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, α-galactosidase can be added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrase before the hydrolysis step. The addition of α-galactosidase is suitable for degrading raffinose, stachyose and verbascose present in the soybean hulls. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable amount according to the process conditions and the expected results.

[0105] The feed or food product or nutritional supplement of the present invention in its third aspect

[0106] In the third aspect of the present invention, it relates to a feed or food product or nutritional supplement comprising 0.5% to 99% by weight of a feed or food ingredient according to the present invention.

[0107] In any embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the feed product or nutritional supplement can be used in the diet of productive animals, for example, in a diet for improving the production performance of productive animals, especially neonatal and young animals such as piglets, calves, and poultry.

[0108] In any embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the feed product or nutritional supplement can be used in the diet of productive animals that require prebiotic oligosaccharides, especially neonatal and young animals such as piglets, calves, and chicks.

[0109] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, it relates to the use of a feed ingredient according to the present invention in the diet of productive animals, especially neonatal and young animals such as piglets, calves, and chicks.

[0110] Examples

[0111] Materials and Methods

[0112] Enzymes and enzyme suppliers

[0113] BIO-CAT, Vland Biotech Inc, Strowin, Jinan BestZyme, Winovazyme, Habio, Challenge Group, Biocatalysts Ltd, and DSM. The enzymes were supplied between April 2018 and December 2019, and the specific names of the enzymes are given below.

[0114]

[0115] Thin layer chromatography (TLC method)

[0116] First, a 10% DM suspension sample was prepared and homogenized for 30 seconds at level 2 using an Ultra Thorax instrument. The sample was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes and centrifuged at 3000G for 10 minutes. The supernatant was used directly for TLC.

[0117] 1.4 μl of the sample and different standard mixtures were added to the TLC plate. After drying, the plate was placed in a chromatography tank for 50 to 60 minutes, then dried and immersed in the developing solution for 2 seconds. After drying, the TLC pattern became visible after a short time at 150 °C. The chromatographic fluid consisted of demineralized water with 46% volume / volume n-butanol and 31% volume / volume pyridine. The developing solution consisted of 2 g of diphenylamine, 84 ml of acetone, 2 ml of aniline, and 15 ml of 85% phosphoric acid per 100 ml.

[0118] Ion exchange chromatography analysis (Dionex)

[0119] Prepare a 10% DM suspension sample and homogenize it for 30 seconds at level 2 with an Ultra Turrax T25 instrument, IKA. Stir the sample at room temperature for 30 minutes and centrifuge it at 3000G for 10 minutes. The supernatant is used for Dionex or Viscotek analysis.

[0120] Oligosaccharides and sugars are separated and quantified by high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD, Dionex). Extraneous maltodextrin standards are used to evaluate the oligosaccharides. Inject the sample into a CarboPac PA-200 column using a flow rate of 0.4 mL min -1 and a 150 mM isocratic NaOH and the following NaOAc gradient curve: 0 min to 5 min: 0 mM to 110 mM linear gradient; 5 min to 30 min: 110 mM to 350 mM convex gradient.

[0121] Size exclusion chromatography analysis (Viscotek)

[0122] The sample is detected by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using a Viscotek system (Malvern, UK) equipped with two columns in series: GS-320HQ column and GS-620HQ column (Shodex) connected to a TDA 302 module (triple detector array) including a refractive index detector (RI), a four-capillary viscometer detector (VIS), and a light scattering detector (LS). The LS includes right angle light scattering (RALS) and low angle light scattering (LALS), which measure scattered light at 7° and 90° relative to the incident light beam. Calibrate the instrument using amylopectin (50 kDa, polydispersity 1.07, Showa Denko) dissolved in MilliQ water (1 mg / mL) at 99 °C for 120 minutes at 1000 rpm. Elute with a 50 mM ammonium formate (HCO2NH4) buffer and a flow rate of 0.5 mL min -1 . Filter the sample through a 0.22 μm centrifugal filter, inject 50 μl of the sample into the (GPCmax module) column and separate it at 60 °C. Use authentic, well-characterized linear maltooligosaccharides as extraneous standards. Analyze the data using OmniSec software 4.7 (Malvern Instrument, Ltd.).

[0123] Example 1:

[0124] Small - scale screening showing the effect of glycosidase in soybean hulls

[0125] A total of 40 commercial carbohydrases from different suppliers were tested in soybean hull biomass, which covered the general groups of at least mannanase, xylanase, cellulase, β-glucanase and pectinase. The enzymes were dosed according to the enzyme price, adding the dosage corresponding to a fixed price per weight of dry matter of soybean hulls, and were compared accordingly. The soybean hulls were transported as dry grains and roughly crushed in a mixer. The enzymes and soybean hulls were mixed and incubated at a dry matter (DM) content of 45 wt% to 48 wt% and 32 °C for 8 h to 44 h. Approximately 90 g of soybean hulls were used in this small-scale screening. α-Galactosidase was added to all samples to remove the oligosaccharides stachyose and raffinose in the soybean hull biomass. In some experiments, baker's yeast was added to the reaction mixture. In some experiments, the pH was adjusted to 4.5 with H2SO4.

[0126] After hydrolysis of the biomass, the content of its oligosaccharides DP 3-30 (oligosaccharides with 3 to 30 sugar units) was determined by Dionex or Viscotek methods. The TLC method was also applied to further quantify the pattern of oligosaccharides enzymatically cleaved by different enzymes.

[0127] Figure 1 A, B, and C The first screening results after incubation for 21 h with pH adjustment and the analysis of the product by Dionex method are shown.

[0128] Figure 2 The screening results after incubation for 8 h to 44 h without pH adjustment and the analysis of the product by Dionex and Viscotek methods are shown. If more analyses are performed with the same enzyme, the average value is used in the figure.

[0129] Figure 3 The sugar composition of soybean hulls treated with different carbohydrases is shown, clearly showing that different types of enzymes cleave differently in soybean hulls, respectively producing typical patterns of mannanase, xylanase, pectinase and β-glucanase / cellulose. The reference sugar mixtures shown in lanes 1 to 4 contain the following (read from the top):

[0130] Mixture 1: xylose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose

[0131] Mixture A: arabinobiose, arabinose, mannobios, mannotriose

[0132] Mixture B: xylose, xylobiose, xylotriose, mannobios, mannotriose

[0133] Mixture C: galactose, galacturonic acid

[0134] The average maximum obtained oligosaccharide levels after 16 h of hydrolysis in small-scale screening with different enzyme sets, shown as average analytical values for the following optimal enzymes:

[0135] Oligosaccharide DP 3 - 30, wt% of DM Control 1 β - Mannanase 11 Pectinase 9 Xylanase 8 Glucanase / Cellulase 5

[0136] Example 2

[0137] Showed the effect of glycosidase in soybean hulls at pilot scale

[0138] Three hydrolysis experiments were carried out in a horizontal, slowly rotating reactor, each pilot experiment applying 450 kg of soybean hulls and the most effective working enzymes from the screening example, as well as baker's yeast and α-galactosidase. The soybean hull grains were not pre-crushed, the initial DM and temperature were 48 wt% and 30 °C, and the incubation time was 16 h.

[0139] Viscotek analysis was performed. The content of oligosaccharides DP 3 - 30 (oligosaccharides with 3 to 30 sugar units) was recalculated as wt% of the total soybean hull biomass.

[0140] Oligosaccharide DP 3 - 30, wt% of DM Optimal pectinase 15.8 Optimal mannanase 22.8 Optimal xylanase 17.0

[0141] Example 3

[0142] Showed the effect of culture time and enzyme dosage

[0143] As described in Example 1, the effect of incubation time was examined with hydrolysis conditions at pH 4.5 ( Figure 4 ) or unregulated pH ( Figure 5 ). Figure 5 The effect of including half the enzyme dose was also shown. As expected, the experiments showed that the effect of incubation time was enzyme-dependent.

[0144] Example 4

[0145] Showed the oligosaccharide levels and the effect of glycosidase in other biomasses compared to soybean hulls

[0146] In a series of different biomasses in different forms, the levels of oligosaccharides were tested:

[0147] a) Unprocessed biomass (control);

[0148] b) Biomass incubated without addition of glycosidase (α-galactosidase was added to the biomass containing raffinose, stachyose and verbascose to remove these oligosaccharides); or

[0149] c) Biomass incubated with commercial glycosidase.

[0150] The enzymes were dosed according to price, corresponding to a fixed price per weight of biomass dry matter, and compared accordingly. The biomass beet pulp and soybean hulls were transported as dry grains and coarsely ground in a mixer. The other biomass was used as it was transported. The enzymes, baker's yeast, and biomass were mixed and incubated at 45% or 48% DM, 32 °C or 37 °C for 16 h, 20 h, or 44 h. After hydrolysis, the biomass was analyzed in the same manner as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Figure 6 . The soybean oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose) were subtracted if present in the raw biomass.

[0151] Figure 6 Shown are the Dionex or Viscotek quantification of oligosaccharides in different biomasses of raw biomass, biomass incubated without enzymes, or enzyme-treated biomass.

[0152] On a relative basis, comparing the release of oligosaccharides (compared to the starting level in the raw material), soybean hulls stand out as the biomass that may release the highest relative amount.

[0153]

[0154] Example 5

[0155] Showed the effect of culturing DM in soybean hulls

[0156] The experiments described in Example 1 were carried out without pH adjustment to test three starting biomass DM levels: 45%, 48%, and 51% of DM. The results are shown in Figure 7 , showing TLC, indicating that Depol 793L (pectinase) from Strowin, xylanase, mannanase, and cellulase did not have an effect of increasing the DM% from 45% to 51%.

[0157] Example 6

[0158] From May to August 2018, a piglet feeding trial was conducted at a Danish test station: "Skjoldborg Test Station, TestGris, Herning, Denmark". Four diets were tested using a conventional pig production system, including the following:

[0159] 1. Control without soybean hulls;

[0160] 2. FaserGold, extruded soybean hulls, in an amount of 2.5% by weight of DM;

[0161] 3. Soybean hulls (cultured with α-galactosidase and baker's yeast for 8 h, ground, and dried), in an amount of 2% by weight of DM;

[0162] 4. Soybean hulls (cultured with α-galactosidase, Ronozyme VP and baker's yeast for 7 hours, ground and dried), in an amount of 2% by DM weight;

[0163] The trial was conducted for 6 weeks after weaning, in three independent phases (A, B and C), each phase for 2 weeks. The soybean hull product was included only during Phase A. During Phases B and C, the piglets were fed the same diet. None of the diets contained antibiotics or therapeutic levels of veterinary ZnO. All diets were fed ad libitum. The pigs had free access to fresh water. The diet in Phase A was based on wheat (35% to 38%) and barley (15%), using HP300 (19%) from Hamlet Protein as the protein source. An equal amount of "premix" (25%) was used in each diet, and soybean oil was used to balance the energy level in the diet (2.7% to 3.7%). The wheat and barley were ground and the diets were pelleted. The diets in Phases B and C were produced by TestGris and followed the Danish feeding standards.

[0164] 4111 Danish crossbred piglets were used, with a weaning age of 25 ± 3 days and an average body weight of 6.4 kg. 64 double pens were used. Approximately 2 × 32 piglets were used in each double pen. The double pens were assigned to one of 4 diets.

[0165] Output was measured in terms of average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI) and feed utilization (FU) (also known as feed conversion ratio (FCR)). The results are shown in Table 1.

[0166] Table 1 Average daily gain (ADG, g), feed intake (Fl) and feed utilization (FU) of pigs fed four experimental diets during Phase A (6 kg to 9 kg), Phase B (9 kg to 15 kg), Phase C (15 kg to 30 kg) and the entire test period (A to C)

[0167]

[0168] The x values are LS-means (n = 16).

[0169] ab LS-means without a common superscript within a row are different (P < 0.05).

[0170] Generally, the piglets remained in good health during the experiment.

[0171] The conclusion is that ADG tended to be significantly affected by the dietary treatment in Phase A, with the highest ADG in Diet Group 4. FI was not affected by the dietary treatment, but the FU in Diet Group 4 was significantly higher compared to Diet Group 1. The different diets fed in Phase A did not affect the performance in Phases B or C.

[0172] Example 7

[0173] In fiber products, parameters such as water holding capacity (WHC) and viscosity are important. A relatively high water holding capacity in fiber products ensures satiety in animals and helps to ensure optimal fecal consistency. Viscosity is generally an aspect of concern for fibers, especially in poultry feeding, where high viscosity is undesirable as it may slow down nutrient absorption and provide better space for pathogens to proliferate in the gut. Water holding capacity is measured as the amount of water that biomass can hold against gravity without releasing free water, in units of kg water / kg biomass.

[0174] Water - holding capacity (WHC)

[0175] WHC was measured in a series of dry fiber products, which included unprocessed soybean hulls and the final fiber composition according to the present invention, namely pectinase-treated soybean hulls as well as barley, wheat, corn, and soybean meal (SBM). All samples were first ground through a 500 μm sieve. The results are shown in Figure 8 , indicating that the products of the present invention have a satisfactory high WHC and also characterize many other fiber products.

[0176] Viscosity

[0177] For the measurement of viscosity, the following method was used: all samples were ground through a 500 μm sieve. 1 g of sample and 20 mL of 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7) were incubated at 40 °C for 0.5 h. After that, before rheological analysis, the samples were centrifuged at 500 rpm (31G) for 10 minutes in an Allegar X-22R centrifuge (Beckman Coulter). The samples were analyzed on a Discovery HR-3 rheometer (TA Instruments). The final fiber composition according to the present invention, namely pectinase-treated soybean hulls, was compared with unprocessed soybean hulls, beet pulp, wheat bran, and Easy Fibre (a mixture of rapeseed straw and wheat straw). The results are shown in Figure 9 , showing that the products of the present invention have a reduced viscosity compared to unprocessed soybean hulls, wheat bran, beet pulp, and Easy Fibre. The relevant shear rates in the gut are shown in the figure to be approximately 1 second -1 to 10 seconds -1 .

[0178] References

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Claims

1. A feed or food ingredient derived from soybean hulls, wherein the feed or food ingredient comprises dietary fiber from soybean hulls in the form of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides, and wherein part of the dietary fiber from soybean hulls has been degraded by one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase, and cellulase into oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30), to provide the feed or food ingredient comprising 4 wt% or more of the oligosaccharide DP 3-30 calculated without including the soybean oligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose, wherein the feed or food ingredient further comprises yeast, and provided that the feed or food ingredient does not contain more than 5 wt% of monosaccharides.

2. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1, wherein part of the dietary fiber from soybean hulls has been degraded by the one or more carbohydrases into oligosaccharides DP 3-30 that provide a prebiotic effect.

3. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 5 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

4. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 6 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

5. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 7 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

6. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 8 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

7. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 9 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

8. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 10 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

9. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 12 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

10. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 15 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

11. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 3, comprising 20 wt% or more of the oligosaccharides having 3 to 30 monomeric sugar units (oligosaccharide DP 3-30).

12. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1 or 2, comprising yeast selected from the following: Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains; baker's yeast and yeast strains that ferment C5 sugars.

13. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 12, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent brewer's yeast.

14. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 12, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent brewer's yeast.

15. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 12, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent yeast from wine production.

16. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 0.05% to 10% of yeast.

17. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 16, comprising 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8% or 9% of yeast.

18. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: raffinose, stachyose and verbascose oligosaccharides that have been completely or partially degraded and are present in the soybean hulls.

19. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more microorganisms and / or metabolites of the carbohydrate degradation of the soybean hulls by the one or more microorganisms.

20. The feed or food ingredient according to claim 19, further comprising lactic acid bacteria and / or metabolites of the carbohydrate degradation of the soybean hulls by lactic acid bacteria.

21. A method for producing the feed or food ingredient according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: ● Mixing soybean hulls with one or more carbohydrases selected from mannanase, pectinase, xylanase, glucanase and cellulase; ● Adding yeast to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrases; ● Hydrolyzing the mixture under conditions of a dry matter content of 55% by weight or less and a temperature of 20°C to 60°C for a period of 1 hour to 48 hours; ● Separating the feed or food ingredient.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising completely inactivating the activity of the one or more carbohydrases before separating the feed or food ingredient.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the soybean hulls have been ground before being mixed with the one or more carbohydrases.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, comprising: Before the hydrolysis step, yeast selected from the following is added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrases: Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains; baker's yeast and yeast strains that ferment C5 sugars.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent beer yeast.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent brewer's yeast.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain comprises spent yeast from wine production.

28. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising: Before the hydrolysis step, one or more microorganisms are added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrases.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: Before the hydrolysis step, lactic acid bacteria are added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrases.

30. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising: Before the hydrolysis step, α-galactosidase is added to the mixture of soybean hulls and carbohydrases.

31. A feed product or food product or nutritional supplement comprising from 0.5% to 99% by weight of a feed or food ingredient according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

32. The feed product or nutritional supplement according to claim 31 for use in the diet of productive animals.

33. The feed product or nutritional supplement according to claim 32, wherein the diet is for improving performance.

34. The feed product according to any one of claims 31 to 33 for use in the diet of productive animals in need of prebiotic oligosaccharides.

35. The feed product according to any one of claims 31 to 33 for use in the diet of neonatal animals in need of prebiotic oligosaccharides.

36. The feed product according to any one of claims 31 to 33 for use in the diet of young animals in need of prebiotic oligosaccharides.

37. The feed product according to any one of claims 31 to 33 for use in the diet of piglets, calves and chicks in need of prebiotic oligosaccharides.

38. Use of a feed ingredient according to any one of claims 1 to 20 in the diet of productive animals.

39. The use according to claim 38, wherein the productive animal is a neonatal animal.

40. The use according to claim 38, wherein the productive animal is a young animal.

41. The use according to claim 38, wherein the productive animal is a piglet, a calf and a chick.

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