Additive for animal nutrition

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a compound for the preparation of an additive, a premix, a feed or fodder for feeding animals, said compound corresponding to the following formula: [Chem 1] R1C(O)-[O-(CH2)n-CH(R2)-C(O)]kOR3, where R1 is selected from C1-11 alkyl groups; R2 is selected from C1-20 alkyl groups, CmH2m-OR4, CmH2m-NHR4, where R4 is selected from H and C(O) C1-11 alkyl and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11; R3 is selected from H and C1-20 alkyl groups; n is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 10; and k represents an integer from 1 to 10; or a salt of said compound.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Additive for animal nutrition

[0003] The present invention relates to the use in animal nutrition of compounds as sources of organic acids, as well as an additive for animal nutrition.

[0004] Animal production depends on the use of appropriate and good quality feed. Additives are compounds intended to be incorporated into this feed in order to give it improved properties both from the point of view of the feed itself and with respect to the animals thus fed, or even the food products obtained from them. Among the additives for animal nutrition, there are compounds that favorably influence the preservation, presentation, handling, and palatability of this feed. There are also nutritional compounds such as vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, as well as agents improving the digestibility and bioavailability of substances contained in the feed or in the additives.

[0005] European regulations [EC Regulation No. 1831 / 2003] prohibit the use of antibiotics, which has encouraged the development of natural substitutes with antibacterial properties. Organic acids, long used in food preservation, constitute an alternative whose use is becoming widespread in animal nutrition, and in particular butyric acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid and formic acid. They are used as additives in animal nutrition, for the preservation of animal feed and its bacterial decontamination, but also in animal feed and drinking water, for their nutritional and health effects. Thus, butyric acid has both nutritional qualities and an antibacterial power that can act on the animal's gastrointestinal flora. Lactic acid is a bacteriostatic agent used as an additive.The disadvantage of many active molecules is their fragility in relation to the environment of the animal digestive system. As a result, they are released early in the upper part of the intestine where they cross the intestinal barrier and quickly reach the blood, even before they can exert their beneficial effects on the intestinal flora in the lower part of the intestine.

[0006] A protected form of butyric acid, tributyrin, or butyric acid triglyceride, is commercially available. It provides butyric acid in a form that is at least partially resistant to the harsh conditions of the stomach.

[0007] Document CN 103082094 A provides a solution with a mixed triglyceride whose structure shown below combines two molecules of lactic acid and one molecule of butyric acid carried by an esterified glycerol molecule,

[0008] [Chem 10]

[0009] and which allows the gradual release of both butyric acid and lactic acid in the gastrointestinal tract of animals.

[0010] Just like tributyrin, it is observed that the release of lactic acid and / or butyric acid molecules occurs mainly in the upper part of the intestine and that only a tiny part of these molecules reaches the lower part of the intestine.

[0011] The administration of butyric acid and lactic acid, in the form of a triglyceride as mentioned above, provides the beginnings of a solution.

[0012] But today, there is a real need to have these molecules in particular, but also many other molecules, such as carboxylic acids, of small sizes, having favorable effects on the microbiota, in a form which allows them to access the lower part of the intestine in order to exert their favorable effect on the intestinal microbiota.

[0013] This is the problem solved by the present invention by providing a compound having the formula below:

[0014] [Chem 1]

[0015] R 1 C(O)-[O-(C H2) n -CH(R2)-C(O)] k OR3, in which

[0016] R1 is selected from C 1 -C 10 alkyl groups 1-11 ;

[0017] R2 is selected from C alkyl groups 1-20 ; C m H 2m -OR4 and C m H 2m -NHR4 where R4 is selected from H and C(O)-C alkyl 1-11 and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11;

[0018] R3 is selected from H and C alkyl groups 1-20 ; n is 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 10; and k represents an integer from 1 to 10; or in a salt of said compound.

[0019] Thus, the present invention relates to a use of a compound as defined above, for the preparation of an additive, a premix or a fodder feed, for animal nutrition, as well as an additive for animal feed consisting of such a compound. According to a variant, the additive of the invention does not consist of butyryl lactylate, the butyryl lactylate corresponding to the following formula:

[0020] [Chem 2]

[0021] It has in fact been demonstrated that the compound of formula [Chem 1], on the one hand, manages to reach the animal's intestine by having resisted the acidic conditions residing in the entire upstream part of the gastrointestinal tract, and on the other hand, allows the molecules carried to exert their benefits at the intestinal level.

[0022] According to the invention, the applications of a compound of formula [Chem 1] are not therapeutic, but nutritional, they target healthy animals. As an illustration with butyryl lactylate, once arrived in the intestine, the compound is hydrolyzed and releases butyrate which exerts numerous benefits for the intestine. It acts as an energy source for intestinal cells, thus promoting their regeneration and proper functioning. In addition, butyrate exerts anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which contributes to the balance of the intestinal immune system. It also strengthens the intestinal barrier by promoting the production of protective mucus and improving the tight junction function between epithelial cells. Thus, butyrate plays a vital role in promoting intestinal health and could have positive implications for general well-being.

[0023] Before discussing the various objects of the invention in more detail, certain terms used in this text are defined.

[0024] A salt of the compound of formula [Chem 1] of the invention may be a salt of a carboxylic function of said compound to obtain a carboxylate function, a salt of a hydroxyl function, a salt of an amine function. It may be a combination of these possibilities.

[0025] By alkyl is meant a C radical x H 2x+ 1 , aliphatic, which may comprise one or more non-aromatic cycles; it may be linear or branched; by branched alkyl radical is meant a linear alkyl radical of which one or more carbon atoms are substituted by an alkyl group as defined above and itself, linear or branched.

[0026] In the definition of R2 in the formula [Chem 1] above, it should be understood that when it represents a C group m H 2m -OR4 or Cm H 2m -NHR4, the bond to the carbon carrying R2 is established at the C carbon m from group C m H 2m -OR4 or C m H 2m -NHR4. A compound of the invention corresponds to the formula [Chem 1] as defined above and in which one or more asymmetric carbon atoms may be present; it is understood according to the invention that the term “compound” covers all the enantiomers of said compound, alone or in a mixture.

[0027] A premix for animal nutrition, also called a premix, is a mixture of additives or a mixture of one or more additives with feed materials or water used as a carrier, which are not intended for direct animal feeding.

[0028] Thus, the invention relates to a use of a compound, for the preparation of an additive, a premix or a fodder feed, for animal nutrition, and an additive for animal nutrition consisting of a compound, said compound corresponding to the formula [Chem 1] above, or one of its salts.

[0029] According to a variant of the invention, this use is for feeding livestock. According to an implementation of this use, said compound, or its salt, is intended for feeding monogastric livestock.

[0030] When the compound of formula [Chem 1] is in salt form, it is advantageously a salt chosen from alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, transition metal salts, ammonium salts and salts of ammonium derivatives. Advantageously, salts of Li, Na, K, Ca, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Mg and Ag are chosen.

[0031] It was unexpectedly discovered that the structure of the compound of formula [Chem 1] both exhibits stability with respect to the deleterious environment of the animal's digestive system and allows the release of active molecules in the lower part of the intestine where they will exert their favorable effect on the intestinal microbiota.

[0032] Another advantage of a compound of formula [Chem 1] of the invention is to combine several molecules, identical or different, of interest in animal nutrition. For example, it can carry molecules of butyric acid, valeric acid and lactic acid, which are molecules well known for their benefits on intestinal microorganisms.

[0033] Thus, according to advantageous implementations of the invention which can be considered alone or in combination, it relates to the aforementioned use and to aforementioned additives concerning respectively the following compounds: a compound corresponding to the formula [Chem 1] in which R1 is chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl groups; a compound corresponding to the formula [Chem 1] in which R2 is chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl groups; OH; and O-C(O)-methyl, OC(O)-ethyl, OC(O)-propyl, OC(O)-butyl, OC(O)-pentyl and O-C(O)-hexyl groups; a compound having the formula [Chem 1] in which n ranges from 0 to 2 and k ranges from 1 to 5. butyryl lactylate having the following formula:

[0034] [Chem 2] according to a variant the butyryl lactylate only concerns the use of the invention, a compound corresponding to the following formula

[0035] [Chem 3]

[0036] R1 C(O)-[O-CH2-CH(R2)-C(O)OR3, in which R2 is selected from C m H 2m -OR4 where m ranges from 0 to 2 and R4 is selected from H and C(O)-alkyl C 1-6 ; a compound corresponding to the following formula:

[0037] [Chem 4]

[0038] CH3(CH2)2C(O)-O-(CH2) n -CH(R2)-COOH, wherein R2 is selected from OH; CH2CH2OH; and OC(O)CH2CH2CH3; and n' is equal to 0 or

[0039] 1; a compound having any one of the following formulae:

[0040] [Chem 5]

[0041] [Chem 6]

[0042] The invention also relates to a aforementioned use and a aforementioned additive according to which the compound consists of any salt of a compound as defined below, or is in the form of any mixture of said compounds, said salts or said compounds and said salts.

[0043] The invention is of course not limited to these compounds, but these make it possible to support that the structure [Chem 1] is suitable for the optimized release, for example, of butyric acid on the one hand, and of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid having nutritional properties on the other hand such as lactic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybutyric acid.

[0044] The invention also relates to any presentation and any use in animal nutrition of such an additive, as indicated below.

[0045] Thus, an object of the invention is a premix for animal feed comprising a mixture of additives, said premix comprising at least one additive of the invention as described above, and optionally a vegetable or mineral raw material.

[0046] Another subject of the invention is a food or fodder for animal nutrition which comprises at least one additive of the invention or a premix of the invention as described above.

[0047] The invention further relates to the use in animal nutrition of a compound corresponding to the following formula: [Chem 1]

[0048] R1C(O)-[O-(CH2) n -CH(R2)-C(O)] k OR3, in which

[0049] R1 is selected from C 1 -C 10 alkyl groups 1-11 ;

[0050] R2 is selected from C alkyl groups 1-20 ; C m H 2m -OR4 ; C m H 2m -NHR4; where R4 is selected from H and C(O)-C alkyl 1-11 and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11;

[0051] R3 is selected from H and C alkyl groups 1 -20 ; n is 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 10; and k represents an integer from 1 to 10; or a salt of said compound.

[0052] In an advantageous use according to the invention, the compound is chosen from the following compounds: the compound corresponding to the following formula

[0053] [Chem 2] a compound having the following formula

[0054] [Chem 3]

[0055] R1C(O)-[O-CH2-CH(R2)-C(O)OR3, in which

[0056] R2 is chosen from C m H 2m -OR4 where m ranges from 0 to 2 and R4 is selected from H and C(O)-alkyl

[0057] C 1 -6 ; a compound having the following formula

[0058] [Chem 4]

[0059] CH3(CH2)2C(O)-O-(CH2) n -CH(R2)-COOH, wherein R2 is selected from OH; CH2CH2OH; and OC(O)CH2CH2CH3and n' is equal to 0 or 1, and the salts of said compound.

[0060] According to a variant of the invention, this use is for feeding livestock. According to an implementation of this use, said compound, or its salt, is intended for feeding monogastric livestock. In animal nutrition, said compound of the invention, or one of its salts, also has the advantage of being effective in any condition whatsoever.

[0061] Thus, a compound of the invention such as butyryl lactylate can be incorporated into the drinking water of livestock, without risk of hydrolysis into lactic acid and free butyric acid in the water. Indeed, butyryl lactylate is soluble in water, whereas tributyrin is not.

[0062] A compound of the invention, such as butyryl lactylate, liquid, can be distributed in the form of a dry product, after dispersion on a support, in particular an inorganic support, such as a silica or calcium carbonate support. According to one embodiment, a compound of the invention such as butyryl lactylate can be dispersed or adsorbed on silica particles in a weight ratio of the order of 50 to 80% of butyryl lactylate and of the order of 20 to 50% of silica particles.

[0063] In another variant, a compound of the invention may also be administered in another solid form. For example, a butyryl lactylate salt, such as the calcium salt, is in the solid state. It may thus be distributed in the form of a dry product with a high butyric acid content, the butyric acid content in the butyryl lactylate salt being able to be between about 1% by weight and about 60% by weight.

[0064] Furthermore, butyric acid has a very unpleasant odor, which poses handling problems, whereas a compound of the invention is odorless. As demonstrated in an example below, butyryl lactylate has been observed to have a palatability that contributes to the nutritional performance of the feed provided.

[0065] Thus the invention relates to a use of a compound of [Chem 1], such as butyryl lactylt for the preparation of an additive, a premix or a fodder feed, for animal nutrition, for its palatability, that is to say its capacity to attract the animal to consume it.

[0066] Another subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing a compound of the invention. This method uses reactive distillation. Thus, a mixture of the carboxylic acid molecules of interest is obtained and reactive distillation is carried out to obtain a compound of formula [Chem 1]) of the invention.

[0067] Thus, the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a compound of the invention or a salt of this compound, as defined above, comprising the following steps: at least two molecules of carboxylic acids corresponding respectively to the following formulas are mixed

[0068] [Chem 8]

[0069] R1COOH where R1 is selected from C alkyl groups 1 -1 1 ;

[0070] [Chem 9]

[0071] OH(CH2) n -CH(R2)COOH where n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 10, and R2 is selected from C alkyl groups 1-20 ; C m H 2m -OR4 ; C m H 2m -NHR4 where R4 is selected from H and C(O)-C alkyl 1-11and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11; in the presence of a catalyst, reactive distillation is applied to the mixture thus obtained, and a compound of formula [Chem 1] or a salt of this compound, corresponding to any one of the preceding definitions, is obtained.

[0072] In a typical reaction, carboxylic acid molecules of interest are mixed with a suitable catalyst and the mixture is heated to a temperature ranging from 25°C to 150°C. The catalyst used is homogeneous or heterogeneous; when heterogeneous, it can be fixed-bed (the reaction medium passes through the catalyst) or slurry (the catalyst is mixed with the reaction medium). A condenser or distillation column can be attached to the reaction vessel so that water, any unreacted by-products and / or reactants can be removed from the vessel during the reaction. In addition, a vacuum can be applied to the reaction mixture to expel water, said by-product(s) and / or unreacted reactant(s) more quickly and thus bring the reaction to completion more quickly. A third compound that facilitates the removal of water from the reaction mixture can be added, such as toluene.

[0073] The reaction can be monitored, for example, by TLC and / or GC and / or HPLC. If the reaction is complete, the reaction can be stopped by cooling the reaction mixture. If necessary, the catalyst is neutralized and filtered after the reaction and before or after purification. The compound thus obtained can be further purified by distillation or not.

[0074] As previously stated, for animal feed, the compound can be used as such, dispersed on a carrier or in the form of a corresponding salt. The salt obtained can be optionally purified by washing, recrystallization, extraction with a solution to obtain a product with higher purity.

[0075] The present invention is illustrated in the following examples relating to the synthesis of compounds of the invention and their effects as an additive in animal nutrition and in support of [Fig. 1] which shows the content of butyric acid released (in % by weight relative to the weight of the tributyrin or butyryl lactylate administered), in the stomach and intestine defining the upper part of the gastrointestinal system, and the caecum defining the lower part of the gastrointestinal system. Example 1: Preparation of butyryl lactylate from lactic acid and butyric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid as catalyst

[0076] 1068.7 g (12 mol) of butyric acid (99%) are added to 151.9 g (1.52 mol) of a 90% (w / w) aqueous solution of lactic acid (90% w / w). 8 g (0.0775 mol) of sulfuric acid (95% w / w) are then added to the mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature of 110°C and the butyric acid / water azeotrope is distilled continuously. Vacuum is applied if necessary. After 5 h, the reaction mixture is cooled and 20.50 g (0.1538 mol) of an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (30% w / w) is added. The resulting precipitate is filtered. The excess water and butyric acid are removed by evaporation and 222.8 g of butyryl lactylate are obtained.

[0077] Example 2: Preparation of butyryl lactylate salt by wet method

[0078] 946.6 g (0.63 mol) of a 5% w / w aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide is added to 208.9 g (1.26 mol) of a butyryl lactylate mixture as prepared in Example 1. The solid butyryl lactylate salt is obtained from the resulting solution by evaporation or spray-drying.

[0079] Example 3: Preparation of butyryl lactylate salt by dry method

[0080] 63.06 g (0.63 mol) of solid calcium carbonate is mixed with 208.9 g (1.26 mol) of a butyryl lactylate mixture as prepared in Example 1. A neutralization reaction is carried out in an extruder to obtain the solid calcium salt of butyryl lactylate.

[0081] Example 4: Preparation of butyryl lactylate salt carried out on silica

[0082] 208.9 g (1.26 mol) of butyryl lactylate as prepared in Example 1 are dispersed on 112.5 g of a suitable silica. The resulting preparation is dried to yield the solid butyryl lactylate salt.

[0083] Example 5: Preparation of butyryl lactylate from lactic acid and butyric acid in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst

[0084] 20.5 g (0.2303 mol) of butyric acid (99%) are added to 5.2 g (0.0556 mol) of lactic acid (98% w / w). 2 g of sulfonic acid resin are added to the mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature of 110°C and the butyric acid / water azeotrope is continuously distilled. Vacuum is applied if necessary. After 20 h, the reaction mixture is cooled and the resin is filtered. The excess butyric acid is removed by evaporation and 7.69 g of liquid butyryl lactylate is obtained. Example 6: Preparation of butyryl lactylate from lactic acid and methyl butyrate by transesterification

[0085] 22.45 g (0.22 mol) of methyl butyrate are added to 5 g (0.0544 mol) of L-lactic acid. 0.281 g (0.0027 mol) of sulfuric acid (95% w / w) are added to the mixture. The mixture is brought to a temperature of 90°C. Vacuum is applied if necessary. After 6 h, the reaction mixture is cooled, the excess methyl butyrate is removed by distillation and butyryl lactylate is obtained.

[0086] Example 7: Preparation of butyryl lactylate from methyl lactate and butyric acid by transesterification

[0087] 2.02 g (0.0192 mol) of methyl lactate are added to 6.79 g (0.0763 mol) of butyric acid. 0.11 g (0.0011 mol) of sulfuric acid (95% w / w) are added to the mixture. The mixture is brought to a temperature of 110°C. Vacuum is applied if necessary. After 6 h, the reaction mixture is cooled, the excess butyric acid is removed by distillation and butyryl lactylate is obtained.

[0088] Example 8: Preparation of butyryl lactylate from lactic acid and the sodium salt of butyric acid

[0089] 3.01 g (0.0268 mol) of sodium butyrate are added to 0.449 g (0.0049 mol) of D,L-lactic acid. 1.74 g (0.0169 mol) of sulfuric acid (95% w / w) are added to the mixture. The mixture is brought to a temperature of 110°C and the butyric acid / water azeotrope is distilled continuously. Vacuum is applied if necessary. After 5 h, the reaction mixture is cooled and the resulting precipitate is filtered. The excess water and butyric acid are removed by evaporation and 0.509 g of liquid butyryl lactylate is obtained.

[0090] Example 9: Effects of butyryl lactylate - Comparison with tributyrin

[0091] Experimental tests were conducted in in vitro models described below.

[0092] 1) Model of the upper digestive tract:

[0093] The method developed by Menezez and Blackburn was used to simulate the chicken digestive tract [Menezes-Blackburn D, Gabler S, Greiner R. “Performance of Seven Commercial Phytases in an in Vitro Simulation of Poultry Digestive Tract.” J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Jul 15;63(27):6142-9]. It consists of simulating the 3 compartments of the upper part of the digestive tract: the crop (30 min at pH 5, 40°C with stirring), the proventriculus / gizzard (45 min at pH 3, 40°C with stirring with the addition of pepsin), the intestine (60 min at pH 6.5, 40°C with stirring with the addition of pancreatin and bile extract). The rate of protection and release of butyrate for each molecule (50 mM of butyric acid equivalent of the butyryl lactylate of the invention or tributyrin of the prior art) was evaluated in each of the compartments sequentially (quantification of the release of butyric acid and residual butyric ester).

[0094] 2) In vitro model: lower digestive tract (cecal fermentation):

[0095] Twelve twenty-one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross PM33), housed in cages, fed and watered ad libitum, were euthanized, and their cecal contents were collected and pooled. All experiments were conducted in accordance with European Union animal protection directives and legislation governing the ethical treatment of animals, and the researchers were certified by the French government to conduct animal experiments. The facilities of the Centre of Expertise and Research in Nutrition comply with Convention No. C 03 159 4 of November 6, 2008, relating to experiments on live vertebrate animals (European Regulation 24 / 11 / 86 86 / 609 EEC; Ministerial Order of April 19, 1988).

[0096] The cecal contents were mixed (5% w / v) with an anaerobic buffer prepared according to Theodorou et al. [Theodorou, Michael K., et al. “A simple gas production method using a pressure transducer to determine the fermentation kinetics of ruminant feeds." Animal feed science and technology 48.3-4 (1994): 185-197], then the microbial suspension transferred into Hungate tubes containing 50 mM butyric acid equivalent for each candidate (butyryl lactylate of the invention or tributyrin of the prior art) and incubated for 24 h with constant shaking at 40°C.

[0097] To ensure that none of the treatments had a detrimental effect on microbial activity and viability, gas production was measured kinetically throughout the fermentation using a pressure transducer following the methodology of Theodorou et al.

[0098] At the end of fermentation, residual butyric acid and butyric ester were quantified.

[0099] Example 10: Test results

[0100] The results are shown in the figure.

[0101] It is observed that butyryl lactylate does not release butyric acid in the stomach and an improved intestinal release profile with balanced release in the upper and lower intestine unlike tributyrin which shows significant gastric loss and complete release in the early small intestine.

[0102] These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a compound of the invention compared to tributyrin. Example 11: Evaluation of the palatability of butyryl lactylate

[0103] This assessment was carried out by in vivo tests in broiler chickens and in post-weaning piglets.

[0104] 1) Tests on broiler chickens

[0105] The chickens were placed in normal rearing conditions.

[0106] They were divided into several groups, and each group received a diet containing a source of butyrate, incorporated directly into a standard diet (STD), for five days. Several sources of butyrate were compared: the butyryl lactylate of the invention and two protected forms of butyrate, commercially available, a coated butyrate (fat-coated) and tributyrin.

[0107] Growth performance and feed consumption were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

[0108] The results are presented in Table 1 below.

[0109] Table 1: Effect of butyric acid sources compared to a standard diet (%) in broiler chickens

[0110] BWG: body weight gain

[0111] Fl: feed intake

[0112] FCR: feed conversion ratio

[0113] Table 1 shows that the group of chickens fed existing protected butyrate sources (fat-coated and tributyrin) had lower weight gain than chickens fed standard feed, -5% and -9% respectively (BWG). This lower growth was linked to a decrease in consumption of -15% and -3% (Fl).

[0114] Although in protected form, it was noted that the food containing fat-coated butyrate had a strong and unpleasant rancid odor, this bad odor possibly explaining the drop in consumption.

[0115] Conversely, animals fed the diet with butyryl lactylate consumed more feed, +2.8% of Fl compared to the standard diet, thus increasing their growth (BWG) by +10%. Consumption of the diet with butyryl lactylate is higher than that of the standard diet, which allows us to conclude that butyryl lactylate encourages animals to consume more.

[0116] 2) Tests in post-weaning piglets

[0117] The animals were placed in normal breeding conditions.

[0118] They were divided into four separate groups, and each group received a standard diet (STD) containing a source of butyrate for about ten days (from 36 to 49 days of age). Several sources of butyrate were compared: the butyryl lactylate of the invention and two commercially protected forms of butyrate, a coated butyrate (fat-coated) and tributyrin.

[0119] Growth performance and feed consumption were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

[0120] The results are presented in Table 2 below.

[0121] Table 2: Effect of butyric acid sources compared to a standard control (%) in piglets

[0122] BWG: body weight gain

[0123] Fl: feed intake

[0124] FCR: feed conversion ratio

[0125] Table 2 shows that both sources of protected butyrate (fat coated and tributyrin) have a detrimental effect on animal performance. Compared to the standard group, animal growth (BWG) was reduced by -31% with fat-coated butyrate and by -17% with tributyrin. Feed efficiency (FCR) was also reduced, by +26% and +3.3% respectively. This drop in performance is linked to the significant drop in consumption, by -13% and -14% respectively.

[0126] It was noted that the feed containing fat-coated butyrate and the feed containing tributyrin had a strong odor, which led to lower feed consumption. Indeed, by releasing an unpleasant and unpalatable odor, the animals were forced to spend less time at the feeder. On the other hand, butyryl lactylate had a beneficial effect. Piglets receiving the feed containing it consumed more feed than piglets receiving a standard commercial feed: +16% of Fl. Their growth (BWG) was favored by this increase in consumption, it was higher by +21%. Feed efficiency was not impacted, it was even improved by -4% (FCR) with the feed containing butyryl lactylate. It therefore encouraged the animals to consume. This demonstrates that butyryl lactylate has a palatable aspect.Furthermore, it had an effect on digestive health, as the increased consumption resulted in an improvement in BWG and FCR, this excess consumption was therefore valued by the animal. This example demonstrates the appetizing effect of butyryl lactylate compared to other sources of butyrate, promoting animal growth without degrading feed efficiency.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Use of a compound for the preparation of an additive, a premix or a feed or fodder, for animal nutrition, said compound corresponding to the following formula: [Chem 1] R1C(O)-[O-(CH2) n -CH(R2)-C(O)] k OR3, in which R1 is selected from C 1 -C 10 alkyl groups 1-11 ; R2 is selected from C alkyl groups 1-20 ; C m H 2m -OR4 ; C m H 2m -NHR4 where R4 is selected from H and C(O)-C alkyl 1-11 and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11; R3 is selected from H and C alkyl groups 1 -20 ; n is 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 10; and k represents an integer from 1 to 10; or in a salt of said compound.

2. Use according to claim 1, for animal nutrition of monogastric livestock.

3. Animal feed additive consisting of a compound having the following formula: [Chem 1] R1C(O)-[O-(CH2) n -CH(R2)-C(O)] k OR3, in which R1 is selected from C 1 -C 10 alkyl groups 1 -1 1 ; R2 is selected from C alkyl groups 1-20 ; C m H 2m -OR4 ; C m H 2m -NHR4 where R4 is selected from H and C(O)-C alkyl 1-11 and m is equal to 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 11; R3 is selected from H and C alkyl groups 1 -20 ; n is 0 or represents an integer from 1 to 10; and k represents an integer from 1 to 10; or in a salt of said compound, said compound being different from the compound having the following formula [Chem 2] 4. Use according to claim 1 or 2, or additive according to claim 3, characterized in that it consists of a compound corresponding to the formula [Chem 1] in which R1 is chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl groups, or a salt of said compound.

5. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, or additive according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the compound corresponds to the formula [Chem 1] in which R2 is chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl groups; OH; and OC(O)-methyl, OC(O)-ethyl, OC(O)-propyl, OC(O)-butyl, OC(O)-pentyl and OC(O)-hexyl groups, or in a salt of said compound.

6. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, or additive according to any one of claims 3, 4, 5, characterized in that n ranges from 0 to 2 and k ranges from 1 to 5.

7. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-6, characterized in that the compound corresponds to the following formula: [Chem 2] or a salt of said compound.

8. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-6, or additive according to any one of claims 3, 4-6, characterized in that it consists of a compound corresponding to the following formula: [Chem 3] R1C(O)-[O-CH2-CH(R2)-C(O)OR3, in which R2 is chosen from C m H 2m -OR4 where m ranges from 0 to 2 and R4 is selected from H and C(O)-Cl-6 alkyl, or a salt of said compound.

9. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-8, or additive according to any one of claims 3, 4-6, 8, characterized in that the compound corresponds to the following formula: [Chem 4] CH3(CH2)2C(O)-O-(CH2) n-CH(R2)-COOH, in which R2 is selected from OH; CH2CH2OH; and OC(O)CH2CH2CH3and n' is equal to 0 or 1, or a salt of said compound.

10. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-9, or additive according to any one of claims 3-6, 8, 9, characterized in that the salt of any one of the compounds of formula [Chem 1], [Chem 2], [Chem 3] and [Chem 4] is chosen from alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, transition metal salts, ammonium salts and salts of ammonium derivatives.

11. Use according to claim 10, or additive according to claim 10, characterized in that the salt of said compound is chosen from the salts of Li, Na, K, Ca, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Mg and Ag.

12. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4-11, or additive according to any one of claims 3-6, 8-11, for the palatability of the compound of formula [Chem 1].

13. Premix (or premix) for animal feed comprising a mixture of additives, characterized in that it comprises an additive according to any one of claims 3, 4-6, 8-10, and optionally a vegetable or mineral raw material.

14. Food or fodder for animal nutrition characterized in that it comprises at least one additive according to any one of claims 3, 4-6, 8-10, or a premix according to claim 13.

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