Silicic acid for increasing milk yield of milk livestock

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of breeding in the milk industry, for example, the breeding of dairy cows, buffalo, camels, yaks, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, alpacas, large-frontal cattle, Yelma camels, tumor cattle and the like. In these fields, the need for a new mode capable of increasing milk yield, increasing milk quality, increasing feed efficiency, and / or reducing environmental impact has not yet been met. The invention is based on the discovery that this can be achieved by the use of silicic acid in bioavailable form, typically as an additive that can be fed to animals by feed, forage and / or drinking water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of dairy product production. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in dairy farming to improve productivity, especially to increase milk production, improve milk quality, improve feed efficiency, etc. The present invention also relates to a dairy farming method in which the bioavailable silicic acid compound is used, and to a specific composition comprising the bioavailable silicic acid compound, which is particularly suitable for dairy farming. Background Art

[0002] Milk and milk components from dairy animals are used in the preparation of food in many different forms. World milk production has increased by more than 59% over the past 30 years, from 530 million tonnes in 1988 to 843 million tonnes in 2018. India is the world's largest milk producer, accounting for 22% of global production, followed by the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil. Most of the growth in milk production since the 1970s has occurred in South Asia, which is the main driver of milk production growth in developing countries. The countries with the largest milk surpluses are New Zealand, the United States, Germany, France, Australia and Ireland. The countries with the largest milk deficits are China, Italy, the Russian Federation, Mexico, Algeria and Indonesia.

[0003] Developing countries have been increasing their share of global dairy production in recent decades. Milk production in Africa has been growing more slowly than in other developing regions due to poverty and – in some countries – unfavourable climatic conditions. In many parts of the world, growth has been driven primarily by increases in the number of productive animals rather than increases in per capita productivity. For example, in countries such as Bangladesh and Nigeria, the average cow produces ≤500 kg of milk per year. In more developed dairy countries such as Iran, Peru and Vietnam, the average cow produces >1,500 kg of milk per head per year. In Europe, production is as high as 7,000 to 8,000 kg per head per year. Low per head productivity is often due to poor quality feed resources, the presence of disease, limited access to markets and services (such as health care, credit and training) and low genetic potential for milk production in dairy animals. Unlike developed countries, many developing countries have hot and / or humid climates that are not conducive to dairy farming.

[0004] There is a recognised need to improve the performance of the dairy industry in order to meet the growing global demand for dairy products and reduce or minimise its impact on the environment. It is believed that improving livestock productivity, feed efficiency and the rational sourcing of feed will reduce the industry’s demand for resources such as land and water, as well as its impact on the environment.

[0005] Forages have the greatest impact on feed efficiency. Because forages make up a large proportion of the slower digesting portion of a lactating dairy cow’s diet, they are critical to maintaining desired feed efficiency (FE) levels. Forages also have a large impact on feed efficiency because they are the most variable feed ingredient in terms of digestibility and nutrient content, and they make up a larger proportion of the diet than any other feed. Research has shown that improved forage digestibility leads to improved feed efficiency. Another way forages affect feed efficiency is by maintaining an ideal rumen environment. Acidosis (low rumen pH) can negatively impact feed efficiency by reducing fiber digestibility through changes in the composition of the rumen microbial community. Adequate physically effective fiber (forage particle size) in the diet will maintain a proper rumen environment by stimulating chewing and rumination, increasing salivation, and improving the buffering capacity of the rumen.

[0006] With the emphasis on feed efficiency and productivity in livestock production, the production of high-quality forages is increasingly in competition with the human food supply. Therefore, feed additives have received increasing attention over the past few years as a means of improving feed efficiency and productivity.

[0007] For example, there is evidence that feeding yeast, ionophores, and direct-feed microorganisms to lactating dairy cows can improve feed efficiency, especially when cows are under heat stress. These additives generally increase feed efficiency by positively affecting fiber digestion. RumiStar TM Contains alpha-amylase, which speeds up the degradation of starch in the rumen. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into oligosaccharides, which are used as an energy source by fiber-degrading bacteria. This improves cell wall degradation, leading to better digestion of fiber. WO2016 / 128530 relates to a combination of amylase and an essential oil mixture, which is said to specifically improve the digestibility of corn diets.

[0008] Currently known feed additives suffer from one or more disadvantages, for example, the benefits are generally limited, they are not widely available, are unaffordable (especially in less developed areas of the world), are not universally applicable, etc.

[0009] It is understood that there is an unmet need in dairy farming for new and improved models that can increase milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. The present invention aims to meet this need. Summary of the invention

[0010] In general, the present invention is based on the discovery that the above objects can be achieved by using silicic acid in a bioavailable form. Numerous experiments, some of which are described in the experimental section below, have shown that the use of certain bioavailable silicic acid compounds in dairy animals has significant, beneficial effects on milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. The significant, beneficial effects observed in the various experiments may be intertwined and interdependent, and the various mechanisms that may be involved have not yet been fully elucidated.

[0011] WO 03 / 101915 describes the use of silicic acid in a bioavailable form to treat animals. According to WO 03 / 101915, the use of a product comprising boric acid and an aqueous solution of non-colloidal silicic acid to treat animals (and humans) can be used to strengthen connective tissue, bones, skin, nails, arteries, cartilage and joints. As for the actual treatment of animals, WO 03 / 101915 only describes the test on horses, and its main finding is that the treatment makes the horseshoe stronger. Based on these results, WO 03 / 101915 teaches the use of non-colloidal silicic acid and boron-containing solutions to treat animals. WO 03 / 101915 does not teach any other impact of the treatment on milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth in dairy farming.

[0012] To the best of the inventors' knowledge, they have demonstrated for the first time that administration of a bioavailable silicic acid compound has a beneficial effect on productivity, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth.

[0013] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound in dairy farming, in particular in the farming of dairy animals (such as cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mithun, lamas, donkeys, etc.), usually as an additive to feed and / or drinking water.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for dairy farming, in particular a method for farming dairy animals such as cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, calves, llamas, donkeys, etc. The method comprises the step of administering to the animal a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for dairy farming, in particular a method for farming dairy animals (e.g., cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, calves, llamas, donkeys, etc.), which comprises the steps of adding a bioavailable silicic acid compound to feed and / or drinking water and feeding the dairy animals.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a non-therapeutic method of treating dairy animals such as cows, cattle, buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, gaur, llamas, donkeys, etc. The method comprises the step of administering to the animal a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention relates to a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound for use in the therapeutic or preventive treatment of dairy animals (e.g., cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, steers, llamas, donkeys, etc.).

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound for use in the preparation of a product for the therapeutic or preventive treatment of dairy animals (e.g., cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, steers, llamas, donkeys, etc.).

[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating a dairy animal (e.g., cows, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, yaks, steers, llamas, donkeys, etc.) by administering a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound to the animal.

[0020] These and other aspects of the present invention and its preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following detailed description and examples. Specific embodiments

[0021] As will be apparent to one skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, the compositions used in accordance with the present invention comprise a bioavailable silicic acid compound.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the term "silicic acid" is used to refer to a substance having the basic structure [SiO 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] n Compounds wherein x = 0 or 1; m = 0, 1 or 2; and n ≥ 1. Therefore, such compounds have orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) as the basic structural unit. (Si(OH)4) is relatively unstable and easily self-condenses into dimers Trimer Etc., thereby forming oligomers and / or polymers. The formation of small-sized particles (non-colloidal, sub-colloidal and micro-colloidal, colloid) is a gradual process. This process ultimately leads to the formation of soft gels with poor bioavailability. The formation of colloids and gels depends on the pH value. The longest gelation time occurs when the pH value is 2. At lower and more alkaline pH values, the time for colloid and final gel formation is reduced (Ralph K. Iler. The Chemistry of Silica. Wiley: New York, 1979). The stages from monomer to sol-gel polymerization can be summarized as follows:

[0023] 1. Monomeric orthosilicic acid in acidic medium;

[0024] 2. The polymerization of orthosilicic acid, from monomers to dimers, trimers, tetramers, linear or cyclic oligomers up to structures with more than one thousand silicate monomers;

[0025] 3. Further condensation into linear or randomly branched polymers, which are usually in the form of small spherical particles with a particle size of 1nm to 10nm, called "sub-colloids", composed of thousands of silicic acid monomers;

[0026] 4. These particles grow to a size of about 10nm to 100nm and are called colloids;

[0027] 5. Particles connect into chains (aggregation);

[0028] 6. Link into networks and expand throughout the liquid (aggregation, pre-gelling); and

[0029] 7. Thicken into gel.

[0030] The term "bioavailable" as used in the context of the present invention refers to silicic acid provided in a form that can enter an organism. Bioavailable forms of silicic acid specifically include monomeric silicic acid (also known as orthosilicic acid) and dimeric silicic acid, which is believed to exist in equilibrium with monomeric silicic acid in an aqueous system.

[0031] As used herein, the term "bioavailable silicic acid compounds" includes compounds having the basic structure [SiO 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] nThe invention relates to a compound which is in a form capable of releasing / freeing monomeric silicic acid (i.e. by depolymerization), for example when dispersed in water or an aqueous system. Such bioavailable silicic acid compounds include, in addition to monomeric silicic acid (also known as orthosilicic acid) and dimeric silicic acid, in particular compounds of stage 2 and stage 3 as defined above. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compound is selected from the group consisting of monomeric silicic acid (also known as orthosilicic acid), dimeric silicic acid, oligomeric silicic acid and polymeric silicic acid in subcolloidal form and combinations thereof.

[0032] Preferably, in the composition used according to the present invention, at least 50 mol% of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of a bioavailable silicic acid compound as defined herein, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 70 mol%, more preferably at least 75 mol%, more preferably at least 80 mol%, more preferably at least 85 mol%, more preferably at least 90 mol%, more preferably at least 95 mol%, more preferably at least 97.5 mol%. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term "silicon" as used herein has its (only) conventional meaning, i.e. to denote the chemical element with the symbol Si. Thus, when referring to a certain mol% of silicon contained in a composition (in the form of a bioavailable silicic acid compound) in the present disclosure, this refers to the percentage of the total number of Si atoms contained in the composition (in the form of a bioavailable silicic acid compound).

[0033] The composition used according to the invention preferably comprises sub-colloidal silicic acid, i.e. silicic acid mainly in the second and third stages as defined above. A solution containing such sub-colloidal particles passes through a 0.1 μm filter. The present invention does not relate to uses and / or methods using silicic acid in colloidal or sol form. Although small amounts of these substances may be present in the composition of the invention, the composition of the invention essentially comprises non-colloidal silicic acid (i.e. silicic acid having the basic structure [SiO 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] n of the compound, as described above).

[0034] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compound is sub-colloidal silicic acid, more preferably silicic acid in the form of sub-colloidal particles having a size of 10 nm or less, more preferably 8 nm or less, more preferably 6 nm or less, more preferably 5 nm or less, most preferably 4 nm or less. Furthermore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compound is sub-colloidal silicic acid, more preferably silicic acid in the form of sub-colloidal particles having a size in the range of 1 nm to 10 nm, more preferably in the range of 1.5 nm to 8 nm, more preferably in the range of 2 nm to 6 nm, more preferably in the range of 3 nm to 5 nm, most preferably in the range of 3.5 nm to 4 nm. 29 Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and / or Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) are used to determine the particle size. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the silica-containing particles in the composition have a particle size within the above size range. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned percentages represent the number of particles that meet the indicated particle size characteristics relative to the total number of particles.

[0035] The composition employed in accordance with the present invention is typically in the form of an aqueous dispersion or solution of bioavailable silicic acid compounds at a sufficient concentration that it can be added to drinking water and / or feed or fodder fed to dairy animals in a practical manner. Although the present invention is not particularly limited in this regard, preferred embodiments are contemplated in which the composition employed contains a level of at least 0.01 ppm, at least 0.05 ppm, at least 0.1 ppm, at least 0.5 ppm, at least 1 ppm, at least 5 ppm or at least 10 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds. In addition, preferred embodiments are contemplated in which the composition employed contains a level of less than 5000 ppm, such as less than 1000 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 100 ppm, less than 50 ppm or less than 10 ppm of bioavailable silicon compounds.

[0036] The aqueous solution or dispersion defined above can usually be made from a highly concentrated aqueous product or a product in a dry solid form, i.e., by diluting / mixing such a product with a sufficient amount of water or a sufficient amount of feed before actual use. It is well known that over time, sub-colloidal silicic acid particles may aggregate (aggregate into the form of stage 4 or higher stages), especially in the case of high-concentration products, resulting in opalescence, turbidity, light reflection, colloid and gel formation, thereby losing biological activity during storage. Therefore, such products in concentrated or dry solid form may contain additives that effectively prevent the formation of colloids or large colloidal silicic acid particles. International Patent Application No. WO 2003 / 101915 and International Patent Application No. WO 2011 / 071379 (both incorporated herein by reference) describe various technologies for stabilizing concentrated products containing bioavailable silicic acid compounds. Therefore, the composition used according to the present invention may contain additives, such as those taught by WO 2003 / 101915 and WO 2011 / 071379. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, the presence or absence of such additives in the composition employed is not critical or necessary for achieving the beneficial effects of dairy farming described herein; what is important is that the composition employed contains a bioavailable silicic acid compound, regardless of how it is manufactured and provided and / or what measures are taken to stabilize it during (long-term) storage. Nevertheless, from a practical point of view, the compositions taught in WO 2003 / 101915 and WO 2011 / 071379 may have advantages for the purposes of the present invention. Therefore, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the composition comprises an acidified aqueous solution of (1) subcolloidal silicic acid in combination with (2) boric acid and / or (3) a water-absorbing additive. In a preferred embodiment, the water-absorbing additive comprises a humectant, and the humectant is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of polysorbate, vegetable gum, substituted cellulose, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, polyethylene glycol, polydextrose, propylene glycol, propylene glycol alginate, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, pectin or amidated pectin, sucrose esters of fatty acids, acetylated or hydroxypropyl starch, starch phosphate, urea, sorbitol, maltitol, (pre) vitamins and two or more such humectants. Preferably, based on dry solid weight, the water-absorbing additive concentration is at least 10% by weight of the composition, such as at least 25% by weight, at least 40% by weight or at least 50% by weight. Based on dry solid weight, the water-absorbing additive concentration is usually less than 75% by weight of the composition, such as less than 70% by weight, less than 65% by weight or less than 60% by weight. In embodiments where a bioavailable silicic acid compound is combined with boric acid, preferably the molar Si / B ratio is in the range of 0.1 to 1000, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 500, in the range of 1 to 400, or in the range of 1.5 to 300. In preferred embodiments, the composition is filterable through a 0.1 μm filter.In a preferred embodiment, the composition is filterable through a 20,000 Mw (Da) filter.

[0037] An exemplary composition particularly suitable for use in accordance with the present invention is a product commercialized by RexilAgro bv (Netherlands) under the trade name AB AB AB AB and

[0038] Compositions comprising bioavailable silicic acid are also particularly suitable and preferred for use in the methods and uses of the present invention, including compositions defined by European Patent Application No. EP22188329.1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] Other types of bioavailable silicic acid are known in the art and / or are also commercially available, and their suitability for the purposes of the present invention will depend on the specific techniques and chemicals used to stabilize the bioavailable silicic acid. Making such determinations is within the routine capabilities of those skilled in the art, given the teachings of the present invention.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition may further comprise one or more additional nutrients selected from zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium, humic acid, fulvic acid, amino acids, etc. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition may comprise one or more additional feed additives conventionally used in dairy farming.

[0041] One aspect of the present invention provides a composition suitable for the use and method of the present invention itself, such as any composition as defined above, including concentrated and dry solid forms of products that need to be mixed / diluted with water before actual use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the product is provided in the form of a container, the container comprising a composition as defined above, which can be a concentrated product or a dry solid form product that needs to be mixed / diluted with water before actual use, wherein the container is provided with instructions printed on the container and / or instructions printed on a label provided with the container to use the composition for the use and / or method defined herein.

[0042] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, based on the teachings of the present invention, the methods and uses of the present invention include adding a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, preferably a composition as defined above, to a feed composition and / or drinking water fed to an animal, thereby achieving one or more of the beneficial effects mentioned herein (e.g., increased growth, increased feed conversion, increased milk production, improved milk quality, etc.). According to the present invention, the composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound can be added to feed and / or drinking water, respectively. However, some embodiments are also envisioned in which the composition is mixed or blended with other products (e.g., other feed additives, vitamins, minerals, etc.) that are added to feed and / or drinking water in typical dairy farming operations.

[0043] For best results, these uses and methods comprise adding the composition comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds to drinking water in an amount such that the level of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the water is at least 0.1 ppm, preferably at least 0.5 ppm, at least 1 ppm, at least 2.5 ppm, at least 5 ppm or at least 10 ppm, for example, the level of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the drinking water is about 25 ppm. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, these uses and methods comprise adding the composition to drinking water in an amount such that the level of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the water is less than 1000 ppm, preferably less than 750 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 250 ppm, less than 100 ppm or less than 50 ppm.

[0044] In other preferred embodiments of the invention, these uses and methods comprise adding the composition comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds to feed, i.e. a standard feed or forage composition conventionally used for the farming of the species, in an amount such that the level of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the feed is at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.005 ppm, at least 0.01 ppm, at least 0.025 ppm, at least 0.05 ppm or at least 0.10 ppm, such as about 0.25 ppm. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention, these uses and methods comprise adding the composition to feed in an amount such that the level of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the feed is less than 10 ppm, preferably less than 7.5 ppm, less than 5 ppm, less than 2.5 ppm, less than 1 ppm or less than 0.5 ppm.

[0045] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, these uses and methods comprise administering to animals a bioavailable silicic acid compound at a bioavailable silicic acid compound dosage of at least 0.001 mg / kg, preferably at least 0.005 mg / kg, at least 0.01 mg / kg, at least 0.025 mg / kg, at least 0.05 mg / kg or at least 0.1. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, these uses and methods comprise administering to animals a bioavailable silicic acid compound at a bioavailable silicic acid compound dosage of less than 5 mg / kg, preferably less than 2.5 mg / kg, less than 1 mg / kg, less than 0.5 mg / kg, less than 0.25 mg / kg or less than 0.1 mg / kg.

[0046] In order to obtain the best results, the animal is preferably fed repeatedly with a feed rich in bioavailable silicic acid compounds, for example, according to the present invention, the uses and methods comprise repeated administration of the bioavailable silicic acid compounds, for example, at least once every 10 days, at least once every 7 days, at least once every 5 days, at least once every 3 days, at least once every other day or at least once a day, for example up to twice or three times a day. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal to be treated receives the bioavailable silicic acid compound according to the present invention daily, preferably once a day, twice a day, three times a day or four times a day.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the administration of the bioavailable silicic acid compound according to the regimen defined above is continued for a period of at least 1 week, at least two weeks, at least three weeks, at least four weeks, at least one month, at least two months, at least three months or at least four months. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the addition of the composition comprising the bioavailable silicic acid compound to the water and / or feed according to the regimen defined above is performed substantially or completely throughout the life or life cycle of the animal.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal species is selected from the group consisting of dairy animals in the broadest sense. As is known to those skilled in the art, there may be differences between different regions of the world regarding the animal species most commonly used for dairy production, and the present invention does not particularly limit the specific type of livestock animals that may be treated. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the livestock animals treated by applying the bioavailable silicic acid compound are selected from one of the following families: Bovidae, Camelidae and Equine. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the livestock animals treated by applying the bioavailable silicic acid compound are selected from one of the following genera: In certain embodiments of the present invention, the livestock animals treated by applying the bioavailable silicic acid compound are selected from the group consisting of dairy cows, buffaloes, camels, yaks, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, alpacas, giraffes, llamas and zebus, and are most preferably selected from the group consisting of dairy cows, goats and sheep.

[0049] In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the animal species is not a horse, more preferably, the animal species is not a species of the genus Equus, and more preferably, the animal species is not a species of the family Equus.

[0050] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, animal to be treated is female, has reached adulthood and is in the lactation period. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, animal to be treated is in early lactation, mid-lactation and / or late lactation, most preferably in mid-lactation and / or late lactation, most preferably in late lactation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, animal to be treated is in the 1st month to the 12th month of lactation, for example, in the 2nd month to the 12th month of lactation, the 3rd month to the 12th month of lactation, the 4th month to the 12th month of lactation, the 1st month to the 10th month of lactation, the 2nd month to the 10th month of lactation, the 3rd month to the 10th month of lactation, the 4th month to the 10th month of lactation, the 1st month to the 8th month of lactation, the 2nd month to the 8th month of lactation, the 3rd month to the 8th month of lactation, the 4th month to the 8th month of lactation.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal to be treated is in good health, in good condition, free of disease, disorder and / or health problems. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal to be treated does not have a particular risk and / or increased risk of having a disease, disorder or health problem.

[0052] As mentioned above, the methods and uses of the present invention result in and / or are intended to achieve one or more beneficial effects related to milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. In the methods and uses of the present invention as defined herein, the composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound may be considered a feed additive, such as a technical feed additive, a nutritional feed additive or an animal technical additive. In the context of the present invention, these terms and their meanings are well known and understood by those skilled in the art.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, these methods and uses result in and / or are intended to increase total milk production. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the yield is generally increased by at least 5% by weight compared to the yield obtained under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the yield is increased by at least 7.5%, at least 10%, at least 12.5%, at least 15%, at least 17.5% or at least 20%.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal is a cow or a dairy cow, and the method of the present invention results in and / or is intended to increase the yield by at least 0.5 kg / day / animal compared to the yield obtained under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the yield is increased by at least 0.75 kg / day / animal, at least 1 kg / day / animal, at least 1.25 kg / day / animal, at least 1.5 kg / day / animal, at least 1.75 kg / day / animal, at least 2 kg / day / animal, at least 2.25 kg / day / animal or at least 2.5 kg / day / animal.

[0055] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal is a cow or a dairy cow, and the method of the invention results in and / or is intended to increase the yield by at least 0.5 L / day / animal compared to the yield obtained under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the yield is increased by at least 0.75 L / day / animal, at least 1 L / day / animal, at least 1.25 L / day / animal, at least 1.5 L / day / animal, at least 1.75 L / day / animal, at least 2 L / day / animal, at least 2.25 L / day / animal or at least 2.5 L / day / animal.

[0056] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal is a bovine or dairy cow and the method of the invention results in and / or is intended to increase and / or maintain production at a level of at least 12.5 L / day / animal, preferably at least 13 L / day / animal, at least 13.5 L / day / animal, at least 14 L / day / animal, at least 14.5 L / day / animal or at least 15 L / day / animal.

[0057] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal is a cow or dairy cow, and the method of the present invention results in and / or is intended to increase the yield by at least 0.5 kg / day / animal compared to the yield obtained under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment, the yield being expressed as 3.5% FCM milk (FCM). The term "FCM milk" as used herein refers to fat-corrected milk, which is a measure used in the art to standardize milk production and achieve meaningful comparisons by combining actual milk and fat yields into a value representing a milk volume with a specific fat percentage. For this purpose, various conversions can usually be selected. The standard formula for 3.5% fat-corrected milk is as follows:

[0058] FCM (3.5%) = 0.35M + 18.57F

[0059] Wherein, M = milk weight (unit: kg), F = fat content in "M" milk weight (unit: kg). In particularly preferred embodiments, the yield is increased by at least 0.75 kg / day / animal, at least 1 kg / day / animal, at least 1.25 kg / day / animal, at least 1.5 kg / day / animal, at least 1.75 kg / day / animal, at least 2 kg / day / animal, at least 2.25 kg / day / animal or at least 2.5 kg / day / animal.

[0060] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal is a bovine or dairy cow and the method of the invention results in and / or is intended to increase and / or maintain production (expressed as 3.5% FCM milk) to a level of at least 33.5 L / day / animal, preferably at least 34 L / day / animal, at least 34.5 L / day / animal, at least 35 L / day / animal, at least 35.5 L / day / animal or at least 36 L / day / animal.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention, these methods and uses result in and / or are intended to improve feed utilization. In one embodiment of the invention, these methods and uses result in and / or are intended to improve feed conversion ratio (FeedConversion Ratio) (referred to as FCR in the art), which is a measure of the efficiency of an animal in converting feed mass into a desired output increment. For food animals, the output is the mass of the animal increased, while for dairy animals, the output is milk. Specifically, unless otherwise expressly stated in the present disclosure, the feed conversion ratio herein is calculated as the mass of feed per mass of milk in a specified time period. An increase in feed utilization means a decrease in the feed conversion ratio value compared to the feed conversion ratio achieved under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the increase in feed utilization is reflected as a decrease in feed conversion ratio of at least 2.5%, preferably at least 5%, at least 7.5%, at least 10%, at least 12.5%, or at least 15%.

[0062] In one embodiment of the invention, the methods and uses result in and / or are intended to improve milk quality.

[0063] In one embodiment of the invention, these methods and uses result in and / or are intended to increase milk fat content, usually by at least 0.5 weight %. As used herein, the term "milk fat content" refers to the amount of fat relative to the total amount of milk. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fat content increases by at least 0.25 weight %. Compared with the fat level reached under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment, the fat content increases by at least 0.25 weight %, 0.5 weight %, at least 0.75 weight %, at least 1 weight % or at least 1.25 weight %. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the milk fat level increases to and is maintained at a level higher than 4.1 weight %, preferably higher than 4.25 weight %, higher than 4.5 weight %, higher than 4.75 weight %, higher than 5 weight % or higher than 5.25 weight %.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, these methods and uses result in and / or are intended to increase milk protein content, usually by at least 0.25 weight %. As used herein, the term "milk protein content" refers to the amount of protein relative to the total amount of milk. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fat content increases by at least 0.30 weight %, at least 0.35 weight %, at least 0.40 weight %, at least 0.45 weight % or at least 0.50 weight % compared to the protein level reached under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the protein level in milk increases to and is maintained at and above 3.35 weight %, preferably above 3.4 weight %, above 3.5 weight %, above 3.6 weight %, above 3.7 weight %, or above 3.8 weight %.

[0065] In one embodiment of the invention, the methods and uses result in and / or aim at reducing the ecological impact of dairy farming.

[0066] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses will not have any effect on the health of dairy animals and / or are not intended to have any effect, such as curing a condition or health condition, preventing a condition or health condition and / or alleviating one or more symptoms of a condition or health condition. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses are non-therapeutic, such as non-curative and non-preventive. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses will not affect and / or are not intended to affect the immune system, such as enhancing the immune system. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses will not cause and / or are not intended to strengthen connective tissue, bones, skin, nails, arteries, cartilage and joints and / or prevent or cure any disease or condition related to connective tissue, bone tissue, skin tissue, nails, arteries, cartilage and / or joint strength (defects). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses relate to treating healthy animals, animals that do not suffer from and / or are not known to suffer from any condition or health condition.

[0067] Although the treatment method according to the present invention, when applied to healthy animals, results in the productivity increases described herein and is not associated with any pathological condition or health condition, it is reported that there are also positive health effects for animals suffering from mastitis. Therefore, in a further embodiment of the present invention, the use and method of the treatment results in and / or is intended to alleviate, cure and / or prevent mastitis in dairy animals. Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing mastitis in dairy animals, the method comprising administering a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound as defined herein; to the use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating and / or preventing mastitis in dairy animals; and to the use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound as defined herein in a method for treating and / or preventing mastitis in dairy animals. Such methods for treating and / or preventing mastitis in dairy animals involve administering bioavailable silicic acid compounds and compositions comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds according to the present disclosure, following the treatment regimen and course of treatment defined above.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these methods and uses do not affect and / or are not intended to treat and / or prevent mastitis. In addition, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the animal to be treated does not suffer from mastitis.

[0069] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the disclosure of the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0070] As used herein, "a", "an" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, "a compartment" means one or more compartments.

[0071] As used herein, "about" refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a duration, etc., and is meant to encompass variations of + / -10% or less, more preferably + / -5% or less, and even more preferably + / -1% or less from the specified value, as long as such variations are suitable for making in the disclosed invention. However, it should be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is also specifically disclosed.

[0072] As used herein, "comprise", "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of" are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains", and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specify the presence of the following listed contents (e.g., a certain component) and do not exclude or prevent the presence of additional, unlisted components, features, elements, components, steps known in the art or disclosed herein.

[0073] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions within that range, as well as the recited endpoints. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may incorporate any number of the above-described specific features.

[0074] In this document, the use of terms in parentheses generally means that the terms in parentheses specify one possible option or possible meaning and therefore should not be considered limiting.

[0075] The advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following examples, which are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation.

[0076] experiment

[0077] Example 1 - Silica Test on Cows

[0078] A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of silicic acid as a feed supplement on milk production and overall efficiency in healthy dairy cows.

[0079] Materials and methods

[0080] Four groups of 10 cows each were selected for this study at a dairy farm of VB Veteran College, NAU, Navsari in the south.

[0081] The groups were mixed according to age, lactation stage, gestation period, production level and a control group was assigned

[0082] Group 1: 5 ml of silicic acid-containing supplement / day

[0083] Group 2: 10 ml of silicic acid-containing supplement / day

[0084] Group 3: 15 ml of silicic acid-containing supplement / day

[0085] Group 4: Control (without silicic acid).

[0086] Silicate supplement / day group (1-3): Treatment groups (1-3) were fed with silicic acid supplement containing 0.8% stabilized silicic acid (produced by ReXil Agro BV, the Netherlands). ).

[0087] Milk production levels, fat production levels and protein production levels were recorded every 14 days over a two-month period. After the first month, the groups were moved to another silicic acid level.

[0088] Results and Discussion

[0089] Milk production data showed that milk, fat % and FPCM (fat and protein corrected milk) were improved at all feed levels compared to the control group. Protein % decreased only slightly for all silicic acid feed levels. The dose of 5 ml silicic acid supplement / kg feed was most effective in increasing milk production, while the dose of 10 ml silicic acid supplement / kg feed was more effective in increasing fat and FPCM corrected milk.

[0090] 15 ml of silicic acid supplement / kg feed was suboptimal because the higher doses corresponded to lower yields compared to the 5 ml of silicic acid supplement / kg feed group and the 10 ml of silicic acid supplement / kg feed group.

[0091] in conclusion

[0092] The results showed that silicate had a favorable effect on milk production performance in dairy cows. Silicate-containing supplements offer organic livestock producers a multi-nutrient liquid feed supplement with the potential to prevent disease and improve feed conversion at a low cost. In addition, milk fat levels can be reduced or increased by varying the levels of silicate-containing supplements in the feed.

[0093] Example 2 - Effect of silicic acid on milk production in cows and goats

[0094] Another study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of silicic acid on milk production (including protein content and milk content) in healthy dairy cows and healthy goats.

[0095] Materials and methods

[0096] In several studies, the effects of administering silicic acid-containing additives in dairy cows were investigated. The silicic acid-containing additives were added to the drinking water.

[0097] Four groups of 10 cows were selected for the study and compared with a control group at an (organic) dairy farm of a farmer cooperative in Limzar, Navsari, South Gujrat. The cows were fed a nutritional regimen to meet the optimal dietary requirements. The treated groups (G1-G4) were initially fed a diet containing 0.8% stabilized silicic acid additive (produced by ReXil Agro BV, the Netherlands). )).

[0098] The cows were selected based on breed (pedigree), health status, age, lactation stage and production level. The cows were then divided into 4 treatment groups and 1 control group (without silicic acid). Silicic acid was added to the drinking water according to the following scheme:

[0099] Table 1- Treatment options

[0100] C Control group, G1 Drinking water containing 2 ml / L of silicate additive: 2 times / day, G2 Drinking water containing 2 ml / L of silicate additive: 3 times / day G3 Drinking water containing 4 ml / L of silicate additive: 2 times / day G4 Drinking water containing silicate additive 4ml / L: 3 times / day.

[0101] Due to (COVID-19 related) supply issues during the trial, the facility temporarily switched to another locally sourced, stabilized silicic acid-containing composition (administered at an equivalent dose).

[0102] Milk production, fat levels, and protein levels were recorded every 10 days over a period of 4 months. After the first month, the groups were moved to another silicic acid level and the results were recorded.

[0103] result

[0104] The milk production data showed that milk production, fat percentage and FPCM (fat and protein corrected milk) were improved at all feed levels compared to the control group. In particular, the G2 group, which was given 2 ml / L silicic acid 3 times / day, showed the largest increase, reaching 20.2% (=2066 L / year, for G2, milk production increased by 206 L / cow / year).

[0105] The fat content in the G2 group also increased from 36.6 g / kg in the control group to 42 g / kg (+15.7%). The protein content in the G1, G3, and G4 groups increased by 2%, and the protein content in the G2 group increased by 7%. Overall, the effect of the 2-time application was less than that of the 3-time application, but the effect was significantly improved compared to the control.

[0106] Table 2 - Performance of five groups of cows fed different levels and frequencies of silica.

[0107] sample Control group G1 G2 G3 G4 Milk production kg / day 28 29.68 33.66 30.90 29.93 3.5% milk fat corrector 32.80 33.85 36.45 33.92 33.98 Fat g / kg 36.6 38.8 42.0 38.94 39.9 Protein g / kg 30.5 31.01 32.7 31.05 31.08

[0108] Table 3A - Feed intake and digestibility of dairy cows fed different doses of silica

[0109]

[0110]

[0111] Table 3B - Feed intake and digestibility of dairy cows fed different doses of silica

[0112]

[0113] Temporarily switching to a different kind of silicic acid-containing composition during the test did not lead to any significant changes in the performance parameters of the G1-G4 treatment groups.

[0114] in conclusion

[0115] The results showed that stabilized silicic acid had a favorable effect on the milk production performance of dairy cows. The study proved that the product was effective in increasing milk production and fat percentage, depending on the concentration and frequency of administration. In addition, silicic acid-containing additives have the potential to improve feed conversion at a low cost.

[0116] Example 3 - Use of silicic acid-containing feed additives in dairy cows, Navsari University, Gujarat, India, 2021

[0117] Early trials have demonstrated that animal feed supplements containing bioavailable silicic acid increase nutrient absorption and stimulate milk production. Based on the initial results, follow-up trials were conducted in healthy dairy cows.

[0118] Materials and methods

[0119] Four groups of 10 cows were selected for the study at an organic dairy farm of a farmer cooperative in Navsari Limza, South Gujarat. The groups were mixed according to age, lactation stage, gestation, production level and a control group was assigned. Different doses of silicic acid-containing supplements were administered as shown in the following scheme.

[0120] The treatment groups were fed a silicic acid supplement having a 0.8% silicic acid concentration (in the undiluted supplement; produced by ReXil Agro BV, The Netherlands). ).

[0121] Milk production levels, fat production levels and protein production levels were recorded every 10 days over a period of six months.After the first month, the groups were switched to receiving another silicic acid regimen.

[0122] Fifty pregnant Sahiwal breed cows were selected from farmers cooperatives and randomly divided into five groups of ten cows each. The first group of ten cows served as control group; the other six groups were supplemented with silicic acid-containing additives according to the dosage regimen.

[0123] Table 4 - Treatment options (amount of silicate additive per liter of drinking water)

[0124] G1 Control group G2 Contains silicate additive 2ml / L – once / day G3 Contains silicate additive 2ml / L – 2 times / day G4 Contains silicic acid additive 3ml / L-2 times / day G5 Contains silicic acid additive 3ml / L-3 times / day G6 Contains silicic acid additive 4ml / L-2 times / day G7 Contains silicic acid additive 4ml / L-3 times / day

[0125] Due to (COVID-19 related) supply issues during the trial, the facility temporarily switched to another locally sourced, stabilized silicic acid-containing composition (administered at an equivalent dose).

[0126] Feed intake after weighing the remaining feed was recorded and dry matter intake was calculated daily. After calving, milk production was recorded daily until day 120 of lactation. Milk samples were collected from all cows every two weeks for milk composition analysis and to check for (sub)clinical mastitis.

[0127] The cows were milked three times a day using a milking machine, at 4:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Each time the cows were milked, the milk yield (in kg) was recorded.

[0128] Milk composition, namely fat, protein, lactose and milk solids-non-fat (SNF), was determined every two weeks using a Lactostar automatic milk analyzer (Funke Gerber, model 3510-055007).

[0129] After each milking, approximately 100 ml of milk sample was collected from each animal, placed in a properly cleaned milk sample bottle and analyzed after preheating at 39°C to 40°C.

[0130] result

[0131] Table 5- Milk production performance of experimental dairy cows / day / L

[0132]

[0133]

[0134] Table 6 - Milk quality parameters

[0135] sample G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 Average milk fat percentage 4.01 4.1 4.15 5.34 5.30 4.10 4.12 Total Solids 12.03 12.50 13.03 15.68 15.72 13.25 13.3 Non-fat solids % 9.02 9.05 9.04 9.63 9.45 9.04 9.04 protein% 3.30 3.34 3.51 3.85 4.10 3.35 3.4 lactose% 4.34 4.45 4.47 4.68 4.70 4.46 4.45 Ash % 0.62 0.63 0.64 0.65 0.66 0.62 0.62 Water content% 86.27 86.29 86.32 86.49 86.52 86.30 86.31 SNF 8.56 8.57 8.60 8.65 8.68 8.57 8.6

[0136] Temporary switching to a different kind of silicic acid-containing composition during the test did not result in significant changes in the performance parameters of any treatment group.

[0137] in conclusion

[0138] The administration of silicic acid-containing additives increased milk production (see Table 1) as well as milk quality parameters (Table 2).

[0139] The best results were obtained by applying the silicic acid-containing additive 2 to 3 times a day (test groups G4 and G5).

Claims

1. Use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound as a feed additive in dairy livestock farming, wherein: The bioavailable silicic acid compound is selected from the group consisting of monomeric silicic acid, dimeric silicic acid, oligomeric silicic acid, sub-colloidal polymeric silicic acid, and combinations thereof.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein At least 90 mol % of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of a bioavailable silicic acid compound.

3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The dairy animals to be treated are already adults and in the lactation period.

4. The use according to claim 3, wherein The bioavailable silicic acid compound is in the form of sub-colloidal particles, and the sub-colloidal particles have 29 Sizes below 10 nm as determined by Si NMR spectroscopy.

5. The use according to claim 4, wherein At least 50% of the silicic acid-containing particles have a size in the range of 1 nm to 10 nm.

6. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The composition comprises an acidified aqueous solution or dispersion of a bioavailable silicic acid compound in the form of sub-colloidal particles, preferably in combination with boric acid and / or a water-absorbing additive.

7. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The use has the following purposes and / or leads to one or more of the following results: Increase milk production; Improve feed conversion rate; Improve milk quality; Increase milk fat content; Increase milk protein content; and Reduce the ecological impact of dairy farming.

8. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The use has one or more of the following purposes and / or results: Increase milk production; Improve feed conversion rate; Increased milk fat content; and Increase milk protein content.

9. Use according to any of the preceding claims for breeding a species selected from the group consisting of cows, buffaloes, camels, yaks, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, alpacas, giraffes, llamas and zebu, preferably selected from the group consisting of cows, goats and sheep.

10. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The use comprises adding the composition comprising the bioavailable silicic acid compound to drinking water, feed and / or fodder fed to dairy animals.

11. A method of raising dairy animals, comprising the step of adding a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound to drinking water, feed and / or fodder fed to the dairy animals.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The bioavailable silicic acid compound is present in the form of sub-colloidal particles having a size ranging from 1 nm to 10 nm.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: At least 90 mol % of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of the bioavailable silicic acid compound.

14. A product in the form of a container, comprising a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, wherein: The container is provided with instructions printed on the container and / or printed on a label provided with the container to use the composition for the purpose defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images