Antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle and preparation method of antibiotic-free feed additive

Abstract

The present invention provides a beef cattle antibiotic-free feed additive and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of feeds, the beef cattle antibiotic-free feed additive comprises composite probiotics, an enzyme preparation, a cellulose source, a nutrition enhancer, a natural preservative and a flavoring agent. The total viable count of the probiotic components is not less than 1 billion CFU per gram, so that the intestinal health and the immunity enhancement are ensured. The preparation method comprises the steps of probiotic fermentation, spray drying, mixing of the components and granulation, the components are scientifically proportioned, effective replacement of traditional antibiotics is achieved, and the problems that an existing antibiotic-free feed additive is unstable in effect and single in component are solved. Especially added beta-glucan and other functional components further improve the performance of the product. The beef cattle feed not only improves the growth efficiency and the product quality of beef cattle, but also meets the green and safe requirements of modern animal husbandry, is suitable for beef cattle in different growth stages, optimizes resource utilization, reduces the breeding cost, and provides reliable technical support for farmers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of feed, and particularly relates to an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In traditional beef cattle farming, antibiotics are often added to feed to promote growth and prevent disease. However, long-term antibiotic use can lead to increased bacterial resistance, drug residues, and potential environmental pollution. Furthermore, increasing consumer concern about food safety is driving a growing demand for antibiotic-free feed additives.

[0003] While there are a wide variety of antibiotic-free feed additives on the market, they often suffer from inconsistent effectiveness, limited ingredients, and nutritional imbalances. Some products only address specific issues, such as boosting immunity or improving digestion, but fail to fully meet the healthy and efficient production requirements of beef cattle during growth. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle and a preparation method thereof, aiming to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle, comprising the following ingredients:

[0007] Probiotic ingredients, including lactic acid bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei), Bifidobacteria (such as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve), and Bacillus (such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis);

[0008] Plant extracts selected from garlic extract, tea polyphenols, curcumin, rosemary extract, and peppermint essential oil;

[0009] Enzyme preparations, including protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, and pectinase;

[0010] Cellulose sources, such as lignin, hemicellulose, inulin, and xylo-oligosaccharides;

[0011] Nutritional supplements, including vitamins A, D3, E, C, B vitamins (such as niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin), minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium), and amino acids (such as lysine, methionine, and threonine);

[0012] Natural preservatives, such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT);

[0013] Flavoring agents such as betaine, nucleotides, yeast extract, flavor enhancers.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the total viable count of the probiotic component is no less than 1 billion CFU per gram of feed additive.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other functional ingredients are also included, such as β-glucan, oligosaccharides, and manno-oligosaccharides.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle is characterized by comprising the steps of:

[0017] The selected probiotics were inoculated into a suitable culture medium and fermented at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, a pH of 6.8, and a fermentation time of 48 hours;

[0018] After fermentation, the probiotics are collected and dried to obtain probiotic powder;

[0019] Mix the plant extracts with the probiotic powder;

[0020] Add enzyme preparation, cellulose source and other ingredients and mix thoroughly;

[0021] Add nutritional supplements and other ingredients and mix them evenly to obtain the final product;

[0022] The mixed material is made into granules with a particle size of 2-4 mm.

[0023] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the probiotic powder is prepared by spray drying after the fermentation process.

[0024] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the mixed material is formed into granules by an extrusion granulator.

[0025] As a preferred solution of the present invention, it is characterized in that: the feed additive is added to the conventional feed at a weight ratio of 0.5%.

[0026] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the proportion of feed additives is adjusted according to different growth stages of beef cattle, with the proportion in the calves stage being 0.5% and the proportion in the fattening stage being 0.3%.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] By scientifically blending multiple ingredients, this additive effectively replaces traditional reliance on antibiotics and significantly improves the effectiveness and safety of beef cattle farming in multiple ways. Firstly, the complex probiotic system (including lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and bacillus) in this additive effectively maintains the balance of intestinal microorganisms, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the reproduction of harmful bacteria, thereby strengthening the immune system of beef cattle and reducing the incidence of disease. This natural approach not only avoids the problem of drug resistance caused by antibiotic use, but also ensures a healthy and stable internal environment for beef cattle.

[0029] Secondly, carefully selected plant extracts such as garlic extract, tea polyphenols, and curcumin possess natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties, providing an additional protective barrier for beef cattle without the use of synthetic drugs. These ingredients help enhance the cattle's ability to resist external pathogens while reducing cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, further ensuring their health. Furthermore, plant extracts can improve the cattle's overall physiological function, such as enhancing liver detoxification and boosting metabolism, enabling them to grow in healthier conditions.

[0030] Third, the enzyme preparations (such as proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and pectinases) added to the present invention can significantly improve the digestion and absorption efficiency of nutrients in feed. These enzymes can break down complex organic molecules, making them more readily available to the cattle's body, thereby increasing feed conversion efficiency and reducing feeding costs. In particular, the addition of cellulase and pectinase can help cattle better obtain energy from difficult-to-digest fiber components, supporting their rapid growth and development. This improvement not only promotes weight gain in beef cattle, but also improves meat quality, enhancing the product's market competitiveness.

[0031] Fourth, the present invention fully considers the nutritional needs of beef cattle throughout their growth cycle, specifically adding vitamins A, D3, E, C, and B vitamins, as well as various minerals and amino acids such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The rational combination of these nutritional enhancers ensures that beef cattle receive a comprehensive and balanced nutritional supply, supporting multiple important physiological processes such as bone development, muscle growth, and immune regulation. In particular, the invention optimizes the design for the different nutritional needs of young cattle and fattening periods, ensuring that each stage receives the most appropriate support and maximizes the production potential of beef cattle.

[0032] Fifth, to extend the product's shelf life and improve cattle's acceptance of the feed, this invention incorporates natural preservatives (such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, BHA, and BHT) and flavorings (such as betaine, nucleotides, and yeast extract). The use of natural preservatives not only ensures the safety and stability of the feed additive but also meets modern consumers' demand for green food. Flavorings can stimulate cattle's appetite by improving the taste and smell of the feed, ensuring adequate nutritional intake and ultimately improving overall growth performance.

[0033] Finally, the preparation method provided by this invention is meticulously designed, utilizing advanced fermentation and drying techniques to maximize the preservation of probiotic activity. By controlling fermentation conditions (such as temperature, pH, and time), the growth and reproduction of probiotics can be effectively promoted. The application of spray drying also ensures excellent fluidity and stability in the final product. Furthermore, the granules produced by the extrusion granulator are not only convenient for storage and transportation, but also allow for uniform mixing with conventional feed, ensuring consistent nutritional supplementation for every beef cattle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0037] An antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle, comprising the following ingredients:

[0038] Probiotic ingredients, including lactic acid bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei), Bifidobacteria (such as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve), and Bacillus (such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis);

[0039] Plant extracts selected from garlic extract, tea polyphenols, curcumin, rosemary extract, and peppermint essential oil;

[0040] Enzyme preparations, including protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, and pectinase;

[0041] Cellulose sources, such as lignin, hemicellulose, inulin, and xylo-oligosaccharides;

[0042] Nutritional supplements, including vitamins A, D3, E, C, B vitamins (such as niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin), minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium), and amino acids (such as lysine, methionine, and threonine);

[0043] Natural preservatives, such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT);

[0044] Flavoring agents such as betaine, nucleotides, yeast extract, flavor enhancers.

[0045] In specific embodiments of the present invention, a composite probiotic system (including lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and bacillus) can effectively maintain the balance of intestinal microorganisms, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria, thereby strengthening the immune system of beef cattle and reducing the incidence of disease. This natural approach not only avoids the problem of drug resistance caused by antibiotic use but also ensures a healthy and stable internal environment for beef cattle. Secondly, carefully selected plant extracts such as garlic extract, tea polyphenols, and curcumin possess natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties, providing an additional protective barrier for beef cattle without the use of chemical synthetic drugs. These ingredients help improve beef cattle's ability to resist external pathogens while reducing cell damage caused by oxidative stress, further ensuring the health of beef cattle. Furthermore, plant extracts can improve the overall physiological function of beef cattle, for example, by enhancing liver detoxification and increasing metabolic rates, allowing beef cattle to grow in healthier conditions. Thirdly, the enzyme preparations added to the present invention (such as proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and pectinases) can significantly improve the digestion and absorption efficiency of nutrients in feed. These enzymes can break down complex organic molecules, making them easier to be used by the body of beef cattle, thereby improving feed conversion rate and reducing feeding costs. In particular, for fiber components that are difficult to digest, the addition of cellulase and pectinase can help beef cattle better obtain energy and support their rapid growth and development. This improvement not only promotes the weight gain of beef cattle, but also improves the quality of meat and enhances the market competitiveness of the product. Fourth, the present invention fully considers the nutritional needs of beef cattle throughout the growth cycle, and especially adds vitamins A, D3, E, C and B vitamins, as well as various minerals and amino acids such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The rational combination of these nutritional enhancers ensures that beef cattle obtain a comprehensive and balanced nutritional supply, supporting their bone development, muscle growth, immune regulation and other important physiological processes. In particular, it is optimized for the different nutritional needs of the calves and fattening periods, ensuring that each stage can obtain the most appropriate support and maximize the production potential of beef cattle. Finally, to extend the product's shelf life and improve cattle's acceptance of the feed, this invention incorporates natural preservatives (such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, BHA, and BHT) and flavorings (such as betaine, nucleotides, and yeast extract). The use of natural preservatives not only ensures the safety and stability of the feed additive but also meets modern consumers' demand for green food. Flavorings can improve the taste and smell of the feed, stimulating the cattle's appetite and ensuring adequate nutritional intake, thereby enhancing overall growth performance.

[0046] Specifically, the total viable bacteria count of the probiotic component is no less than 1 billion CFU per gram of feed additive.

[0047] In this embodiment: A sufficient number of probiotics is one of the key factors in achieving their biological effects. Studies have shown that probiotics need to reach a certain concentration to effectively colonize the intestines and inhibit the growth of pathogens through a competitive exclusion mechanism. When each gram of feed additive contains no less than 1 billion CFU of viable bacteria, it can ensure that sufficient probiotics establish a dominant position in the intestines of beef cattle, promote the development of beneficial bacteria, and maintain the balance of intestinal microecology. In addition, a high density of probiotics can also produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. These substances are not only a source of energy for intestinal epithelial cells, but also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, such a high number of viable bacteria not only helps to improve the resistance of beef cattle, but also improves the intestinal barrier function, prevents pathogen invasion, and reduces the incidence of disease. More importantly, this high level of probiotic content can continuously affect the health of beef cattle, maintain a stable intestinal microbial community even under stress conditions, ensure that beef cattle are always in the best health, and thus improve breeding efficiency.

[0048] Specifically, other functional ingredients are also included, such as β-glucan, oligosaccharides, and manno-oligosaccharides.

[0049] In this example, β-glucan acts as a nonspecific immunopotentiator, activating immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells, thereby enhancing the body's immune response. It also acts as a prebiotic, selectively promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, creating a healthier intestinal environment. Oligosaccharides and manno-oligosaccharides have similar effects. They cannot be directly digested by beef cattle, but instead serve as prebiotics for beneficial bacteria in the intestines, thereby indirectly supporting intestinal health. Furthermore, oligosaccharides and manno-oligosaccharides can bind to receptor sites on the surfaces of pathogens, preventing them from attaching to the intestinal mucosa and acting as a physical barrier. These components work together to not only strengthen the intestinal defense mechanism but also improve intestinal permeability and integrity, reducing the possibility of toxins and other harmful substances entering the bloodstream. The combined effect is that the immune system of beef cattle is comprehensively supported, reducing the risk of disease while also helping to improve feed utilization and growth rate, ultimately achieving higher economic benefits and better product quality.

[0050] Specifically, a method for preparing an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle is characterized by comprising the steps of:

[0051] The selected probiotics were inoculated into a suitable culture medium and fermented at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, a pH of 6.8, and a fermentation time of 48 hours;

[0052] After fermentation, the probiotics are collected and dried to obtain probiotic powder;

[0053] Mix the plant extracts with the probiotic powder;

[0054] Add enzyme preparation, cellulose source and other ingredients and mix thoroughly;

[0055] Add nutritional supplements and other ingredients and mix them evenly to obtain the final product;

[0056] The mixed material is made into granules with a particle size of 2-4 mm.

[0057] In this example, the fermentation process involves inoculating selected probiotics into a suitable culture medium under strictly controlled conditions of temperature (37°C), pH (6.8), and time (48 hours). This maximizes the growth and reproduction of the probiotics, ensuring their activity. After fermentation, the probiotics are collected and dried to produce a probiotic powder that retains a high viable count, a crucial factor in ensuring the effectiveness of the feed additive. Next, the plant extract is mixed with the probiotic powder, followed by the enzyme preparation, cellulose source, and other ingredients, followed by thorough mixing to ensure good dispersion and interaction between the ingredients. This gradual mixing approach avoids potential adverse reactions between the different ingredients, such as enzyme inactivation or nutrient degradation, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the final product. Subsequently, nutritional supplements and other ingredients are added and thoroughly mixed to obtain the final product. This step ensures the uniform distribution of all nutrients, ensuring that each portion of the feed additive contains the same proportion of active ingredients, providing consistent nutritional support for beef cattle. Finally, the mixture is granulated into pellets sized 2-4 mm. This format is not only convenient for storage and transportation, but also easy to mix with regular feed, ensuring that every beef cattle receives a uniform nutritional supplement. The meticulous operation and strict control throughout the preparation process ensure the quality and effectiveness of the feed additive, providing a reliable technical support for beef cattle breeding.

[0058] Specifically, the probiotic powder is prepared by spray drying after the fermentation process is completed.

[0059] In this embodiment, spray drying is a fast and efficient drying technology that rapidly removes moisture, transforming probiotics from a liquid into a solid powder in a short period of time, minimizing the loss of heat-sensitive components. During the spray drying process, the liquid probiotic solution is atomized into fine droplets. These droplets rapidly evaporate the water upon instantaneous contact with hot air, forming a dry powdered product. Due to its extremely short drying time, spray drying effectively prevents the death or loss of probiotic activity caused by prolonged high-temperature treatment, thereby ensuring a high viable count in the final product. Furthermore, spray drying improves the flowability and solubility of the probiotic powder, making it easier to mix evenly with other ingredients and enhancing the overall quality of the feed additive. More importantly, probiotic powder produced by spray drying exhibits excellent stability and maintains activity for an extended period, extending the product's shelf life. This is crucial for large-scale production and long-term storage, as it not only ensures product effectiveness but also reduces the economic losses caused by probiotic inactivation. In summary, the use of spray drying to prepare probiotic powder is an important means of ensuring the efficiency and stability of feed additives, providing strong technical support for beef cattle farming.

[0060] Specifically, the mixed material is formed into granules by an extrusion granulator.

[0061] In this embodiment, an extrusion granulator compresses the mixture into particles of a specific size, typically 2-4 mm, by applying appropriate pressure. This granular form has several significant advantages: First, the particles have a compact structure and fewer internal pores, which reduces the penetration of oxygen and moisture and helps extend the shelf life of the product. Second, the particles have a regular shape and good fluidity, making them easier to mechanized packaging and transportation, reducing logistics costs. Furthermore, granular feed additives are easier to mix evenly with conventional feed, ensuring that each beef cattle can consume the appropriate amount of additives, avoiding nutritional deficiencies or excesses caused by uneven mixing. In addition, the granular form can also increase beef cattle's interest in feeding feed, as they prefer to chew granular food, which helps stimulate their appetite and increase feed intake. Finally, the granular feed additive is released more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing it to work more sustainably and improving the utilization efficiency of nutrients. In summary, feed additives produced in granular form by an extrusion granulator not only improve the practicality and convenience of the product, but also enhance its effectiveness in practical applications, bringing significant economic benefits to beef cattle breeding.

[0062] Specifically, it is characterized in that the feed additive is added to conventional feed at a weight ratio of 0.5%.

[0063] In this embodiment, a reasonable addition ratio is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of the feed additive. A ratio of 0.5% ensures sufficient active ingredient content without causing waste or side effects. At this ratio, the various ingredients can fully exert their effects. For example, probiotics can establish a dominant position in the intestines of beef cattle, plant extracts can provide effective antibacterial and antioxidant protection, enzyme preparations can significantly improve the digestion and absorption efficiency of nutrients, and nutritional supplements can meet the comprehensive nutritional requirements of beef cattle growth. Moreover, this ratio is suitable for most beef cattle breeds and different growth stages, with wide applicability. In practical application, the 0.5% addition ratio is convenient for farmers and ensures that every beef cattle receives uniform nutritional supplementation. More importantly, the feed additive at this ratio does not change the physical properties of conventional feed, such as palatability and flowability, thereby ensuring normal feeding behavior of beef cattle. Overall, the 0.5% addition ratio is a scientifically reasonable setting that not only ensures the effectiveness of the feed additive but also takes into account the convenience of practical application, providing reliable technical guidance for beef cattle breeding.

[0064] Specifically, the proportion of feed additives is adjusted according to the different growth stages of beef cattle, with the proportion being 0.5% in the calves stage and 0.3% in the fattening stage.

[0065] In this embodiment, the calf stage is a critical period for the growth and development of beef cattle, requiring additional nutritional support to build a strong physique and immune system. Therefore, setting the feed additive ratio to 0.5% during the calf stage ensures that cattle receive adequate probiotics, plant extracts, enzymes, and nutritional supplements, promoting intestinal health and immune system maturation. As beef cattle mature and enter the fattening period, their nutritional needs change, with the focus shifting to rapid weight gain and improved meat quality. Adjusting the feed additive ratio to 0.3% at this time ensures necessary health support without excessively increasing costs. This flexible adjustment method not only takes into account the specific needs of beef cattle at different growth stages, but also optimizes resource utilization and improves farming efficiency. Furthermore, precise adjustment helps avoid potential risks associated with excessive additive use, such as overnutrition or increased metabolic burden. In this way, farmers can develop personalized feeding plans tailored to the specific needs of their beef cattle, ensuring optimal nutritional support at each stage, ultimately achieving efficient beef production and high-quality product output.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or substitute equivalents for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle, comprising the following ingredients: Probiotic ingredients, including lactic acid bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei), Bifidobacteria (such as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve), and Bacillus (such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis); Plant extracts selected from garlic extract, tea polyphenols, curcumin, rosemary extract, and peppermint essential oil; Enzyme preparations, including protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, and pectinase; Cellulose sources, such as lignin, hemicellulose, inulin, and xylo-oligosaccharides; Nutritional supplements, including vitamins A, D3, E, C, B vitamins (such as niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin), minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium), and amino acids (such as lysine, methionine, and threonine); Natural preservatives, such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); Flavoring agents such as betaine, nucleotides, yeast extract, flavor enhancers.

2. The antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 1, wherein the total viable count of the probiotic component is not less than 1 billion CFU per gram of the feed additive.

3. The antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 2, further comprising other functional ingredients, such as β-glucan, oligosaccharides, and manno-oligosaccharides.

4. The method for preparing an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 3, characterized in that: Including steps, The selected probiotics were inoculated into a suitable culture medium and fermented at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, a pH of 6.8, and a fermentation time of 48 hours; After fermentation, the probiotics are collected and dried to obtain probiotic powder; Mix the plant extracts with the probiotic powder; Add enzyme preparation, cellulose source and other ingredients and mix thoroughly; Add nutritional supplements and other ingredients and mix them evenly to obtain the final product; The mixed material is made into granules with a particle size of 2-4 mm.

5. The method for preparing an antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 4, characterized in that: After the fermentation process is completed, probiotic powder is prepared by spray drying.

6. The method for preparing the antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mixed material is formed into granules by an extrusion granulator.

7. The antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle and its preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The feed additive is added to conventional feed at a weight ratio of 0.5%.

8. The antibiotic-free feed additive for beef cattle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The proportion of feed additives is adjusted according to the different growth stages of beef cattle, with the proportion being 0.5% in the juvenile stage and 0.3% in the fattening stage.