A biological agent suitable for the growth of young pigeons, and a method for preparing and using the same

Abstract

This invention discloses a biological agent suitable for squab growth, its preparation method, and its application, belonging to the field of feed technology. It comprises the following components by weight: 8-40 parts of microbial agent, 1-10 parts of additive, 1-10 parts of antioxidant, 0.5-5 parts of peptidoglycan, and 40-60 parts of montmorillonite. The microbial agent includes *Bifidobacterium animalis*, *Lactobacillus acidophilus*, *Lactobacillus paracasei*, and *Lactobacillus reuteri*. The additive includes at least one of yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide. The biological agent for squab growth of this application uses montmorillonite as a base material. Under the combined action of the microbial agent, additive, antioxidant, and peptidoglycan, it can regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons, improve their immunity, and increase immune factors in pigeon milk. This can improve the growth performance of squabs, reduce the culling rate of both breeding and squabs, thereby increasing economic benefits and showing broad application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of feed technology, specifically to a biological agent suitable for the growth of squabs, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of residents' living standards and consumption levels, pigeons have become the fourth largest category of poultry for meat production, following chickens, ducks, and geese. Squab, in particular, is prized for its delicious and tender meat, rich in crude protein and small amounts of inorganic salts, making it a highly nutritious and desirable food.

[0003] As altricial birds, pigeons differ from other poultry in their growth and reproduction. Newly hatched pigeons cannot open their eyes, walk, or feed independently, relying entirely on their parents for survival. From hatching to market, squabs primarily obtain their nutrition from pigeon milk secreted by their parents' crops. In addition to conventional nutrients, pigeon milk contains other non-nutritive influencing factors such as digestive enzymes, immunoglobulins, and cytokines. Due to the long development period of the squabs' digestive tract and incomplete digestive function, especially in squabs aged 0-10 days, natural anti-nutritional factors in feed ingredients may affect their digestion and absorption. However, the digestive enzymes in pigeon milk can, to some extent, assist in the digestion and absorption of squabs. Furthermore, the immunoglobulins and cytokines obtained from the mother through lactation play a crucial role in promoting the growth of newborn animals, resisting diseases, and improving survival rates.

[0004] Patent CN106578587A discloses a disease-preventing feed for pigeons and its preparation method. It uses probiotics composed of Lactococcus lactis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus cereus, and uses traditional Chinese medicine disease-preventing additives mainly composed of Codonopsis pilosula, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Artemisia annua, pine needles, Pueraria lobata, fumaric acid, citric acid and isomaltooligosaccharide, which increases the cost and is not suitable for industrial production.

[0005] Therefore, this application is submitted. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a biological agent suitable for squab growth, its preparation method and application. The biological agent of this invention can regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons and improve their own immunity. At the same time, it can also increase the immune factors and nutrients in pigeon milk, thereby improving the growth performance of squabs and reducing the culling rate of breeding pigeons, thus improving economic benefits and having broad application prospects.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A biological agent suitable for the growth of squabs, comprising the following components in parts by weight: 8-40 parts of bacterial agent, 1-10 parts of additive, 1-10 parts of antioxidant, 0.5-5 parts of peptidoglycan, and 40-60 parts of montmorillonite;

[0009] The microbial agent includes Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus reuteri;

[0010] The additives include at least one of yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide.

[0011] The biological agent for squab growth proposed in this application uses montmorillonite as a base material. With the combined action of bacterial agents, additives, antioxidants, and peptidoglycan, it can regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons, improve their own immunity, and enhance the immune factors and nutrients in pigeon milk. This can improve the growth performance of squabs, reduce the culling rate of breeding pigeons, thereby increasing economic benefits and having broad application prospects.

[0012] The biological agent described in this application is non-toxic, harmless, and residue-free, and can achieve the effect of green and healthy aquaculture.

[0013] The biological agent of this application can protect easily inactivated active ingredients such as probiotics and light-sensitive ingredients such as glutathione. At the same time, it uses a variety of multifunctional active substances in an optimal combination to provide comprehensive protection from multiple aspects such as antibacterial, regulating intestinal health, improving immunity, easy absorption, and promoting feed intake, thereby improving the immunity and growth performance of pigeons.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it includes the following components in parts by weight: 20-24 parts of bacterial agent, 5-7 parts of additive, 5-8 parts of antioxidant, 2-2.5 parts of peptidoglycan, and 50-55 parts of montmorillonite. In particular, when the amount of each raw material is within this range, the compatibility between the components is better, which can further improve the growth performance of squabs, more effectively regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons and squabs, and reduce the culling rate of breeding pigeons and squabs.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus reuteri is (2-10):(2-10):(2-10):(2-10):(2-10):(2-10).

[0016] Among them, Bifidobacterium animalis can colonize the intestinal mucosa to form a beneficial bacterial barrier, produce acetic acid and lactic acid to lower the pH value of the intestine, produce bacteriocin-like proteins, and decompose coupled bile acids into free bile acids, thereby inhibiting external pathogens and endogenous saprophytic bacteria and opportunistic pathogens.

[0017] Lactobacillus acidophilus can inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Salmonella, and secrete avidin-like substances, such as acidophilic lactobacillusin, acidophilic bacitracin, and lactobacillusin, which have an antagonistic effect on intestinal pathogens. At the same time, it can promote the growth and reproduction of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, maintaining the overall microecological balance of the gastrointestinal tract and promoting nutrient absorption.

[0018] Lactobacillus paracasei can maintain the balance of the intestinal microecology by producing organic acids and bacteriocins, which inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria. It also enhances immune function, improves digestion, and prevents intestinal dysfunction problems such as constipation and diarrhea.

[0019] Lactobacillus reuteri can inhibit harmful bacteria, balance the flora structure, regulate the intestinal microecology, and improve intestinal health by secreting reuterin; it can also activate immune cells in the intestinal mucosa (such as macrophages and dendritic cells), promote their secretion of cytokines, regulate immune function, and enhance the body's resistance.

[0020] The present invention comprises Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus reuteri in a weight ratio of (2-10):(2-10):(2-10):(2-10):(2-10), which can jointly lower the intestinal pH and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Among them, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bifidobacterium animalis can efficiently produce lactic acid. In addition to producing lactic acid, Bifidobacterium animalis can also produce acetic acid. Acetic acid and lactic acid can synergistically lower the intestinal pH to 4.5-5.0 (the suitable pH for harmful bacteria is mostly above 6.0), directly inhibiting the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria. At the same time, acetic acid can also promote colonic peristalsis and reduce the colonization time of harmful bacteria in the intestine. Lactobacillus acidophilus is more likely to colonize the upper part of the small intestine, Lactobacillus paracasei can colonize the lower part of the small intestine and colonic mucosa, and Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus reuteri prefer the colon, effectively preventing harmful bacteria from adhering to intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, the aforementioned Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus reuteri can synergistically secrete antibacterial substances, enhance antibacterial activity and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, effectively reduce chronic intestinal inflammation, and improve the immune tolerance of the intestinal mucosa.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus reuteri is (5-6):(5-6):(5-6):(5-6):(5-6):(5-6).

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the additive comprises yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide in a weight ratio of (0.5-5):(0.5-5).

[0023] This application uses yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide in a weight ratio of (0.5-5):(0.5-5) as additives. The yeast β-glucan can activate immune cells, such as macrophages, T cells, and B cells, thereby enhancing the body's immune function. It also acts as a prebiotic, promoting the proliferation of *Bifidobacterium animalis*, *Lactobacillus acidophilus*, *Lactobacillus paracasei*, and *Lactobacillus reuteri*, enhancing the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, reducing the penetration of harmful substances, and helping to improve the intestinal microecology. Astragalus polysaccharide has antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-stress, and immune-enhancing functions. Yeast β-glucan enhances innate immunity by activating macrophages and neutrophils (dependent on the Dectin-1 receptor); astragalus polysaccharide regulates T / B lymphocyte activity, promotes the release of immune factors (such as IL-2 and IFN-γ), strengthens acquired immunity, and effectively improves immunity.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the additive comprises yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide in a weight ratio of (2.5-4):(2.5-4).

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antioxidant comprises nucleotides and glutathione in a mass ratio of (0.5-5):(0.5-5).

[0026] This application uses nucleotides and glutathione in a mass ratio of (0.5-5):(0.5-5) as antioxidants, which not only have a good antioxidant effect, protect cells from free radical damage, and improve the stability of biological agents, but also participate in the cell detoxification process, enhance the body's immunity, improve intestinal morphology and structure, and have specific effects on the olfactory nerves, taste and chemoreceptors of pigeons, and have a certain synergistic effect on other components, making them more stable.

[0027] This invention also provides a method for preparing a biological agent suitable for pigeon growth, comprising the following steps:

[0028] The additives, peptidoglycan, and antioxidants are mixed evenly to obtain a premix. The premix, bacterial agent, and montmorillonite are then mixed evenly to obtain a biological agent suitable for the growth of squabs.

[0029] This invention also provides the application of a biological agent suitable for squab growth in the preparation of breeding pigeon feed.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biological agent suitable for squab growth has a mass percentage content of 0.1-10% in the feed of breeding pigeons.

[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The biological agent applicable to squab growth in this application uses montmorillonite as a base material. Under the combined action of bacterial agents, additives, antioxidants, and peptidoglycan, it can regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons, improve their own immunity, and at the same time, it can also increase the immune factors in pigeon milk. This can improve the growth performance of squabs, reduce the culling rate of breeding pigeons and squabs, thereby improving economic benefits and having broad application prospects. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] In this application, the technical features described in an open-ended manner include both closed technical solutions consisting of the listed features and open technical solutions that include the listed features.

[0034] In this application, numerical ranges are referred to as continuous unless otherwise specified, and include the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range, as well as every value between the minimum and maximum values. Furthermore, when the range refers to integers, it includes every integer between the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range. Additionally, when multiple ranges are provided to describe a feature or characteristic, the ranges may be merged. In other words, unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed herein should be understood to include any and all subranges to which they are incorporated.

[0035] In this application, there are no particular restrictions on the specific dispersion and mixing methods.

[0036] Unless otherwise specified, all reagents and instruments used in this application are commercially available conventional products. Information on the raw materials used in the embodiments and comparative examples of this invention is as follows:

[0037] Bifidobacterium animalis: purchased from Guangdong Provincial Microbial Culture Collection Center, number GDMCC1.1733.

[0038] Lactobacillus acidophilus: purchased from Guangdong Provincial Center for Microbial Culture Collection, number GDMCC1.3204.

[0039] Lactobacillus paracasei: purchased from Beijing Bio-Biobio Biotechnology Co., Ltd., product number Bio-52492(ATCC334).

[0040] Lactobacillus reuteri: purchased from Guangdong Provincial Microbial Culture Collection Center, number GDMCC NO.1.4697.

[0041] Bacillus subtilis: purchased from Guangdong Provincial Microbial Culture Collection Center, number GDMCC 1.5711.

[0042] Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Purchased from Guangdong Provincial Microbial Culture Collection Center, catalog number GDMCC 2.4.

[0043] Peptidoglycan: Purchased from Shanghai Kanglang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

[0044] Candida tropicalis: purchased from China Culture Collection Center, number Bio-51954.

[0045] Yeast β-glucan: purchased from Shaanxi Chenming Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

[0046] Astragalus polysaccharide: purchased from Shaanxi Hetaiyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

[0047] Montmorillonite: Purchased from Beijing Fushite Feed Co., Ltd.

[0048] Nucleotides: Purchased from CJ (China) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

[0049] Glutathione: Purchased from Guangdong Mingtong Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

[0050] The following embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the invention. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0051] Examples 1-10, Comparative Examples 1-11

[0052] The formulations of the biological agents suitable for pigeon growth in Examples 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-11 are shown in Table 1 (all figures are parts by weight) and Table 2 (all figures are parts by weight).

[0053] The preparation methods of the biological agents suitable for pigeon growth in Examples 1-8 include the following steps:

[0054] Weigh each ingredient according to the weight ratio, and mix Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus reuteri evenly to obtain premix 1;

[0055] Weigh out yeast β-glucan, astragalus polysaccharide, nucleotides, glutathione, and peptidoglycan according to the weight parts, and mix them for 15 minutes to obtain premix 2;

[0056] Montmorillonite, premix 1, and premix 2 were placed in a horizontal mixer and stirred until homogeneous to obtain a biological agent suitable for pigeon growth.

[0057] Example 9 differs from Example 3 in that it does not contain astragalus polysaccharide, but instead uses an equal amount of yeast β-glucan to replace it; all other aspects are the same.

[0058] Example 10 differs from Example 3 in that it does not contain yeast β-glucan, but instead uses an equal amount of astragalus polysaccharide to replace yeast β-glucan; all other aspects are the same.

[0059] The difference between Comparative Example 1 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 1 uses an equal amount of Bifidobacterium animalis to replace Lactobacillus acidophilus (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), while everything else is the same.

[0060] The difference between Comparative Example 2 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 1 uses an equal amount of Lactobacillus paracasei to replace Bifidobacterium animalis (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), while everything else is the same.

[0061] The difference between Comparative Example 3 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 3 does not contain Bifidobacterium animalis (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), but everything else is the same.

[0062] The difference between Comparative Example 4 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 4 does not contain Lactobacillus acidophilus (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), but everything else is the same.

[0063] The difference between Comparative Example 5 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 5 does not contain Lactobacillus paracasei (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), but everything else is the same.

[0064] The difference between Comparative Example 6 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 6 does not contain Lactobacillus reuteri (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), but everything else is the same.

[0065] The difference between Comparative Example 7 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 7 uses an equal amount of Bacillus subtilis to replace Bifidobacterium animalis (the bacterial weight remains unchanged), while everything else is the same.

[0066] The difference between Comparative Example 8 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 8 uses an equal amount of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to replace Lactobacillus paracasei (with no change in bacterial weight), while everything else is the same.

[0067] The difference between Comparative Example 9 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 9 uses an equal amount of Candida tropicalis to replace Lactobacillus reuteri (with no change in bacterial weight), while everything else is the same.

[0068] The difference between Comparative Example 10 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 10 does not contain nucleotides (it uses an equal amount of glutathione to replace nucleotides), but everything else is the same.

[0069] The difference between Comparative Example 11 and Example 3 is that Comparative Example 11 uses equal amounts of tea polyphenols to replace glutathione and nucleotides, while everything else is the same.

[0070] Table 1

[0071]

[0072] Table 2

[0073]

[0074]

[0075] Aquaculture experiment

[0076] 1. The biological agents from the examples and comparative examples were added to the breeding pigeon feed at a ratio of 2% (the feed formula is shown in Table 3, that is, the biological agents were added to the Boen breeding pigeon egg-laying period compound feed (brand 223) at a ratio of 2:98, and a breeding experiment was conducted.

[0077] 2. The experiment employed a single-factor randomized design, selecting 396 pairs of American White King pigeons with similar production and reproductive performance that laid eggs on the same day. These pairs were randomly divided into 22 groups (1 control group and 21 experimental groups; the experimental groups received the biological agents from the examples and comparative studies, while the control groups received none). Each treatment group had 6 replicates, with 3 pairs of breeding pigeons per replicate. The experimental period included incubation and rearing, approximately 40 days. A "2+2" rearing model was adopted, with each pair of breeding pigeons rearing 2 squabs. Each replicate was placed equally in the upper, middle, and lower positions of a three-tiered cage to eliminate the influence of cage position on the experimental results.

[0078] 3. Feeding and Management

[0079] The experiment was conducted at the Jingkou base. The pigeon lofts were enclosed, employing a combination of natural and artificial lighting to ensure 16 hours of light per day. The lofts used a combination of mechanical and natural ventilation for air exchange and temperature control. Feed troughs were regularly cleaned and disinfected, and droppings were removed. Breeding pigeons were housed in individual pairs in separate cages, with free access to feed and water, 24-hour water supply, and continuous supplementation of grit. After hatching, the health status of the flock was monitored.

[0080] 4. Indicator Measurement and Methods

[0081] (1) Breeding pigeon production performance - average daily feed intake and body weight of breeding pigeons

[0082] During the trial, the amount of feed added and the amount of feed leftover were recorded weekly. At 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the start, middle and end of the trial, after fasting for 12 hours, the weight of each pair of breeding pigeons was measured in cages.

[0083] The average daily feed intake (ADFI) and weight loss per breeding pair are calculated using the following formulas:

[0084] Average daily feed intake (ADFI) (g / d / pair) = Total feed intake (g) / Number of days in the experiment (d)

[0085] Weight loss of breeding pigeons (g / pair) = Final weight of the pigeons at the end of the experiment (g / pair) - Initial weight of the pigeons at the beginning of the experiment (g / pair)

[0086] (2) Measurement of squab growth performance (reflecting squab milk secretion capacity)

[0087] Squab weight: The squabs were weighed at 6:00 am on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day after hatching, after fasting for 12 hours. Each pair of squabs was weighed in cages.

[0088] Table 3. Effects on breeding pigeon production performance

[0089]

[0090] Note: Different superscript letters in the same row indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while identical letters or no letters indicate no significant differences (P>0.05).

[0091] Table 4. Effects on growth performance of squabs

[0092]

[0093]

[0094] Note: Different superscript letters in the same row indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while identical letters or no letters indicate no significant differences (P>0.05).

[0095] As can be seen from Tables 3 and 4, the biological agent for squab growth proposed in this application uses montmorillonite as a base material. Under the combined action of bacterial agents, additives, antioxidants, and peptidoglycan, it can regulate the intestinal health of breeding pigeons and squabs, improve the immunity of breeding pigeons, and enhance the immune factors in pigeon milk. This can improve the growth performance of squabs, reduce the culling rate of breeding pigeons and squabs, thereby improving economic benefits and having broad application prospects.

[0096] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A biological agent suitable for the growth of squabs, characterized in that, It includes the following components in parts by weight: 8-40 parts of bacterial agent, 1-10 parts of additive, 1-10 parts of antioxidant, 0.5-5 parts of peptidoglycan, and 40-60 parts of montmorillonite; The microbial agent is composed of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus reuteri. The weight ratio of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus reuteri is (2~10):(2~10):(2~10):(2~10); The additives include yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide in a weight ratio of (0.5~5):(0.5~5); The antioxidant comprises nucleotides and glutathione in a mass ratio of (0.5~5):(0.5~5).

2. The biological agent suitable for pigeon growth according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes the following components by weight: 20-24 parts of bacterial agent, 5-7 parts of additive, 5-8 parts of antioxidant, 2-2.5 parts of peptidoglycan, and 50-55 parts of montmorillonite.

3. The biological agent suitable for pigeon growth according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weight ratio of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus reuteri is (5~6):(5~6):(5~6):(5~6).

4. The biological agent suitable for pigeon growth according to claim 1, characterized in that, The additives include yeast β-glucan and astragalus polysaccharide in a weight ratio of (2.5~3.5):(2.5~3.5).

5. The method for preparing the biological agent suitable for pigeon growth according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The additives, peptidoglycan, and antioxidants are mixed evenly to obtain a premix. The premix, bacterial agent, and montmorillonite are then mixed evenly to obtain a biological agent suitable for the growth of squabs.

6. The use of the biological agent suitable for squab growth as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 in the preparation of breeding pigeon feed.

7. The application according to claim 6, characterized in that, The biological agent suitable for squab growth has a mass percentage of 0.1-10% in the feed of breeding pigeons.

Images