Red algae feed product and method for processing red algae

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the feed product may comprise from about 10% to about 95% by weight of red algae material, based on the total weight of the feed product; from about 6% to about 40% by weight of total oil; and about 10 wt% or less of water. Further embodiments include methods of manufacture and methods of use of the feed products disclosed herein.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 411,342, filed on September 29, 2022, entitled “SEAWEED FEED PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SEAWEED” (Agent Docket No. CBH0004MA), and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486,615, filed on February 23, 2023, entitled “SEAWEED FEED PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SEAWEED” (Agent Docket No. CBH0004MA1), and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 530,759, filed on August 4, 2023, entitled “RED SEAWEED FEED PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING RED SEAWEED” (Agent Docket No. CBH0004MA1), the entire contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art Technical Field

[0003] The present specification generally relates to feed products comprising red algae material, and more particularly to feed products suitable for ruminants. Technical Background

[0005] With as many as 1.5 billion livestock worldwide, cattle, sheep and other ruminant production systems produce 20% of global greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, primarily through methane emissions. This methane emission is a byproduct of the fermentation of organic matter in the rumen of the stomach, a unique digestive system of ruminants. Therefore, there is an urgent need for methods and products that can reduce methane emissions from ruminants. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to one embodiment, the feed product may comprise from about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % red algae material; and from about 6 wt % to about 40 wt % total oil; wherein, based on the total weight of the feed product, the feed product comprises about 10 wt % or less water.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a method of making a feed product may include drying red algae to form a seaweed material; converting the seaweed material into particles; and combining the particles with about 1 wt % to about 35 wt % of at least one added oil to produce a feed product. The feed product may contain about 10 wt % or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a method of feeding a ruminant may include administering to the ruminant an amount of a feed product effective to reduce methane emissions from the ruminant.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Embodiments and processing and use methods of feed products as herein described will now be described in detail.According to one or more embodiments, the feed products comprise red algae material and oil.As described in detail herein, it has been found that the use of seaweed material comprising one or more halogenated compounds such as bromoform to ruminants can reduce the methane production of ruminants.However, due to the mixing of seaweed with ruminant feed, palatability, inhalation hazards, food classification of ruminants, stability of seaweed and halogenated compounds contained therein, stability of feed products or the problems such as cost, it may be difficult to use seaweed material to ruminants.Embodiments described herein meet these demands by providing a feed product comprising red algae material, oil and water of specific concentration.Other embodiments described herein relate to manufacture method and application method of feed products.

[0011] As described herein, embodiments relate to feed products containing red algae materials. Feed products described herein refer to any material eaten (such as consumed and / or digested) by animals (such as ruminants), including seaweed materials or processed materials derived from seaweed materials. According to different embodiments, feed products described herein can be consumed by animals alone (i.e., mainly consuming feed without consuming other feed materials), or consumed with other feeds (i.e., mixed with other feed materials or "mixed" with other feeds such as forage). In certain embodiments, feed products described herein can account for only a relatively small amount in the overall diet of animals, and can be regarded as a supplement to another bulk feed. For example, feeds described herein can be eaten by animals together with other feeds, such as forage (including, for example, grass or leguminous crops (such as alfalfa) forage), silage, corn, soybeans, other seeds, oils, dietary supplements, etc. For example, in certain embodiments, feed products described herein can be mixed with other feeds such as corn and / or soybeans. In other embodiments, animals can graze, or otherwise provide any of a variety of forages, and feed a certain amount of feed products described herein alone. It is contemplated that the feed products described herein may be part of a feeding regimen that may vary depending on the breed and type of ruminant, such as dairy cows, feedlot beef cattle, "high-end" cattle (such as Wagyu or other high-end cattle types), free-range cattle, etc., and may also vary depending on the feeding method (such as feedlots or grazing systems or a combination of the two). Each type of ruminant may have a specialized diet that includes the feed products and other additives.

[0012] According to different embodiments, feed products described herein can be consumed and / or digested by ruminants. As described herein and understood by those skilled in the art, "ruminants" can refer to herbivorous, ungulate mammals (Ruminantia and Tylopoda) with complex three-chambered stomachs or four-chambered stomachs. Ruminants include but are not limited to cattle, sheep, deer, goats, giraffes, camels and llamas. Ruminants described herein can be domesticated, such as ruminants for direct human food consumption, dairy production purposes and / or entertainment. In certain embodiments, ruminants are cattle. In certain embodiments, ruminants can be dairy cows, beef cattle, "high-end" cattle such as Wagyu, free-range cattle or other, or can be varied according to feeding methods (e.g., feedlots or grazing systems or combinations thereof). In one embodiment, ruminants are beef cattle. In another embodiment, ruminants are dairy cows. In another embodiment, ruminants are free-range cattle. In certain embodiments, ruminants are sheep.

[0013] In embodiments described herein, feed products include red algae materials containing one or more halogenated compounds (naturally present in seaweed when harvested). "Red algae" used herein refers to seaweed known as "Bonnemaisoniaceae", including its genus, species and variants (whether natural or synthetic). Bonnemaisoniaceae includes Asparagopsis, Bonnemaisoniaceae, Delisea, Ptilonia, Leptophyllis and Pleuroblepharidella. In one embodiment described herein, the seaweed material is a genus or a species of Bonnemaisoniaceae, and in another embodiment, it is a combination of two or more genera or species. In one embodiment herein, the seaweed material is Asparagopsis material. In one embodiment herein, the seaweed material is Asparagopsis taxiformis material. In another embodiment herein, the seaweed material is Asparagopsis armata material. In another embodiment of this article, the seaweed material is a combination of Asparagaceae material and Asparagaceae material. In any embodiment of this article, the seaweed material is a processed material derived from Eucalyptus globulus seaweed, such as a processed material derived from Asparagaceae seaweed. In one embodiment of this article, the seaweed material is dried, wherein this drying can be completed by the method described herein or according to methods known to ordinary technicians. As used herein, "drying" about seaweed material refers to that the seaweed material is in a sufficiently dry state so that the feed product containing the seaweed material contains about 10% or less water based on the gross weight of the feed product. Any red algae material, including any material processed therefrom, can be referred to as seaweed material in this article.

[0014] As described herein, "halogenated compound" refers to any compound including halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine). As described herein, these halogenated compounds are generally present in the glands of certain seaweeds. Throughout this disclosure, the description of "halogenated compound" or "halogenated compound" may refer to one or more halogenated compounds present in seaweed (such as specialized seaweed glands) at the time of harvest or after harvesting and processing. It is contemplated herein that feed products may include added halogenated compounds (compounds also included in feed products in addition to compounds already inherent in seaweed materials). In certain embodiments, halogenated compounds are organic, generally meaning that halogens are combined with carbon molecular skeletons, which can be understood by those skilled in the art. In certain embodiments, halogenated compounds include halogens selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

[0015] A non-exhaustive list of organic halogenated compounds contemplated includes bromoform; dibromo(iodo)methane; bromo(diiodo)methane; iodoform; dibromo(chloro)methane; bromochloroiodomethane; dibromomethane; bromo(iodo)methane; diiodomethane; tetrabromomethane; acetyl iodide; 2-iodoethanol; 1-bromo-2-iodoethane; 2,2-dibromoacetaldehyde; 1-bromopropan-2-one; 1-iodopropan-2-one; 1,1-dibromopropan-2-one; 1-bromobutan-2-one; 1-bromo-3-iodopropan-2-one; 1,1,1-tribromopropan-2-one; 1,1-dibromo-1-chloropropan-2-one; 1,3-dibromobutan-2-one; 1,1-dibromopropan-2-one Bromo-3-iodoprop-2-one; 1,1,3,3-tetrabromoprop-2-one; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexachloroprop-2-one; 1,1,3-tribromoprop-2-ol; 1,1,3,3-tetrabromoprop-1-ene; 1,1,3-tribromo-3-chloroprop-1-ene; 1,1-dibromo-3,3-dichloroprop-1-ene; 1,3,3-tribromo-1-iodoprop-1-ene; 3,3-dibromoprop-2-enal; 4,4-dibromobut-3-en-2-one; 1,4,4-tribromobut-3-en-2-one; 1-iodo-4,4-dibromobut-3-en-2-one; 1,1,4, 4-Tetrabromobut-3-en-2-one; 1,4,4-tribromo-1-chlorobut-3-en-2-one; 1,1,4-tribromo-4-chlorobut-3-en-2-one; 1,1-dibromo-4,4-dichlorobut-3-en-2-one; 1,4-dibromo-1,4-dichlorobut-3-en-2-one; 2-chloroacetic acid; 2-bromoacetic acid; 2-iodoacetic acid; 2,2-dichloroacetic acid; 2-bromo-2-chloroacetic acid; 2-iodo-2-chloroacetic acid; 2,2-dibromoacetic acid; 2-iodo-2-bromoacetic acid; 2,2-diiodoacetic acid; 3-chloroprop-2-enoic acid; 2-chloroprop-2-enoic acid; 3-bromoprop-2 -enoic acid; 3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid; 3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid; 3,3-dichloroprop-2-enoic acid; 2,3-dichloroprop-2-enoic acid; 3,3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid; 2,3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid; 3-iodo-3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid; 2-iodo-3-bromoprop-2-enoic acid; 2-bromo-3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid; 3,3-diiodoprop-2-enoic acid; 2,3-diiodoprop-2-enoic acid; 2,3,3-tribromoprop-2-enoic acid; 2,3-dibromo-3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid; 2-iodo-3,3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid; dibromochloromethane and bromochloromethane. At least bromoform, dibromochloromethane and bromochloromethane are known to be components of certain seaweed species such as Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata.

[0016] In one embodiment, the halogenated compound comprises bromine.Under the situation of being not limited, what deserves special attention in the embodiment of the present invention is bromoform, and it has been proved that it can reduce the methane emission of ruminants.But, not bound by any theory, it is believed that except bromoform, other halogenated compounds may also affect the methane emission reduction of ruminants, therefore using these other compounds may also be useful.

[0017] The feed product comprises one or more oils. Some oils may be inherent in the seaweed material (i.e., present in the seaweed before harvesting and drying procedures and adding additional oil), and some oils may be mixed with the seaweed material or otherwise merged to form the feed product. The oil mixed or otherwise merged is referred to as "added oil" in this article. As used herein, inherent oil and any added oil constitute the total oil in the feed product. In embodiments, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product comprises about 6 wt % to about 40 wt %, such as about 7 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 35 wt %, about The total oil of about 35 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, about 15 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, about 20 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, about 6 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 7 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 8 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 15 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 20 % by weight to about 30 % by weight or its any subset. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of feed products, feed products comprise the total oil of about 22 % by weight to about 40 % by weight or about 25 % by weight to about 40 % by weight. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of feed products, feed products comprise the total oil of about 22 % by weight to about 35 % by weight or about 25 % by weight to about 35 % by weight. The amount of total oil is measured according to the method described in "Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with High Accuracy and Reliability. IV Fats with Fatty Acids Containing Four or More Carbon Atoms" JAOCS, Vol. 62, No. 10 (October 1985). It should be understood that, as needed, those of ordinary skill in the art can make slight modifications to the method to measure the amount of total oil in feed products.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the feed product may include up to about 5% by weight of the oil inherent in the seaweed material (i.e., present in the seaweed after harvesting and drying procedures and before adding additional oil). The composition of the inherent oil may be the same or different from the oil added, and may be produced by the seaweed itself when growing. The amount and composition of the oil may depend on the type of red algae, the conditions of red algae growth, harvesting or processing, and the concentration of red algae in the feed. In certain embodiments, at least some of the oil inherent in the seaweed material comprises one or more fatty acid moieties with a carbon chain length of 14 to 24 (i.e., C14 to CH24). In certain embodiments, at least some of the oils inherent in the algal material comprise butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, myristoleic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, palmitoleic, heptadecanoic, heptadecenoic, stearic, octadecenoic, oleic, linoleic, α-linoleic, γ-linoleic, dihomo-γ-linoleic, octadecatrienoic, steridonic, eicosanoic, eicosenoic, eicosatrienoic, and eicosatrienoic acids. In some embodiments, the feed product may include 5 wt % or less, about 4 wt % or less, about 3 wt % or less, about 2 wt % or less, about 1.5 wt % or less, or about 1 wt % or less of the oil inherent in the seaweed material.

[0019] Feed products can also include the oil added. The oil added can be different from the oil inherent in the seaweed in composition, or can have the same or similar composition. As used herein, the term " oil " relevant to the oil added refers to any non-polar hydrophobic substance, which is generally liquid at ambient temperature and pressure when in a single state. Oil can come from animals, plants or petrochemical products, and generally has high carbon and hydrogen content. In certain embodiments, the oil added is an edible oil. In certain embodiments, the oil added derives from one or more plants (including natural origin and synthesis). The oil added can include edible oil, such as vegetable oil (for example, from plant materials except seaweed). The oil added can significantly reduce dust, and can cover up smell, increase safety and palatability. In addition, adding the oil added can reduce the loss of active compounds such as bromoform or other organic halogenated compounds in the results, processing, transportation, storage and application of feed products. The added oils may include, but are not limited to, almond oil, apricot oil, argan oil, avocado oil, Brazil nut oil, cashew oil, canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, grapefruit seed oil, grapeseed oil, hazelnut oil, hemp oil, lemon oil, linseed oil, macadamia oil, mustard oil, olive oil, orange oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, peanut oil, pecan oil, pine nut oil, pistachio oil, pumpkin seed oil, rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, vegetable oil (which may be a general term for a combination of multiple vegetable oils, or a more specific combination of vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, corn oil, or a combination of soybean oil and corn oil), walnut oil or other vegetable oils, including any mixture of any of the foregoing substances. In one embodiment, the oil added is canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil or vegetable oil, including any mixture of any of the foregoing substances. In one embodiment, the oil added is canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil or vegetable oil, including any mixture of any of the foregoing substances. In one embodiment, the oil added is canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, including any mixture of any of the foregoing substances. In one embodiment, the oil added is canola oil. In certain embodiments, the oil added is one or more than one oil, two or more than two oils or three or more than three oils.Based on the gross weight of feed product, feed product can comprise the oil of the interpolation of about 1 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, for example, about 3 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 15 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 20 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 1 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 3 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 8 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 8 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, or any subset thereof. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of feed product, feed product comprises the oil of the interpolation of about 17 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, or about 20 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, or about 23 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, or any subset thereof. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product comprises the oil added of about 17 wt % to about 30 wt %, or about 20 wt % to about 30 wt %, or about 23 wt % to about 30 wt %, or any subset thereof. The amount of the oil added is measured according to the method described in "Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with High Accuracy and Reliability. IV Fats with Fatty Acids Containing Four or More Carbon Atoms," JAOCS, Vol. 62, No. 10 (October 1985). It should be understood that, as required, those of ordinary skill in the art can make slight modifications to the method to measure the amount of the oil added in the feed product.

[0020] Not limited by theory, it is believed that relatively high total oil content, including relatively high oil content of interpolation, provides many unexpected benefits in aspects such as bromoform stability and overall product efficacy.In addition, under these relatively high total oil content, when being exposed to feeding conditions, as being exposed to the open feeding area in the environment, no matter in beef cattle or dairy cow feeding area, or in open grazing area, for example in a strong wind, feed products can play a role in a more effective and efficient manner.Therefore, feed products may be particularly beneficial in that the embodiment of the total oil of about 22 % by weight to about 40 % by weight or about 25 % by weight to about 40 % by weight of the gross weight based on feed products.Feed products may also be particularly beneficial in that the embodiment of the oil of interpolation of about 17 % by weight to about 35 % by weight or about 22 % by weight to about 35 % by weight of the gross weight based on feed products or about 25 % by weight to about 35 % by weight.

[0021] The feed product can comprise a relatively small amount of water. In one embodiment, the feed product comprises a seaweed material derived from red algae, which has been dried in a certain way after the harvest, wherein drying is carried out according to the method described herein or a method known to those of ordinary skill. The presence of excess water can shorten the shelf life of the feed product by allowing bacteria to grow, increase the weight of the feed product and therefore increase transportation costs, and degrade the halogenated compounds (e.g. bromoform) in the feed product. Therefore, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product can comprise about 10 % by weight or less, about 8 % by weight or less, about 6 % by weight or less, about 4 % by weight or less, about 2 % by weight or less, or about 1 % by weight or less water.

[0022] At 25°C, the water activity of the feed product may be about 0.85 or less. Typically, water activity is a measure of the strength of binding of water molecules to a feed product. Even if water is present, it cannot support the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds if it is tightly bound to the feed product. If the water activity is too high (i.e., not tightly bound), there may be enough water in the feed product to grow bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Therefore, feed products with sufficiently low water activity can be storage-stable and do not require refrigeration or special handling. In an embodiment, the feed product may have a water activity of about 0.6 or less, about 0.4 or less, or about 0.2 or less at 25°C. Water activity is measured according to ISO 18787:2017.

[0023] The feed product comprises red algae material. The seaweed material can come from any genus of the Eucalyptus family including organic halogenated compounds (e.g., bromoform). These seaweed species include, but are not limited to, Asparagus truncatus and Asparagus spinosus. However, it is expected that other types of red algae may include one or more organic halogenated compounds, or that seaweed genetic variants may include one or more organic halogenated compounds, all of which are considered to be applicable to the embodiments disclosed herein. As used herein, seaweed material also includes any component or other material derived from, processed from, or otherwise obtained from seaweed material. Based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product may include about 10% by weight to about 95% by weight of seaweed material. As used herein, this is based on the dry weight of the seaweed material included in the feed product, although it should be understood that the seaweed material of this dry weight may necessarily contain some moisture. As used herein, "dry weight" or "dry" about seaweed material refers to that the seaweed material is in a sufficiently dry state so that the feed product comprising the seaweed material includes about 10% or less water based on the gross weight of the feed product. In an embodiment, the feed product comprises about 10% to about 90% by weight, about 10% to about 75% by weight, about 10% to about 50% by weight, about 10% to about 40% by weight, about 20% to about 95% by weight, about 20% to about 90% by weight, about 20% to about 75% by weight, about 20% to about 50% by weight, about 20% to about 40% by weight, about 30% to about 95% by weight, about 30% to about 90% by weight, about 30% to about 75% by weight, about 30% to about 50% by weight, about 30% to about 40% by weight, about 40% to about 95% by weight, about 40% to about 90% by weight, about 40% to about 75% by weight, about 40% to about 50% by weight, or any subset thereof of seaweed material, based on the total weight of the feed product. The total weight of the feed product includes the weight of any water and / or oil present in the feed product and any other optional components. In embodiments, the feed product may comprise at least about 25 wt% or more algal material, or from about 25 wt% to about 45 wt% of the feed product, based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0024] In order to achieve low water content, low water activity and the goal of converting seaweed material into particles, seaweed may have been dried. Seaweed obtained from the ocean or harvested from ponds or tanks may include up to about 80% by weight of water by the total weight of the seaweed material obtained or harvested. In addition, seaweed is dried to make it easier for seaweed to be converted into particles. Drying seaweed under a frozen state may bring additional stability advantages. Expected drying methods include but are not limited to freeze drying, freeze sublimation drying (similar to freeze drying, but without pressure changes) and refractive window drying (wherein using infrared energy to dry the product). In embodiments, seaweed is freeze dried seaweed material. Not limited by theory, it is believed that freeze dried seaweed material may have structural features different from seaweed or conventional dry seaweed material when harvested.

[0025] The seaweed material in the feed product can exist in the form of particles. "Particles" used herein refer to discrete fragments of seaweed material, which can be separated from other discrete fragments without substantial changes in size or shape. For example, particles of a given size can be able to pass through a sieve of that size without substantial changes. In embodiments, based on the gross weight of the particles, the diameter of about 80% by weight or more of the seaweed material particles before mixing with the oil added may be about 35 μm to about 420 μm. In embodiments, based on the gross weight of the particles, the diameter of about 90% by weight or more of the particles before mixing with the oil added may be about 35 μm or larger, the particle diameter of about 50% by weight or more of the particles may be about 160 μm or larger, and the particle diameter of about 90% by weight or more of the particles may be about 420 μm or less.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the particles of seaweed material are at least partially agglomerates of seaweed material and added oil or other ingredients of the feed product. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that cattle are good at sorting food and may refuse to eat food particles that lack sufficient palatability or tactile preference. As the particles become larger, such as greater than 1 cm, this sorting problem becomes more serious. In addition, it is believed that extremely small particles, such as particles with a diameter of less than 10 μm, may pose an inhalation hazard to animals and workers. The presence of such particles often requires the use of expensive and time-consuming personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, due to the extremely high surface area to mass ratio of these small particles, coupled with the influence of static charge, they may be blown away, such as in the feeding environment of ruminants.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets) having a particle size distribution such that at least about 60 wt%, at least about 70 wt%, at least about 80 wt%, at least about 90 wt%, at least about 95 wt%, or at least about 99 wt% of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm to about 1 cm, based on the total weight of the particles (including pellets) in the feed product. In certain embodiments, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets) having a particle size distribution such that, based on the total weight of the particles in the feed product, at least about 60% by weight, at least about 70% by weight, at least about 80% by weight, at least about 90% by weight, at least about 95% by weight, or at least about 99% by weight of the particles may have a diameter of from about 10 μm to about 1 cm, from about 50 μm to about 1 cm, from about 100 μm to about 1 cm, from about 250 μm to about 1 cm, from about 500 μm to about 1 cm, from about 1000 μm to about 1 cm, from about 2500 μm to about 1 cm, from about 5000 μm to about 1 cm, from about 10 μm to about 8000 μm, from about 10 μm to about 5000 μm, from about 10 μm to about 2500 μm, from about 10 μm to about 2500 μm, or any subset thereof.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets) having a particle size distribution such that, based on the total volume of the particles (including pellets) in the feed product, at least about 60 volume percent (vol.%), at least about 70 volume percent, at least about 80 volume percent, at least about 90 volume percent, at least about 95 volume percent, or at least about 99 volume percent of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm to about 1 cm. In certain embodiments, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets) having a particle size distribution such that, based on the total volume of the particles in the feed product, at least about 60% by volume, at least about 70% by volume, at least about 80% by volume, at least about 90% by volume, at least about 95% by volume, or at least about 99% by volume of the particles may have a diameter of from about 10 μm to about 1 cm, from about 50 μm to about 1 cm, from about 100 μm to about 1 cm, from about 250 μm to about 1 cm, from about 500 μm to about 1 cm, from about 1000 μm to about 1 cm, from about 2500 μm to about 1 cm, from about 5000 μm to about 1 cm, from about 10 μm to about 8000 μm, from about 10 μm to about 5000 μm, from about 10 μm to about 2500 μm, from about 10 μm to about 1000 μm, or any subset thereof.

[0029] For example, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets of algal material and added oil), wherein at least about 95% by weight of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm or greater, based on the total weight of the particles in the feed product. In embodiments, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or at least about 99.9% by weight of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm or greater, based on the total weight of the particles in the feed product.

[0030] For example, the feed product may comprise particles (including pellets of algal material and added oil), wherein at least about 95% by volume of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm or greater, based on the total volume of the particles in the feed product. In embodiments, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or at least about 99.9% by volume of the particles may have a diameter of about 10 μm or greater, based on the total volume of the particles in the feed product.

[0031] As used herein, the particles or agglomerates therein are not circular, and the diameter of the particles is the longest dimension. The size of the particles or agglomerates can be measured according to ISO 13320:2020 standard using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer (e.g., an instrument provided by Malvern Panalytical). Particles or agglomerates that are too large to be measured using a particle size analyzer can be measured using microscopic techniques, such as scanning electron microscopes or optical microscopes. Even larger particles or agglomerates can also be measured using a sieve. Methods that can be used to measure particle and agglomerate sizes are well known to those of ordinary skill. Particle diameter can be expressed based on measurements of weight, volume, or count. A measurement method based on the volume of particles and agglomerates is particularly provided herein.

[0032] The feed product may be in the form of a powder. As used herein, "powder" refers to a dry, loose solid consisting of a plurality of particles, such as a pellet of seaweed material and added oil having a diameter of about 10 μm to about 1 cm, which can flow substantially freely when shaken, tilted or otherwise moved. In a powder, the particles can move relative to each other and collectively assume the shape of their container. However, a powder may not include a sufficient amount of liquid to form a paste or gel.

[0033] According to other embodiments, the feed product can also include molasses or other sugars. In one embodiment of this article, molasses is dry molasses. Adding molasses can significantly reduce dust, mask odor, and increase palatability. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the addition of molasses can alleviate odor, improve palatability and retain bromoform or other halogenated compounds. Molasses can be used in combination with the oil added. The amount of molasses or other sugars used can be high enough to be effective, but low enough to make the feed product still powder. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product includes about 1% to about 50% molasses, or about 2% to about 40% molasses, or about 5% to about 30% molasses, or about 10% to about 25% molasses, or 10% to 20% molasses, or 12% to 18% molasses, or 14% to 16% molasses. It should be understood that the feed product can include both molasses and oil. In certain embodiments, the feed product may comprise 10% to 20% molasses, 10% to 20% added oil, and 60% to 80% algal material based on the total weight of the feed product. In any of the foregoing embodiments, the molasses may be dry molasses of a composition well known to those of ordinary skill.

[0034] As described herein, feed products can include a binding agent. The binding agent can be combined with one or more halogenated compounds (e.g., bromoform) to produce one or more combined halogenated compounds. Materials including halogenated compounds combined with a binding agent are sometimes referred to herein as combined halogenated compound materials, wherein one or more halogenated compounds are combined with a binding agent. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that during transportation, storage, and processing of feed products or feed product ingredients, combined halogenated compounds may be more stable than uncombined halogenated compounds.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the binder can be any material (including mixtures of compounds) that can bind to the desired halogenated compound. As described herein, a halogenated compound "bound" to a binder refers to a halogenated compound that is chemically linked to the binder. Various chemical bonds are considered, such as chemical bonding (such as a complex formed by two or more compounds), hydrogen bonding, covalent bonding, ionic bonding, van der Waals bonding, or polar covalent bonding. Generally, the binding effects of these materials such as cyclic oligosaccharides will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, cyclodextrins can form complexes with one or more halogenated compounds considered herein, or be otherwise combined with them. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more cyclodextrins are combined with bromoform to form a chemical complex or combination to form a solid precipitate.

[0036] As described herein, the binding agent included in the feed products described herein may be combined with one or more halogenated compounds or not. For example, a portion of the binding agent may be combined with one or more halogenated compounds, while a portion may not be combined with one or more halogenated compounds. For example, compared to the stoichiometric binding equivalent of the halogenated compound, an excess of the binding agent may be present so that all of the halogenated compounds are combined.

[0037] According to one or more embodiments, the feed product may include about 0.01 wt % or more of a binding agent (including bound and unbound binding agents). In other embodiments, based on the total weight of the feed product, the feed product may include less than about 0.01 wt %, about 0.02 wt % or more, about 0.03 wt % or more, about 0.04 wt % or more, about 0.05 wt % or more, about 0.1 wt % or more, about 0.2 wt % or more, about 0.3 wt % or more, about 0.4 wt % or more, about 0.5 wt % or more, about 0.6 wt % or more, about 0.7 wt % or more, about 0.8 wt % or more, about 0.9 wt % or more, or even about 1 wt % or more of a binding agent. As described herein, the amount of the binding agent does not include halogenated compounds that can be bound to the binding agent. For example, a mixture of about 1 wt % cyclodextrin (1 g / 100 g seaweed material) can bind about 200 mg of bromoform, or about 0.2% bromoform in unharvested seaweed.

[0038] According to various embodiments, the binder may be a naturally occurring or synthetic material, or a combination of materials having limited or no pharmaceutical activity. For example, the binder may comprise a material recognized by those skilled in the art as harmless to animals after consumption, and may be a naturally occurring material or a synthetic material. In certain embodiments, the feed products described herein do not contain any active pharmaceutical ingredients or biologically active materials other than those that may be present in unharvested seaweed. For example, but not limited to, some cyclic oligosaccharides, such as cyclodextrins, are believed to be substantially harmless or completely harmless to ruminants and other animals when consumed.

[0039] According to one or more embodiments, as described herein, the binder can be an organic binder or an inorganic binder. As understood by those skilled in the art, an organic binder generally includes a carbon skeleton structure, while an inorganic binder does not include a carbon skeleton structure.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the organic binding agent may include one or more cyclic oligosaccharides. As used herein, the term "cyclic oligosaccharide" refers to a cyclic structure comprising six or more sugar units. Some exemplary embodiments used herein are cyclic oligosaccharides with six, seven or eight sugar units and combinations thereof. Six-membered, seven-membered and eight-membered cyclic oligosaccharides are usually abbreviated as α, β and γ in the art.

[0041] The cyclic oligosaccharide used in the composition of the present embodiment can include any suitable sugar or mixture of sugars. The example of suitable sugar includes but is not limited to glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, maltose and combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharide used herein is alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin or combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharide used herein is alpha-cyclodextrin. In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharide used herein is beta-cyclodextrin.

[0042] The cyclic oligosaccharide or the mixture of cyclic oligosaccharides used in the embodiments described herein can be substituted by any suitable substituent or a mixture of substituents. The term "mixture of substituents" used herein refers to that two or more different suitable substituents can be substituted on the cyclic oligosaccharide. The derivatives of cyclodextrin can be mainly composed of molecules in which some hydroxyls are substituted. Suitable substituents include but are not limited to alkyl; hydroxyalkyl; dihydroxyalkyl; (hydroxyalkyl) alkylene bridging groups, such as cyclodextrin glycerol ether; aryl; maltosyl; allyl; benzyl; alkanoyl; cationic cyclodextrin, such as cyclodextrin containing 2-hydroxy-3-(dimethylamino) propyl ether; quaternary ammonium group; anionic cyclodextrin, such as carboxyalkyl, sulfobutyl ether group, sulfate group and succinate; amphoteric cyclodextrin; and combinations thereof.

[0043] Substituents can be saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched. Some substituents include saturated straight chain alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and combinations thereof. Some alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C8 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl and combinations thereof. Embodiments of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents include propyl, ethyl and methyl.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharides used in the presently disclosed embodiments are unsubstituted or substituted only with saturated linear alkyl or hydroxyalkyl substituents. Thus, some examples of cyclic oligosaccharides used herein are alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, methyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. One or more of these compounds are available from Wacker-Chemie GmbH Hanns-Seidel-Platz 4, Munich, Germany, under the trade names Alpha W6M and Beta W7 M, respectively.

[0045] According to other embodiments, the organic binder may include one or more amphiphilic components that combine to form an aggregate structure in an aqueous system, and in some embodiments, the aggregate structure has a lipophilic interior. Non-limiting examples of amphiphilic components include ethoxylated castor oil and ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil. In other embodiments, the organic binder may include one or more amphiphilic multi-arm star block copolymers, such as those described by Ternat et al. (Macromol.Chem.Phys.208:131 2007). In other embodiments, the organic binder may also include one or more polymeric emulsifiers with a lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion. Non-limiting examples of this polymeric emulsifier include acrylates / C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosslinked polymers obtained by Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) with the trade name PEMULEN.

[0046] In other embodiments, the binder may be an inorganic binder, such as, but not limited to, a molecular sieve, such as a zeolite. Zeolites may be composed of angularly-shared [SiO4] 4- or [AlO4] 5- Crystalline aluminosilicates formed by tetrahedrons have periodic one- to three-dimensional frameworks, unique pore structures, and good physical and chemical stability.

[0047] According to one or more embodiments described herein, the feed product may additionally include one or more quality extenders. In one embodiment, the feed product may include one or more quality extenders to help ensure the appropriate level of halogenated compounds relative to the total weight of the feed product. For example, the quality extenders described herein may also include one or more grains, such as barley, sorghum, oats, wheat, corn, or other similar grains that can be fed to cattle or other ruminants; whole, ground or granulated grass / silage materials, including alfalfa, corn silage, straw or hay; whole or ground cellulose waste streams, including cottonseed, almond shells, wheat grains, citrus peels; or combinations of these. One or more quality extenders may be whole, ground, steamed, processed into flour or otherwise processed into a desired form. In one embodiment, the feed product includes barley flour. In another embodiment, the feed product includes wheat flour. In another embodiment, the feed product includes barley flour and wheat flour. In certain embodiments, the feed product comprises from about 15 wt % to about 85 wt %, from about 15 wt % to about 75 wt %, from about 15 wt % to about 65 wt %, from about 15 wt % to about 55 wt %, from about 15 wt % to about 45 wt %, from about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, from about 25 wt % to about 85 wt %, from about 25 wt % to about 75 wt %, from about 25 wt % to about 65 wt %, from about 25 wt % to about 55 wt %, from about 35 wt % to about 85 wt %, from about 35 wt % to about 75 wt %, from about 35 wt % to about 65 wt %, from about 35 wt % to about 55 wt %, from about 45 wt % to about 85 wt %, from about 45 wt % to about 75 wt %, from about 45 wt % to about 65 wt %, from about 45 wt % to about 55 wt %, or any subset thereof of a mass extender, based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0048] In other embodiments, feed products as herein described can also include one or more flow control agents, such as silicon dioxide (including for example fumed silica), tricalcium phosphate, etc., to avoid caking, so that material flows in bulk. In embodiments, based on the gross weight of feed products, feed products as herein described can include about 0 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, about 0.75 wt % to about 1.25 wt % or the flow control agent of any subset thereof. One or more flow control agents may be particularly useful in feed products with a relatively high amount of total oil or the amount of the oil added. In such embodiments, feed products may be particularly beneficial to include a flow control agent based on the gross weight of feed products of about 1.25 wt % to about 2 wt % or about 1.5 wt % to about 2 wt %. In other embodiments, the feed products described herein may also include other stability enhancers, such as antioxidants (such as vitamin E), etc., to avoid any oxidative stability issues. In other embodiments, the feed products described herein may also include added vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. In further embodiments, the feed products described herein may be added with active pharmaceutical ingredients.

[0049] The feed product may include about 0.2 wt % to about 2 wt % of one or more halogenated compounds, such as bromoform, based on the total weight of the feed product. In embodiments, the feed product may include about 0.2 wt % to about 1.8 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.6 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.4 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 1.6 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.4 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 2.8 wt %. % to about 2 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 1.6 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 1.8 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 1 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%, about 0.2 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, about 0.2 wt% to about 0.7 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 0.7 wt%, or any subset thereof of a halogenated compound.

[0050] According to other embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for raising ruminants. According to these methods, a certain amount of feed products that can effectively reduce the methane emissions of ruminants can be administered to ruminants. As described herein, administering feed products can include multiple steps, such as providing feed products to ruminants and allowing ruminants to eat and digest feed products. For example, feed products can be mixed with other feeds or provided to ruminants separately. According to different embodiments, feed products disclosed herein can be administered to animals continuously (e.g., eaten with normal rations every day) or at specific intervals (e.g., about once a week or month).

[0051] In embodiments, in addition to the feed product, pasture, cereals or a combination thereof may also be administered to the ruminant. The feed product may be mixed with pasture, cereals or both in a mixing device. The combined feed product and pasture / cereal may then be administered to the ruminant. In embodiments, the ruminant may be administered the feed product alone as a treat, and pasture, cereals or a combination thereof may be administered separately.

[0052] According to one or more embodiments, a method of making a feed product may include drying red algae to form a seaweed material; converting the seaweed material into particles; and mixing the particles with about 1 wt % to about 35 wt % of at least one added oil based on the total weight of the feed product, thereby producing a feed product. In certain embodiments, described method can comprise particle and the oil of the interpolation of about 1 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 3 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 15 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 20 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 1 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 3 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 8 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 5 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 8 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 10 % by weight to about 20 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 20 % by weight or its any subset is mixed.Based on the gross weight of feed product, feed product can comprise about 10 % by weight or less water. In embodiments, the feed product may comprise about 8 wt % or less, about 6 wt % or less, about 4 wt % or less, about 2 wt % or less, or about 1 wt % or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0053] In one embodiment herein, it may be advantageous to provide a feed product comprising relatively low levels of iodine. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product comprises approximately 0.5 % by weight or less, approximately 0.25 % by weight or less, approximately 0.1 % by weight or less, or approximately 0.05 % by weight or less iodine. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the feed product, the feed product comprises approximately 0.01 % by weight to approximately 0.5 % by weight, approximately 0.01 % by weight to approximately 0.25 % by weight, approximately 0.05 % by weight to approximately 0.25 % by weight, or approximately 0.1 % by weight to approximately 0.25 % by weight, or the iodine of any subset thereof. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that this iodine level is based on measuring the analysis of the iodide content present in any one of the multiple total iodine-containing compounds that may exist.

[0054] According to one or more embodiments, harvested red algae may be provided. In certain embodiments, harvested seaweed may be provided by harvesting precursor seaweed. As described herein, precursor seaweed is seaweed that is formed into the seaweed material of the feed product described herein after any of various processing steps (e.g., cutting, packaging, etc.). As described herein, harvesting generally refers to collecting the seaweed crop, such as by cutting or other mechanical means, and removing the seaweed from its growing habitat. In other embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be provided by another party, and the following steps may also apply.

[0055] As described herein, it is contemplated that other processing steps may be performed between harvesting and / or supplying the harvested seaweed and the initial contact with the aqueous solution. For example, in certain embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be transported by ship from the harvesting site prior to contacting the aqueous solution. In other embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be physically altered, such as by cutting, chopping, etc., prior to the drying, conversion, and mixing steps.

[0056] Red algae can be dried to form seaweed material. Drying seaweed helps preserve the halogenated compounds in the seaweed material, and helps preserve seaweed material and feed products by reducing water activity. In addition, in some embodiments where seaweed is dried before being converted into particles, it may be easier to convert seaweed into particles. Expected drying methods include but are not limited to freeze drying, freeze sublimation drying (similar to freeze drying, but without pressure changes) and refractive window drying (wherein using infrared energy to dry the product). After drying, the seaweed material may contain a certain amount of moisture, which is well known to those of ordinary skill.

[0057] Seaweed can be converted into granules. In embodiments, the seaweed material can be converted into granules by crushing, grinding, milling or similar processes.

[0058] The seaweed material may be mixed or otherwise combined with at least one added oil. In certain embodiments, the seaweed material may be mixed with at least one added oil by spraying the seaweed material with the added oil, by mixing the seaweed material and the added oil in a mixer, by coextruding the seaweed material and the added oil, or any combination of these methods or other methods known to those of ordinary skill.

[0059] The seaweed material may be combined with at least one of a binding agent, a flow control agent, molasses, or a mass extender. In embodiments, the seaweed material may be mixed or otherwise combined with at least one of a binding agent, a flow control agent, molasses, or a mass extender in a mixer, extruder, or other similar mixing device.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the seaweed material in the feed product can also be processed to reduce the content of water-soluble salts, particularly halide salts. For example, reducing these materials can improve palatability for ruminants. In certain embodiments, the seaweed feed material can improve palatability for cattle, sheep, or other ruminants compared to freshly harvested seaweed.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, a method of feeding a ruminant with a feed product of the present invention is provided herein. In one or more embodiments, a method of reducing ruminant methane emissions is provided herein, comprising feeding a ruminant with a feed product of the present invention. In one embodiment, the ruminant is administered with a feed product for about 10 days or longer, or about 20 days or longer, or about 30 days or longer, or about 60 days or longer, or about 120 days or longer, or about 150 days or longer, or about 180 days or longer. In one embodiment, the feed product is administered with other feeds described above to form a total mixed diet. In one embodiment, the method of raising a ruminant or reducing ruminant methane emissions comprises feeding a ruminant with a feed product accounting for about 0.1% or more, about 0.25% or more, about 0.5% or more, about 0.75% or more, or about 1% or more of the total mixed diet feed weight every day. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that feeding ruminants in a beef feedlot, dairy feedlot, or free range environment can be variable because it is difficult to feed the animals a total mixed ration at precise levels. Feeding instructions, such as accompanying packaging or other printed material, can provide the above administration information as a guide.

[0062] In other embodiments, the feed products herein can be administered to ruminants by means of boluses or licks. In these embodiments, the boluses or licks can contain, consist of, or consist essentially of (i.e., 99% by weight or more) the feed product and other conventional materials provided to ruminants by boluses or licks. In certain embodiments, the boluses or licks may also contain other additives, such as conventionally known substances present in known boluses and licks as described herein.

[0063] As used herein, a bolus refers to an oral supplement commonly used in ruminants (e.g., cattle, sheep, and goats). A bolus may be a relatively large capsule-shaped tablet designed to slowly release its contents over a period of time. Boluses can be used for a variety of purposes, such as delivering minerals, vitamins, or medications to animals, or treating specific conditions such as parasitic infections. A typical ruminant bolus may consist of an outer layer of a hard, slowly dissolving material surrounding a core of an active ingredient. Boluses may be designed to remain in the animal's rumen (the first chamber of its four-chambered stomach) for weeks or months, slowly releasing the contents as the outer layer dissolves. The slow release of the bolus ensures that the animal receives a relatively steady dose of the active ingredient (e.g., bromoform) over a longer period of time.

[0064] As described herein, a lick refers to a mixture of materials such as salt, minerals and sometimes other ingredients (e.g., bromoform), which is made into a concentrated block or spread on a flat surface. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats can use these licks to supplement the essential minerals that may not be present in normal feed. For example, a lick commonly used by ruminants can be made from a mixture of minerals such as salt, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, and sometimes molasses or other ingredients can be used to make it more palatable. Licks considered herein can also include halogenated compounds, such as combined bromoform. Then, the lick can be made into blocks or spread on a plane such as a metal plate or a plastic plate for animal consumption.

[0065] Without being limited by theory, it is believed that incorporating a feed product into a bolus may aid in the controlled release of the halogenated material. In addition, adding a feed product into a lick may also aid in improving the stability of the halogenated material, such as bromoform.

[0066] Without limitation, contemplated embodiments of boluses include those that may have an expiration date of about 30 days and deliver about 300 mg of bromoform per day. Such boluses may utilize about 9 grams of bromoform, wherein the total weight of the bolus may be about 100 grams.

[0067] Non-limiting aspects

[0068] According to a first aspect, the feed product can comprise about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % red algae material and about 6 wt % to about 40 wt % total oil; wherein the feed product comprises about 10 wt % or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0069] According to a second aspect, in combination with the first aspect, the seaweed material may comprise one or more Asparagaceae seaweeds, such as Asparagaceae taxoides and / or Asparagaceae spinosa.

[0070] According to a third aspect, in combination with the first or second aspect, the feed product may comprise from about 6 wt % to about 30 wt % total oil, based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0071] According to a fourth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to third aspects, the feed product may comprise about 10 wt % to about 30 wt % total oil based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0072] According to a fifth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to fourth aspects, the feed product may comprise about 25 wt% or more of the seaweed material based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0073] According to a sixth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to fifth aspects, the feed product may comprise particles.

[0074] According to a seventh aspect, in combination with the sixth aspect, particles of the feed product may comprise pellets of algal material particles and added oil.

[0075] According to an eighth aspect, in combination with the seventh aspect, the particles of the pellets including the seaweed material particles and the added oil may have a diameter of 10 μm to 1 cm.

[0076] According to a ninth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to eighth aspects, at least about 90 volume % or more of the particles have a diameter of about 10 μm or more, based on the total weight of all particles in the feed product.

[0077] According to the tenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to ninth aspects, the seaweed material may comprise Asparagus taxus, Asparagus spinosa, or both.

[0078] According to the eleventh aspect, in combination with any one of the first to tenth aspects, the total oil may include added oil and oil inherent in the seaweed material, wherein the added oil includes one or more of canola oil, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil or olive oil.

[0079] According to a twelfth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the feed product may further comprise dry molasses.

[0080] According to the thirteenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the feed product may further comprise a flow control agent.

[0081] According to the fourteenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the feed product may further comprise a binding agent.

[0082] According to a fifteenth aspect, in combination with the fourteenth aspect, the binding agent may comprise α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, one or more zeolites, or a combination thereof.

[0083] According to a sixteenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the feed product may further comprise one or more mass extenders.

[0084] According to a seventeenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the feed product may comprise about 5 wt% or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0085] According to an eighteenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, the feed product may have a water activity of about 0.6 or less at 25°C.

[0086] According to a nineteenth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, the feed product may have a water activity of about 0.2 or less at 25°C.

[0087] According to the twentieth aspect, in combination with any one of the first to nineteenth aspects, the seaweed material may be freeze-dried seaweed.

[0088] According to a twenty-first aspect, in combination with any one of the first to twentieth aspects, the feed product may comprise about 0.2 wt % to about 2 wt % of the halogenated compound based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0089] According to the twenty-second aspect, in combination with the twenty-first aspect, the halogenated compound may include bromoform.

[0090] According to a twenty-third aspect, in combination with any one of the first to twenty-second aspects, a method of raising a ruminant may include administering to the ruminant an amount of a feed product to effectively reduce methane emissions from the ruminant.

[0091] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, in combination with the twenty-third aspect, the ruminant may be a cattle or a sheep.

[0092] According to the twenty-fifth aspect, in combination with the twenty-third aspect or the twenty-fourth aspect, the method may further include administering grass, grains or a combination thereof to the ruminant.

[0093] According to a twenty-fifth aspect, in combination with any one of aspects twenty-third to twenty-fifth, the method further comprises mixing the feed product with ruminant feed in a mixing device before administering the feed product to the ruminant.

[0094] According to the twenty-seventh aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the first to twenty-sixth aspects, a method for making a feed product may include: drying red algae to form a seaweed material; converting the seaweed material into particles; combining the particles with about 1 weight % to about 35 weight % of at least one added oil to produce a feed product, wherein the feed product comprises about 10 weight % or less of water based on the total weight of the feed product.

[0095] According to a twenty-eighth aspect, in combination with the twenty-seventh aspect, drying the seaweed may comprise freeze drying.

[0096] Example

[0097] The various aspects of the present disclosure will be further illustrated by the following examples. These examples are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0098] Comparative Example 1 (CE-1)

[0099] In the first comparative example, Asparagus spp. seaweed (Asparagus spinosa wild harvested from New Zealand) was freeze dried and ground to form a seaweed material. The freeze dried and ground seaweed material was then fed to a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser analyzer to determine particle size and other properties. The specific surface area of ​​the freeze dried and ground seaweed material was 1203 m 2 / kg, total oil and inherent oil content of 0.6 wt% to 1.5 wt%, moisture content of 4 wt% to 5 wt%, water activity of 0.12 to 0.14, bromoform (BF) content of 1 mg BF / g seaweed to 2 mg BF / g seaweed. It is worth noting that this relatively low content of bromoform may not be suitable for animal feed, so it is used as a representative material for these tests. The size characteristics of the examples are shown in Table 1 below. Percentiles refer to volume percentages. For example, 10% by volume of the particles in CE-1 have a particle size less than 38.1 μm.

[0100] Comparative Example 2 (CE-2)

[0101] A sample of CE-1 was mixed with 3 wt% of added oil to form sample CE-2. Sample CE-2 was then sent to a Malvern laser analyzer and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0102] Example A (EX-A)

[0103] A sample of CE-1 was mixed with 5 wt% added oil to form sample EX-A. Sample EX-A was then fed to a Malvern laser analyzer and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0104] Example B (EX-B)

[0105] A sample of CE-1 was mixed with 7 wt% added oil to form sample EX-B. Sample EX-B was then fed to a Malvern laser analyzer and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0106] Example C (EX-C)

[0107] A sample of CE-1 was mixed with 10 wt% added oil to form sample EX-C. Sample EX-C was fed to the Malvern laser analyzer, but the particles were too large for Malvern to evaluate. However, sample EX-C was still a powder upon visual inspection. A sieve can be used to measure the particles.

[0108] Table 1

[0109]

[0110]

[0111] As can be seen from Table 1, as the amount of added oil increases, the particle size increases. In particular, when the amount of added oil is 5 wt%, the number of particles with a particle size of 10 μm decreases sharply. This decrease is accelerated when at least 7 wt% of the added oil is added.

[0112] Example D

[0113] A feed product of the present invention was manufactured, which contained Asparagus seaweed, wheat flour, dry molasses and canola oil. The feed product of Example D had the following characteristics as shown in Table 2.

[0114] Table 2

[0115]

[0116]

[0117] Example E

[0118] The feed product of Example EX-A, Example EX-B, Example EX-C or Example D is produced in an amount sufficient to feed at least 50 beef or dairy cows. About 50 grams of the feed product is administered to each cow per 10 kg of the total mixed ration (i.e., about 0.5% of the feed product is administered based on the total weight of the total mixed ration) on a daily basis for 150 days. The total mixed ration is based on the general customs and procedures of the feed yard / farm and may include silage and grain. The feed product is added or otherwise included as a supplement to the total mixed ration. Beef or dairy products produced from cattle raised according to this example are accompanied by one or more of the following statements:

[0119] - Reduce enteric methane emissions from beef feedlot cattle by up to 90%

[0120] - Up to 90% reduction in enteric methane emissions from dairy cows

[0121] - Helps digestion

[0122] -Digestive aids contain essential trace metals, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients

[0123] - Reduce the methane footprint of animals without changing the production process

[0124] -Low methane beef

[0125] -Low methane milk

[0126] Ranges herein may be expressed as from "about" one particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from a particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will also be understood that the endpoints of each range are both related to and independent of the other endpoint.

[0127] Unless expressly stated otherwise, it is not intended that any method described herein require that its steps be performed in a particular order, or that any apparatus be used in a particular orientation. Thus, in the absence of an actual recitation of the order in which the steps of a method claim are to be followed, or an actual recitation of the order or orientation of individual components in any apparatus claim, or in the absence of other specific statements in the claim or specification that the steps are limited to a particular order, or in the absence of a specific order or orientation of apparatus components, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred. This applies to any possible non-explicit basis for interpretation, including: logical issues regarding the arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0128] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Claims

1. A feed product, comprising: From about 10% to about 95% by weight red algae material; and from about 6 wt % to about 40 wt % total oil; in, The feed product comprises about 10 wt % or less water, based on the total weight of the feed product.

2. The feed product according to claim 1, wherein the seaweed material comprises at least one of Asparagus taxus and Asparagus spinosa.

3. The feed product according to claim 1 or 2, comprising from about 22 wt% to about 40 wt% total oil based on the total weight of the feed product.

4. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising about 25 wt% or more of seaweed material based on the total weight of the feed product.

5. A feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the feed product comprises particles of algal material, and the particles comprise pellets of algal material and added oil.

6. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feed product comprises particles, and about 90 volume % or more of the particles have a diameter of about 10 μm or more, based on the total volume of all particles of the feed product.

7. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising molasses, a flow control agent and / or a binding agent.

8. A feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising one or more mass extenders.

9. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising about 5 wt% or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

10. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the feed product has a water activity of about 0.6 or less at 25°C.

11. A feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the seaweed material is freeze-dried.

12. The feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising about 0.2 wt% to 2 wt% of one or more halogenated compounds based on the total weight of the feed product.

13. A method of feeding a ruminant a feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising administering to the ruminant an amount of the feed product effective to reduce methane emissions from the ruminant.

14. The method of claim 14, further comprising mixing the feed product with ruminant feed in a mixing device prior to administering the feed product to the ruminant.

15. A method for producing a feed product, the method comprising: drying the red algae to form a seaweed material; converting the algae material into particles; as well as The algal material particles are combined with about 1 wt % to about 35 wt % of at least one added oil to produce the feed product, wherein the feed product comprises about 10 wt % or less water based on the total weight of the feed product.

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