Animal food additive

Abstract

Provided is an animal feed additive comprising or consisting of: (a) glucose; (b) galactose; (c) lactose; (d) a mineral derived from milk, preferably from milk; (e) a protein derived from milk, preferably from milk; (f) an organic acid; and (g) water, wherein component (c) is optional.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal feed additive and a production method and application thereof, in particular to an application of the animal feed additive as a molasses substitute for providing animal feed. Background Art

[0002] Molasses is produced during the sugar production process from sugar beets. It is a sweet, dark, syrupy liquid (50% sugar content) left after sugar crystallization. Traditionally, molasses has been used in agriculture as a palatable, energy-rich feed additive. In many cases, farmers mix molasses with regular dry feed. However, molasses is a highly viscous substance that tends to solidify in winter due to low temperatures, making it difficult for farmers to prepare animal feed. Furthermore, not all animals appreciate molasses as a flavor enhancer. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a molasses substitute with lower viscosity and improved taste properties.

[0003] Furthermore, the generation of waste products or streams in the dairy industry, which often contain high levels of minerals and sugars (lactose), is a known problem, as it is not always possible to treat and reuse these waste products or streams. Consequently, there is a great deal of interest, not only from an economic point of view, but also from an environmental perspective, in finding applications for the aforementioned waste products or streams generated by the dairy industry, allowing them to be further processed and "recycled," so to speak. Purpose of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a composition which can be used as a molasses substitute in the production of animal feed, thereby resolving the viscosity problems associated with the use of molasses, in particular the problem of solidification when cold, and the taste problems. Furthermore, the composition should be producible from one of the above-mentioned waste products or streams generated by the dairy industry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A first object of the present invention relates to a composition, in particular an animal feed additive, comprising or consisting of: (a) Glucose; (b) galactose; (c) lactose; (d) minerals derived from milk, preferably from cow's milk; (e) proteins derived from milk, preferably from cow's milk; (f) organic acids; and (g) water, Component (c) is optional.

[0006] Surprisingly, it was found that the composition according to the invention fully fulfills the broad objectives described at the outset. In fact, it was found that the composition (animal feed additive) according to the invention not only has a lower viscosity than molasses, which facilitates the preparation of animal feed by mixing it with dry feed, but also that animal feed containing the composition (animal feed additive) according to the invention is significantly more readily accepted by animals than the same animal feed containing molasses. Furthermore, the composition (animal feed additive) according to the invention exhibits a significantly lower tendency to solidify at low temperatures than molasses. Animal feed additives

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed additive according to the invention comprises or consists of the following substances: (a) about 20% to about 40% by weight glucose; (b) from about 20% to about 40% by weight galactose; (c) 0 to about 40% by weight lactose; (d) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of minerals derived from milk; (d) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of minerals derived from milk; and (e) from about 1% to about 7% by weight of an organic acid; This assumes that all amounts and water add up to 100% by weight. The above weight percentages refer to the total weight of the animal feed additive according to the present invention.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, the animal feed additive according to the invention comprises or consists of: (a) about 25% to about 35% by weight glucose; (b) about 25% to about 35% by weight galactose; (c) 0 to about 30% by weight lactose; (d) from about 2% to about 4% by weight of minerals derived from milk; (d) from about 2% to about 4% by weight of milk-derived protein; (e) from about 3% to about 5% by weight of an organic acid; This assumes that all amounts and water add up to 100% by weight. The above weight percentages refer to the total weight of the animal feed additive according to the present invention. For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that this application does not include complementary amounts less than or greater than 100% by weight. The skilled person can also select a composition based on the amounts of components (a) to (e) from the present disclosure, without inventive step, which components (a) to (e) add up to 100% by weight.

[0009] As mentioned above, the animal feed additive according to the present invention contains an organic acid, which ensures that the animal feed additive according to the present invention is microbiologically free of defects and does not deteriorate. In a preferred embodiment, the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, formic acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid or mixtures thereof, preferably from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid or mixtures thereof, more preferably from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid or mixtures thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the organic acid is lactic acid.

[0010] As mentioned above, the animal feed additive according to the present invention contains minerals derived from milk. These minerals are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore require no further explanation. However, they are preferably minerals that can permeate ultrafiltration membranes having a pore size of about 3,000 to about 50,000 daltons, preferably about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

[0011] As described above, the animal feed additive according to the present invention contains milk-derived proteins. These proteins are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore require no further explanation. However, they are preferably proteins that can permeate ultrafiltration membranes having a pore size of about 1,000 to about 50,000 daltons, preferably about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

[0012] The animal feed additive according to the invention is characterized in that it contains no lactose or has only a low lactose content. The main purpose here is to prevent the formation of crystals in the product, as this would have a negative impact on the product quality.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the lactose content is less than 0.1% by weight, preferably less than 0.01% by weight, based on the total weight of the animal feed additive according to the invention.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the pH value of the animal feed additive according to the present invention is in the range of about 4.5 to about 5.5, preferably in the range of about 4.7 to about 5.0. It has been found that a pH value of 3.9 is particularly advantageous for the microbiological properties of the animal feed additive according to the present invention. Therefore, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the pH value of the animal feed additive according to the present invention is 3.9.

[0015] Viscosity plays an important role in simplifying the handling of animal feed additives for their intended purpose, i.e., in preparing animal feed after mixing with dry feed. In this regard, it has been found that a Brookfield viscosity (RVT, spindle 1, 10 rpm) at 20°C in the range of about 5,000 to about 30,000 mPas is advantageous for handling the animal feed additives according to the present invention for their intended purpose. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the Brookfield viscosity (RVT, spindle 1, 10 rpm) at 20°C of the animal feed additives according to the present invention is in the range of about 5,000 to about 20,000 mPas, preferably about 6,000 to about 10,000 mPas, and more preferably about 7,000 to about 9,000 mPas. These viscosities are reliably achieved by the formulations according to the present invention.

[0016] The animal feed additive according to the present invention has a high Brix value. In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed additive according to the present invention has a Brix value in the range of about 50% to about 90%, preferably in the range of about 65% to about 72%. Preparation method

[0017] Another object of the present invention relates to a method for preparing the animal feed additive according to the present invention, the method comprising or consisting of the following steps: (i) providing skimmed milk or whey, (ii) ultrafiltration of the skim milk or whey from step (a) to obtain a protein-rich and partially mineralized retentate and a protein- and mineral-poor permeate, (iii) concentrating the permeate from step (b) to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 40 wt % to about 60 wt %; (iv) hydrolyzing the intermediate product from step (c) by adding lactase; (v) concentrating the hydrolyzed intermediate product from step (d) to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 50% to about 80% by weight; (vi) adjusting the pH to about 4.5 to about 5.5.

[0018] According to the manufacturing method of the invention, in step (ii) the starting material (in the sense of the invention this can be skimmed milk or whey) is subjected to ultrafiltration, thereby obtaining a milk protein concentrate (retentate) and a permeate enriched in lactose and minerals.

[0019] The term ultrafiltration refers to filtration through membranes with pore sizes <0.1 μm. It is a purely physical, i.e., mechanical, membrane separation process that operates according to the principle of mechanical size exclusion: all particles in the fluid that are larger than the membrane pores are retained by the membrane. The driving force is the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the filter surface, which ranges from 0.1 to 10 bar. Depending on the application, the filter surface can be made of stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, or textile. There are various types of filter elements: cartridge filters, flat sheet membranes, spiral wound membranes, bag filters, and hollow fiber modules, all of which are essentially suitable for the present invention.

[0020] Ultrafiltration is preferably carried out at a temperature of about 10° C. to about 55° C., preferably 10° C. to 20° C., whereby the membranes preferably have a pore size of about 3,000 to about 50,000 daltons, preferably about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons. Preferably, these are so-called spiral-wound membranes or plate-and-frame modules made of polysulfone or polyethylene membranes.

[0021] Ultrafiltration is carried out by adding slide water or water of drinking water quality; in a preferred embodiment, the dilution factor is about 5-15, preferably about 10. The retentate obtained by ultrafiltration is separated and further utilized in another way. The permeate obtained by ultrafiltration is then concentrated in step (iii) to a dry mass of about 20% to about 40% by weight. This achieves the optimal concentration for the subsequent optimal hydrolysis of lactose. In a preferred embodiment, the permeate of step (b) is concentrated to a dry mass of about 25 to about 35% by weight, in particular to a dry mass of about 30% by weight. This dehydration or concentration is preferably carried out in a so-called "falling film evaporator". Concentration is then carried out until the desired dry mass is reached.

[0022] In step (iv), the lactose-containing intermediate product obtained in step (iii) is hydrolyzed to break down the lactose into glucose and galactose; this may result in partial or complete degradation of the lactose. Lactase (also known as LPH or LCT) is added to the lactose to break it down into its two sugar components. The hydrolysis can be carried out batchwise or continuously over a period of about 15 to about 1440 minutes and is preferably carried out in a stirred tank with a continuous feed and discharge, a metering device for adding enzyme, and a valve at the bottom of the reactor to remove inactivated enzyme that precipitates over time. It has been found to be advantageous to use an effective enzyme concentration of about 180,000 to 250,000 FCC units of lactase per kilogram of lactose to be hydrolyzed. It has also been found to be advantageous to carry out the reaction at a temperature in the range of about 45°C to about 55°C, most preferably at about 50°C. It has also been found to be advantageous to carry out the reaction at a slightly acidic pH of about 5 to 6. In a first embodiment, the amount of lactase used in step (iv) is such that the amount of lactose contained in the intermediate product of step (iii) is completely cleaved into glucose and galactose.

[0023] The hydrolyzed intermediate obtained in step (iv) is then concentrated to a dry mass of about 50% to about 80% by weight. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrolyzed intermediate obtained in step (iv) is concentrated to a dry mass of about 65% to about 75% by weight, in particular to a dry mass of about 70% by weight. This dehydration or concentration is carried out, for example, in a fluidized bed evaporator, a plate evaporator or preferably a falling film evaporator.

[0024] Subsequently, the pH of the product is adjusted to about 4.5 to about 5.5, ie by adding an organic acid as defined above. In a preferred embodiment, the pH is adjusted to about 4.7 to about 5.0, particularly preferably to 3.9. Industrial Applicability

[0025] Another object of the present invention is an animal feed additive as defined above, obtainable by a process as defined above.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is the use of the animal feed additive according to the invention as a molasses substitute in the production of animal feed.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is an animal feed comprising the animal feed additive according to the invention.In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed does not contain molasses.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is a method for preparing an animal feed as described above, comprising or consisting of the following steps: - providing an animal feed additive according to the invention, and - Mixing the dry feed with the animal feed additive according to the invention.

[0029] The choice of dry feed is not critical and is determined solely by the intended use or taste. All dry feeds suitable for mixing with molasses (eg all commercially available dry feeds) are suitable for the purposes of the present invention. Example Example 1

[0030] 100kg of skim milk has the following ingredients: skim milk Amount [wt%] lactose 4,9 protein 3,4 minerals 0,8 glucose 0,01 Galactose 0,01 water Add to 100 Ultrafiltration was performed at 15°C using a membrane with a pore size of 15,000 Daltons to obtain a low-protein permeate P1 as an intermediate product, the composition of which is as follows: Permeate of step (II) Amount [wt%] lactose 5,0 protein 0,2 minerals 0,3 glucose 0,01 Galactose 0,01 water Add to 100 The permeate of step (ii) is then concentrated in a falling film evaporator to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 50% by weight. The intermediate product has the following composition: Intermediate product of step (III) Amount [wt%] lactose 45,0 protein 1,9 minerals 2,7 glucose 0,1 Galactose 0,1 water Add to 100 The intermediate product of step (iii) was adjusted to pH 6 in a stirred tank at 50° C., and lactase was added in an amount such that a concentration of about 200,000 FCC units / kg lactose was obtained. After about 15 hours of hydrolysis, a product having the following composition was obtained: The hydrolysis product of step (IV) Amount [wt%] lactose 5,0 protein 20,0 minerals 20,0 glucose 1,9,0 Galactose 2,7 water Add to 100 The hydrolyzate of step (iv) is then concentrated in a falling film evaporator to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 75% by weight. The product of step (v) has the following composition: The product of step (v) Amount [wt%] lactose 7 protein 2,8 minerals 4,1 glucose 30 Galactose 30 water Add to 100 The product of step (v) is then adjusted to a pH of 3.9 with lactic acid. The final product (= P1) of the process according to the invention has the following composition: The animal feed additive according to the invention Amount [wt%] lactose 6,8 protein 2,7 minerals 3,9 glucose 29,0 Galactose 29,0 water Add to 100 Example 2 Evaluation of P1 - Comparison with molasses

[0031] Two different animal feeds (V1 and TF1) were prepared from commercially available dry feed. In one case, the dry feed was mixed with the manufacturer's recommended amount of molasses (animal feed V1). For comparison, the dry feed was mixed with the same amount of molasses as in animal feed V1 (animal feed TF1). Both animal feeds were fed to 10 cattle. For the first week, the cattle were fed animal feed V1; the following week, they were fed animal feed TF1. The feeding period was identical for two weeks. Based on the remaining, i.e., uneaten, feed per animal, the animal feed according to the invention was found to be significantly better accepted by the animals, as shown in the following table: Animal food Residue per meal [weight %], based on total amount fed V1 10 TF1 3

Claims

1. Animal feed additives containing or consisting of the following substances: (a) Glucose; (b) galactose; (c) lactose; (d) minerals derived from milk, preferably from cow's milk; (e) proteins derived from milk, preferably from cow's milk; (f) organic acids; and (g) water, Component (c) is optional.

2. The animal feed additive according to claim 1, comprising or consisting of the following substances: (a) about 20% to about 40% by weight glucose; (b) from about 20% to about 40% by weight galactose; (c) 0 to about 40% by weight lactose; (d) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of minerals derived from milk; (d) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of minerals derived from milk; and (e) from about 1% to about 7% by weight of an organic acid; This assumes that all amounts and water add up to 100% by weight.

3. The animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The organic acid is selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, formic acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid or a mixture thereof.

4. The animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The lactose content is less than 0.1% by weight.

5. The animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pH of the animal feed additive is in the range of about 4.5 to about 5.

5.

6. Animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The animal feed additive has a Brookfield viscosity at 20° C. (RVT, spindle 1, 10 rpm) in the range of about 5,000 to about 30,000 mPas.

7. The animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The animal feed additive has a Brix value in the range of about 50% to about 90%.

8. A method for preparing an animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising or consisting of the following steps: (i) providing skimmed milk or whey, (ii) ultrafiltration of the skimmed milk or whey from step (i) to obtain a protein-rich and partially mineralized retentate and a protein- and mineral-poor permeate, (iii) concentrating the permeate from step (ii) to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 40 wt % to about 60 wt %; (iv) hydrolyzing the intermediate product from step (iii) by adding lactase; (v) concentrating the hydrolyzed intermediate product from step (iv) to obtain an intermediate product having a dry mass of about 50% to about 80% by weight; (vi) adjusting the pH to about 4.5 to about 5.

5.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Ultrafiltration is performed using membranes having an average pore size of about 1,000 to about 50,000 Daltons.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The dry mass of the intermediate product obtained in step (iii) is in the range of about 45 to about 55 wt%.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Lactase is added to the intermediate product from step (iii) in an amount of 180,000 to 250,000 FCC units per kg of lactose to be hydrolyzed.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The dry mass of the intermediate product of step (v) is in the range of about 65 to about 75 weight percent.

13. Use of the animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 as a molasses substitute in the production of animal feed.

14. An animal feed comprising the animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

15. A method for preparing the animal feed according to claim 14, comprising the following steps: - providing an animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, - Mixing the dry feed with the animal feed additive according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.