Laying hen feed containing coix lacryma-jobi polysaccharide as well as preparation method and application of laying hen feed

Abstract

The invention discloses laying hen feed containing coix lacryma-jobi polysaccharide as well as a preparation method and application of the laying hen feed. The feed is characterized by comprising a coix polysaccharide-organic zinc compound formed through coordination bond combination, the zinc content is 4%-8%, and the addition amount of the compound in the feed is 0.05%-0.2%. The preparation method comprises the following steps: firstly, carrying out reaction on coix lacryma-jobi polysaccharide and zinc glycinate at specific pH and temperature, and carrying out spray drying to obtain a compound; and uniformly adding the compound into a basal feed through premixing and final mixing processes. The compound disclosed by the invention is stable in structure and high in bioavailability, can synergistically exert the dual effects of coix polysaccharide and organic zinc when being applied to a laying hen feed, can effectively improve the laying rate, improve the eggshell strength and the protein quality, and enhance the immunity of laying hens, and has remarkable economic and environmental benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of livestock and poultry feed technology, specifically relating to a functional laying hen feed. More specifically, this invention relates to a laying hen feed containing a specific coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex, its preparation method, and its application in improving laying hen egg production performance, egg quality, and enhancing immune function. Background Technology With the intensive development of animal husbandry and the increasing demands for the safety and quality of animal-derived food, the development of green, safe, and efficient functional feed additives has become a hot research topic in the industry. The ban on antibiotics makes finding alternatives to maintain animal gut health and enhance immunity particularly urgent.

[0002] Zinc is an essential trace element for the growth, development, and production of laying hens. It participates in the formation of hundreds of enzymes in the body and plays a crucial role in physiological processes such as immune regulation, protein synthesis, and cell division. Traditional feed additives mostly use inorganic zinc, but its bioavailability is low, and a large amount of unabsorbed zinc is excreted in feces, causing serious environmental pollution. In addition, inorganic zinc has a strong irritant effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Organic zinc, especially amino acid chelated zinc, is gradually becoming an ideal alternative to inorganic zinc due to its advantages such as good stability, high bioavailability, and low toxicity.

[0003] Coix seed polysaccharide is the main active ingredient extracted from the traditional medicinal and edible plant, Coix seed. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that it possesses various biological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects. In the aquaculture industry, Coix seed polysaccharide shows promising application prospects as a potential plant-derived immune enhancer.

[0004] Currently, there are reports on the preparation of complexes by combining polysaccharides with trace elements and their application in animal feed. However, existing technologies typically suffer from one of the following problems:

[0005] Many complexes are prepared through simple physical mixing or non-specific adsorption, resulting in weak binding and easy dissociation during feed processing and storage, leading to the failure of functional components.

[0006] Inaccurate parameter control during the preparation process leads to poor product uniformity, unstable zinc content, and large batch-to-batch differences.

[0007] Most studies only focus on its role as a zinc source supplement or only on the immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides, failing to fully utilize the potential synergistic effect between the two.

[0008] There is a lack of precise application research for specific livestock and poultry, and its specific impact on key economic indicators such as egg production performance and egg quality has not been fully revealed and verified.

[0009] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field to develop a novel, stable, process-controllable functional feed additive that can have multiple positive effects on the health and production performance of laying hens, as well as feed containing such additives. Summary of the Invention Purpose of the invention

[0010] The primary objective of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a laying hen feed containing a coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex. This feed achieves synergistic effects by combining coix polysaccharide and organic zinc through a specific process, effectively improving egg production rate, egg quality, and enhancing the body's immunity.

[0011] The second objective of this invention is to provide a method for preparing the above-mentioned laying hen feed, which has precise process parameters, good reproducibility, and is suitable for industrial production.

[0012] The third objective of this invention is to disclose the specific application of this laying hen feed in improving egg production rate, egg quality, and enhancing immune function.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0015] 1. A laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide

[0016] The feed contains a core functional component: a coix seed polysaccharide-organic zinc complex. The key characteristic of this complex is that the active groups on the coix seed polysaccharide molecular chain bind with zinc ions from the organic zinc through coordinate bonds, forming a stable complex, rather than a simple physical mixture. This chemical bonding method ensures the complex's high stability and bioavailability.

[0017] Preferably, the zinc content in the complex is 4%-8%. This range has been optimized and determined; too low a zinc content will result in insignificant supplementation, while too high a content may lead to incomplete binding and increased manufacturing costs.

[0018] The amount of the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex added is 0.05%-0.2% based on the total weight of the laying hen feed. This addition amount is an effective dosage verified through extensive feeding trials, which can control feed costs while ensuring optimal results.

[0019] Preferably, the organic zinc is zinc glycinate. Zinc glycinate is a small-molecule organic zinc with high bioavailability and good coordination reactivity with coix polysaccharides;

[0020] Preferably, in the formation of the complex, the mass ratio of coix polysaccharide to zinc glycine is (3:1) to (5:1). This ratio is key to obtaining a complex with a zinc content of 4%-8%.

[0021] The feed also includes basic feed ingredients necessary for the growth and production of laying hens, mainly including but not limited to: corn, soybean meal, limestone powder, dicalcium phosphate, salt, methionine, lysine, and various premixed feed ingredients.

[0022] 2. The preparation method of the laying hen feed

[0023] This method includes the following core steps:

[0024] S1 Preparation of Coix Polysaccharide-Organic Zinc Complex: This step is crucial for the preparation of the core functional components, and its process parameters directly affect the quality of the final product;

[0025] S101 Dissolution: Dissolve the coix polysaccharide in deionized water to prepare a solution with a mass concentration of 3%-8%. This concentration range ensures that the solution has a suitable viscosity, which is conducive to molecular diffusion and subsequent reactions.

[0026] Preferably, coix polysaccharide is prepared by fermentation to obtain better bioactivity and reactivity;

[0027] S102 coordination reaction: Under continuous stirring at 40-50℃, a zinc glycinate aqueous solution is slowly added dropwise to the polysaccharide solution. The key control point in this step is to control the dropping rate to maintain the pH of the reaction system at 5.5-6.5. This weakly acidic environment is the optimal pH window for efficient and stable coordination between specific functional groups of coix polysaccharide and zinc ions. The choice of temperature balances the reaction rate and the protection of active ingredients.

[0028] S103 Post-treatment and Drying: After the addition is complete, continue to maintain the temperature and stir the reaction for 2-4 hours to ensure sufficient and complete coordination reaction. Then, spray dry the reaction solution with the following parameters: inlet air temperature 150-165℃, outlet air temperature 65-80℃. This drying method can instantly dry the material, maximally protect the heat-sensitive complex structure, and obtain a powder with good flowability.

[0029] S2 Premixing: The trace composite powder obtained in step S1 is mixed with the carrier to obtain the core premix.

[0030] Preferably, at least one of the carrier bran, defatted rice bran, and zeolite powder serves to dilute and disperse trace active ingredients, preventing them from grading during subsequent mixing.

[0031] Preferably, the mass ratio of the carrier to the composite powder is 5:1-20:1;

[0032] S3 Final Mixing: The core premix obtained in step S2 is mixed with the base feed in the full proportion for the second time until it is evenly mixed, thus obtaining the laying hen feed containing coix polysaccharide.

[0033] Preferably, the mixing operation is performed at room temperature, and the mixing time is 5-15 minutes independently to ensure uniformity.

[0034] 3. Application of the aforementioned layer hen feed

[0035] This invention also protects the use of the laying hen feed containing coix polysaccharide in the following aspects:

[0036] Application in improving egg production rate in laying hens;

[0037] Application in improving egg quality. Specifically, improving egg quality includes at least one of the following: increasing eggshell strength, increasing eggshell thickness, increasing Haugh units (a measure of albumen quality), and reducing egg breakage rate;

[0038] Application in enhancing the immune function of laying hens.

[0039] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0040] By organically combining the immune-enhancing and antioxidant functions of coix polysaccharide with the essential trace element function of zinc through coordination bonds, the two promote each other in the body. Coix polysaccharide improves intestinal health and promotes zinc absorption; zinc, in turn, strengthens the immune system, amplifying the immunomodulatory effect of coix polysaccharide.

[0041] By employing a complex approach combining zinc glycinate and coix seed polysaccharide, the resulting product is in an organic form, exhibiting a superior absorption and transport mechanism compared to inorganic zinc, thus enhancing bioavailability. This means that, while achieving the same biological efficacy, the amount of zinc added can be reduced, thereby significantly decreasing zinc excretion and alleviating environmental pressure.

[0042] The complex structure formed by coordination bonds is stable and does not easily dissociate during feed processing and storage, thus ensuring the effectiveness of functional components.

[0043] By clarifying the optimal pH range (5.5-6.5), material ratio, temperature, and drying method for preparing the coix polysaccharide-zinc complex, the product is guaranteed to have high zinc content, high stability, and good process reproducibility, making it suitable for large-scale production.

[0044] By feeding laying hens with the addition amount (0.05%-0.2%) determined in this invention, the egg production rate can be effectively increased, the eggshell quality and internal protein quality can be significantly improved, the breakage rate can be reduced, and the disease resistance of the flock can be enhanced, ultimately bringing considerable economic benefits to farmers. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the preparation method of the layer chicken feed containing coix polysaccharide according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the preparation method of the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a comparison of the infrared spectra of the coix polysaccharide-zinc glycine complex prepared in Example 1 of this invention and the raw coix polysaccharide. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0049] Example 1: Raw materials and proportions for preparing feed containing coix seed polysaccharides (Materials Example)

[0050] This embodiment aims to illustrate the specific raw materials and their proportions required for preparing feed for laying hens containing coix polysaccharide.

[0051] The feed contains coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex and basic feed ingredients.

[0052] The zinc content in the complex is 4%-8%. If the zinc content is too low, the supplementation effect will be insignificant; if it is too high, it may lead to incomplete binding and increased production costs.

[0053] The amount of the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex added is 0.05%-0.2% based on the total weight of the laying hen feed.

[0054] The organic zinc is zinc glycinate. Zinc glycinate is a small-molecule organic zinc with high bioavailability and good coordination reactivity with coix polysaccharides.

[0055] When the complex is formed, the mass ratio of the coix polysaccharide to zinc glycine is (3:1) to (5:1).

[0056] The coix polysaccharide-containing layer hen feed includes basic feed ingredients necessary for the growth and production of layer hens, mainly including but not limited to: corn, soybean meal, limestone powder, dicalcium phosphate, salt, methionine, lysine, and various premixes (containing vitamins, trace elements, etc.).

[0057] Core polysaccharide: Coix polysaccharide powder produced by liquid fermentation and purified by alcohol precipitation, with a polysaccharide content ≥90%.

[0058] Organic zinc source: Feed additive grade glycine zinc is used, with a zinc content of ≥20%.

[0059] Key mass ratio: Weigh 4.0 kg of coix polysaccharide and 1.0 kg of zinc glycine, strictly adhering to a 4:1 mass ratio for material preparation. This ratio is one of the optimal ranges for obtaining a complex with a zinc content of approximately 5-6%.

[0060] Solvent: Deionized water.

[0061] Example 2: Preparation method of Coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex and feed (Method Example)

[0062] This embodiment details the complete process for preparing the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex and the final laying hen feed from the raw materials of Example 1.

[0063] Synthesis of Coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex:

[0064] The 4.0 kg of coix polysaccharide prepared in Example 1 was dissolved in 76 L of deionized water to prepare a solution with a mass concentration of about 5%, which was then preheated in a 50°C water bath and continuously stirred.

[0065] Dissolve 1.0 kg of zinc glycine in 20 L of deionized water to prepare a solution.

[0066] With continuous stirring, zinc glycine solution was slowly added dropwise to the polysaccharide solution. The dropping rate was monitored and controlled using a precision pH meter to keep the pH of the entire reaction system stable at 6.0 ± 0.1.

[0067] After the addition is complete, continue stirring at 50°C for 3 hours.

[0068] The reaction solution was spray-dried with an inlet air temperature of 160℃ and an outlet air temperature of 75℃ to obtain a coix polysaccharide-glycine zinc complex powder. The zinc content was determined to be 5.8%.

[0069] Feed preparation:

[0070] Basic formula: corn 62.0%, soybean meal 25.0%, limestone powder 8.0%, dicalcium phosphate 1.5%, salt 0.3%, methionine 0.15%, lysine 0.05%, premix 3.0%.

[0071] Premixing: Take 1.0 kg of the above compound powder and mix it with 10.0 kg of bran (carrier) in a premixer for 10 minutes to prepare the core premix.

[0072] Final mixing: Add all core premix (approximately 11.0 kg) and 889.0 kg of basal feed (prepared according to the basal formula ratio) to a horizontal mixer and mix for 12 minutes until homogeneous. The resulting feed contains 0.1% compound additives.

[0073] Example 3: Low-addition experimental group feed

[0074] This embodiment provides an experimental group feed with a low addition amount.

[0075] The preparation method is exactly the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of feed in the premixing step is changed: 0.5 kg of the compound powder prepared in Example 2 is mixed with 10.0 kg of wheat bran to make the core premix.

[0076] The premix was finally mixed with 889.5 kg of basic feed ingredients, and the amount of compound added in the resulting feed was 0.05%.

[0077] Example 4: Feed for the experimental group with moderate addition

[0078] This embodiment provides an experimental group feed with a moderate addition amount.

[0079] The preparation method is exactly the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of feed in the premixing step is changed: 1.5 kg of the compound powder prepared in Example 2 is mixed with 10.0 kg of wheat bran to make the core premix.

[0080] The premix was finally mixed with 888.5 kg of basic feed ingredients, and the compound content in the resulting feed was 0.15%.

[0081] Example 5: High-addition experimental group feed

[0082] This embodiment provides an experimental group feed with a high addition amount.

[0083] The preparation method is exactly the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of feed in the premixing step is changed: 2.0 kg of the composite powder prepared in Example 2 is mixed with 10.0 kg of wheat bran to make the core premix.

[0084] The premix was finally mixed with 888.0 kg of basic feed ingredients, and the compound content in the resulting feed was 0.2%.

[0085] Example 6: Control group feed

[0086] This embodiment provides a control feed that does not contain the compound of the present invention.

[0087] Basic formula: exactly the same as in Example 2.

[0088] Preparation method: No compound preparation or premixing steps are performed. Directly add 11.0 kg of wheat bran and 889.0 kg of basic feed ingredients into the mixer and mix for 12 minutes until homogeneous.

[0089] The control group feed was identical to the experimental group in all components and processes except for the absence of the coix polysaccharide-glycine zinc complex, to ensure the fairness of the experimental comparison.

[0090] Application effect test

[0091] Example Core Objectives Complex mass ratio Compound addition amount in feed Key process parameters / characteristics Main application effects Example 1 Materials and proportions 4:1 - Specify the raw material specifications (polysaccharide 90%, zinc glycine ≥20%) and the synthesis feed ratio. - Example 2 Standard preparation method 4:1 0.1% Synthesis: pH=6.0±0.1, 50℃, spray drying. Feed: carrier and mixture (bran). Best overall effect Example 3 Low addition experimental group (Using the product from Example 2) 0.05% The preparation method is the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of compound premix is ​​adjusted. The effect was better than the control group but weaker than the 0.1% group. Example 4 Addition amount experimental group (Using the product from Example 2) 0.15% The preparation method is the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of compound premix is ​​adjusted. Some indicators are comparable to the 0.1% group, but the cost-effectiveness needs to be comprehensively evaluated. Example 5 High addition amount test group (Using the product from Example 2) 0.2% The preparation method is the same as in Example 2, except that the amount of compound premix is ​​adjusted. The increase may not be linearly proportional to the amount added, and there may be a plateau effect. Example 6 control group - 0% No complex is added; instead, an equal amount of bran is used to ensure a consistent basic formula. Used to compare and evaluate the effects of each experimental group.

[0092] The feeds prepared in Examples 3-6 were used in a breeding experiment (the experimental design was the same as before). The results showed that, compared with Example 6 (control group), the feeds in Examples 3, 4, and 5 (experimental groups) could improve the egg production rate of laying hens, improve eggshell quality, increase Haugh units, and enhance immune function to varying degrees. Among them, the comprehensive effect of Example 2 (0.1% addition) was the most significant.

[0093] Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was performed on the obtained coix polysaccharide-zinc glycine complex. The results showed that, compared with the coix polysaccharide raw material, the complex exhibited higher activity at 3400 cm⁻¹. -1 The characteristic peak of hydroxyl groups in the vicinity broadened and shifted, and was located at 550 cm⁻¹. -1 The appearance of a vibrational absorption peak of the Zn-O bond confirms the successful formation of the coordination bond.

[0094] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide, characterized in that, The feed contains a coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex, which is formed by the combination of coix polysaccharide and organic zinc through coordination bonds, wherein the zinc content is 4%-8%. The amount of the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex added is 0.05%-0.2% based on the total weight of the laying hen feed.

2. The laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The organic zinc is zinc glycine.

3. The laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex, the mass ratio of coix polysaccharide to zinc glycine is between 3:1 and 5:

1.

4. The laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed also includes basic feed ingredients, which include corn, soybean meal, limestone powder, dicalcium phosphate, salt, methionine, lysine, and a variety of premixes; the premixes typically contain, but are not limited to, the following components per kilogram: Vitamins: Vitamin A 10,000,000–15,000,000 IU; Vitamin D3 2,000,000–3,000,000 IU; Vitamin E 30,000–50,000 IU; Vitamin K3 2,000–4,000 mg; Vitamin B1 1,000–2,000 mg; Vitamin B2 4,000–6,000 mg; Vitamin B 12 15–25 mg; Calcium pantothenate 10,000–15,000 mg; Niacin 30,000–40,000 mg; Trace elements: Iron (FeSO4·H2O) 50,000–80,000 mg; Copper (CuSO4·5H2O) 10,000–15,000 mg; Zinc (ZnO) 50,000–70,000 mg; Manganese (MnSO4·H2O) 20,000–40,000 mg; Iodine (KI) 200–500 mg; Selenium (Na2SeO3) 100–300 mg; Amino acid: L-lysine hydrochloride 50,000–100,000 mg; DL-methionine 20,000–40,000 mg; Antioxidant: Ethoxyquinoline 500–1,500 mg; Carrier: defatted rice bran, make up to 1,000g.

5. A method for preparing laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Preparation of Coix Polysaccharide-Organic Zinc Complex by S1: S101: Dissolve coix polysaccharide in deionized water to prepare a solution with a mass concentration of 3%-8%; S102: Under continuous stirring at 40-50℃, slowly add zinc glycinate aqueous solution to the polysaccharide solution in step S101, controlling the dropping rate to maintain the pH of the reaction system between 5.5 and 6.5; wherein the mass ratio of coix polysaccharide to zinc glycinate is between 3:1 and 5:

1. After S103 is added, the reaction continues for 2-4 hours. Then the reaction solution is spray-dried with an inlet air temperature of 150-165℃ and an outlet air temperature of 65-80℃ to obtain the Coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex powder. S2 Premixing: The coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex powder obtained in step S1 is mixed with the carrier to obtain the core premix; the carrier is at least one of wheat bran, defatted rice bran and zeolite powder; S3 Final Mixing: The core premix obtained in step S2 is mixed with the base feed ingredients in all proportions for a second time until the mixture is uniform, to obtain the laying hen feed containing coix polysaccharide; the base feed ingredients include corn, soybean meal and limestone powder.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step S2, the mass ratio of the carrier to the coix polysaccharide-organic zinc complex powder is between 5:1 and 20:

1.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mixing operations in steps S2 and S3 are both performed at room temperature, and the mixing time is 5-15 minutes independently.

8. An application of a laying hen feed containing coix seed polysaccharide as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The application of the aforementioned coix polysaccharide-containing egg-laying hen feed in improving egg production rate.

9. The application according to claim 8, characterized in that, The application of the aforementioned coix polysaccharide-containing layer hen feed in improving egg quality.

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