Application of liquid smoke as an animal feed or animal feed additive to improve growth performance of poultry and other livestock

Abstract

The invention is directed towards a method for improving productivity, performance and / or health (e.g., growth performance, such as, for example, by providing an improved feed conversion ratio ("FCR")) in poultry or livestock.

Description

[0001] APPLICATION OF LIQUID SMOKE AS AN ANIMAL FEED OR ANIMAL FEED ADDITIVE TO IMPROVE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF POULTRY AND OTHER LIVESTOCK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed towards a method of improving the performance and / or health (e.g., growth performance, such as, for example, by providing an improved feed conversion ratio (“FCR”)) of poultry and other livestock by use of an animal feed including liquid smoke or animal feed additive including liquid smoke. The animal feed / feed additive may be non-antibiotic, plant-based, and suitable for use in organic feeds. The animal feed / feed additive represents a solution with low environmental impact and follow principals of circular economy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Enteric diseases are caused by micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause intestinal illness and cost the poultry and livestock industry billions of dollars annually. An unhealthy or dysfunctional intestinal environment can allow pathogens and / or biotoxins to reach the systemic circulation and may have a negative impact on multiple physiological systems of poultry and livestock. One example of an enteric disease is necrotic enteritis (“NE”), which is a multifactorial enteric disease. Enteric diseases are typically managed using antibiotics. Indeed, NE and related diseases are an important reason for the use of antibiotic growth promoters (“AGP”) for example., bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) in the production of poultry and other livestock. Antimicrobials (i.e., antibiotics) have been used extensively as AGP, a practice that is still applicable to some geographies around the world. There are serious concerns in relation to potential antimicrobial resistance derived from their use. There is a growing need for cost-effective alternatives to AGP for use as interventions to mitigate disease and / or for maintaining intestinal health, as this may be critical to the future profitability of poultry and livestock production. Because of its importance, models of NE are often used for the evaluation interventions intended to serve as alternatives to antibiotics. Alternatives to AGP are widely used in feed to improve animal growth performance and through multiple potential modes of action. Alternatives may be based on microbial agents that can be susceptible to storage and / or feed processing conditions, as well as conditions along the gastrointestinal tract of animals, that may influence their viability and / or efficacy in application. Other alternatives can be based on chemical-synthesis of compounds, some of which may be hazardous for the handler and / or hardware. The above-mentioned technologies may result from highly intensive technological processes, with inputs for raw materials of first origin (vs by-product). In addition, improvements in animal feeds to enable animals (e.g., poultry and livestock) to digest feed more efficiently are constantly being sought. In this regard, one of the main concerns is to improve the feed conversion ratio (“FCR”) of a feed without increasing its cost per unit weight. European patent application No. EP0704167A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, relates to an enzyme feed additive and an animal feed containing an additive, and in particular to such an additive which can decrease the feed conversion ratio of a cereal-based animal feed. The EP ’167 application explains that there are various constraints on the digestibility of the nutritional components of a feed such as its starch, fat, protein and amino acid contents, which include (i) the viscosity of materials present in the animal’s gut; (ii) entrapment of nutrients within the cell walls of the feed, particularly those of the aleurone layer in cereals; and (iii) a deficiency in endogenous enzyme activity, both of the animal and of the gut microbial population particularly in a young animal, and which the EP ’167 application indicates are problems that interfere with digestibility are particularly noticeable in the case of cereal-based diets, such as those having a high wheat content. International patent publication No. WO2019121937A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, relates to the use of animal feed compositions comprising polypeptides having muramidase activity for improving ileal digestibility of nutrient and energy in animal. The WO’937 publication discloses an animal feed comprising an animal feed additive, one or more protein sources, and one or more energy source. German patent application No. DE69727805T3, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a feed composition including legume seed meal, essential amino acids, and an additive which is a mannanase enzyme for increasing food conversion. Smoke has been used historically to preserve meat, provide desirable color, flavor, and aroma. Natural smoke flavor has been utilized in food as a “flavor” and / or “aroma” enhancer, such as, for example, in meat, fish, sauces, soups, spices, pet food, and pet treats. Natural smoke extract(s) are known to have antimicrobial properties. In an in vitro study reported by Cosby, D. et al., Determination of functionality of liquid smoke fractions as all-natural antimicrobial against foodborne Salmonella spp., International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta (GA), page 67 (Feb.2019), available at https: / / poultryscience.org / files / galleries / 2019_IPSF_Abstracts.pdf, Salmonella cultures were added to different concentrations of liquid smoke fractions, and it was found that the smoke fractions containing a higher carbonyl concentration were able to inhibit growth of all strains tested at 0.5% (v / v); and that a mixture of different fraction of smoke in unfiltered form at 1% concentration was able to reduce all strains. The authors indicated that the carbonyl fraction has a protentional to serve as a natural anti-microbial to reduce salmonellae in foodborne / feed application where the smoke flavor is desired. The use of natural smoke is not common practice in monogastric animal nutrition, particularly with respect to poultry and livestock. Further, the use of liquid smoke as a total or partial replacement to antibiotic-based growth promoters has not been considered by this industry. Prior to the present invention, natural smoke flavor was not used, and was not envisioned for use, as an additive for an animal feed for improving the performance and / or health of poultry and other livestock. There remains a need for a natural feed additive that may be an AGP substitute, protect the intestine against pathogens and biotoxins, strengthen the cells of the intestinal barrier, and / or prime the intestinal immune system against future infections thereby, for example, improving growth productivity and / or general health of poultry and / or livestock. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for addressing one or more of the needs summarized above. In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting gastrointestinal / digestive health when administered in-feed to production food animals such as poultry and livestock. In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for improving productivity when administered in-feed to production food animals such as poultry and livestock. In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting growth performance when administered in-feed to production food animals such as poultry and livestock. In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting overall health when administered in-feed to production food animals such as poultry and livestock. In one aspect, the present invention provides an animal feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for mitigating disease when administered in-feed to production food animals such as poultry and livestock. In one aspect, promoting growth performance includes, for example, improving body weight gain and / or improving feed efficiency (e.g., Feed Conversion Ratio). In one aspect, the use of the feed or feed additive including liquid smoke may, for example, facilitate the control and / or modulation of pathogens of relevance to the animal feed industry. In one aspect, the use of the feed or feed additive including liquid smoke may, for example, result in improved body weight gain and / or feed conversion ratio in monogastric animals. In one aspect, the use of the feed or feed additive including liquid smoke may, for example, reduce the use of AGP in feed applications. In one aspect, the use of the feed or feed additive including liquid smoke may, for example, offer a sustainable technology based on circular economy principles to the animal feed and animal food production industries. In one aspect, the use of the feed or feed additive including liquid smoke may, for example, increase the sustainability of animal production by optimizing one or more of gut homeostasis, nutrient retention, and feed usage. In one aspect, the liquid smoke may be unfractionated or include various fractions obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass by known methods. In one aspect, the liquid smoke is plant-based. In one aspect, the liquid smoke is suitable for use in organic feeds. In one aspect, the liquid smoke may have, for example, a titratable acidity of about 1% to about 15%. In one aspect, the liquid smoke may have, for example, carbonyls in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%. In one aspect, the liquid smoke may have, for example, phenolics in an amount of from about 0 mg / ml to 500 mg / ml. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may be non-antibiotic (e.g., in some aspects the feed or feed additive contains no conventional antibiotic growth promoter, such as BMD). In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may be non-microbial based. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may be non-chemical (vs formaldehyde). In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may be substantially or entirely plant based. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may be suitable for use in organic feeds. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may have shelf-life stability. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may have high temperature stability. In one aspect, the feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke may align with circular economy and sustainability principals. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for addressing one or more of the needs summarized above. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting gastrointestinal / digestive health. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for improving productivity. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting growth performance. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for promoting overall health. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for mitigating disease. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for improving body weight gain and / or improving feed efficiency (e.g., FCR). In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens of relevance to the animal feed industry. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for improving body weight gain and / or FCR. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for influencing the microbial quality of food products derived from animal production industries. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for reducing the dependency on AGP. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for minimizing the risk of microbial resistance. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for totally or partially replacing antibiotic-based growth promoters. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) under a situation of stress an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for treating the situation of stress. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) suffering from an enteric disease (e.g., necrotic enteritis (NE)) an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke for treating the enteric disease. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of administering to an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) in need of treatment for an enteric disease an effective amount of a feed or feed additive that contains liquid smoke. In one aspect, the method of the present invention may include, for example, an additional step of identifying an animal suffering from an enteric disease. In some aspects, the animal may be a monogastric. In some aspects, the animal may be poultry, such as, for example, broilers, layers, or turkeys. In some aspects, the animal may be swine / pig, such as, for example, sow, nursery, grower, finisher, or fattener. In some aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of the liquid smoke. In other aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm of the liquid smoke. In some aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt% of the liquid smoke when a total weight of the feed and liquid smoke is considered to be 100 wt%. In other aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt% of the liquid smoke (e.g., about 0.02% wt / wt). Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for improving productivity in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive comprising (or containing) an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Optionally, the liquid smoke refers to a liquid smoke composition. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for improving productivity in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed additive comprising (or containing) an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Optionally, the method comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive. Optionally, the method is for promoting growth performance in the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the productivity is growth performance in the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the method is for improving feed conversion ratio in the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the productivity is feed conversion ratio in the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the feed additive does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Optionally, the antibiotic-based growth promoter is bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the feed additive does not comprise bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the liquid smoke is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, optionally wherein the biomass is hardwood sawdust. Optionally, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 0 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Further optionally, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Further optionally, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid; or the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml; or the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml; or the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 0 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to 1.5 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of greater than about 1 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 9 to 13 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml. Further optionally, the productivity is body weight gain in the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive; optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, further optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%. Further optionally, the feed does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Optionally, the antibiotic-based growth promoter is bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the feed does not comprise bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Optionally, the method is a non-therapeutic method for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. and / or maintaining the level of total Eubacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the method is for maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the Lactobacillus spp. comprise (or consist of) L. salivarius, L. reuteri, and / or L. crispatus. Further optionally, the method is for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in the poultry or livestock, for example in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the pathogens comprise (or consist of) E. coli and / or Clostridium perfringens. Optionally, the gastrointestinal tract refers to the ileum and / or the cecum. Further optionally, the method is a non-therapeutic method. Optionally, the method can be conducted on healthy animals (e.g. poultry or livestock), wherein there is no return to a normal, healthy state from a pathological state or prevention of a pathological state. Optionally, the method is not concerned with bringing the body from a pathological state back into its normal, healthy state or preventing a pathological state. Alternatively, the method can be conducted on animals (e.g. poultry or livestock) having a disease or otherwise in a pathological state, wherein there is a return to a normal, healthy state from a pathological state or prevention of a pathological state. Optionally, the method is concerned with bringing the body from a pathological state back into its normal, healthy state or preventing a pathological state. Optionally, the method can be conducted on animals (e.g. poultry or livestock) at risk of disease, wherein the method has a prophylactic effect. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Optionally, the method is for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock. Optionally, the method is for the treatment of an enteric disease in the poultry or livestock, optionally wherein the enteric disease is necrotic enteritis. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, optionally wherein the biomass is hardwood sawdust. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid; or the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to 1.5 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of greater than about 1 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to 13 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml. Further optionally, administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive, optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, further optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%. Further optionally, administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive, optionally wherein the feed comprises the liquid smoke composition at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, further optionally wherein the feed comprises the liquid smoke composition at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%. Optionally, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Optionally, the antibiotic- based growth promoter is bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Optionally, the method is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the method is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. and / or maintaining the level of total Eubacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the method is for maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the Lactobacillus spp. comprise (or consist of) L. salivarius, L. reuteri, and / or L. crispatus. Further optionally, the method is for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in the poultry or livestock, for example in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the pathogens comprise (or consist of) E. coli and / or Clostridium perfringens. Optionally, the gastrointestinal tract refers to the ileum and / or the cecum. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise use of a liquid smoke composition in the manufacture of a medicament for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock; wherein the medicament is a feed or feed additive. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise use of a liquid smoke composition in the manufacture of a medicament for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock; wherein the medicament is a feed additive. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise use of liquid smoke in the manufacture of a medicament for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock. Optionally, the medicament is for the treatment of an enteric disease in the poultry or livestock, optionally wherein the enteric disease is necrotic enteritis. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, optionally wherein the biomass is hardwood sawdust. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid; or the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to 1.5 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of greater than about 1 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to 13 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml. Optionally, the medicament, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Optionally, the antibiotic-based growth promoter is bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the medicament, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Optionally, the medicament is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the medicament is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. and / or maintaining the level of total Eubacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the medicament is for maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the Lactobacillus spp. comprise (or consist of) L. salivarius, L. reuteri, and / or L. crispatus. Further optionally, the medicament is for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in the poultry or livestock, for example in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the pathogens comprise (or consist of) E. coli and / or Clostridium perfringens. Optionally, the gastrointestinal tract refers to the ileum and / or the cecum. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a liquid smoke composition for use in a method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, wherein the method comprises: administering a feed or feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a liquid smoke composition for use in a method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, wherein the method comprises: administering a feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise comprise a liquid smoke composition for use in a method for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock, wherein the method comprises: administering a feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Optionally, the method is for the treatment of an enteric disease in the poultry or livestock, optionally wherein the enteric disease is necrotic enteritis. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, optionally wherein the biomass is hardwood sawdust. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid; or the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. Further optionally, the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml; or the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Optionally, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 0 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 0 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to 1.5 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of greater than about 1 mg / ml. Alternatively, the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 9 to 13 weight % as acetic acid, and the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml, and the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml. Further optionally, administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive, optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, further optionally wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%. Further optionally, administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive, optionally wherein the feed comprises the liquid smoke composition at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, further optionally wherein the feed comprises the liquid smoke composition at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%. Optionally, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Optionally, the antibiotic- based growth promoter is bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Further optionally, the feed additive and / or the feed does not comprise bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Optionally, the method is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the method is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock, optionally by maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. and / or maintaining the level of total Eubacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Further optionally, the method is for maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the Lactobacillus spp. comprise (or consist of) L. salivarius, L. reuteri, and / or L. crispatus. Further optionally, the method is for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in the poultry or livestock, for example in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry or livestock. Optionally, the pathogens comprise (or consist of) E. coli and / or Clostridium perfringens. Optionally, the gastrointestinal tract refers to the ileum and / or the cecum. Statements Some embodiments of the invention are described by the following set of numbered statements: Statement 1. A method for promoting gastrointestinal health in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 2. A method for improving productivity in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 3. A method for promoting growth performance in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 4. A method for promoting overall health in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 5. A method for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 6. A method for improving body weight gain and / or feed efficiency in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 7. A method for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 8. A method for improving FCR in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed or feed additive containing an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof. Statement 9. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the administering does not include an antibiotic-based growth promoter. Statement 10. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the poultry or livestock is under a situation of stress. Statement 11. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the poultry or livestock is suffering from an enteric disease. Statement 12. The method according to any preceding statement, further comprising identifying whether the poultry or livestock is suffering from an enteric disease. Statement 13. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the liquid smoke is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass. Statement 14. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the liquid smoke is obtained from the pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust. Statement 15. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1% to about 15%. Statement 16. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the liquid smoke has carbonyls in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%. Statement 17. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the liquid smoke has phenolics in an amount of from about 0 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. Statement 18. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the poultry or livestock are administered from about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of the liquid smoke. Statement 19. The method according to any preceding statement, wherein the poultry or livestock are administered from about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt% . Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described further below. This summary section is meant merely to illustrate certain features of the invention, and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The failure to discuss a specific feature or embodiment of the invention, or the inclusion of one or more features in this summary section, should not be construed to limit the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before the present compositions, methods, and methodologies are described in more detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to particular compositions, methods, and experimental conditions described, as such compositions, methods, and conditions may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since scope will be limited only in the appended claims. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, references to "an organic acid" includes one or more organic acids of the type described herein which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this specification and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the invention, as it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. Any range will be understood to encompass and be a disclosure of each discrete point and subrange within the range. Stated differently, the ranges in the present specification are equivalent to a subset of the unwieldy and lengthy description of every possible combination of these discrete values, presented in an easily understood shorthand format (i.e., a range). The upper or lower value of any numerical range may also be replaced with the upper or lower value of another numerical range, respectively. The upper and / or the lower value of a numerical range may also be replaced with any value described in the Examples below. As used herein, "about," "approximately," "substantially," and "significantly" will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art and will vary in some extent depending on the context in which they are used. If there are uses of the term which are not clear to persons of ordinary skill in the art given the context in which it is used, "about" and "approximately" will mean plus or minus <10% of particular term, and "substantially" and "significantly" will mean plus or minus >10% of the particular term. "Comprising," "consisting essentially of," and "consisting of" have their customary meaning in the art. As used herein, "effective amount" will be understood to mean an amount of the liquid smoke in the feed for achieving the indicated result, such as, for example, improving the growth productivity of poultry or livestock (e.g., improving FCR). A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the effective amount may vary depending on the type of animal (type of poultry, livestock, etc.) or other factors. As used herein, “liquid smoke” refers to “liquid smoke composition”. As used herein, phenolics refers to phenolic compounds or phenol. As used herein, titratable acidity is described in % units, which can be referenced as weight % as acetic acid. <Liquid Smoke> Liquid smoke is also referred to, for example, as natural smoke flavor and / or natural liquid smoke fraction(s) and / or natural smoke extract(s) and / or liquid smoke flavor. Liquid smoke compositions are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2020 / 0085087 to Joseph Toraason and Richard Landay, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, provides examples of certain types of liquid smoke compositions, including aqueous liquid smokes, oil-soluble smokes, and dry smoke powders. US ’087 discloses that preferred liquid smoke compositions are aqueous smokes, which may include, for example, primary smokes, concentrated smokes, and buffered / neutral smokes. Natural smoke flavor (liquid smoke) may be a composition obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass (for example, the pyrolysis of wood or plant material, including, for example, hardwood sawdust, other plant-based material of products, or material refined from plant material, such as sugar) by a known method for producing liquid smoke. The fractions of natural smoke flavor may be separated from the other components of the natural smoke flavor to provide a composition rich in certain compounds. Liquid smoke compositions obtained, for example, from pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust contain constituents primarily from the thermal degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. U.S. Patent No.3,106,473 to Hollenbeck, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes a typical commercial preparation of liquid smoke compositions for surface applications to foodstuffs. As described in US ’473, the commercial production of liquid smoke compositions may begin with smoke made by pyrolysis and limited combustion of wood. Pyrolysis produces condensable liquids, non-condensable gases, and solids in varying proportions, depending on reaction conditions. The condensable liquids from pyrolyzed wood can be further sub-divided into water soluble organics and water insoluble tars. After pyrolysis or combustion, the smoke is subsequently collected and fed through a column countercurrent to the flow of recirculating water. The resulting dilution of the condensable smoke components in water results in the removal of undesired tars and water insoluble components. Further refinement of the liquid solution is needed to isolate the water soluble organics, which contain the liquid smoke compositions used for flavoring and coloring applications. Liquid smoke compositions in the art have been produced through different methodologies, including, for example, calciner and Rapid Thermal Processing (referred to as “RTP”) methods. U.S. Patent No.3,873,741 to Irving Melcer and Louis Sair, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes the calciner methodology. Regarding RTP smoke collection, US Patent No. 4,876,108 to Underwood and Graham provides a description of this methodology and is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Liquid smoke compositions used for flavoring and coloring applications are complex and variable mixtures of chemicals and include over 400 chemical compounds. An exemplary summary of constituents found in liquid smoke is provided by Maga in “Smoke in Food Processing” CRC Press, pp.61-68 (1968), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The color and flavor chemistry of liquid smoke compositions is highly complex as evidenced by the over 400 compounds identified as constituents of these compositions. Due to this complexity, liquid smoke compositions are characterized by their content of certain classes of compounds, namely, acids, carbonyls, and phenols. The conventional understanding is that the phenols are primarily flavoring and aroma compounds, the carbonyls are mainly responsible for surface coloration, and acids are principally preservatives and pH controlling agents. Acids and carbonyls also make secondary contributions to flavor and may enhance surface characteristics of smoked meat products. The organic acid compounds may, for example, consist essentially of acetic acid but may also include propionic and other organic acid compounds. The carbonyls may consist essentially of glycolaldehyde, acetol, and a wide variety of other carbonyl compounds. The phenolic fraction may contain many phenolic compounds (also referred to herein as phenolics), such as, but not limited to, 2- methoxyphenol (guaiacol), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 3,4-dimethoxy-4- hydroxytoluene / Vanillic acid, Creosol, Ethanone, 1-(2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl), Furfural, 4- ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, 2,6- dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-phenol, 9-Actadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2,3- bis(acetyloxy)propyl ester, 3- methylphenol (m-cresol). The functional groups of the liquid smoke of the present invention that have shown to be most beneficial, as for improving the productivity of poultry and other livestock, are the carbonyls and the organic acids. In one aspect, the liquid smoke of the present invention may have, for example, a titratable acidity of about 1% to about 15%. In one aspect, the liquid smoke of the present invention may have, for example, carbonyls in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%. In one aspect, the liquid smoke of the present invention may have, for example, phenolics in an amount of from about 0 mg / ml to about 500 mg / ml. In some aspects, the amount of the phenolics is from about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml. The upper value of the phenolics is not particularly limited and may be varied for providing other benefits to the animal feed than improved productivity. The separation of the natural smoke flavor to obtain a composition rich in the organic acid and carbonyl fraction may be done via liquid / liquid extraction with a suitable extractant or a variety of other known processes for performing this function. In some aspects, the pH of the liquid smoke is not particularly limited. In some aspects, the pH may be acidic or basic. In some aspects, the pH may be, for example, from about 2 to about 13.5. In other aspects, the pH may be, for example, from about 2 to 6. <Animal Feed Additive> The animal feed additive of the present invention includes the liquid smoke of the present invention. In some aspects, the animal feed additive may consist essentially of the liquid smoke. In some aspects, the animal feed additive may consist of the liquid smoke (i.e., the animal feed additive is the liquid smoke). In some aspects, the animal feed additive may include one or more of additional components in mixture with the liquid smoke and are not particularly limited. Any such additives may include, of course, conventional feed additives and / or additive(s) having one or more of the same functions described herein for the use of the liquid smoke (e.g., improving FCR, improving the digestive health, etc.). Known additives, include, for example, a preservative, an antioxidant, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, green tea, acerola extract, acetylated monoglycerides (as an example carrier or incidental additive), vegetable oil, silicon dioxide, enzymes, and citric acid. Other additives that may be used include, for example, cultured dairy products, cellular components of bacteria or yeast (including yeast cell wall fractions, beta-glucans, etc.). The animal feed additive is not particularly limited and may, for example, be in the form of a liquid, a solid, a dispersion, etc. and may be applied by known methods, such as, for example, spraying, misting, etc. <Animal Feed> The animal feed (or simply the feed) of the present invention includes any known feed for an animal (e.g., poultry or livestock) in combination with the animal feed additive of the present invention, or may simply be any feed for poultry or livestock in which the liquid smoke of the present invention has been added. In some aspects, the feed may consist essentially of, or may consist, of the liquid smoke. The feed for an animal for use in the present invention is not limited. Feeds include, for example, (i) cereal grains and their by-products (e.g., barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghums, etc.), which may be whole or ground, and why may be mixed with high-protein oil meals or other by-products, minerals, and vitamins; (ii) high-protein meals (e.g., processed vegetable seeds, such as, for example, soybeans, peanuts (groundnuts), flaxseed (linseed), canola, cottonseed, coconuts, oil palm, sunflower, etc.); (iii) by-products of sugar beets and sugarcane; and (iv) other by-product feeds (e.g., residues from commercial processing of cereal grains, such as, for example, from the milling of wheat; bakery wastes; rice bran and rice hulls; corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, and hominy feed; brewer’s grains, corn distillers’ grains and solubles, and brewer’s yeast; by-products from meat processing; by-products of the dairy industry; etc.). In some aspects, the feed for an animal may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an energy source and a protein source. When defined in this manner, a protein source is not particularly limited and may, for example, be selected from soybean, wild soybean, beans, lupin, tepary bean, scarlet runner bean, slimjim bean, lima bean, French bean, Broad bean (fava bean), chickpea, lentil, peanut, Spanish peanut, canola, sunflower seed, cotton seed, rapeseed (oilseed rape) or pea or in a processed form such as soybean meal, full fat soy bean meal, soy protein concentrate (SPC), fermented soybean meal (FSBM), sunflower meal, cotton seed meal, rapeseed meal, fish meal, bone meal, feather meal, whey, or any combination thereof. Other protein sources may include, for example, by-products from meat processing or by-products of the dairy industry. Likewise, when defined in this manner, the energy source is not particularly limited and may, for example, be selected from maize, corn, sorghum, barley, wheat, oats, rice, triticale, rye, beet, sugar beet, spinach, potato, cassava, quinoa, cabbage, switchgrass, millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet or in a processed form such as milled corn, milled maize, potato starch, cassava starch, milled sorghum, milled switchgrass, milled millet, milled foxtail millet, milled pearl millet, or any combination thereof. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the feed may, of course, vary based on, for example, type of animal, change of season, and / or changes in the environment of the animal. In some aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of the liquid smoke. In other aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm of the liquid smoke. In some aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt% of the liquid smoke when a total weight of the feed and liquid smoke is considered to be 100 wt%. In other aspects, the feed may contain, for example, from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt% of the liquid smoke (e.g., about 0.02% wt / wt). When the animal feed additive contains components other than the liquid smoke, the feed may contain, for example, about 0.001 wt% to about 2 wt% of the animal feed additive when a total weight of the feed and the animal feed additive is considered to be 100 wt%. The mixing of the liquid smoke (or animal feed additive containing the liquid smoke) is not particularly limited and any known methods of mixing may be employed. <Animal> The intended animal may be, for example, poultry or other livestock. In some aspects, the animal is a mono-gastric animal, e.g., pigs or swine (including, but not limited to, piglets, growing pigs, and sows); poultry (including but not limited to poultry, turkey, duck, quail, guinea fowl, goose, pigeon, squab, chicken, broiler, layer, pullet and chick); pets (including but not limited to cats and dogs); fish (including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish); and crustaceans (including but not limited to shrimps and prawns). EXAMPLES In the following, although embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail by means of Examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. <Reference Example> Salmonella is the most common bacterial cause of human foodborne illness in developed nations and is responsible for approximately 1.35 million foodborne infections in the United States annually. This foodborne pathogen is a common inhabitant of the digestive tract of poultry, with poultry being the most common animal source of human foodborne infections by this organism. The minimum inhibitory concentration (“MIC”) of 9 smoke fractions against 10 different serovars of Salmonella was evaluated in vitro (Table 1). Three of the liquid smoke fractions inhibited Salmonella growth in vitro at concentrations lower than or equal to ≤ 1% w / v. Table A1. MIC of liquid smoke fractions against Salmonella serovars (% w / v) Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): Lowest concentration of substance which inhibits visible growth of a microorganism. MIC is used in research to determine the antimicrobial activity of substances in vitro. The liquid smoke fractions are found in Table A2 below. Table A2. Smoke Fractions Fraction Phenol Content (mg / mL) Carbonyl Content Titratable Acidity (%) (g / 100 mL) K1 32 – 42 0 0 K2 23 – 31 0 0 K3 < 1 30 – 40 1.0 – 1.5 K4 3 – 4 13 – 17 6.5 – 10.5 K5 < 1 1 – 6 0.1 – 2 K6 < 2 13 – 17 1.2 – 2.2 K7 < 1 25 – 35 1.8 – 3.6 K8 14 – 20 17 – 23 9 – 13 K9 2 – 3 6 – 8 5.5 – 9 Titratable acidity is described in % units, which can be referenced as weight % as acetic acid. Phenol content is described in mg / ml units, and carbonyl content is described in g / 100ml units, which can each be referenced as % weight per volume (w / v). <Example 1> <Effects of liquid smoke fractions on chickens under acute experimental necrotic enteritis challenge> An acute necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge study was conducted in order to screen several fractions of liquid smoke for potential efficacy as non-antibiotic alternatives to AGP. Broilers were raised in battery cages, administered one of three smoke fractions (K1, K3, and K8) at 3 different concentrations, and subjected to acute NE challenge. Non-challenged, antibiotic-treated, and untreated broilers served as control groups. Results Although an effect was not observed on body weight, feed conversation ratio (FCR) was significantly improved compared to an untreated control when broilers were treated using liquid smoke fractions, overall. Additionally, FCR was improved to a level similar to treatment with the antibiotic, BMD. Administration of liquid smoke fractions also reduced mortality.

[0002] Table B1 – Growth performance of broiler chickens Feed conversion ratio (FCR): defined as ratio weight of feed consumed to body weight gain (feed:gain) corrected for mortality. Because feed is the largest cost in the production of poultry and other livestock animals, feed conversion is also used as an indicator of the economic productivity. Lower values for FCR are preferable and indicates the animals are more efficient at converting feed to body weight gain. Generally, healthier animals are more efficient at converting feed to body weight. <Example 2> <Effects of liquid smoke fractions on chickens under subacute experimental necrotic enteritis challenge> The effect of liquid smoke extract on indicators of growth performance and health was evaluated in broilers under subacute necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge. Although acute necrotic enteritis outbreaks can be observed in commercial poultry production, subacute models seek to simulate conditions typical of commercial production more closely than acute challenge studies, as it can be assumed that some level of subacute necrotic enteritis is present in most commercial flocks. Experimental treatment groups included broilers (negative control / no intervention), antibiotic treated broilers (BMD), and broilers treated with liquid smoke fraction K8. Growth performance results Body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of broilers fed diets treated with liquid smoke fraction was significantly improved when compared to those feed untreated feed. Additionally, growth and performance of broilers fed diets treated with liquid smoke fraction was similar to that of broilers fed diets treated with BMD. Thus, liquid smoke extract mitigated performance reducing effects of subacute necrotic enteritis challenge to a level similar to treatment with an antibiotic. Table C1 – Growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with liquid smoke fraction under subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge FCR is the same as defined above for Example 1. Intestinal Lesion scores: Indicator of gross pathology of disease as measured in the mid-intestinal tract. Evaluated using a 4-point scale, with 0 being normal and 3 being most severe (0, normal; 1, slight mucus covering and loss of tone; 2, severe necrotizing enteritis; and 3, extreme necrotizing enteritis with presence of blood in the lumen). Histopathology Results Crypts were shallower and the villus height to crypt depth ratio was greater when animals were fed diets treated with liquid smoke fraction when compared to the untreated group, suggesting they were able to maintain their ability to absorb nutrients from the digestive tract at a lower metabolic cost. Table C2 – Mortality and pathology of broilers fed diets supplemented with Liquid Smoke Fraction under subacute necrotic enteritis challenge. Histomorphometry: Microscopic evaluation of health and / or pathology in the digestive tract. Villus height (VH): Height of intestinal villus measured from base to tip. Used as an indicator of the ability of the digestive tract to absorb nutrients, as the villus height is proportional to the total surface area available for the absorption of nutrients. Higher values, that is, taller villi, are preferred. Crypt Depth (CD): Depth of the intestinal crypts measured from base of the crypt to base of villus. Deeper crypts indicate a greater degree of cell growth to replace villus cells that have been lost. Indicative of the amount of energy / nutrition required to maintain or repair the capacity of the animal to absorb nutrients from the digestive tract. Thus, shallower crypts are preferred. Villus Height to Crypt Depth ratio (VH:CD): Calculated as the ratio of VH to CD. Composite measure representative of digestive efficiency / health. Higher values are preferred as they indicate greater surface area for nutrient absorption is maintained using less energy and absorption. Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acid Analysis Lactic acid and total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were present at greater concentration in the ileum in broilers fed diets treated with liquid smoke fraction than in the remaining broilers (Table C- 3). However, total counts of total Lactobacillus spp. Were greater in the ileum of liquid smoke-treated broilers only when compared with the BMD treated broilers (Table C-4) and not when compared with the untreated broilers. Although the counts of the major group of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) were similar between the untreated and smoke-treated broilers, the concentration of lactic acid was not. These data suggest that treatment with liquid smoke fraction either promoted the metabolism (i.e., lactate fermentation) of those microorganisms or promoted select populations of LAB with greater potential to produce lactic acid. Short Chain Fatty Acids: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are formed in the microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins in anoxic biological systems such as intestinal tract. Total acid concentration indicates the overall fermentation activity. Relative abundance of individual acids indicates the activity of fermentation pathways of each end product. Lactic acid: The major fermentation product of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) including Lactobacillus spp. Lactic acid is sometimes fed directly to livestock animals in order to promote GI health and reduce / inhibit human foodborne pathogens in the GI tract. Lactobacillus spp.: The dominant bacterial genus in the small intestine of warm-blooded animals. Specific strains of Lactobacillus are often administered as probiotics. Populations of Lactobacillus are generally considered to be both beneficial to and a marker of GI health.

[0003] Table C3 – Short chain fatty acid profile Concentration, µmol·g-1Untreated BMD1Smoke2P-value SEM Ileum Acetate 4.685 3.221 3.986 0.288 1.997 Propionate 0.001 0.000 0.000 0.383 0.816 Butyrate 0.011 0.029 0.019 0.525 0.828 Valerate 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.058 Lactate 23.928b12.115b38.382a0.001 0.298 BCFA10.082 0.052 0.137 0.255 0.134 VFA24.781 3.302 4.143 0.293 3.177 SCFA328.708b15.415b42.526a0.001 3.275 Cecum Acetate 56.079 50.208 53.870 0.410 0.349 Propionate 12.339 12.458 11.568 0.914 0.000 Butyrate 13.910 12.117 12.372 0.651 0.006 Valerate 1.409 1.400 1.387 0.990 0.000 Lactate 2.219 1.933 1.743 0.846 3.293 VFA 1.768 1.817 2.309 0.627 0.020 BCFA 85.508 78.000 81.506 0.213 0.355 SCFA 87.726 79.932 83.250 0.629 3.453a,bMeans within a row which do not share common superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) 1 BMD, Bacitracin methylene disalicylate (50 g / ton)2Liquid Smoke Fraction K8 (200 g / ton)

[0004] Table C4 – Microbial Analysis 16S rDNA copy number (log10 n / g digesta) Untreated BMD1Smoke2P-value SEM Ileum Lactobacillus spp. 10.66a9.94b10.84a<0.001 0.10 L. salivarius 8.87 8.54 8.72 0.579 0.11 L. reuteri 8.36 8.12 8.34 0.841 0.18 L. crispatus 9.51 9.19 9.41 0.656 0.17 Streptococcus spp. 8.45 8.15 8.34 0.118 0.07 Enterococcus spp. 7.84 7.48 7.31 0.164 0.11 E. coli 7.68 7.72 7.51 0.844 0.15 Clostridium perfringens8.60 8.74 8.74 0.761 0.09Total Eubacteria 11.00a10.32b11.13a<0.001 0.10 Cecum Lachnospiraceae 12.47 12.50 12.37 0.319 0.04 Ruminococcaceae 12.42 12.49 12.33 0.370 0.05 Bacteroides 11.27 11.29 11.40 0.357 0.04 Bifidobacterium 9.97 10.39 10.19 0.527 0.14 Clostridium spp. 8.22 8.17 8.33 0.941 0.20 Lactobacillus spp.11.15 10.93 11.11 0.394 0.07E. coli 10.01 10.11 10.02 0.863 0.08 Clostridium perfringens 7.91 8.01 8.09 0.430 0.21 Total Eubacteria 12.88 12.92 12.85 0.658 0.04 a,bMeans within a row which do not share common superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) 1 BMD, Bacitracin methylene disalicylate (50 g / ton) 2Liquid Smoke Fraction K8 (200 g / ton) The results shown in Table B1 and Tables C1-C4 were surprising. For example, prior to the present invention, there was no indication that feeding the liquid smoke of the present invention to animals (particularly poultry and other livestock) would provide an improvement in either the growth productivity or the health of the animals. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for improving productivity in poultry or livestock, and a liquid smoke composition for use in a method for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock, wherein the method comprises: administering a feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof. The effect of the liquid smoke fractions is a result of the antimicrobial activity in controlling the pathogens involved in the infection model used and / or influencing microbial groups associated with gut homeostasis; together with the antioxidant activity of the product mitigating the oxidative effects of infection-related and general inflammation. Our evaluation studies have shown that liquid smoke increases the presence of Lactobacillus spp. in the ileum of broiler chickens (vs BMD) with a concomitant increase in lactic acid production (vs BMD and untreated animals). Thus, it is likely that its antimicrobial properties are exerted by the promotion of this major group of lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB), and their associated metabolism yielding a more acidic environment in the gut, which may be detrimental to some pathogenic microbes. This is overall reflected in the higher production of SFCA (vs BMD and untreated) seen in our studies. Furthermore, liquid smoke seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect reflected in better gut integrity (shorter crypt depth and higher VH:CD ratio vs untreated). It is possible that the increases in Lactobacillus may be associated by the improved gut histopathology, since this microbial group is associated with increases in the expression of tight junction protein genes, as well as mucin secretion, all of which contributes positively to better gut structure and barrier function.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for improving productivity in poultry or livestock, comprising: administering a feed additive comprising an effective amount of a liquid smoke to poultry or livestock in need thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the productivity is growth performance in the poultry or livestock.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the productivity is feed conversion ratio in the poultry or livestock.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the feed additive does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid smoke is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the biomass is hardwood sawdust.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid.

10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml.

13. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml.

16. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the productivity is body weight gain in the poultry or livestock.

17. The method of any preceding claim, wherein administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%.

20. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method is a non-therapeutic method.

21. A liquid smoke composition for use in a method for mitigating disease in poultry or livestock, wherein the method comprises: administering a feed additive comprising the liquid smoke composition to poultry or livestock in need thereof.

22. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 21, wherein the method is for the treatment of an enteric disease in the poultry or livestock.

23. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 22, wherein the enteric disease is necrotic enteritis.

24. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the liquid smoke composition is obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass.

25. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 24, wherein the liquid smoke composition is obtained from the pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust.

26. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the liquid smoke composition has a titratable acidity of about 1 to about 15 weight % as acetic acid.

27. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 26, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 9 to about 13 weight % as acetic acid.

28. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 27, wherein the liquid smoke has a titratable acidity of about 1.0 to about 1.5 weight % as acetic acid.

29. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the liquid smoke composition comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 1 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml.

30. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 29, wherein the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 17 g / 100ml to about 23 g / 100ml.

31. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 29, wherein the liquid smoke comprises carbonyls at a concentration of about 30 g / 100ml to about 40 g / 100ml.

32. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 31, wherein the liquid smoke composition comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 1 mg / ml to about 50 mg / ml.

33. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 32, wherein the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 14 mg / ml to about 20 mg / ml.

34. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 32, wherein the liquid smoke comprises phenolics at a concentration of about 32 mg / ml to about 42 mg / ml.

35. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 34, wherein administering the feed additive comprises administering a feed comprising the feed additive.

36. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 35, wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 25,000 ppm.

37. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 35 or 36, wherein the feed comprises liquid smoke at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% to about 5 wt%.

38. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 37, wherein the feed additive does not comprise an antibiotic-based growth promoter.

39. The liquid smoke composition for use of any of claims 21 to 38, wherein the method is for controlling / modulating the growth of pathogens in the poultry or livestock.

40. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 38, wherein the method is for promoting gastrointestinal health in the poultry or livestock.

41. The liquid smoke composition for use of claim 40, wherein the method is for maintaining the level of Lactobacillus spp. in the gastrointestinal track of the poultry or livestock.

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