Nutritional additive and traditional Chinese medicine composition for pet hair health and preparation method of nutritional additive and traditional Chinese medicine composition

Abstract

The invention discloses a nutritional additive for pet hair health, a traditional Chinese medicine composition and a preparation method. The composition comprises a nutritional additive and a compound traditional Chinese medicine extract in a weight ratio of 1: (1-1.5). The compound traditional Chinese medicine extract consists of 20 parts of codonopsis pilosula, 20 parts of bighead atractylodes rhizome, 20 parts of poria cocos, 15 parts of angelica sinensis, 15 parts of ligusticum wallichii, 10 parts of astragalus membranaceus, 10 parts of prepared polygonum multiflorum and 10 parts of schizochytrium limacinum powder; the nutritional additive is prepared from 5 parts of evening primrose seed oil, 3 parts of phenylalanine, 2 parts of tyrosine, 2 parts of vitamin A acetate, 2 parts of D-biotin, 1 part of zinc methionine and 1 part of vitamin E. The preparation method adopts superfine grinding, no high-temperature extraction and a nanoscale coating process. The pet hair conditioner can significantly improve the glossiness and smoothness of pet hair, reduce the hair removal amount, repair the hair scale structure and reduce the inflammatory response of the body; the bioavailability reaches 70% or above; the composition has no negative influence on the liver function and lipid metabolism of pets, is high in safety, and solves the problems of single effect, low bioavailability and the like of existing products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pet nutrition and health technology, and in particular to nutritional additives and traditional Chinese medicine compositions for pet coat health, as well as their preparation methods. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous increase in pet ownership, pet coat health has become one of the core concerns of pet owners. Common coat problems in pets, especially dogs and cats, include dull, rough, dry, and brittle fur, as well as severe hair loss. Some pets also experience skin inflammation such as erythema and itching. These problems not only affect the pet's appearance but may also reflect abnormal health conditions, such as nutritional deficiencies, immune imbalances, and damaged skin barriers. Inflammation and allergies are two core factors affecting the health of pet skin and coat. They first damage the lipid structure of the stratum corneum, reducing the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dry and cracked skin. This makes it easier for pathogens and allergens to invade, subsequently penetrating the hair follicles, causing hair root atrophy, leading to localized hair loss and hindering hair regeneration. Therefore, developing pet coat-enhancing products that can simultaneously address nutritional deficiencies and inflammation is of significant practical importance.

[0003] Existing products for improving pet coat condition mainly fall into two categories, but both have significant drawbacks. The first category consists of chemical nutritional additives, primarily composed of single or compound nutrients such as biotin, vitamin A, and zinc methionine. These work by supplementing the components needed for hair synthesis, but their effects are limited, only alleviating nutritional deficiency-related coat problems. They are ineffective against hair loss and cuticle damage caused by inflammation. Furthermore, some products use high-temperature processing, leading to reduced nutrient activity and a bioavailability of less than 30%. The second category comprises traditional Chinese medicine products, often using formulas of herbs like angelica and astragalus, focusing on regulating the body. However, they suffer from poor absorption and slow onset of action. The raw materials are often coarsely ground, typically below 80 mesh, making it difficult for the effective components to be absorbed by the pet's intestines. Moreover, the formulas are not optimized for the pet's physiological characteristics, and some products contain irritating ingredients, potentially increasing the burden on the liver and kidneys with long-term use. In addition, existing products generally lack long-term maintenance capabilities, and coat problems are prone to recurrence after discontinuation, with a recurrence rate exceeding 30%. Long-term use of some antibiotic-containing anti-inflammatory coat-enhancing products can disrupt the balance of the pet's intestinal flora, causing side effects. Therefore, developing a multi-effect synergistic, highly bioavailable, safe, and long-lasting pet coat enhancement composition has become a pressing technical problem for the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a composition of a nutritional additive and traditional Chinese medicine for improving pet coat health, characterized in that it comprises a nutritional additive and a compound traditional Chinese medicine extract, with a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5. The compound Chinese herbal extract is made from the following raw materials in parts by weight: Codonopsis pilosula 20 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Poria cocos 20 parts, Angelica sinensis 15 parts, Ligusticum chuanxiong 15 parts, Astragalus membranaceus 10 parts, processed Polygonum multiflorum 10 parts, and Schizochytrium chinense powder 10 parts; The nutritional additive is composed of the following ingredients in parts by weight: 1 part zinc methionine, 2 parts vitamin A acetate, 2 parts D-biotin, 5 parts evening primrose seed oil, 3 parts phenylalanine, and 2 parts tyrosine.

[0005] Furthermore, the DHA content of the Schizochytrium powder is no less than 15%.

[0006] Furthermore, evening primrose seed oil contains no less than 8% gamma-linolenic acid.

[0007] Furthermore, the composition is coated with a chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier at the nanoscale, and the particle size of the coated particles is 50-100 nm.

[0008] Furthermore, the weight ratio of chitosan to gum arabic is 1:1.2-1.5, and the amount of carrier used is 5%-10% of the weight of the coated material.

[0009] The method for preparing the above composition includes the following steps: (1) Preparation of compound Chinese herbal extract: Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, and Schizochytrium spp. powder were mixed in proportion by weight and then ultra-finely pulverized to 100-200 mesh. Purified water at 12-16 times the total weight of the raw materials was added, and the mixture was decocted 2-3 times at 50-60℃ for 1-1.5 hours each time. The decoctions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure at 60-65℃ to a relative density of 1.08-1.12 g / cm³. 3 Spray drying yields a solid compound traditional Chinese medicine extract; (2) Preparation of nutritional additives: Zinc methionine, vitamin A acetate, D-biotin, phenylalanine, and tyrosine are mixed evenly at 30-40℃, evening primrose seed oil is added, and the mixture is stirred at 30-40℃ and 100-200 rpm for 20-40 minutes; (3) Nanoscale coating: The products of steps (1) and (2) were coated using a chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier. The coating temperature was 35-45℃, the stirring rate was 200-300rpm, and the coating time was 1-2 hours. After drying, coated traditional Chinese medicine extract and coated nutritional additive were obtained. (4) Mixed preparation: The coated Chinese herbal extract obtained in step (3) is mixed with the coated nutritional additive at a weight ratio of 1:1-1.5, granulated to a particle size of 0.5-1 mm, and vacuum dried at 40-50℃ for 2-3 hours.

[0010] Furthermore, in step (1), the inlet air temperature of the spray drying is 160-180℃, the outlet air temperature is 70-80℃, and the dry extract of the obtained compound Chinese medicine extract has a dry extract rate of 26%-32% and a moisture content of 3%-5%.

[0011] Furthermore, the fineness of the ultrafine grinding in step (1) is 150-180 mesh.

[0012] Furthermore, in step (3), the concentration of chitosan solution is 0.5%-1%, the concentration of gum arabic solution is 1%-2%, and the feeding rate is 2%-5% of the total amount of coating material per minute.

[0013] Furthermore, the above composition is used in pet staple food or pet health products. The addition amount in ordinary staple food is 5-8 kg / ton, the addition amount in high-efficacy staple food is 10-15 kg / ton, and the addition amount in pet health products is 20-30 kg / ton.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention achieves a triple synergistic effect mechanism of "nutritional supplementation + body conditioning + local repair" through a scientific ratio (weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5) of nutritional additives and compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts. Animal test results show that after 30 days of feeding, the pet's coat score significantly increased from 2.03±0.29 to 3.44±0.95, coat luster increased by 20.3%, smoothness increased by 55.2%, and 24-hour hair loss decreased by 42.9%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that after feeding, the thickness and density of the hair cuticles on the coat surface decreased, and the edges were more tightly adhered, confirming the product's repair effect on hair structure at the microscopic level. This multi-dimensional improvement effect solves the technical defects of existing products that only alleviate nutritional deficiency-related hair problems and are ineffective against inflammation-induced hair loss and cuticle damage.

[0015] 2. This invention employs key processes such as ultrafine pulverization (100-200 mesh), high-temperature-free extraction (50-60℃ decoction), and nanoscale coating (chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier, particle size 50-100nm), significantly improving the activity retention and absorption efficiency of active ingredients. Ultrafine pulverization increases the specific surface area of ​​raw materials by 3-5 times, increasing the dissolution rate of active ingredients by 40%-60%; the low-temperature decoction process increases the retention rate of heat-sensitive components to over 85%; and nanoscale coating achieves targeted delivery with "no release in the stomach, precise release in the intestines." After nanoscale coating treatment, the bioavailability of active ingredients increases from 40% in conventional products to over 70%, an increase of 75%. This high bioavailability, combined with the body-regulating effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula, endows the product with long-lasting maintenance capabilities, effectively reducing the recurrence rate of hair problems after discontinuation.

[0016] 3. The composition of this invention can significantly reduce the body's inflammatory response. Animal experiments showed that after 30 days of feeding, the serum inflammatory factor IL-1β level significantly decreased from 145.25±14.44 pg / ml to 103.76±10.21 pg / ml, a reduction of 28.6%. This anti-inflammatory effect originates from components such as Poria cocos polysaccharide and Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide in the compound Chinese herbal extract, as well as γ-linolenic acid (content ≥8%) in evening primrose seed oil, which can effectively alleviate skin erythema, itching, and hair loss caused by inflammation. Safety evaluation results showed that the product had no negative impact on pets' liver function indicators (ALT, AST) and lipid metabolism indicators (TG, TCHO, LDL-C), significantly increased HDL-C ("good cholesterol"), and had no effect on growth or normal feed intake. Compared with anti-inflammatory products containing antibiotics, this invention uses a combination of natural Chinese herbal medicines and nutrients, avoiding the side effects of disrupting the intestinal flora balance and increasing the burden on the liver and kidneys, achieving a balance between highly effective anti-inflammatory effects and high safety. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only for this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 Electron micrograph of the effect of the nutritional additive of the present invention and the combination of traditional Chinese medicine on the microscopic morphology of the coat surface of British Shorthair cats. Figure 2 This is a before-and-after comparison diagram showing the effect of the combination of the nutritional additive of the present invention and traditional Chinese medicine on the coat beauty of British Shorthair cats. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the preparation process of the pet hair health composition of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art, guided by the technical solutions of this invention, can adjust and optimize the specific parameters in the embodiments, and such conventional improvements should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown The present invention provides a composition of nutritional additives and traditional Chinese medicine for improving pet coat health. Its core lies in achieving a triple-action mechanism of "nutritional supplementation + body conditioning + local repair" through the synergistic formulation of compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts and nutritional additives. The composition comprises two main components: nutritional additives and compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts. The weight ratio of the two is controlled within the range of 1:1 to 1:1.5, a ratio that has been systematically verified and optimized through testing. When the weight ratio of nutritional additives to compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts is less than 1:1, the conditioning effect of the compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts is relatively insufficient, resulting in poor long-term effectiveness of hair improvement and a tendency for rebound after discontinuation. When the weight ratio is greater than 1:1.5, the dosage of nutritional additives is too large, which may increase the metabolic burden on the pet and also affect the cost-effectiveness ratio. Therefore, the optimal weight ratio range is 1:1 to 1:1.5.

[0021] The compound Chinese medicine extract is designed based on the TCM principle of "strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, nourishing blood and promoting blood circulation, moisturizing dryness and nourishing hair". It selects eight medicinal and edible raw materials, including Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, and Schizochytrium spp. The effects of each raw material are synergistic and complementary. Specifically, the dosage of Codonopsis pilosula is 20 parts, its main function is to tonify the middle and replenish qi, improve the absorption function of the pet's intestines, and provide basic nutrients for hair synthesis. The polysaccharide components in Codonopsis pilosula can also enhance the body's immunity. The dosage of Atractylodes macrocephala is 20 parts, which has the effect of strengthening the spleen and drying dampness. It can work with Codonopsis pilosula to enhance the digestive function of the spleen and stomach and reduce the loss of nutrients. Atractylodes macrocephala also contains volatile oil components, which have a positive effect on improving digestive function. The dosage of Poria cocos is 20 parts, its main function is to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness, which can regulate the body's water metabolism and improve the water-oil imbalance of the skin. Poria cocos polysaccharides also have a certain anti-inflammatory effect. The dosage of Angelica sinensis is 15 parts, which has the effect of nourishing blood and promoting blood circulation. It can promote blood circulation in the skin and provide sufficient nutrients for hair follicles. The volatile oil and ferulic acid components in Angelica sinensis have significant blood-nourishing effects. The dosage of Ligusticum chuanxiong is 1 part. Five parts of Angelica sinensis are used, primarily for promoting blood circulation and regulating Qi, enhancing its blood-nourishing effect and improving hair loss caused by ischemia. The active ingredients, such as ligustrazine, dilate blood vessels and improve microcirculation. Ten parts of Astragalus membranaceus are used, tonifying Qi and strengthening the exterior, boosting immunity and reducing skin damage caused by inflammation. Astragalus polysaccharides are its main active ingredient. Ten parts of processed Polygonum multiflorum are used, tonifying the liver and kidneys and replenishing essence and blood. Processing significantly reduces liver toxicity and promotes melanin synthesis and hair growth. The stilbene glycosides in processed Polygonum multiflorum are the basis for its effects. Ten parts of Schizochytrium esculentum powder are used, rich in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), with a required DHA content of at least 15%. This repairs the skin barrier function, improves hair cuticle structure, and enhances hair smoothness and shine. The proportions of the above ingredients were optimized through extensive testing, and within this range, each component can exert its optimal synergistic effect.

[0022] The nutritional additive is carefully designed to meet the nutritional needs of pet hair synthesis and repair, containing six nutrients closely related to hair health. One part is zinc methionine; methionine is an essential amino acid for keratin synthesis, and zinc enhances hair resilience and reduces breakage. Zinc also participates in the catalytic reactions of various enzymes, which is crucial for skin health. Two parts are vitamin A acetate; vitamin A maintains the integrity of the skin's epithelial tissue, prevents hair follicle atrophy, and promotes normal sebum secretion. Vitamin A acetate is a stable form of vitamin A, offering better stability and bioavailability. Two parts are D-biotin; biotin, also known as vitamin H or coenzyme R, promotes fat metabolism, improves dry hair, and enhances... For optimal coat shine, biotin deficiency can lead to skin inflammation and hair loss. Evening primrose seed oil is used at 5 parts, with a required gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content of at least 8%. GLA is an important omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid that can regulate skin inflammation, reduce inflammatory hair loss, and maintain skin barrier function. Phenylalanine is used at 3 parts; phenylalanine is a precursor to melanin synthesis, which can improve dull coat color and promote pigment deposition. Tyrosine is used at 2 parts; tyrosine can synergistically synthesize melanin with phenylalanine and participate in keratin cross-linking reactions, enhancing hair strength and resilience. The ratio of these six nutrients fully considers the nutritional needs of pet hair growth, achieving targeted supplementation and precise repair.

[0023] The preparation method of this invention is designed around the core concept of "preserving activity and enhancing absorption," employing key process technologies such as ultrafine pulverization, high-temperature-free extraction, and nanoscale coating to ensure the activity and bioavailability of the active ingredients. The entire preparation process includes four main steps: preparation of compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts, preparation of nutritional additives, nanoscale coating, and mixed formulation. The process parameters for each step have been rigorously optimized and validated.

[0024] The preparation steps of the compound traditional Chinese medicine extract are crucial for ensuring the full dissolution and preservation of the active ingredients. First, accurately weigh the eight raw materials—Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, and Schizochytrium spp.—accurately according to the weight proportions specified in the formula. After thoroughly mixing these raw materials, pulverize them using ultrafine grinding technology. Ultrafine grinding refers to pulverizing the raw materials to a fineness of 100-200 mesh. Compared to traditional Chinese medicine pulverization processes (usually below 80 mesh), ultrafine grinding can increase the specific surface area of ​​the raw materials by 3-5 times. This increase in fineness significantly improves the dissolution rate of the active ingredients; experimental data shows that the dissolution rate can be increased by 40%-60%. The specific operation of ultrafine grinding involves feeding the mixed raw materials into the ultrafine grinder in batches, controlling the grinding time and speed to ensure that the final powder can all pass through a standard sieve of 100-200 mesh. The optimal grinding fineness is 150-180 mesh, at which the dissolution and retention of the active ingredients achieve the best balance.

[0025] After ultrafine pulverization, purified water is added to the pulverized raw materials for decoction extraction. The amount of water added is 12-16 times the total weight of the raw materials. This water-to-material ratio is optimized to ensure sufficient extraction without overburdening the subsequent concentration process due to excessive water. The decoction temperature is controlled at 50-60℃, which is a key innovation of this invention. A high-temperature-free decoction process is used to avoid damaging heat-sensitive active ingredients such as astragalus polysaccharides and angelica volatile oils. Traditional Chinese medicine decoctions often use high temperatures of around 100℃, which, while accelerating extraction, leads to the degradation of many heat-sensitive components, with the retention rate of active ingredients often below 60%. This invention uses a gentler temperature of 50-60℃, which, although extending the extraction time, increases the retention rate of heat-sensitive components to over 85%. The decoction is performed 2-3 times, with each decoction lasting 1-1.5 hours. Multiple decoctions ensure more complete extraction of the active ingredients. A preferred decoction method involves three decoctions. The first decoction uses 15 times the total weight of the raw materials, while the second and third decoctions each use 12 times the total weight of the raw materials. The resulting decoctions are then combined. The combined decoction needs to be concentrated at 60-65℃ using a vacuum concentration method until the relative density reaches 1.08-1.12 g / cm³. 3 The concentrate is measured using a densitometer. When the relative density of the concentrate reaches this range, it indicates that the concentration is appropriate, ensuring the concentration of the active ingredients and facilitating subsequent spray drying.

[0026] A concentrated liquid is spray-dried to obtain a solid compound traditional Chinese medicine extract. The inlet air temperature is controlled at 160-180℃, and the outlet air temperature at 70-80℃. This temperature setting ensures drying efficiency while maximizing the protection of heat-sensitive components. The concentrated liquid is atomized into fine droplets by a high-speed centrifugal atomizer. The droplets rapidly contact the hot air, causing the moisture to evaporate instantly, and the solid components form fine powder particles. Due to the large surface area of ​​the droplets and the short drying time, the actual heating temperature of the material is much lower than the inlet air temperature, thus effectively protecting the activity of the active ingredients. The compound traditional Chinese medicine extract obtained after spray drying is a free-flowing powder with a dry extract rate of 26%-32% and a moisture content controlled at 3%-5%. This moisture content ensures product stability and facilitates subsequent coating and granulation operations.

[0027] The preparation of nutritional additives is relatively simple, but it still requires strict control of process conditions to protect the activity of nutrients. First, accurately weigh the solid nutrient raw materials such as zinc methionine, vitamin A acetate, D-biotin, phenylalanine, and tyrosine according to the formula, and mix these solid raw materials at a mild temperature of 30-40℃. Temperature control is crucial in this step, as vitamin A acetate and D-biotin are temperature-sensitive and prone to oxidative degradation at high temperatures. Studies have shown that when the temperature exceeds 50℃, the loss rate of vitamin A can reach over 30%, while at a mild temperature of 30-40℃, the loss rate can be controlled to within 5%. Mixing can be performed using a V-type mixer or a double-cone mixer for 15-30 minutes to ensure uniform dispersion of all components. After the solid nutrients are uniformly mixed, evening primrose seed oil is added. As an oil phase component, evening primrose seed oil helps disperse and stabilize fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin A). After adding evening primrose seed oil, continue stirring at 30-40℃, at a speed of 100-200 rpm, for 20-40 minutes, until the evening primrose seed oil and solid nutrients are fully dispersed and homogeneous, forming a uniform mixture. The resulting nutritional additive exhibits a uniform distribution of nutrients and well-preserved activity.

[0028] Nanoscale coating is a core process for improving the bioavailability of compositions. This invention uses a chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier to nanoscale coat compound traditional Chinese medicine extracts and nutritional additives. Chitosan is a natural cationic polysaccharide with good biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well as intestinal adhesion, which can prolong the residence time of active ingredients in the intestine and improve absorption efficiency. Gum arabic is an anionic polysaccharide with good emulsifying and film-forming properties, protecting the active ingredients from destruction by gastric acid. The weight ratio of chitosan to gum arabic is controlled at 1:1.2-1.5. Under appropriate pH conditions, the two can form a complex through electrostatic interaction, coating the surface of the active ingredients to form a protective layer. The amount of carrier used is 5%-10% of the weight of the coated material; too little carrier will result in incomplete coating, while too much will affect the release of the active ingredients. The specific process of the coating operation is as follows: First, dissolve chitosan in a dilute acetic acid solution to obtain a chitosan solution with a concentration of 0.5%-1%; then dissolve gum arabic in purified water to obtain a gum arabic solution with a concentration of 1%-2%; mix the chitosan solution and gum arabic solution according to the set weight ratio and stir thoroughly; while stirring, slowly add the compound herbal extract obtained in step 1 or the nutritional additive obtained in step 2 to the mixed carrier solution, controlling the feeding rate at 2%-5% of the total amount of the coated material per minute. Adding too quickly will lead to uneven coating. The coating temperature is controlled at 35-45℃. This temperature range ensures good flowability of chitosan and gum arabic without causing thermal damage to the active ingredients. The stirring speed is 200-300 rpm. The stirring speed needs to be high enough to ensure sufficient dispersion of the materials and uniform formation of the coating layer, but not too high to avoid damaging the coating structure. The coating time is 1-2 hours, during which chitosan and gum arabic form a complete and dense coating layer on the surface of the coated material. After coating, moisture is removed by spray drying or freeze drying to obtain coated herbal extracts and coated nutritional additives. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the coated particles are regularly spherical with a particle size in the range of 50-100 nm, and the coating layer thickness is uniform. This nanoscale coating structure has the characteristic of "no release in the stomach, precise release in the intestine." When the coated particles enter the stomach, the chitosan-gum arabic composite layer can resist the erosion of gastric acid and protect the internal active ingredients from damage. When the particles enter the small intestine, in the neutral to slightly alkaline pH environment of the small intestine, the coating layer gradually dissolves or disintegrates, and the active ingredients are precisely released at the absorption site, greatly improving bioavailability. Experimental data show that after nanoscale coating treatment, the bioavailability of the active ingredients can be increased from 40% of conventional products to over 70%, an increase of 75%.

[0029] The mixed formulation step involves mixing the coated herbal extract and the coated nutritional additive according to the required proportions for the final product, and preparing a dosage form suitable for addition. Specifically, the coated herbal extract and coated nutritional additive obtained in step 3 are weighed at a weight ratio of 1:1-1.5, and then thoroughly mixed in a mixing device. The mixing device can be a V-type mixer, a three-dimensional mixer, or a double-cone mixer, etc., with a mixing time of 20-40 minutes to ensure uniform dispersion of the two coatings. After uniform mixing, the material needs to be granulated. The purpose of granulation is to form particles of a specific size from the powder, improving flowability, facilitating precise addition, and avoiding dust contamination. Granulation can be performed using wet granulation or dry granulation. Wet granulation involves adding a small amount of binder (such as hydroxypropyl cellulose solution, povidone solution, etc.), obtaining wet granules through a gyratory granulator or extrusion granulator, and then drying and shaping. Dry granulation directly forms granules from dry powder through rolling or flake-granulation methods. After pelleting, the particle size of the pellets is controlled between 0.5-1mm. Pellet within this size range has good flowability, making it easy to mix with pet food or supplement base without significantly affecting palatability. The pellets then undergo drying using vacuum drying at 40-50℃ for 2-3 hours. Vacuum drying removes moisture at lower temperatures, preventing damage to nutrients from high temperatures, while the vacuum environment prevents oxidation. The moisture content of the dried product is controlled between 3%-5%, ensuring product stability and shelf life while maintaining appropriate flowability. The final product is a free-flowing, uniformly sized pellet that can be directly added to pet food or supplements.

[0030] The composition of this invention is suitable for companion animals such as dogs and cats and can be added to pet food or pet health supplements. The recommended dosage varies depending on the product type and efficacy requirements. For pet food, the recommended dosage is 5-8 kg / ton for general healthy pets (for daily care), which meets their daily coat care needs. For high-efficacy pet food (for individuals with more severe coat problems, such as dry, rough, or excessive hair loss), the recommended dosage is 10-15 kg / ton, as higher dosages can improve coat problems more quickly and significantly. For pet health supplements (such as coat-enhancing creams, nutritional supplements, and other specialized functional products), the recommended dosage is 20-30 kg / ton. Since the feeding amount of health supplements is relatively small, a higher concentration is needed to achieve the desired effect. In actual use, adjustments can be made within the recommended range based on the pet's specific situation (such as breed, age, and severity of coat problems).

[0031] To verify the actual efficacy and safety of the composition of this invention, the research team, in collaboration with Yunchong Pet Nutrition Research Institute and the Pet Nutrition and Health Center of Nanjing Agricultural University, conducted systematic animal experiments. The experiments were conducted at the Yunchong Pet Nutrition Research Institute's animal testing base from June to July 2025, selecting six healthy adult white shorthaired British Shorthair cats of similar weight, age, and with poor coat appearance as test subjects. The experimental cats were screened for diseases and parasites through reviewing their past medical history, confirming deworming and immunization records, conducting clinical examinations, and antibody testing to ensure the accuracy of the experiment. All experimental cats were housed individually in separate cages measuring 1.1 × 0.7 × 0.6 cubic meters. The temperature of the enclosure was controlled at 20-25℃, and the relative humidity at 40%-60%. One hour of outdoor activity was provided daily, during which time the cats could interact with toys or people to meet their behavioral needs. Routine feeding management and disinfection and disease prevention procedures were followed during the experiment to ensure environmental hygiene and animal health. The experimental cats had free access to food and water, and antibiotics and other medications that might affect the experimental results were prohibited for one month prior to the experiment.

[0032] The experiment was designed as a self-controlled trial, meaning that various indicators were measured on the same batch of experimental cats on day 0 (before feeding) and day 30 (after feeding), and the product's effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the data before and after feeding. During the 30-day trial period, the composition of this invention was added to the experimental cats' basal diet (commercial adult cat staple food) at a rate of 10 kg / ton, according to the standard for high-efficacy staple food. Feeding was conducted uniformly at 8:00 AM every day, and the daily feed intake and uneaten feed were recorded. The average daily feed intake for the first 3 days and the last 3 days of the trial was calculated to assess the product's impact on the cats' feed intake. On days 0 and 30, the experimental cats were weighed on an empty stomach, and weight changes were recorded to assess the product's impact on the cats' growth.

[0033] The coat scoring used a rating scale proposed by Rees et al., which divides the condition of a cat's coat into five levels: 1 point indicates dull, rough, and dry coat; 2 points indicate poor reflectivity and lack of softness; 3 points indicate moderate reflectivity and softness; 4 points indicate high reflectivity and very softness; and 5 points indicate oily coat (excessive oiliness is also considered abnormal). Trained evaluators assessed the coats of the experimental cats under natural light, with three evaluators scoring each cat independently, and the average score was used as the final score. The results showed that the pre-feeding coat score was 2.03±0.29, which was low, indicating that the experimental cats indeed had poor coat quality. After feeding, the coat score improved to 3.44±0.95, and statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P=0.04<0.05), indicating that the product significantly improved the coat condition of the cats.

[0034] The sensory indicators of fur were measured using a 10-point scoring system. Professional evaluators scored the luster and smoothness of the fur, with higher scores indicating better fur condition. Simultaneously, a handheld colorimeter was used to measure the color difference value of the back fur. The color difference value includes three parameters: brightness (L), redness (a), and yellowness (b). A higher L value indicates better fur luster and reflects better overall cat health. To measure skin elasticity, the skin on the cat's back was pinched between the thumb and forefinger and then released. The time required for the skin to return to its original shape was observed; a shorter time indicated better skin elasticity, scored from 1 to 10. The experimental results showed that after feeding, the fur luster score increased from 3.84±0.89 to 4.62±0.78 (P=0.03<0.05), and the smoothness score increased from 3.10±0.55 to 4.81±0.59 (P=0.04<0.05), both of which showed significant improvement. The skin elasticity score increased from 3.88±1.02 to 4.44±2.86, although the difference was not significant (P=0.11>0.05), it showed an improving trend. Among the coat color difference values, the L value increased significantly from 81.66±2.33 to 93.14±3.02 (P=0.05), indicating a significant improvement in the fur luster. However, the a and b values ​​did not change significantly, indicating that the product mainly improves the luster of the fur without changing the fur color itself.

[0035] The physicochemical properties analysis of the fur samples included the determination of indicators such as fur fineness, length, elastic recovery rate, and elongation. On days 0 and 30 of the experiment, fur samples were collected from the same location on the back of the experimental cats, with approximately 50 hairs collected from each cat for laboratory analysis. Fur fineness (i.e., the diameter of the hair) was determined using microscopy, with measurements taken from three different locations for each hair, and the average value was recorded. Fur length was measured using vernier calipers. Elastic recovery rate and elongation were determined using a fiber strength tester. A single hair was fixed to the instrument, and a standard tensile force was applied until breakage. The elongation before breakage and the rebound after breakage were recorded, and the elastic recovery rate and elongation were calculated. The experimental results showed that after feeding, the fineness of the coat increased from 14.33±0.68μm to 16.77±0.37μm (P=0.04<0.05), indicating that the hair became thicker. The coat length changed from 1.92±0.98cm to 1.89±1.03cm, with no significant change (P=0.98>0.05), because the hair growth cycle is relatively long, and the 30-day experimental period was insufficient to observe a significant change in length. The elastic recovery rate changed from 50.21±0.69% to 54.67±0.77%, with no significant change (P=0.64>0.05). The elongation rate increased significantly from 41.29±1.67% to 44.24±1.64% (P=0.04<0.05), indicating that the hair was more resilient and less prone to breakage.

[0036] The amount of hair shed is one of the important indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of the product in improving coat appearance. On days 0 and 30 of the experiment, the test cats were placed on a clean white cloth and allowed to move freely for one hour. The shed hair was then collected from the cloth and weighed using a precision balance. The amount of hair shed over 24 hours was recorded. The results showed that the amount of hair shed 24 hours after feeding significantly decreased from 0.07±0.02 g / cat to 0.04±0.01 g / cat (P=0.04<0.05), a reduction of 42.9%, indicating that the product can significantly reduce hair loss in cats.

[0037] To more intuitively observe the changes in hair microstructure, the research team used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe hair samples before and after feeding. The collected hair samples were fixed on a sample stage, sputter-coated with gold, and then observed and photographed under a scanning electron microscope at different magnifications of 500x, 1000x, and 2000x. The electron micrographs showed that before feeding, the hair cuticles on the surface of the hair were thicker, denser, and had noticeably raised edges, resulting in an overall rough surface. After feeding, the thickness and density of the hair cuticles decreased, the edges adhered more tightly, and the overall surface smoothness improved significantly. Hair cuticles are transparent, scaly structures covering the hair shaft. Healthy cuticles should be thin and tightly adhered to the hair shaft; this structure reflects more light, giving the hair a glossy appearance. When the cuticles are damaged, they thicken, lift, or fall off, resulting in rough, dull hair. The electron microscopic observations in this experiment confirm the product's repairing effect on hair structure at a microscopic level.

[0038] The detection of inflammatory markers is an important aspect of evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect of a product. On days 0 and 30 of the experiment, fasting blood samples were collected from the experimental cats using a forelimb vein puncture method and vacuum blood collection tubes, with approximately 3-5 ml collected from each cat. The collected blood samples were centrifuged at 4°C and 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to separate the serum, and then the levels of inflammatory factors in the serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The inflammatory markers detected included interleukin-1β (IL-1β), C-reactive protein (CRP), and total immunoglobulin E (IgE). IL-1β is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in inflammatory responses; elevated levels indicate the presence of an inflammatory response. CRP is an acute-phase protein that rapidly increases during inflammation and tissue damage. Total IgE is an indicator of allergic reactions; elevated IgE levels usually suggest the presence of allergic diseases. The experimental results showed that after feeding, the IL-1β level significantly decreased from 145.25±14.44 pg / ml to 103.76±10.21 pg / ml (P=0.04<0.05), a reduction of 28.6%; the CRP content decreased from 11.22±2.12 mg / L to 8.48±1.25 mg / L, although the difference was not significant (P=0.13>0.05), it showed a decreasing trend; the total IgE level changed from 25.45±4.36 IU / ml to 22.78±5.22 IU / ml, with no significant change (P=0.24>0.05), and remained within the normal reference range for cats (usually 0-50 IU / ml). These results indicate that the product can significantly reduce the level of inflammation in cats, has a positive effect on improving inflammation-induced hair and skin problems, and does not cause abnormal immune responses or allergic reactions.

[0039] Safety evaluation is an indispensable part of product development, primarily assessed by detecting liver function and lipid metabolism indicators. The liver is the most important metabolic organ in animals, responsible for the metabolism of many drugs and nutrients. If a product damages the liver, it can lead to abnormal liver function indicators. The liver function indicators tested include alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). These two enzymes are mainly found within hepatocytes; when hepatocytes are damaged, they are released into the bloodstream, resulting in increased enzyme activity. Lipid metabolism indicators include triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TCHO), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). These indicators reflect the body's lipid metabolism status. If a product affects lipid metabolism, it may lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, and other problems. Blood sample collection and processing methods are the same as for inflammatory marker testing, using a fully automated serum biochemical analyzer. The experimental results showed that after feeding, ALT changed from 46.08±6.51 U / L to 45.64±5.87 U / L (P=0.64>0.05), and AST changed from 38.44±2.55 U / L to 31.24±3.21 U / L (P=0.41>0.05). Both liver function indicators showed no significant changes and remained within the normal reference range for cats (normal ALT values ​​are typically 20-100 U / L, and normal AST values ​​are typically 10-50 U / L), indicating that the product had no negative impact on liver function. Among lipid metabolism indicators, TG changed from 0.05±0.01 mmol / L to 0.05±0.01 mmol / L (P... =0.36>0.05), TCHO changed from 2.09±0.26mmol / L to 1.98±0.31mmol / L (P=0.11>0.05), LDL-C changed from 0.44±0.09mmol / L to 0.43±0.08mmol / L (P=0.21>0.05), and the three indicators showed no significant change; it is worth noting that HDL-C increased significantly from 2.01±1.02mmol / L to 2.22±0.91mmol / L (P=0.04<0.05). HDL-C is "good cholesterol" and has the effect of anti-atherosclerosis. Its increase indicates that the product is beneficial to cardiovascular health. The assessment of growth showed that the average daily food intake changed from 78.69±6.44g to 79.65±4.11g (P>0.05) and the weight changed from 3.23±4.11kg to 3.37±2.23kg (P>0.05) after feeding, with no significant changes, indicating that the product did not affect the cat's normal food intake and growth.

[0040] Based on the above experimental results, it can be concluded that the composition of the present invention can significantly improve the coat quality of pets (cats), enhance coat luster and smoothness, strengthen coat resilience, reduce hair loss, and repair the microstructure of hair cuticles; it can reduce the body's inflammatory response and alleviate skin and hair problems caused by inflammation; it has no negative impact on the pet's growth, liver function, and lipid metabolism, and its safety is good; the improvement of some indicators (such as HDL-C) also suggests that the product may be beneficial to overall health. These experimental data provide a scientific basis for the practical application of the product and prove the effectiveness and safety of the composition of the present invention.

[0041] The present invention will be further illustrated below with specific embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments are for the purpose of better illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations based on the embodiments according to the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Example 1 This embodiment provides a composition using the lowest possible ratio range and its preparation method. The raw material ratio of the compound traditional Chinese medicine extract is as follows: Codonopsis pilosula 20 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Poria cocos 20 parts, Angelica sinensis 15 parts, Ligusticum chuanxiong 15 parts, Astragalus membranaceus 10 parts, processed Polygonum multiflorum 10 parts, Schizochytrium spp. powder 10 parts, Evening primrose seed oil 5 parts, phenylalanine 3 parts, tyrosine 2 parts, vitamin A acetate 2 parts, D-biotin 2 parts, zinc methionine 1 part, and vitamin E 1 part. The weight ratio of nutritional additives to the compound traditional Chinese medicine extract is 1:1.

[0043] The specific steps of the preparation method are as follows: (1) Extraction from traditional Chinese medicine: Accurately weigh 20g of Codonopsis pilosula, 20g of Atractylodes macrocephala, 20g of Poria cocos, 15g of Angelica sinensis, 15g of Ligusticum chuanxiong, 10g of Astragalus membranaceus, and 10g of processed Polygonum multiflorum, totaling 110g of medicinal materials. Mix these materials thoroughly and add an appropriate amount of water (approximately 10-15 times the total weight of the materials, i.e., 1100-1650ml). Transfer the mixture to an extraction device with temperature control for decoction. Control the temperature during decoction to avoid damaging the active ingredients with excessively high temperatures. After decoction, filter the mixture through multiple layers of gauze and collect the filtrate.

[0044] The collected filtrate is then spray-dried. The filtrate is transferred to a spray drying device, and appropriate inlet and outlet air temperatures are set. The filtrate is atomized into fine droplets by an atomizer, which then rapidly dries upon contact with hot air. The dried herbal powder is collected from the bottom of the drying tower, yielding a free-flowing herbal powder.

[0045] (2) Preparation of mixtures: Accurately weigh 10g of Schizochytrium powder, 1g of zinc methionine, 2g of vitamin A acetate, 2g of D-biotin, 5g of evening primrose seed oil, 3g of phenylalanine, 2g of tyrosine, and 1g of vitamin E.

[0046] The herbal powder obtained in step (1) is added to a mixing device along with the weighed *Schizochytrium spp.* powder, zinc methionine, vitamin A acetate, D-biotin, evening primrose seed oil, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and vitamin E. A V-type mixer, a three-dimensional mixer, or a double-cone mixer can be used. An appropriate mixing time (usually 20-40 minutes) is set to ensure that all components are thoroughly and evenly mixed to form a homogeneous mixture.

[0047] (3) Coating granulation: The mixture obtained in step (2) is coated and granulated using coating technology. The coating technology uses appropriate coating materials and process conditions to form a coating layer on the surface of the mixture to protect the internal active ingredients and achieve a sustained-release effect.

[0048] During granulation, process parameters are controlled to ensure the final particle size is 0.5-1 mm. Wet granulation or dry granulation can be used. Wet granulation involves adding an appropriate amount of binder solution, passing it through granulation equipment to obtain wet granules, and then drying and shaping them. Dry granulation involves directly producing granules through roller pressing or sheet-forming.

[0049] After granulation, the granules are dried, with the drying temperature and time controlled to maintain the moisture content within an appropriate range (usually 3%-5%). The dried granules exhibit good flowability and stability.

[0050] Finally, the obtained pellets are sealed and packaged to obtain slow-release pellets of premixed additives for dog and cat food.

[0051] The composition prepared in this embodiment was added to the staple food of British Shorthair cats at the dosage of a high-efficacy staple food (10 kg / ton), and the effect was evaluated after 30 days of feeding. The results showed that the coat score increased from 2.1 points before feeding to 3.2 ± 0.8 points after feeding, an increase of 52%; the 24-hour hair loss decreased from 0.068 g / cat before feeding to 0.05 ± 0.01 g / cat after feeding, a decrease of 26%; the inflammatory factor IL-1β decreased from 146 pg / ml before feeding to 108 ± 11 pg / ml after feeding, a decrease of 26%; and all other safety indicators were normal. This embodiment demonstrates that the composition using the lowest possible ratio can produce significant coat-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects with good safety.

[0052] This invention encompasses any substitutions, modifications, equivalent methods, and solutions made within the spirit and scope of this invention. To provide the public with a thorough understanding of this invention, specific details are described in detail in the following preferred embodiments; however, those skilled in the art will fully understand the invention even without these details. Furthermore, to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding of the essence of this invention, well-known methods, processes, procedures, components, and circuits are not described in detail.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composition of a nutritional additive for improving pet coat health and traditional Chinese medicine, characterized in that... It includes nutritional additives and compound Chinese herbal extracts, with a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.

5. The compound Chinese herbal extract is made from the following raw materials in parts by weight: Codonopsis pilosula 20 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Poria cocos 20 parts, Angelica sinensis 15 parts, Ligusticum chuanxiong 15 parts, Astragalus membranaceus 10 parts, processed Polygonum multiflorum 10 parts, and Schizochytrium chinense powder 10 parts; The nutritional additive is composed of the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1 part zinc methionine, 2 parts vitamin A acetate, 2 parts D-biotin, 5 parts evening primrose seed oil, 3 parts phenylalanine, and 2 parts tyrosine.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that... The DHA content of the *Schizochytrium* powder is not less than 15%.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that... The evening primrose seed oil contains no less than 8% gamma-linolenic acid.

4. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that... The composition is coated with a chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier at the nanoscale, and the particle size of the coated particles is 50-100 nm.

5. The composition according to claim 4, characterized in that... The weight ratio of chitosan to gum arabic is 1:1.2-1.5, and the amount of carrier used is 5%-10% of the weight of the coated material.

6. A method for preparing the composition according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that... This includes the following steps: (1) Preparation of compound Chinese herbal extract: Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, and Schizochytrium spp. powder were mixed in proportion by weight and then ultra-finely pulverized to 100-200 mesh. Purified water at 12-16 times the total weight of the raw materials was added, and the mixture was decocted 2-3 times at 50-60℃ for 1-1.5 hours each time. The decoctions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure at 60-65℃ to a relative density of 1.08-1.12 g / cm³. 3 Spray drying yields a solid compound traditional Chinese medicine extract; (2) Preparation of nutritional additives: Zinc methionine, vitamin A acetate, D-biotin, phenylalanine, and tyrosine are mixed evenly at 30-40℃, evening primrose seed oil is added, and the mixture is stirred at 30-40℃ and 100-200 rpm for 20-40 minutes; (3) Nanoscale coating: The products of steps (1) and (2) were coated using a chitosan-gum arabic composite carrier. The coating temperature was 35-45℃, the stirring rate was 200-300rpm, and the coating time was 1-2 hours. After drying, coated traditional Chinese medicine extract and coated nutritional additive were obtained. (4) Mixed preparation: The coated Chinese herbal extract obtained in step (3) is mixed with the coated nutritional additive at a weight ratio of 1:1-1.5, granulated to a particle size of 0.5-1 mm, and vacuum dried at 40-50℃ for 2-3 hours.

7. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that... In step (1), the inlet air temperature of the spray drying is 160-180℃ and the outlet air temperature is 70-80℃. The dry extract of the compound Chinese medicine extract has a dry paste rate of 26%-32% and a moisture content of 3%-5%.

8. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that... The fineness of the ultrafine grinding in step (1) is 150-180 mesh.

9. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that... In step (3), the concentration of chitosan solution is 0.5%-1%, the concentration of gum arabic solution is 1%-2%, and the feeding rate is 2%-5% of the total amount of the coating material per minute.

10. The use of the composition according to any one of claims 1-5 in pet staple food or pet health products, characterized in that... The recommended addition amount is 5-8 kg / ton in regular staple food, 10-15 kg / ton in high-efficacy staple food, and 20-30 kg / ton in pet health products.

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