A feed additive for improving beef quality and its preparation method

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of feed additive technology, specifically relating to a feed additive for improving beef quality and its preparation method. The feed additive for improving beef quality comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1-2.5 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.1-0.25 parts betaine, 0.2-0.5 parts ficus-indica extract, and 0.5-1 parts modified montmorillonite. Experimental results show that adding the feed additive for improving beef quality prepared according to this invention to the basic feed for beef cattle can effectively promote beef cattle growth, improve feed utilization efficiency, and enhance meat production performance; it also promotes intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle, improves the marbling richness of beef, thereby improving beef quality and showing broad application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of feed additive technology, specifically relating to a feed additive for improving beef quality and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] The beef cattle industry is an important component of my country's animal husbandry. With the continuous development of the national economy and the improvement of residents' living standards, consumers' dietary structure is constantly upgrading, leading to an increasingly strong demand for high-quality animal protein. Beef, due to its high protein content, low fat content, and rich mineral content, is seeing its share of meat consumption continue to rise, and market demand is showing a strong growth trend.

[0003] However, despite the rapid growth in market demand, my country's beef cattle industry still faces multiple challenges in improving breeding efficiency and beef quality. Currently, the main factors restricting the profitability of beef cattle farming include: first, the management of the breeding environment, such as the temperature, humidity, ventilation, and lighting of the cattle sheds, which directly affect the physiological state and feed conversion rate of beef cattle; second, the quality foundation of calves, involving innate factors such as genetic background, health status, and growth potential; and third, management during the critical transition period, especially the feeding management and stress control during the calf's adaptation period. Improper management of these factors can easily lead to stunted growth and decreased feed utilization in beef cattle, ultimately affecting the economic benefits of cattle farming.

[0004] To address the above issues, nutritional regulation is the core intervention method. However, traditional feed formulations mainly focus on meeting the basic energy and protein requirements of beef cattle, but they still have significant shortcomings in precisely regulating metabolic direction, systematically improving nutrient utilization, and synergistically improving health levels. Especially in the later stages of fattening, there is still a lack of effective solutions for key indicators such as reducing feed conversion ratio, improving marbling grade, and enhancing meat flavor.

[0005] Therefore, developing a new type of feed additive that can comprehensively improve the health of beef cattle, significantly improve feed utilization efficiency, and optimize meat quality has become an important direction for breaking through the current industry bottlenecks. It is of great practical significance for enhancing the competitiveness of my country's beef cattle industry and meeting the growing market demand for high-quality beef. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a feed additive for improving beef quality and its preparation method.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A feed additive for improving beef quality, the feed additive comprising the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1-2.5 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.1-0.25 parts betaine, 0.2-0.5 parts ficus extract, and 0.5-1 parts modified montmorillonite; The preparation method of the modified montmorillonite includes the following steps: (1) Take montmorillonite and pullulan polysaccharide, add them to deionized water and mix them evenly. After ball milling and drying, pretreated montmorillonite is obtained. (2) The pretreated montmorillonite obtained in step (1) is added to an aqueous solution containing citric acid, and then propionyl dipeptide is added. The mixture is stirred and heated under inert gas protection, and after washing and vacuum drying, modified montmorillonite is obtained.

[0008] Furthermore, the feed additive comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1.7 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.17 parts betaine, 0.35 parts ficus extract, and 0.75 parts modified montmorillonite.

[0009] Furthermore, the preparation method of the *Ficus pumila* extract is as follows: take young *Ficus pumila* buds with a plant height of 2-5cm, blanch them in hot air at 70-80℃ for 10-20 minutes, dry them under vacuum at 50-60℃, and then pulverize them to obtain *Ficus pumila* bud powder. Add the powder to a 60-75% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, heat and extract, extract twice consecutively, combine the extracts, filter, concentrate, and freeze-dry to obtain the *Ficus pumila* extract.

[0010] Further, in step (1), the mass ratio of montmorillonite to pullulan is 1:(0.08-0.1); the volume ratio of montmorillonite to deionized water is 1g:(10-20)mL.

[0011] Further, in step (1), the ball-to-material ratio of the ball mill is 1:(5-10); the balls are zirconia balls with a particle size of 3-5 mm; the ball milling speed is 300-400 rpm and the ball milling time is 8-10 h; the drying is vacuum drying at 50-60℃.

[0012] Further, in step (2), the mass ratio of montmorillonite, citric acid and propionyl dipeptide in the pretreatment is 1:(0.1-0.3):(0.05-0.2); the concentration of the aqueous solution of citric acid is 10-14% (w / w); the heating temperature is 80-90℃ and the heating time is 1.5-2h.

[0013] Furthermore, the ratio of the powdered young shoots of *Ficus pumila* to the aqueous ethanol solution is 1 g: (10-15) mL; the temperature for the heating extraction is 70-75℃, and the time for each heating extraction is 1-3 h.

[0014] According to the above-described method for preparing a feed additive to improve beef quality, the preparation method specifically includes the following steps: weighing guanidinoacetic acid, betaine, ficus lyrata extract, and modified montmorillonite according to the stated weight proportions, stirring and mixing evenly to obtain the feed additive.

[0015] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows: (1) First, montmorillonite and pullulan are ball-milled. Pullulan is a water-soluble linear polysaccharide with good molecular chain flexibility. It can be attached to the surface of montmorillonite or inserted into the interlayer through physical intercalation and hydrogen bonding. On the one hand, it expands the interlayer spacing of montmorillonite and provides active sites. On the other hand, the hydrophilicity of pullulan can improve the dispersibility of modified montmorillonite in rumen contents. The carboxyl group of citric acid can form hydrogen bonds or ester bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of montmorillonite and the hydroxyl groups of pullulan. At the same time, its chelating property can combine with the metal cations in the interlayer of montmorillonite to further expand the interlayer spacing. Propionyl dipeptide contains active groups such as amino and carboxyl groups. It can combine with montmorillonite through the formation of ester groups and electrostatic adsorption to form a composite carrier structure with expanded interlayer spacing, good dispersibility and slow-release function. This improves the slow-release performance of the components and increases the absorption and utilization rate of nutrients by beef cattle.

[0016] (2) Modified montmorillonite has a stable layered structure, which provides colonization sites for beneficial bacteria and inhibits the reproduction of harmful bacteria. It can reduce the risk of mycotoxin poisoning in beef cattle, reduce growth retardation, increase the nutrient density of beef cattle feed, reduce feed conversion ratio, and improve the economic benefits of breeding.

[0017] (3) This invention provides a feed additive for improving beef quality, which is composed of guanidinoacetic acid, betaine, ficus extract, modified montmorillonite and other ingredients. The test results show that adding the feed additive prepared by this invention to the basic feed of beef cattle can effectively promote the growth of beef cattle, improve feed utilization efficiency and enhance meat production performance; promote intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle, improve the marbling of beef, and thus improve the quality of beef, which has broad application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a scanning electron microscope image of the modified montmorillonite prepared in Example 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 To investigate the effects of different feed additives for improving beef quality on marbling score grades. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and it should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Specific conditions not specified in the embodiments are performed according to conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Unless otherwise specified, all reagents or instruments used are conventional products obtained through commercial channels.

[0020] Example 1 A feed additive for improving beef quality, the feed additive comprising the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1.7 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.17 parts betaine, 0.35 parts ficus extract, and 0.75 parts modified montmorillonite.

[0021] The preparation method of the modified montmorillonite includes the following steps: (1) Montmorillonite and pullulan were added to deionized water and mixed evenly. The mass ratio of montmorillonite to pullulan was 1:0.09. The volume ratio of montmorillonite to deionized water was 1g:15mL. Pretreated montmorillonite was obtained by ball milling at 350rpm for 9h and vacuum drying at 55℃. The ball milling ratio was 1:7. The balls were zirconia balls with a particle size of 4mm.

[0022] (2) The pretreated montmorillonite obtained in step (1) was added to an aqueous solution containing citric acid, wherein the concentration of the citric acid aqueous solution was 12% (w / w); then propionyl dipeptide was added, wherein the mass ratio of the pretreated montmorillonite, citric acid and propionyl dipeptide was 1:0.2:0.12; under inert gas protection, the mixture was stirred and heated at 85°C for 1.7 h, and after washing and vacuum drying, modified montmorillonite was obtained. The microstructure of the modified montmorillonite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the results are as follows. Figure 1 As shown.

[0023] The preparation method of the fig extract includes the following steps: Young shoots of *Ficus pumila* with a plant height of 3 cm were blanched in hot air at 75℃ for 15 min, dried under vacuum at 55℃, and then pulverized to obtain *Ficus pumila* young shoot powder. The powder was added to a 67% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, with a ratio of 1 g to 12 mL. The mixture was heated at 72℃ for 2 h and extracted twice. The extracts were combined, filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried to obtain *Ficus pumila* extract.

[0024] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a feed additive to improve beef quality, specifically including the following steps: weighing 1.7 parts of guanidinoacetic acid, 0.17 parts of betaine, 0.35 parts of ficus-indica extract, and 0.75 parts of modified montmorillonite according to the stated weight proportions, stirring and mixing evenly to obtain the feed additive.

[0025] Example 2 A feed additive for improving beef quality, the feed additive comprising the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1 part guanidinoacetic acid, 0.1 part betaine, 0.2 parts ficus extract, and 0.5 parts modified montmorillonite.

[0026] The preparation method of the modified montmorillonite includes the following steps: (1) Montmorillonite and pullulan were added to deionized water and mixed evenly. The mass ratio of montmorillonite to pullulan was 1:0.08. The volume ratio of montmorillonite to deionized water was 1g:10mL. The pretreated montmorillonite was obtained by ball milling at 300rpm for 8h and vacuum drying at 50℃. The ball-to-material ratio was 1:5. The balls were zirconia balls with a particle size of 3mm.

[0027] (2) The pretreated montmorillonite obtained in step (1) is added to an aqueous solution containing citric acid, wherein the concentration of the aqueous solution of citric acid is 10% (w / w); then propionyl dipeptide is added, wherein the mass ratio of the pretreated montmorillonite, citric acid and propionyl dipeptide is 1:0.1:0.05; under inert gas protection, the mixture is stirred and heated at 80-90℃ for 1.5h, and after washing and vacuum drying, modified montmorillonite is obtained.

[0028] The preparation method of the fig extract includes the following steps: Young shoots of *Ficus pumila* with a plant height of 2 cm were blanched in hot air at 70℃ for 10 min, dried under vacuum at 50℃, and then pulverized to obtain *Ficus pumila* young shoot powder. The powder was added to a 60% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, with a ratio of 1 g to 10 mL. The mixture was heated at 70℃ for 1 h and extracted twice. The extracts were combined, filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried to obtain *Ficus pumila* extract.

[0029] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a feed additive to improve beef quality, specifically including the following steps: weighing 1 part guanidinoacetic acid, 0.1 part betaine, 0.2 parts ficus extract, and 0.5 parts modified montmorillonite according to the stated weight proportions, stirring and mixing evenly to obtain the feed additive.

[0030] Example 3 A feed additive for improving beef quality, the feed additive comprising the following raw materials in parts by weight: 2.5 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.25 parts betaine, 0.5 parts ficus extract, and 1 part modified montmorillonite.

[0031] The preparation method of the modified montmorillonite includes the following steps: (1) Montmorillonite and pullulan were added to deionized water and mixed evenly. The mass ratio of montmorillonite to pullulan was 1:0.1. The volume ratio of montmorillonite to deionized water was 1g:20mL. The pretreated montmorillonite was obtained by ball milling at 400rpm for 10h and vacuum drying at 60℃. The ball milling ratio was 1:10. The balls were zirconia balls with a particle size of 5mm.

[0032] (2) The pretreated montmorillonite obtained in step (1) is added to an aqueous solution containing citric acid, wherein the concentration of the aqueous solution of citric acid is 14% (w / w); then propionyl dipeptide is added, wherein the mass ratio of the pretreated montmorillonite, citric acid and propionyl dipeptide is 1:0.3:0.2; under inert gas protection, the mixture is stirred and heated at 90°C for 2 hours, and after washing and vacuum drying, modified montmorillonite is obtained.

[0033] The preparation method of the fig extract includes the following steps: Young shoots of *Ficus pumila* with a plant height of 5 cm were blanched in hot air at 80℃ for 20 min, dried under vacuum at 60℃, and then pulverized to obtain *Ficus pumila* young shoot powder. The powder was added to a 75% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, with a ratio of 1 g to 15 mL. The mixture was heated at 75℃ for 3 h and extracted twice. The extracts were combined, filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried to obtain *Ficus pumila* extract.

[0034] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a feed additive to improve beef quality, which specifically includes the following steps: weighing 2.5 parts of guanidinoacetic acid, 0.25 parts of betaine, 0.5 parts of ficus-indica extract, and 1 part of modified montmorillonite according to the stated weight proportions, stirring and mixing evenly to obtain the feed additive.

[0035] Comparative Example 1 The difference between Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 is that the modified montmorillonite in a feed additive for improving beef quality is replaced with the pretreated montmorillonite in step (1), while all other aspects are the same as in Example 1.

[0036] Comparative Example 2 The difference between Comparative Example 2 and Example 1 is that the modified montmorillonite in a feed additive for improving beef quality was replaced with a direct mixture of montmorillonite, pullulan, and propargyl dipeptide, with the same dosage as in Example 1; all other aspects were the same as in Example 1.

[0037] Comparative Example 3 The difference between Comparative Example 3 and Example 1 is that the extraction target of the ficus-indica extract in a feed additive for improving beef quality was replaced with mature ficus-indica plants; otherwise, they were the same as in Example 1.

[0038] The preparation method of this comparative example of Ficus pumila extract includes the following steps: Mature creeping fig plants (grown for about 1 year) were vacuum dried at 55℃ and then pulverized to obtain creeping fig powder. The powder was added to a 67% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, with the ratio of creeping fig powder to ethanol aqueous solution being 1 g: 12 mL. The mixture was heated at 72℃ for 2 hours and extracted twice. The extracts were combined, filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried to obtain creeping fig extract.

[0039] Experimental Example 1 The following are efficacy tests of a feed additive for improving beef quality obtained in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-3: (1) 105 Angus beef cattle with good health and a weight of 250-300 kg were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into control group, Example 1 group, Example 2 group, Example 3 group, Comparative Example 1 group, Comparative Example 2 group, and Comparative Example 3 group, with 15 cattle in each group. The specific grouping is as follows.

[0040] Control group: fed only basal feed.

[0041] Example 1 group: Feeding with basal feed + 2% of the weight of the basal feed of the feed additive prepared in Example 1 to improve beef quality.

[0042] Example 2 group: Feeding with basal feed + 2% of the weight of the basal feed of the feed additive prepared in Example 2 to improve beef quality.

[0043] Example 3 group: Feeding with basal feed + 2% of the weight of the basal feed of the feed additive prepared in Example 3 to improve beef quality.

[0044] Comparative Example 1: Feeding with a basal diet plus 2% of the weight of the basal diet of the feed additive prepared in Comparative Example 1 to improve beef quality.

[0045] Comparative Example 2: Feeding with a basal diet plus 2% of the weight of the basal diet prepared in Comparative Example 2 to improve beef quality.

[0046] Comparative Example 3: Feed additives prepared by Comparative Example 3 to improve beef quality, consisting of a basic feed plus 2% of the weight of the basic feed.

[0047] (2) The basic feed for beef cattle consisted of the following ingredients in parts by weight: 50 parts alfalfa hay, 20 parts corn, 13 parts cottonseed meal, 10 parts extruded soybeans, 10 parts wheat bran, 0.5 parts calcium carbonate, 0.4 parts calcium bicarbonate, and 0.15 parts salt. All experimental groups were thoroughly mixed with the basic feed to prepare a total mixed ration (TMR) for feeding. During the experiment, the beef cattle had free access to feed and water for 90 consecutive days.

[0048] (3) Fasting weights were taken from the cattle at the beginning and end of the experiment. The initial and final weights were recorded, and the total weight gain, average daily weight gain, average dry matter intake per head (kg / d), and average feed conversion ratio (F / G) were calculated. The average feed conversion ratio, which is the average daily dry matter intake per head divided by the average daily weight gain, is a key indicator for measuring the feed cost per kilogram of weight gain in beef cattle. The lower the value, the higher the feed conversion efficiency. At the same time, the dressing percentage was measured to evaluate the efficiency of feed nutrient conversion into edible meat. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0049] (4) After the experiment, the marbling was scored according to the standards of "NY / T 1333—2007 Determination of Meat Quality of Livestock and Poultry" and "GB / T29392—2022 Grading of Livestock and Poultry Meat (Beef)" to characterize the intramuscular fat deposition effect. The grading system is divided into 5 levels: Level 1 (almost none), Level 2 (few), Level 3 (relatively rich), Level 4 (rich), and Level 5 (extremely rich). The results are as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0050] Table 1. Effects of different feed additives for improving beef quality on growth performance of beef cattle. The results are shown in Table 1, illustrating the effects of different feed additives for improving beef quality on the growth performance of beef cattle. Table 1 shows that, compared with the control group, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2, adding the beef quality-improving feed additives prepared in Examples 1-3 to the basal diet significantly increased the total weight gain, average daily weight gain, and dressing percentage of Angus beef cattle, while simultaneously reducing the average feed conversion ratio. This indicates that the beef quality-improving feed additives prepared in Examples 1-3 can effectively promote beef cattle growth, improve feed utilization efficiency, and enhance meat production performance.

[0051] The results are as follows Figure 2 The image shows the effect of different feed additives that improve beef quality on marbling score grades. Figure 2 It can be seen that, compared with the control group, comparative example 1, and comparative example 2, the feed additives for improving beef quality prepared in Examples 1-3 of this invention can significantly improve the marbling score of beef cattle. This indicates that the feed additives for improving beef quality prepared in Examples 1-3 can effectively promote intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle, thereby improving the richness of marbling and overall flavor of beef, and improving beef quality.

[0052] Compared to Example 1, Comparative Example 1 replaced the modified montmorillonite in a feed additive for improving beef quality with pretreated montmorillonite; Comparative Example 2 replaced the modified montmorillonite with a direct mixture of montmorillonite, pullulan, and propargyl dipeptide. The results showed that the growth performance and meat quality of both groups of beef cattle significantly decreased, mainly due to the montmorillonite modification process used in this invention. Specifically, the modification treatment, through pullulan intercalation, citric acid chelation, and propargyl dipeptide bonding, constructed a composite carrier structure with expanded interlayer spacing, good dispersibility, and sustained-release function. This structure significantly improved the stability of functional components (such as guanidinoacetic acid and betaine) in the rumen environment, achieving targeted sustained release and efficient utilization of active substances. On the one hand, this enhances the absorption efficiency of nutrients, thereby promoting beef cattle growth and reducing the feed conversion ratio; on the other hand, the sustained-release system can more continuously and stably regulate lipid metabolism, promote uniform intramuscular fat deposition, and thus significantly improve marbling score, beef flavor, and overall meat quality.

[0053] Compared to Example 1, Comparative Example 3 replaced the extraction target of the *Ficus pumila* extract in a feed additive for improving beef quality with mature *Ficus pumila* plants, resulting in a significant decrease in both growth performance and meat quality improvement in beef cattle. This is mainly because mature *Ficus pumila* plants have a higher degree of lignification, typically resulting in lower levels of effective active substances, while having relatively higher levels of cellulose and anti-nutritional factors, leading to a significant reduction in the bioactivity and functional efficacy of the extract. Furthermore, the extract from mature plants exhibits poor stability in the rumen environment and poor sustained-release properties, making it difficult to achieve efficient absorption and sustained action. Consequently, it fails to effectively improve feed utilization, regulate lipid metabolism, and promote intramuscular fat deposition, ultimately failing to achieve the expected effects of improving growth performance and meat quality.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them. The basic principles and main features of the present invention have been described above with specific implementation schemes. Based on the present invention, some modifications or substitutions can be made, but these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A feed additive for improving the quality of beef, characterized in that, The feed additive comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1-2.5 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.1-0.25 parts betaine, 0.2-0.5 parts ficus extract, and 0.5-1 parts modified montmorillonite; The preparation method of the modified montmorillonite includes the following steps: (1) Take montmorillonite and pullulan polysaccharide, add them to deionized water and mix them evenly. After ball milling and drying, pretreated montmorillonite is obtained. (2) The pretreated montmorillonite obtained in step (1) is added to an aqueous solution containing citric acid, and then propionyl dipeptide is added. The mixture is stirred and heated under inert gas protection, and after washing and vacuum drying, modified montmorillonite is obtained.

2. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed additive comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1.7 parts guanidinoacetic acid, 0.17 parts betaine, 0.35 parts ficus extract, and 0.75 parts modified montmorillonite.

3. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The preparation method of the fig extract is as follows: take fig buds with a plant height of 2-5cm, blanch them in hot air at 70-80℃ for 10-20min, dry them under vacuum at 50-60℃, and then pulverize them to obtain fig bud powder. Add the powder to a 60-75% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution, heat and extract, extract twice, combine the extracts, filter, concentrate and freeze dry to obtain fig extract.

4. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the mass ratio of montmorillonite to pullulan is 1:(0.08-0.1); the volume ratio of montmorillonite to deionized water is 1g:(10-20)mL.

5. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the ball-to-material ratio of the ball mill is 1:(5-10); the balls are zirconia balls with a particle size of 3-5 mm; the ball milling speed is 300-400 rpm and the ball milling time is 8-10 h; the drying is vacuum drying at 50-60℃.

6. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 1, wherein In step (2), the mass ratio of montmorillonite, citric acid and propionyl dipeptide in the pretreatment is 1:(0.1-0.3):(0.05-0.2); the concentration of the aqueous solution of citric acid is 10-14% (w / w); the heating temperature is 80-90℃ and the heating time is 1.5-2h.

7. The feed additive for improving beef quality according to claim 3, characterized by, The ratio of the powdered young shoots of *Ficus pumila* to the aqueous ethanol solution is 1 g: (10-15) mL; the temperature for the heating extraction is 70-75℃, and the time for each heating extraction is 1-3 h.

8. A method for preparing a feed additive for improving beef quality according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The preparation method specifically includes the following steps: weigh guanidinoacetic acid, betaine, ficus extract, and modified montmorillonite according to the stated weight proportions, stir and mix evenly to obtain the feed additive.

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