Feed composition, method for preparing feed and feed

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feed composition for preparing a feed, the composition comprising: a. A fatty acid mixture comprising: i. > = 50 wt.%, preferably 50-80 wt.%, further preferably 55-65 wt.%, more preferably 57-63 wt.%, even more preferably 58-63 wt.%, based on the total amount of fatty acid mixture, of C16: 0 fatty acids, ii. > = 40 wt.%, preferably 15-40 wt.%, further preferably 20-37 wt.%, more preferably 25-35 wt.%, even more preferably 26-30 wt.% of C18: 1 fatty acids or mixtures thereof, b. 0.001-8 wt.% of alkali metals, alkali metals or mixtures thereof, based on the total proportion of the feed composition; a method for preparing a feed and a feed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feed composition for preparing feed, a feed prepared from the feed composition, a method for preparing feed and a feed prepared from the method. Background Art

[0002] Most dairy cows have very high levels of milk production, which results in high energy requirements for the cow. At the beginning of lactation, most cows lose considerable weight because energy intake is lower than the nutritional requirements for milk production. As a result, the cow mobilizes the body's nutrient reserves, especially body fat, to meet the energy requirements. Therefore, it is very important to give the cow the right feed.

[0003] Currently, there are basically different animal feeds, particularly rumen bypass fats for dairy cows, which can be basically classified into calcium soaps, hydrogenated fats and fractionated fat products.

[0004] Hydrogenated fat products contain substantially higher levels of fatty acids C18:0 than calcium soaps or fractionated fat products. This results in a lower fat digestibility compared to fats or products with a higher content of fatty acids C16:0.

[0005] Calcium soap products consist of fats esterified with alkaline earth metal ions to make them rumen stable. However, products known in the prior art, such as Mega-Max (Volac Wilmar), have a pungent odor and taste. This can reduce the feed intake of animals. Calcium soap products have a low fat content (about 84%), a content of alkaline earth metal ions of about 11%, and they contain about 5% moisture and impurities. In addition, calcium soap products show relatively low stability at pH ≤ 5.6. This is disadvantageous because, for example, during the feeding of ruminants with a diet with a high starch content, the rumen pH level drops and, due to the low pH level, the calcium soap breaks down. In addition, corn silage, which is the main feed component in most animal husbandry systems, has a pH of 4. Calcium soaps can also be broken up in the diet before being consumed by animals.

[0006] Fractionated fats have a high fat content, with high contents of the fatty acids C16:0 and C18:1, but the slip melting point is not as high as is required for livestock feed in some regions. In particular, the C18:1 fatty acid oleic acid is very "soft", with a low melting point. This softness makes products based on fractionated fats unsuitable for handling, transport and storage.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for feed compositions and animal feeds that overcome the disadvantages known in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to the problem of providing a feed composition, a method for preparing a feed and a feed which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enable the provision of a feed (composition), in particular rumen bypass fat for dairy cows, having improved properties, in particular a high fat content, an optimal fatty acid composition and good stability at high temperatures.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] In particular, the present invention relates to a feed composition for preparing a feed, comprising:

[0011] a. A fatty acid mixture comprising:

[0012] i. ≥50 wt.%, preferably 50-80 wt.%, further preferably 55-65 wt.%, more preferably 57-63 wt.%, even more preferably 58-63 wt.% of C16:0 fatty acid, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture,

[0013] ii. ≤40wt.%, preferably 15-40wt.%, further preferably 20-37wt.%, more preferably 25-35wt.%, even more preferably 26-30wt.% of C18:1 fatty acid or a mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture,

[0014] b. 0.001-8 wt.% of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

[0015] First, various terms are explained in the context of the present invention.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the term "feed composition" is defined as a composition comprising or consisting of a certain fatty acid mixture (or fatty acid profile) and a certain amount of alkali metal ions and / or alkaline earth metal ions, preferably Ca ions, which is used as a raw material for preparing a feed, preferably an animal, further preferably a ruminant feed, i.e. the corresponding feed is obtained from the feed composition.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the term "feed" also includes diets, nutritional products and supplementary feed products, such as fat supplements, energy supplements, rumen stabilizing supplements, etc. Preferably, the feed according to the present invention is a supplementary feed, further preferably a supplementary fat feed, a supplementary energy feed and / or a supplementary rumen stabilizing feed. In the context of the present invention, "supplementary feed" is defined as a secondary feed source used to provide the required and optional additional attributes that may be missing from the primary feed source. Supplementary feed cannot be used as a primary feed source.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the term C16:0 fatty acid relates to a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid), such as palmitic acid.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the term C18:1 fatty acid relates to 18-carbon monounsaturated fatty acids (octadecenoic acid), such as oleic acid, vaccenic acid, elaidic acid, petroselinic acid, etc. Preferably, the C18:1 fatty acid is oleic acid (z-9-octadecenoic acid).

[0020] Preferably, the content of alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal in the feed composition is 0.001-5 wt %, further preferably 0.01-3 wt %, more preferably 0.1-2 wt %, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that the alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal is selected from sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alkaline earth metal is calcium.

[0022] It is preferred that the fatty acid mixture of the feed composition further comprises one or more fatty acids or fatty acid mixtures selected from the group consisting of:

[0023] iii.C18:0 fatty acid,

[0024] iv. Selected from C8-C 14 A fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids,

[0025] v. A fatty acid or fatty acid mixture selected from the group consisting of C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C20:1 fatty acids.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the term C18:0 fatty acid relates to 18-carbon saturated fatty acids (octadecanoic acid), such as stearic acid.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the term C8-C 14 Fatty acids refer to saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having 8 to 14 carbon atoms. 14 The fatty acid is selected from C8, C10, C12 and C14 fatty acids. Preferred saturated fatty acids are caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid and myristic acid. Preferred unsaturated fatty acids are monounsaturated fatty acids, more preferably myristic acid (C14:1). In a preferred embodiment, C8-C 14 The fatty acids are lauric acid and / or myristic acid.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, the term C18:2 fatty acid relates to an 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acid (octadecadienoic acid) containing two double bonds in its backbone. Examples of C18:2 fatty acids are linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Preferably, the C18:2 fatty acid is linoleic acid.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, the term C18:3 fatty acid relates to an 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acid (octadecatrienoic acid) containing three double bonds in its backbone. Examples of C18:3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, octadecatrienoic acid, pucinic acid, alpha-eleostearic acid, beta-eleostearic acid. Preferably, the C18:3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid.

[0030] In the context of the present invention, the term C20:0 fatty acid relates to a 20-carbon saturated fatty acid (eg eicosanoic acid). Preferably, the C20:0 fatty acid is arachidic acid.

[0031] In the context of the present invention, the term C20:1 fatty acid relates to a 20-carbon unsaturated fatty acid (eicosenoic acid) containing one double bond in its backbone. Examples of C20:1 fatty acids are eicosenoic acid and gondocic acid. Preferably, the C20:1 fat is eicosenoic acid and gondocic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0032] In addition, it is also conceivable that other fatty acids commonly used in animal feed can be used in the fatty acid mixture of the present invention. Such fatty acids can be, for example: C4:0 (butyric acid), C6:0 (caproic acid), C22:1 (erucic acid), (20:4 arachidonic acid), 20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid), C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid), and mixtures thereof.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the fatty acid mixture does not contain other fatty acids except the fatty acids defined in iv above. In this case, the fatty acid mixture is preferably composed of: i. C16:0 fatty acids, ii. C18:1 fatty acids or mixtures thereof, optionally iii. C18:0 fatty acids, optionally iv. selected from C8-C 14 a fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids, and optionally v. a fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids selected from C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C20:1 fatty acids.

[0034] Preferably, one or more fatty acids are contained in the fatty acid mixture in each of the following amounts based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture:

[0035] iii. ≤ 4 wt.%, preferably ≤ 3 wt.%, more preferably 0.1-3 wt.%, still more preferably 1-3 wt.% of C18:0 fatty acids,

[0036] iv. ≤2 wt.%, preferably 0.1-2 wt.%, more preferably 1-2 wt.%, still more preferably 1.5-2 wt.% of a compound selected from C8-C 14A fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids,

[0037] v. ≤10 wt.%, preferably 0.1-10 wt.%, more preferably 3-10 wt.%, still more preferably 5-10 wt.% of a fatty acid or a fatty acid mixture selected from C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, C20:1 fatty acids.

[0038] Preferably, the amount of C18:2 fatty acids is ≤ 10 wt.%, more preferably 5-9 wt.%, still more preferably about 7 wt.-%, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture.

[0039] Preferably, the amount of each of C18:3, C20:0 and C20:1 fatty acids is < 0.5 wt.%, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a feed composition comprising:

[0041] a. providing a fatty acid mixture, the fatty acid mixture comprising:

[0042] i. ≥50 wt.%, preferably 50-80 wt.%, further preferably 55-65 wt.%, more preferably 57-63 wt.%, even more preferably 58-63 wt.% of C16:0 fatty acid, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture,

[0043] ii. ≤40 wt.%, preferably 15-40 wt.%, further preferably 20-37 wt.%, more preferably 25-35 wt.%, even more preferably 26-30 wt.% of C18:1 fatty acid or a mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture,

[0044] b. Based on the total amount of the feed composition, 0.001-8 wt % of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof is added to the fatty acid mixture provided in step a.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof is added to the fatty acid mixture provided in step a. Preferably, the addition is carried out under stirring.

[0046] Preferably, the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof is added in the form of an alkali metal soap, an alkaline earth metal soap or mixture thereof. More preferably, a calcium soap is added. According to another preferred embodiment, the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof is added in the form of an oxide, more preferably a calcium oxide. In the method using an oxide, water may be added to support the reaction.

[0047] The fatty acid mixture of step a. is preferably heated to a temperature in the range of 50-140° C., further preferably 60-130° C., further preferably 65-120° C. to add the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof. When adding alkali metal soap, alkaline earth metal soap or mixture thereof, the fatty acid mixture is preferably heated to a temperature in the range of 60-130° C., further preferably 70-120° C. When adding oxides, the fatty acid mixture of step a. is preferably heated to a temperature in the range of 60-80° C., further preferably 65-70° C.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a feed prepared from the feed composition of the present invention, preferably the feed composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0049] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a feed prepared by the method according to the invention, preferably a feed prepared by the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

[0050] Preferably, the feed has a fat content of higher than 85 wt.%, further preferably higher than 90 wt.%, further preferably higher than 95 wt.%, yet more preferably higher than 97 wt.%, based on the total amount of the feed composition. The fat content is measured after fat extraction and determined by the Werner-Schmid method.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the feed has a slip melting point in the range of 60-90°C, preferably 65-80°C, further preferably 70-76°C, still further preferably about 71°C, measured according to AOCS Official Method Cc 3-25, Slip melting point AOCS Standard Open Tube Melting Point, 2009.

[0052] Preferably, the moisture content of the feed is less than 10 wt.%, more preferably less than 5 wt.%, more preferably less than 4 wt.%, more preferably 3 wt.%, based on the total amount of the feed composition. To determine the moisture content of the feed, the sample is weighed, dried at 105°C for 4 hours, and then weighed again.

[0053] In the context of the present invention, the feed is preferably an animal feed, further preferably a feed for ruminants, further preferably a feed for fattening cattle and / or for lactating dairy cows.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the feed is in the form of beads, pellets, powder or flakes, preferably in the form of beads.

[0055] The features described for the feed composition according to the invention, in particular the ingredients and the amounts used, also apply, where appropriate, to the method and the feed according to the invention.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the feed according to the invention as a supplementary feed, preferably a supplementary fat feed, a supplementary energy feed and / or a supplementary rumen stabilizing feed.

[0057] The present invention surprisingly found that the feed (composition) of the present invention has improved properties compared to other products available on the market, especially rumen bypass fat, such as high fat content, optimal fatty acid composition and good stability at high temperature and pH ≤ 5.6. This is because the feed (composition) of the present invention is not a calcium soap or fractionated fat product, but a modified fractionated fat.

[0058] It has been surprisingly found that the alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions used cannot be used to make fat rumen stable. It is already rumen stable because it is based on fractionated fat. The alkali metal ions and / or alkaline earth metal ions, preferably Ca ions used in the present invention impart the property of the feed to be more stable at higher temperatures than typical fractionated fats.

[0059] However, the amount of Ca ions used in the present invention is low enough to have no adverse effect on the feed. For example, calcium soaps have a higher Ca content and therefore have a pungent smell and taste, which can reduce the feed intake of animals. For the feed of the present invention, this is not the case.

[0060] In addition, the optimal fatty acid mixture (or spectrum) of the present invention has a major impact on nutrient digestibility, energy distribution, and production response of cattle (and especially dairy cows). Feeds with higher C16:0 fatty acid content increase milk and milk fat production, while higher C18:1 fatty acid amounts increase body condition. Therefore, feeds with high levels of C16:0 and C18:1 fatty acids of the present invention increase milk fat and simultaneously increase fat digestibility and fertility. This means that the feed according to the present invention is not only more palatable, but also has a good fatty acid composition for bioavailability of cattle, and especially lactating dairy cows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In the following, advantageous embodiments will be explained by way of examples.

[0062] Example

[0063] a. Feed composition

[0064] The feed compositions and their resulting feed properties are listed in Table 1 below.

[0065] Example 1 (Ex. 1) represents a preferred embodiment of the feed composition of the present invention. Comparative Example 1 (Comp. Ex. 1) shows the composition of the prior art lime soap feed product Mega-Max (Volac Wilmar).

[0066] Table 1: Feed composition of the present invention (Ex. 1) and the composition of the prior art calcium soap feed (Comp. Ex. 1) and their resulting feed properties

[0067] Ex.1 Comp.Ex.1 Ca content, wt.% 1 9 C8:0 to C14:0 1,9 C16:0 62,8 58 C18:0 2,0 5 C18:1 27,8 28 C18:2 and higher 5,5 6 Other fatty acids - 3 Total fatty acids, wt.% 100 100 Slip melting point,℃ 71 <100 Bad smell no yes

[0068] b. Comparison of different feed types

[0069] In the following Table 2, the feed of the present invention and its properties are compared with different feeds currently available on the market, in particular rumen bypass fat (Comp. Ex. 1-3).

[0070] Example 2 (Ex. 2) relates to a feed according to the present invention. Comparative Example 2 (Comp. Ex. 2) is a hydrogenated fat product. Comparative Example 3 (Comp. Ex. 3) is a lime soap product Mega-Max (Volac Wilmar) having the feed composition listed in Comparative Example 1 (Comp. Ex. 1.) above. Comparative Example 4 relates to a fractionated fat product BergaFat F-100 (Berg + Schmidt).

[0071] Table 2: Comparison of the feed of the present invention (Example 2) and its characteristics with existing rumen bypass fat available on the market (Comp.Ex.2-4)

[0072]

[0073] Measurement method

[0074] a. Fat content

[0075] Fat content was measured after fat extraction and determined by the Werner-Schmid method.

[0076] In this method, the sample (dried, 100°C) is dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid and then extracted with ether and petroleum ether (1:1). The solvent is then removed by distillation. The dried residue is weighed. The fat content is calculated from the difference in weight between the original flask and the flask plus the extracted fat.

[0077] b. Increase melting point

[0078] The slip melting point of the feed was measured according to AOCS Official Method Cc 3-25, Slip melting point AOCS Standard Open Tube Melting Point, 2009.

[0079] According to this method, the sample is melted and filtered to ensure that there is no moisture or impurities therein. Three capillaries are immersed in the sample until they rise 10 mm in height in the tube, and then the sample is incubated at 4-10°C for 16 hours. Then, the sample is placed in a water bath at a temperature 10°C lower than the suspected sip point. The temperature is increased in steps of 1°C. The observed temperature at which each sample column rises is taken, and the average of the three samples is determined as the sip point.

Claims

1. A feed composition for preparing a feed, comprising: a. A fatty acid mixture comprising: i. ≥50wt.%, preferably 50-80wt.%, further preferably 55-65wt.%, more preferably 57-63wt.%, even more preferably 58-63wt.% C16:0 fatty acid based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture, ii. ≤40wt.%, preferably 15-40wt.%, further preferably 20-37wt.%, more preferably 25-35wt.%, even more preferably 26-30wt.% of C18:1 fatty acid or a mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture, b. 0.001-8 wt.% of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

2. The feed composition according to claim 1, characterized in that The content of alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal in the feed composition is 0.001-5 wt.%, further preferably 0.01-3 wt.%, more preferably 0.1-2 wt.%, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

3. The feed composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal is selected from sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof.

4. The feed composition according to claim 3, characterized in that The alkaline earth metal is calcium.

5. The feed composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fatty acid mixture further comprises one or more fatty acids or fatty acid mixtures selected from the following: iii. C18:0 fatty acids, iv. Selected from C8-C 14 A fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids, v. A fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids selected from the group consisting of C18:2, C18:3, C20:0 and C20:1 fatty acids.

6. The feed composition according to claim 5, characterized in that One or more fatty acids are contained in the fatty acid mixture in each of the following ratios, based on the total ratio of the fatty acid mixture: iii. ≤ 4 wt.%, preferably ≤ 3 wt.%, more preferably 0.1-3 wt.%, still more preferably 1-3 wt.% of C18:0 fatty acids, iv. ≤2 wt.%, preferably 0.1-2 wt.%, more preferably 1-2 wt.%, still more preferably 1.5-2 wt.% of a compound selected from C8-C 14 A fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids, v. ≤10 wt.%, preferably 0.1-10 wt.%, more preferably 3-10 wt.%, still more preferably 5-10 wt.% of a fatty acid or a fatty acid mixture selected from C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C21:1 fatty acids.

7. A method for preparing a feed, comprising: a. providing a fatty acid mixture, the fatty acid mixture comprising: i. ≥50wt.%, preferably 50-80wt.%, further preferably 55-65wt.%, more preferably 57-63wt.%, even more preferably 58-63wt.% C16:0 fatty acid based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture, ii. ≤40wt.%, preferably 15-40wt.%, further preferably 20-37wt.%, more preferably 25-35wt.%, even more preferably 26-30wt.% of C18:1 fatty acid or a mixture thereof, based on the total amount of the fatty acid mixture, b. Adding 0.001-8 wt.% of an alkali metal, an alkali metal or a mixture thereof to the fatty acid mixture provided in step a, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

8. The method for preparing feed according to claim 7, characterized in that The alkali metal, the alkali metal or a mixture thereof is added to the fatty acid mixture provided in step a.

9. The method for preparing feed according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof are added in the form of alkali metal soap, alkaline earth metal soap or mixtures thereof, preferably calcium soap, or in the form of oxides, preferably calcium oxides.

10. A feed prepared from a feed composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or prepared by a method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The feed according to claim 10, characterized in that The feed has a fat content higher than 85 wt.%, preferably higher than 90 wt.%, further preferably higher than 95 wt.%, yet more preferably higher than 97 wt.%, based on the total amount of the feed composition.

12. The feed according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The feed has a slip melting point in the range of 60-90°C, preferably 65-80°C, further preferably 70-76°C, still further preferably about 71°C.

13. The feed according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The feed is an animal feed, preferably a feed for ruminants, and further preferably a feed for fattening cattle and / or lactating dairy cows.

14. A feed according to any one of claims 10 to 14 in the form of beads, pellets, powder or flakes, preferably in the form of beads.

15. Use of the feed according to any one of claims 10 to 14 as a supplement, preferably a fat supplement, an energy supplement and / or a rumen stabilizing supplement.

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