Bioavailable silicon dispersion for poultry

Abstract

The current invention relates to a feed or drinking water composition, comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion comprising: a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m² / g; and a salt, said salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or a mixture thereof; wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) lies between 10:90 and 90:10. Further aspects relate to the bioavailable silicon dispersion for use as feed additive, as well as methods. In a preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for poultry.

Description

[0001] BIOAVAILABLE SILICON DISPERSION FOR POULTRY

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to mesoporous silica, in particular solubilizing mesoporous silica. The invention further pertains to the technical field of nutraceuticals for providing a bio-absorbable source of silicon to animals, particularly domesticated mammals and birds, most preferably poultry.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Poultry farming is the process of raising domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese for the purpose of farming meat or eggs for food. Poultry - mostly chickens - are farmed in great numbers. Farmers raise more than 50 billion chickens annually as a source of food, both for their meat and for their eggs. Chickens raised for eggs are usually called layers while chickens raised for meat are often called broilers.

[0006] Meat chickens, commonly called broilers, are floor-raised on litter such as wood shavings, peanut shells, and rice hulls, indoors in climate-controlled housing. Under modern farming methods, meat chickens reared indoors reach slaughter weight at 5 to 9 weeks of age, as they have been selectively bred to do so. In the first week of a broiler's life, it can grow up to 300 percent of its body size. A nine-week-old broiler averages over 9 pounds in body weight.

[0007] Broilers are raised in large, open structures known as grow-out houses. A farmer receives the birds from the hatchery at one day old. A grow-out consists of 5 to 9 weeks according to how big the kill plant wants the chickens to be. These houses are equipped with mechanical systems to deliver feed and water to the birds. Chicken feed consists primarily of corn and soybean meal with the addition of essential vitamins and minerals. No hormones or steroids are allowed in raising chickens. Two kilograms of grain must be fed to poultry to produce 1 kg of weight gain, much less than that required for pork or beef. Because dry bedding helps maintain flock health, most grow-out houses have enclosed watering systems ("nipple drinkers") which reduce spillage. Efficiency of farming of poultry, especially chickens, is of utmost importance, and is mainly achieved by feeding essential vitamins and minerals. EP 1 176 875 relates to the use of creatine or creatine salts as a fat substitute to be given to breeding animals and feeder animals. The creatine or creatine salts are used as a substitute for flesh meal, fish meal and / or antimicrobial performance enhancers, growth hormones as well as anabolic agents. EP0103206 relates to a feed composition containing a dithia derivative. It was made clear that, by adding the dithia derivative to a feed and administering the feed composition to livestock, poultry, fish, etc., fat deposit particularly abdominal fat can be reduced with the whole body weight not being reduced, namely, carcass effectiveness can be enhanced and further, in poultry such as chicken or quail, strength of eggshell can be increased. WO 2005 / 120246 relates to the use of guanidino acetic acid and / or the salts thereof as an animal food additive, wherein in predominantly vegetarian diets, salts with hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide acid and phosphoric acid are particularly used. The use thereof takes places, particularly, in individual doses of 0.01 to 100 g / kg of animal food in the form of powder, granulates, pellets or capsules, and the animal food additive can also be taken with other physiologically active valuable substances. EP 0 125 322 describes a process for the use of ergotropic agent combinations in the breeding and the fattening of poultry, pigs and cattle, whereby 6-methyluracil and N-guanidino-N'- thioureido-p-benzoquinone-diimide are used as agents, the combinations of both the said agents containing each individual agent in amounts of 2 to 100 ppm in the feed, the total quantity of both agents not exceeding 125 ppm. EP 0 585 514 describes an animal feed and an additive thereto or to drinking water containing an antibiotic combination of 1 part by weight of gentamicin and 5 to 60 parts by weight of lincomycin or clindamycin, preferably in the form of pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, for the prophylaxis and the therapy of infections and, consequently, for the increase of the gain in body weight in fattening animals. For the increase of the gain in body weight in poultry, the combination of gentamicin sulfate and lincomycin hydrochloride is very effective. WO 96 / 08977 discloses an agent for increasing the production of / in breeding and production animals in the poultry industry, which agent consists of at least one type of zanthophylles, is described. The preferred xanthophyll is astaxanthin. Also, a method of increasing the production of / in breeding and production animals in the poultry industry by administering an agent which consists of at least one type of xanthophylles, preferably astaxanthin, in the feed to animals is disclosed. Additionally the use of the agent, preferably astaxanthin, for increasing the production of / in breeding and production animals in the poultry industry by administering said agent in the feed to said animals is disclosed.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide new methods and compositions for breeding poultry and laying hens, which methods and compositions envision improved health and enhanced growth profile, as determined by enhanced weight profile.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention and embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution to one or more of above-mentioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates to a feed or drinking water composition according to claim 1. The feed or drinking water composition is particularly advantageous for poultry.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the feed or drinking water composition are shown in any of the claims 2 to 14.

[0012] Incorporating cations into a silica network destabilizes the silica network. The inventors have surprisingly found that the dissolution rate of mesoporous silica with a sufficiently high surface area can be significantly increased by providing alkali and alkaline earth cations in in the solution medium rather than the silica network. Without being bound by theory, it is believed these cations in solution affect the equilibrium and reaction kinetics at the silica-water interface.

[0013] It is thus not necessary to functionalize the mesoporous silica with cations; incorporating said cations into the silica network. Instead, the combination of a mesoporous silica with sufficiently high surface area and a salt that readily dissociates into the required alkali or alkaline earth cations once brought into solution suffices. This circumvents the need for functionalizing the mesoporous silica. Furthermore, it allows adjusting the dissolution rate without impacting properties such as pore size distribution, particle size or even silica network structure.

[0014] It is known the solubility and bio-availability of silica and I or silicon can be improved through the use of organosilicon compounds, stabilizers, solubilizers, chelating agents and the like. However, this approach has several issues. For example, the bioavailability of these solutions depends on many external parameters, such as pH, temperature, shelf life, concentration of the substituents particularly stabilizers and so forth. As a result, the solubility measured in a lab setting rarely corresponds to the silicon uptake measured in animals in practice. This is particularly important when an additive is bought in a concentrated form, and is diluted into a feed or drinking water mix over time. As a consequence, the bioavailable silicon needs to be stable both in the concentrated, tank mix form as well as in the diluted form; in both aqueous and dry environments. These constraints strongly limit the efficacy of such bioabsorbable silicon additives for poultry in practice.

[0015] The present invention provides a dry mixture with a very long shelf life, which once brought into solution has high bioavailability over a wide range of temperatures, pH and concentrations. As a result, the inventors found that direct addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to a feed or drinking water mixture will lead to significantly increased bioavailability in poultry in practice.

[0016] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method according to claim 15. It was found that the method according to claim 15 improved bone strength, daily weight gain, feed conversion rate and resting behavior in poultry.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention concerns a feed or drinking water composition, comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

[0020] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0021] "A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers to one or more than one compartment.

[0022] "About" as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of + / - 20% or less, preferably + / -10% or less, more preferably + / -5% or less, even more preferably + / -1% or less, and still more preferably + / -0.1% or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself also specifically disclosed.

[0023] "Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.

[0024] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.

[0025] The expression "% by weight", "weight percent", "%wt" or "wt%", here and throughout the description unless otherwise defined, refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the formulation.

[0026] Whereas the terms "one or more" or "at least one", such as one or more or at least one member(s) of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any >3, >4, >5, >6 or >7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members.

[0027] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0028] The present invention relates to a feed or drinking water composition comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion. The bioavailable silicon dispersion comprises a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g and a salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein the salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, or a mixture thereof. The ratio by weight of the salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10:90 and 90: 10. In a preferred embodiment, this bioavailable silicon dispersion is a dry dispersion. In a preferred embodiment, this bioavailable silicon dispersion is a dispersion of solids.

[0029] Advantageously, this dry, bioavailable dispersion has a long shelf life in concentrated form as a dry mixture. Concentrated bioavailable silicon supplements of the prior art are stabilized solutions, with specific requirements in terms of pH, temperature, stabilization compounds and concentrations as well as limited shelf life. Furthermore, upon dissolution or deviation from the requirements, degradation, polymerization to a silica gel or network often occur. In addition, silica gels may precipitate from the solution and make uniform mixing problematic. Diluted concentrations have obvious problems with transport and storage preventing their use in practice. The provision of a dry dispersion with stable silica has a long shelf life and very high concentration of silica by weight. With appropriate particle sizes, good granular flow is obtained allowing convenient mixing of the additive into feeds or drinking water. Upon contact with aqueous environments, the stable mesoporous silica network dissolves under the influence of dissolved cations resulting in bioavailable silicon compounds formed in-situ.

[0030] The feed or drinking water composition is suitable for humans and animals. In a preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is suitable for vertebrates, more preferably mammals and birds, more preferably domesticated animals in particular domesticated mammals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, horses, cows and pigs and I or domesticated birds such as poultry and pet birds including chickens, parrots, parakeet, cockatiel, domesticated songbirds including canaries.

[0031] The applicant found that silicium supplementation by providing a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect improved mobility, bone strength, feed conversion rate and daily weight gain in pigs or swine as well as poultry. The improvements in mobility suggest a general improvement in animal health and animal welfare.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a feed or drinking water composition suitable for vertebrates, comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion, wherein the daily dosage is at least 0.01 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.05 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.10 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.20 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.25 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.50 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 0.75 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 1.00 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 1.5 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at least 2.0 mg Si I kg of body weight. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a feed or drinking water composition suitable for vertebrates, comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion, wherein the daily dosage is at most 1000 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 800 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 800 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 600 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 800 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 500 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 400 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 300 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 200 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 100 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 75 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 50 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 25 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 20 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 15 mg Si / kg of body weight, more preferably at most 10 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 8 mg Si I kg of body weight, more preferably at most 7 mg Si / kg of body weight, more preferably at most 6 mg Si / kg of body weight, more preferably at most 5 mg Si I kg of body weight. This dosage range ensures the optimal utilization of the bioavailable silicon without exceeding safe and effective levels for the vertebrate's body weight. By administering the composition within this dosage range, the vertebrates can benefit from the advantages provided by the bioavailable silicon, thereby improving their overall well-being.

[0033] In a particular preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition in present invention is suitable for poultry, particularly poultry for meat production and I or egg production. Poultry, especially poultry bred for meat for the food industry, has a very rapid growth phase. During this rapid growth phase, insufficient silicium uptake commonly occurs and has several undesirable effects, such as reduced bone growth leading to a reduction in mobility, lackluster feed conversion and higher rates of disease.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for laying hens. The advantages described for broilers apply to laying hens, improving their mobility, bone strength, daily weight gain, feed conversion rate and so forth. In addition, the inventors surprisingly found bioavailable silicium supplementation provides benefits to the egg, in particular:

[0035] - An increase in eggshell strength,

[0036] - A decrease in (micro)cracks

[0037] - A decrease in contamination

[0038] These result in an improvement in egg quality, particularly a reduction of breakage during handling, storage and transport, as well as improved shelf life of the eggs.

[0039] Furthermore, the reduction in contamination as well as improved egg structure leads to improvements when the eggs are hatched, including improved hatchability of the egg and a reduction in early age illness and mortality among chicks. This is evidence of an improvement in chick health and wellbeing.

[0040] The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to broilers showed a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increases in bone strength, daily weight gain (DWG) and a reduction in feed conversion rate (FOR.) and decreased resting behavior.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio by weight of the salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10:90 and 50:50, more preferably between 10:90 and 40:60, and even more preferably between 20:80 and 40:60, most preferably about 30:70. It has been found that the most effective and efficient bioavailable silicon dispersion is achieved when the salt to mesoporous silica ratio is around 30:70, as this ratio provides the optimal balance between dissolution rate and stability; thus resulting in the highest cost-effectiveness. However, the exact ratio may vary depending on the specific application and desired outcome.

[0042] In a particular preferred embodiment, present invention relates to a poultry feed or drinking water composition comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion, comprising, preferably consisting of : a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g, in an amount of 20 to 50 wt.%, preferably 20 to 40 wt.%, relative to the weight of the composition; b. a salt, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite and mixtures thereof, in an amount of 50 to 80 wt.%, preferably 60 to 80 wt.%, relative to the weight of the dispersion; and c. additives and impurities, in an amount of at most 5 wt.%, preferably at most 3 wt.%, more preferably at most 2 wt.%, more preferably at most 1 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.5 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.1 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.01 wt.%.

[0043] The bioavailable silicon dispersion may be included in a solid poultry feed or drinking water composition.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion is added to a solid poultry feed. In a solid poultry feed, the preferred silicon content may range from 1 to 100 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed as determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Preferably, the silicon content is between 5 and 50 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of bioavailable silicon dispersion in the solid poultry feed may range from 10 to 2000 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion / kg of solid poultry feed, preferably from 50 to 500 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion / kg of solid poultry feed.

[0045] In another preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion is added to drinking water. Preferably, in a drinking water composition, the silicon content may range from 0.1 to 50 mg Si / L of drinking water as determined by ICP-AES. More preferably, the silicon content is between 0.1 and 5 mg Si / L of drinking water as determined by ICP-AES. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of bioavailable silicon dispersion in the drinking water composition may range from 1 to 100 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion / L drinking water.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of 10 to 2000 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, preferably 50 to 500 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion / kg solid poultry feed. In a preferred embodiment, said solid poultry feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of at least 10 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 20 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 30 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 40 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 50 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 60 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 70 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 80 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 90 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 100 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 110 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 120 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed. In another preferred embodiment, said poultry feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of at most 2000 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 1000 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 500 mg silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in an drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of 1 mg to 100 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion to I I drinking water. In a preferred embodiment, said drinking water comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of at least 1 mg silicon dispersion to I I drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 5 mg silicon dispersion to I I drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 10 mg silicon dispersion to I I drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 12 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 14 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 15 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 16 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 18 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 20 mg silicon dispersion to 1 1 drinking water, more preferably in an amount of at least 25 mg silicon dispersion to I I drinking water.

[0048] For both solid food and drinking water feeds described above, at lower concentrations, the improvements to DWG, FOR. and resting behavior were also lower. At higher concentrations, there were little to no further improvements to bone strength, DWG, FOR. and resting behavior and thus reducing efficiency per dose of silicium additive.

[0049] The bioavailable silicon dispersion as defined herein comprises, preferably consists essentially of, most preferably consists of : a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g; and b. a salt, said salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or a mixture thereof; wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) lies between 10:90 and 90: 10, preferably between 10:90 and 50:50.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, said salt is an organic salt. In a more preferred embodiment, said salt is an acetate, citrate, tartrate, formate, benzoate, gluconate, sorbate or mixture thereof, more preferably said salt is an acetate, citrate, tartrate, formate, sorbate or mixture thereof. Organic salts may be utilized to reduce the saline taste compared to inorganic salts. The preferred organic salts are well known and available for food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products.

[0051] In another preferred embodiment, said salt is an inorganic salt. In a more preferred embodiment, said salt is a chloride, bromide or iodide salt. Chloride, bromide and iodide salts generally have high solubility and dissociation rates in aqueous media.

[0052] In the most preferred embodiment, the salt is a calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) salt. More preferably, the salt is a calcium salt. Most preferably, the salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing bioavailable silicon to poultry had a positive effect in the mineral deposition in bone tissue. In particular, calcium and phosphorus content in the tibia of poultry had increased when bio-available silicon was provided without a significant increase of calcium or phosphorus in the feed. Consequently, it is believed silicon aids in the uptake and I or deposition of calcium and phosphorus in poultry. Providing silicon, calcium and phosphorus in combination may thus be particularly beneficial to improve bone growth in poultry. This is particularly advantageous in fast-growing poultry, such as broiler chickens during the first 60, particularly first 40 days of their lifetime. During this period, broiler chickens grow rapidly. It is of particular importance for their health and wellbeing that their bones are able to support their rapidly increasing body weight.

[0053] The inventors have unexpectedly observed that mesoporous silica with a sufficiently high surface area dissolves much more rapidly in the presence of alkali or alkaline earth metal ions. In other words, the inventors have found that alkali and alkaline earth metal ions catalyse the dissolution of mesoporous silica in aqueous media. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing salts of alkali metals or alkaline metals works well to provide a sufficiently high concentration of cations to provide for swift degradation and dissolution of mesoporous silica in aqueous media. This is a significant advantage over mesoporous silica which are functionalized, for example with alkali or alkaline metals. It removes the need for functionalization process steps requiring less reagents and energy, allows the ratio of salt to cation to be adjusted for existing mesoporous silica, on demand and in situ if desired, does not impact the other properties of the mesoporous silica unlike functionalization. Moreover and very surprisingly, the inventors found that the thus obtained mesoporous silica blend shows unexpectedly high dissolution rates in terms of the dissolution of the silica in aqueous environments, thereby releasing high quantities of silicic acid Si(OH)4in reasonably short times - thereby providing an effective source of bio-available silicium.

[0054] In another preferred embodiment, the salts are chosen from the list of magnesium salts, calcium salts, potassium salts, sodium salts or a mixture thereof. While large differences exist depending on the anion, these salts are soluble and have high dissolution rates in aqueous media themselves. Furthermore, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium ions are well tolerated by the human and animal body, unlike for example lithium and beryllium ions which cause several undesired side effects.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the salts are alkaline earth metal salts. Alkaline earth metal salts have a greater impact on the dissolution rate for a similar concentration of alkaline earth metal ions. Without being bound to theory, it is believed that a higher net electrical charge and a lower ionic radius is correlated with a higher dissolution rate of the mesoporous silica. In a more preferred embodiment, the alkaline earth metal salts are calcium and magnesium salts or mixtures thereof, most preferably the salts are calcium salts. Calcium salts are preferred. Magnesium showed the best results for solubilizing mesoporous silica. Furthermore calcium is well tolerated by the human and animal body. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides in a mesoporous silica blend according to the first aspect of the invention, whereby said salt is food grade. This is advantageous to allow for consumption of the obtained silica by humans and / or animals. This allows for a safe and bioavailable source of silicium. It may also provide for a safe method to deliver active ingredients, particularly medicine and more preferably medicine with low dissolution rates themselves, to the human or animal body by oral dosage form. In a further preferred embodiment, said salt is pharmaceutically acceptable. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are understood to be salts which may be administered to the body directly rather than through the digestive tract. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are thus suitable for at least one direct administration method, for example as addition to IV fluids, injection into muscle or subcutaneous or intradermal injection.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 1 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 5 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 10 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 50 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 100 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 500 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 1000 g / l, more preferably the salt has a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 1500 g / l.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, a mixture of salts is used. A mixture of salts may be advantageously used to obtain an improved dissolution rate or a finely tuned dissolution profile of a mesoporous silica. For example the dissolution rate of different magnesium salts can be improved over any one of these singular magnesium salts, as using said mixture of different magnesium salts allows an increase in the equilibrium concentration of magnesium ions in solution. A desired dissolution profile may be obtained by mixing different cations or mixing salts with different dissolution profiles.

[0058] In a preferred embedment, the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 150 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 200 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 250 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 300 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 350 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 400 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 450 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 500 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 550 m2 / g, more preferably said mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 600 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 650 m2 / g, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 700 m2 / g, most preferably the mesoporous silica has a specific surface area of at least 750 m2 / g.

[0059] The specific surface area as used herein is calculated from nitrogen sorption isotherms at liquid nitrogen temperature (77K) by the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) theory.

[0060] A sufficiently high specific surface area is required for cations in solution to have a significant effect on the degradation and dissolution of the mesoporous silica.

[0061] The skilled person is aware that the specific surface area is related to the pore size distribution, and thus median pore size as well as pore volume. In a preferred embodiment, the mesoporous silica has a median pore size dp50 between 0.1 and 30 nm, preferably between 0.1 and 20 nm, more preferably between 0.1 and 10 nm, more preferably between 0.2 and 8 nm, most preferably between 0.5 and 5 nm. These preferred median pore sizes have found to be most suitable for high dissolution rates while retaining all the traditional properties expected from mesoporous silica materials.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 1000 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 800 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 600 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 400 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 200 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 100 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 80 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 60 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 50 pm, more preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 40 pm, most preferably the mesoporous silica has a median particle size between 1 and 30 pm. The particle size has effects on both the dissolution rate as well as the flow characteristics of the dispersion prior to coming into contact with water. These flow characteristics are particularly important when mixing the dry dispersion with both wed and dry food mixtures to obtain accurate dosing and a uniform mixture or distribution of the composition, as additive over the food mixture.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, said salt (b) has a median particle size lower than 300 pm, more preferably lower than 250 pm, more preferably lower than 200 pm, more preferably lower than 150 pm, more preferably lower than 100 pm, more preferably lower than 90 pm, more preferably lower than 80 pm, more preferably lower than 70 pm, more preferably lower than 60 pm, more preferably lower than 50 pm, more preferably lower than 40 pm, more preferably lower than 30 pm. In a preferred embodiment, said salt (b) has a median particle size of at least 1 pm, more preferably at least 2 pm, more preferably at least 3 pm, more preferably at least 4 pm, more preferably at least 5 pm, more preferably at least 6 pm, more preferably at least 7 pm, more preferably at least 8 pm, more preferably at least 9 pm, more preferably at least 10 pm. Both lower and higher median particle sizes than the preferred ranges were detrimental to flow characteristics of the combined dispersion and lead to uneven mixing, especially when mixing the dispersion with other dry mixtures such as dry solid feeds for poultry.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 1: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 5: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 10: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 20: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 30: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 40: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 50: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 60: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 70: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 80: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 90: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at least 1: 1.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 190: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 180: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 170: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 160: 100, most preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica is at most 150: 100.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 1 : 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 5: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 20: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 30: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 40: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 50: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 60: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 70: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 80: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 90: 100 and 200: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 100: 100 and 200: 100.

[0067] In another preferred embodiment, the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10: 100 and 190: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10: 100 and 180: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10: 100 and 170: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 10: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 20: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 30: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 50: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 70: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 80: 100 and 150: 100, more preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 90: 100 and 150: 100, most preferably the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt to the mesoporous silica lies between 100: 100 and 150: 100.

[0068] These ratios are measured by the weight of the cation of the salt. Take as an example a mixture of 100 g mesoporous silica and 100 g NaCI. 100g NaCI dissociates into 39.34 g Na+and 60.66 g Cl’. The ratio of the cation of the salt to the mesoporous silica of this example mixture is thus 39.34: 100. In case of a mixture of salts, the ratio by weight of the cation of said salt refers to the ratio by weight of the combined cations of said mixture of salts, not a ratio with respect to each salt of said mixture individually.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of at least 1 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 2 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 3 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 5 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 8 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 10 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 12 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 14 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 15 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 18 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 20 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at least 25 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES. In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of at most 100 mg Si / kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 90 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 80 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 70 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 60 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably in an amount of at most 50 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES. In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of 1 to 100 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, preferably an amount of 5 to 50 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed, more preferably an amount of 10 to 40 Si I kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises silicon in an amount of at least 0.05 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.1 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.2 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.3 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.4 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.5 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.6 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.7 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.8 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 0.9 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 1.0 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at least 1.5 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, as determined by ICP-AES. In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises silicon in an amount of at most 100 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 75 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 50 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 40 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 30 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 25 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 20 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 15 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 12 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 10 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 9 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 8 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 7 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 6 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, more preferably in an amount of at most 5 mg Si / L of drinking water composition, as determined by ICP-AES. In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises silicon in an amount of 0.1 to 50 mg Si / I of said drinking water composition, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 5 mg Si / I of said drinking water composition as determined by ICP-AES.

[0071] The concentrations for both solid feeds and drinking water for poultry were determined as an optimum between providing beneficial effects and limiting the amount of supplementation required. At lower concentrations, beneficial effects can be further improved by providing additional bioavailable silicium. Higher concentrations do not provide for further enhanced weight growth profiles, thus resulting in lower efficiency of the consumed silicon complex. It should be noted that the optimum silicium concentration differs between the varying beneficial effects. That is to say, the optimum for weight gain, feed conversion, bone strength differ from one another. The preferred amounts are a balance between these beneficial effects; i.e. going above these concentrations does not provide further daily weight gain improvements but it may provide further bone strength improvements.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides method according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein said poultry is chicken. Preferably, said poultry is between 1 and 800 days. In a particular preferred embodiment, the age is between 1 and 60 days of age, preferably between 1 and 40 days. During the first weeks, poultry particularly poultry fed for meat such as broiler chickens grow at a rapid rate. Present invention improves the daily weight gain, reduces the feed conversion rate and decreases the resting behaviour.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment, said poultry is between 1 and 800 days, more preferably between 200 and 800 days, more preferably between 300 and 800 days, more preferably between 400 and 800 days, more preferably between 500 and 800 days, more preferably between 600 and 800 days. The supplementation of present application can help prevent and I or treat osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is particularly more problematic in older poultry. This is particularly interesting for laying hens and breeding hens, as these live significantly longer than broilers. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides method according to the first or second aspect of the invention, further comprising the step of feeding one or more therapeutic agents, preferably selected from the group consisting of vitamins, antimicrobial agents, disinfectants, fungicides, anti-inflammatories, plant extracts, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, antiviral agents, antibiotics.

[0074] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a bioavailable silicon dispersion, for use in feed or drinking water, comprising : a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g; and b. a salt, said salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or a mixture thereof; wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) is between 10:90 and 90: 10.

[0075] The preferred embodiments are mutatis mutandis to those described for the first aspect. Advantageously, the bioavailable silicon dispersion can be transported, stored and dosed in a dry manner. It has a long shelf life and a very high concentration of bioavailable silicon to weight compared to concentrates presently on the market.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an oral dosage form according to the second aspect of the invention, comprising said soluble silica composition in an amount of at least 1 wt.%, relative to the total weight of said oral dosage form, preferably at least 25 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.%, more preferably at least 35 wt.%, more preferably at least 40 wt.%, more preferably at least 45 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 55 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 65 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 75 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, more preferably at least 85 wt.%, more preferably at least 90 wt.%, more preferably at least 95 wt.%, more preferably at least 96 wt.%, more preferably at least 97 wt.%, more preferably at least 98 wt.%, more preferably at least 99 wt.%. A higher percentage of the silica according to the invention allows for higher concentration of silicium in the gastro-intestinal tract of the subject, and thus allows for better uptake in the human or animal body. The oral dosage form may optionally further comprise one or more active ingredients, allowing the oral dosage form to function as oral drug delivery system. Advantageously, the active ingredients may be loaded into the pores of the mesoporous silica. This is beneficial if the dissolution rate of the active ingredient is low.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said composition comprises silicon in an amount of 1 g to 200 g per kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion as determined by ICP-AES. Preferably, said composition comprises silicon in an amount of at least 1 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 5 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 10 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 20 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 30 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 40 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 50 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 60 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 70 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 80 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 90 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 100 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 110 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 120 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably at least 130 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said composition comprises silicon in an amount of at most 500 g per kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably in an amount of at most 400 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably in an amount of at most 300 g I kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably in an amount of at most 250 g I kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably in an amount of at most 200 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion, more preferably in an amount of at most 150 g / kg of bioavailable silicon dispersion. At lower concentrations of silicium, a higher weight of the dispersion must be processed, transported, stored and mixed to provide the same amount of silicium. At higher concentrations, the amount of silicium within the dispersion, in the form of silica, will be high but dissolution of this silica will be difficult due to insufficient cations and the high stability of silica. In other words, the silicium will be present but not bioavailable.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, present invention relates to a bioavailable silicon dispersion, for use poultry feed or drinking water, comprising : a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g, in an amount of 50 to 80 wt.%, preferably 60 to 80 wt.%, relative to the weight of the dispersion; and b. a salt, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite and mixtures thereof, in an amount of 20 to 50 wt.%, preferably 20 to 40 wt.%, relative to the weight of the composition.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, present invention relates to a bioavailable silicon dispersion, for use poultry feed or drinking water, consisting of : d. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g, in an amount of 20 to 50 wt.%, preferably 20 to 40 wt.%, relative to the weight of the composition; e. a salt, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite and mixtures thereof, in an amount of 50 to 80 wt.%, preferably 60 to 80 wt.%, relative to the weight of the dispersion; and f. additives and impurities, in an amount of at most 5 wt.%, preferably at most 3 wt.%, more preferably at most 2 wt.%, more preferably at most 1 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.5 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.1 wt.%, more preferably at most 0.01 wt.%.

[0080] The inventors found this particular preferred embodiment provides a very high amount of bioavailable silicium for a minimum volume and weight of composition. This allows for beneficial transport, distribution and storage as well as admixing of the dispersion into feedstock or drinking water; providing maximum bioavailable silicon. Furthermore, inventors found these preferred compositions provided multiple health, weight gain and feed conversion benefits when tested in practice. Finally, the dry dispersion was judged to be preferrable to work with over liquid concentrates of bioavailable silicium presently on the market by a panel of poultry farmers.

[0081] In further preferred embodiments, the dry composition may comprise sweeteners or flavoring agents. Several salts which are suitable for use in present invention have a dissuading scent and I or taste. Addition of flavoring agents helps overcome these issues. In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of a bioavailable silicium dispersion according to the second aspect, or a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, for feeding animals. Preferably, said animals are domesticated mammals or birds. Most preferably, said animals are poultry, particularly breeding poultry and feeding laying hens.

[0082] In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention in a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, wherein said composition is dosed in at least 0.001 mg of bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal. Preferably, said bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal is at least 0.005 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.010 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.015 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.020 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.025 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.030 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.040 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.050 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.060 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.070 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.080 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.090 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.100 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.200 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.300 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.400 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.500 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.600 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.700 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.800 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.900 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 1 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 2 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 3 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 4 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 5 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 10 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 15 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 20 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 25 mg I day I kg. The bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said dispersion is dosed 25 g of bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal, more preferably at most 20 g / day I kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 15 g / day I kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 10 g / kg, more preferably at most 5 g / day / kg, more preferably at most 2.5 g / day I kg, more preferably at most 2.0 g I day I kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 1.5 g I day I kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 1.0 g I kg, more preferably at most 0.75 g I day / kg, more preferably at most 0.50 g I day / kg, more preferably at most 0.25 g I day / kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 0.20 g / day / kg, more preferably in an amount of at most 0.15 g / kg, more preferably at most 0.10 g / day / kg, more preferably at most 0.05 g I day I kg. The optimal dosage of bioavailable silicon dispersion is selected based on the animal's silicium requirement. Larger animals with denser bones may require higher amounts of bioavailable silicon. Additionally, the need for bioavailable silicon increases if more intensive treatment or use is required.

[0083] In an embodiment a high dosage is between 0.15 mg I day / kg and 25 mg I day / kg. Preferably, said high dosage of bioavailable silicon dispersion administered per day per kilogram weight of the animal is at least 0.16 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 0.18 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.20 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.30 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.40 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.60 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.80 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 1.0 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 1.5 mg / day I kg, more preferably at least 2.0 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 3.0 mg, more preferably at least 4.0 mg / day I kg. The bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said dispersion is administered in a dosage of at most 23 mg of bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal, more preferably at most 20 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 16 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 14 mg I day / kg, more preferably at most 12 mg I day / kg, more preferably at most 10 mg I day / kg, more preferably at most 9 mg / day I kg, more preferably at most 8 mg / day I kg, more preferably at most 7 mg / day I kg, more preferably at most 6 mg / day I kg. High dosages are essential to ensure sufficient amounts of bioavailable silicon dispersion for acute treatment. This approach ensures rapid and effective intervention, providing immediate support for urgent health needs. The use or treatment with the high dosage is especially beneficial in an acute phase for addressing fur loss in animals suffering from mange, fur loss post-castration, horses with saddle sores, dogs with alopecia, animals having health problems of their joints, bones or hoofs.

[0084] In an embodiment a medium dosage is between 0.10 mg I day / kg and 9.000 mg g I day / kg. Preferably, said medium dosage of bioavailable silicon dispersion administered per day per kilogram weight of the animal is at least 0.12 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.14 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.16 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.18 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.00020 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.25 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.30 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.40 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.50 mg / day / kg, more preferably at least 0.75 mg / day / kg, more preferably at least 1.000 mg I day I kg. The bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said dispersion is administered in a medium dosage of at most 8.000 mg of bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal, more preferably at most 7.000 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 6.000 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 5.000 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 4.000 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 3.000 mg I day I kg, more preferably at most 2.000 mg I day I kg. Medium dosages are crucial to provide sufficient amounts of bioavailable silicon dispersion, ensuring rapid availability of silicon at a lower concentration compared to acute treatment. This approach balances the need for ongoing support with reduced risk of over-supplementation, promoting sustained health benefits. The use or treatment with the medium dosage is especially beneficial in a post-acute phase for addressing fur loss in animals suffering from mange, fur loss post-castration, horses with saddle sores, dogs with alopecia, animals having health problems of their joints, bones or hoofs.

[0085] In an embodiment a low dosage is between 0.01 mg I day / kg and 4.000 mg I day / kg. Preferably, said low dosage of bioavailable silicon dispersion administered per day per kilogram weight of the animal is at least 0.02 mg I day I kg, more preferably at least 0.03 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.04 mg I day / kg, more preferably at least 0.05 mg I day / kg. The bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said dispersion is administered in a low dosage of at most 3.000 mg of bioavailable silicon dispersion per day per kilogram weight of the animal, more preferably at most 2.000 mg I day / kg, more preferably at most 1.500 mg I day I kg. Low dosages are important to provide a consistent supply of bioavailable silicon dispersion for maintenance purposes. This approach supports long-term health and prevents deficiencies without the risk of over-supplementation.

[0086] In a fourth aspect the invention relates to the use of a bioavailable silicium dispersion according to the second aspect, or a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, for feeding animals being pets, in particularly dogs.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment the feed or drinking water composition is for dogs. In a particular embodiment, the feed or drinking composition is for medical use in dogs. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to dogs showed a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increases in bone strength, fur quality and health improvements. In a further preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in prevention of fur loss in dogs. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to dogs showed an improvement in fur quality, particularly a reduction in dry skin and damaged or missing hair cuticles of the fur. Furthermore, the improved fur quality contributes to overall reduction in fur loss which is convenient in soiling the surrounding of the dogs. Additionally, this use is especially useful for an overall improvement to fur quality during change to winter fur. Even more, a better fur quality in winter aids the dogs to control their body temperature at best and as a result stay in good shape without additional need of nutrition.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in dogs. In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in treatment or prevention of fur loss in dogs suffering from alopecia. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the dogs suffering from alopecia can stimulate fur growth by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation in hair follicles. This stimulation can lead to increased hair density and reduce the appearance of thinning hair.

[0089] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss in dogs suffering from mange. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the dogs suffering from mange improve recovery speed of the skin post mange. The improvement in recovery speed of the skin is a result of a reduction of dry skin, which consequently decreases itchiness and helps prevent further fur loss.

[0090] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss in dogs post castration. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the dogs post castration improves skin and fur elasticity. This improves the fur having become dull and / or coarse post castration and even counter shedding post castration.

[0091] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of joints, particularly to improve joint flexibility. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition is essential for the health of cartilage and joints. This can help prevent and manage conditions like osteoarthritis. In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of bones, particularly to improve bone density. It helps reduce the risk of development of osteoporosis, to improve bone mineralization and collagen formation which improves to maintain bone density and bone strength.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment the high dosage for dogs is between 3 and 10 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 4 and 8 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 5 and 6 mg / day I kg.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, the medium dosage for dogs is between 2 and 7 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 3 and 6 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 4 and 5 mg / day I kg.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the low dosage for dogs is between 1.0 and 3.0 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 1.0 and 1.5 mg / day I kg.

[0095] In a particular preferred embodiment, present invention can also relate to a dog feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect and comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect.

[0096] The bioavailable silicon dispersion may be included in a solid dog feed or drinking water composition.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect is added to a solid dog feed. In said solid dog feed, the preferred silicon content may range according to the preferred silicon content as in the first aspect.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid dog feed; wherein said dog feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in a range with an amount according to the solid poultry feed.

[0099] For both solid dog food and drinking water feeds described above, at lower concentrations, the improvements to fur quality, bone strength and health improvements were also lower. At higher concentrations, there were little to no further improvements to bone strength, fur quality nor health improvements and thus reducing efficiency per dose of silicium additive.

[0100] In the most preferred embodiment, the salt is a calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) salt. More preferably, the salt is a calcium salt. Most preferably, the salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing bioavailable silicon to dogs had a positive effect in the mineral deposition in bone tissue. In particular, calcium and phosphorus content in the tibia of dogs had increased when bio-available silicon was provided without a significant increase of calcium or phosphorus in the feed. Consequently, it is believed silicon aids in the uptake and I or deposition of calcium and phosphorus in dogs. Providing silicon, calcium and phosphorus in combination may thus be particularly beneficial to improve bone density in dogs.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid dog feed; wherein said dog feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount in a range according to the solid poultry feed.

[0102] The concentrations for both solid feeds and drinking water for dogs were determined as an optimum between providing beneficial effects and limiting the amount of supplementation required. At lower concentrations, beneficial effects can be further improved by providing additional bioavailable silicium. Higher concentrations do not provide for further enhanced fur quality, bone strength or joint flexibility improvements, thus resulting in lower efficiency of the consumed silicon complex. It should be noted that the optimum silicium concentration differs between the varying beneficial effects. That is to say, the optimum for fur quality, skin elasticity, feed conversion, bone strength and joint flexibility differ from one another. Depending on aimed use, amounts are a balance between these beneficial effects; i.e. going above these concentrations does not provide further daily health improvements.

[0103] In a fifth aspect the invention relates to the use of a bioavailable silicium dispersion according to the second aspect, or a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, for feeding animals being ungulates, in particularly horses.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment the feed or drinking water composition is for horses. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to horses showed a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increases in bone strength, fur quality and health improvements.

[0105] In a further preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in prevention of fur loss of horses. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to horses showed an improvement in fur quality, particularly a reduction in dry skin and damaged or missing hair cuticles of the fur. Furthermore, the improved fur quality contributes to overall reduction in fur loss which is convenient to reduce the need for frequent and intense brushing of the horse, especially for horses out on the field in between riding seasons. Additionally, this use is especially useful for an overall improvement to fur quality during change to winter fur. Even more, a better fur quality in winter aids the horses to control their body temperature at best and as a result stay in good shape.

[0106] In a further preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in horses. In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss in horses suffering of saddle sores. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the horses suffering from saddle sores can stimulate fur elasticity and thus prevent irritation, inflammation and in worse cases sores of these horses their skin exposed to large amount of friction due to a saddle or saddle pad.

[0107] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss of horses suffering from mange. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the horses suffering from mange improve recovery speed of the skin post mange. The improvement in recovery speed of the skin is a result of a reduction of dry skin, which consequently decreases itchiness and helps prevent further fur loss. Additionally, the bioavailable silicon dispersion also stimulates hair growth by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation in hair follicles. This stimulation can lead to increased hair density and reduce the appearance of thinning hair.

[0108] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss of horses post castration. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the horses post castration improves skin and fur elasticity. This improves the fur having become dull and / or coarse post castration and even counter shedding post castration. In a preferred embodiment, the high dosage for horses is between 2 and 10 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 3 and 8 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 4 and 6 mg / day I kg.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the medium dosage for horses is between 0.1 and 4.0 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.5 and 3.0 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 mg I day / kg.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, the low dosage is between 0.05 and 1.00 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.50 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.10 mg I day / kg for horses.

[0111] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition for medical use for treatment of joints, particularly to improve joint flexibility. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the horses is essential for the health of cartilage and joints. This can help prevent and manage conditions like osteoarthritis, especially in older horses or those engaged in high-impact activities.

[0112] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of bones, particularly to improve bone density. It helps reduce the risk of development of osteoporosis, to improve bone mineralization and collagen formation which improves to maintain bone density and bone strength. This is particularly important for young, growing horses, and for performance horses under strenuous training.

[0113] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of hoofs, particularly to improve hoof cracking and splitting. By improving hoof mineralization, the hoof strength and density is improved.

[0114] In a particular preferred embodiment, present invention can also relate to a horse feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect and comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect.

[0115] The bioavailable silicon dispersion may be included in a solid horse feed or drinking water composition. In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect is added to a solid horse feed. In said solid horse feed, the preferred silicon content may range according to the preferred silicon content as in the first aspect.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid horse feed; wherein said horse feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in a range with an amount according to the solid poultry feed.

[0117] For both solid horse food and drinking water feeds described above, at lower concentrations, the improvements to fur quality, bone strength and health improvements were also lower. At higher concentrations, there were little to no further improvements to bone strength, fur quality nor health improvements and thus reducing efficiency per dose of silicium additive.

[0118] In the most preferred embodiment, the salt is a calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) salt. More preferably, the salt is a calcium salt. Most preferably, the salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing bioavailable silicon to horses had a positive effect in the mineral deposition in bone tissue. In particular, calcium and phosphorus content in the femur and scapula of horses had increased when bio-available silicon was provided without a significant increase of calcium or phosphorus in the feed. Consequently, it is believed silicon aids in the uptake and I or deposition of calcium and phosphorus in horses. Providing silicon, calcium and phosphorus in combination may thus be particularly beneficial to improve bone density and hoof density in horses.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid horse feed; wherein said horse feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount in a range according to the solid poultry feed.

[0120] The concentrations for both solid feeds and drinking water for horses were determined as an optimum between providing beneficial effects and limiting the amount of supplementation required. At lower concentrations, beneficial effects can be further improved by providing additional bioavailable silicium. Higher concentrations do not provide for further enhanced fur quality, bone strength or joint flexibility improvements, thus resulting in lower efficiency of the consumed silicon complex. It should be noted that the optimum silicium concentration differs between the varying beneficial effects. That is to say, the optimum for fur quality, skin elasticity, feed conversion, bone strength and joint flexibility differ from one another. Depending on aimed use, amounts are a balance between these beneficial effects; i.e. going above these concentrations does not provide further daily health improvements.

[0121] In a sixth aspect the invention relates to the use of a bioavailable silicium dispersion according to the second aspect, or a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, for feeding animals being ungulates, in particularly bovines.

[0122] In a preferred embodiment the feed or drinking water composition is for bovines. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to bovines showed a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increases in bone strength, fur quality and health improvements.

[0123] In a further preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in prevention of fur loss of bovines. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to bovines showed an improvement in fur quality, particularly a reduction in dry skin and damaged or missing hair cuticles of the fur. Furthermore, the improved fur quality contributes to overall reduction in fur loss which is convenient to reduce the need for the bovine to frequently rub against brushes. This frequent rubbing can cause skin irritation. Additionally, this use is especially useful for an overall improvement to fur quality during change to winter fur. Even more, a better fur quality in winter aids the bovines to control their body temperature, especially for bovines out on the field from spring to autumn.

[0124] In an embodiment, a dosage of the bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for use for treatment of animals for use in prevention of fur loss, expressed in g / day I kg, is administered weekly, more preferably administered every other day, more preferably administered daily. Preferably the dosage is a low dosage. As it is also for winter fur change. Low dosages are important to provide a consistent supply of bioavailable silicon dispersion. The low dosage is preferably used as a preventive measure and supports long-term health without risk of over-supplementation. In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of fur loss of bovines suffering from mange. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the bovines suffering from mange improve recovery speed of the skin post mange. The improvement in recovery speed of the skin is a result of a reduction of dry skin, which consequently decreases itchiness and helps prevent further fur loss. Additionally, the bioavailable silicon dispersion also stimulates fur growth by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation in hair follicles. This stimulation can lead to increased hair density and reduce the appearance of thinning hair.

[0125] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment or prevention of fur loss of bovines post castration. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the bovines post castration improves skin and fur elasticity. This improves the fur having become dull and / or coarse post castration and even counter shedding post castration.

[0126] In an embodiment, a dosage of the bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for medical use for treatment of animals suffering from mange or post castration, alternative dogs suffering from alopecia or horses from saddle sores is administered in a high dosage in the first month of the treatment, in a medium dosage for the next month and a low dosage from the third month with a maximum up to six months. This addresses the animal's need for bioavailable silicon during the acute phase of treatment and progressively reduces the supplementation as the animal heals.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment, the high dosage for bovines is between 1 and 10 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 2 and 8 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 3 and 5 mg / day I kg.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the medium dosage for bovines is between 0.1 and 4.0 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.5 and 3.0 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 mg / day / kg.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment, the low dosage is between 0.05 and 1.00 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.50 mg I day / kg, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.10 mg / day / kg for bovines. In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition for medical use for treatment of joints, particularly to improve joint flexibility. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the bovines is essential for the health of cartilage and joints. This can help prevent and manage conditions like osteoarthritis, especially in breeding bovines as said bovines have need of strong pelvic bones and connective tissues which can aid in easier calving.

[0130] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of bones, particularly to improve bone density. It helps reduce the risk of development of osteoporosis, to improve bone mineralization and collagen formation which improves to maintain bone density and bone strength. This is particularly important for young, growing bovines.

[0131] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of hoofs, particularly to improve hoof cracking and splitting. By improving hoof mineralization, the hoof strength and density is improved.

[0132] In an embodiment, a dosage of the bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for medical use for treatment of animals their joints, bones or hoofs, expressed in g / day I kg, is preferably administered in a high dosage in the first six months of the treatment, in a medium dosage for the next six months and a low dosage after twelve months. This provides long-term support for improvement of bone strength and joint flexibility, with intensive treatment during the initial six months.

[0133] In a particular preferred embodiment, present invention can also relate to a bovine feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect and comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect.

[0134] The bioavailable silicon dispersion may be included in a solid bovine feed or drinking water composition.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect is added to a solid bovine feed. In said solid bovine feed, the preferred silicon content may range according to the preferred silicon content as in the first aspect. In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid bovine feed; wherein said bovine feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in a range with an amount according to the solid poultry feed.

[0136] For both solid bovine food and drinking water feeds described above, at lower concentrations, the improvements to fur quality, bone strength and health improvements were also lower. At higher concentrations, there were little to no further improvements to bone strength, fur quality nor health improvements and thus reducing efficiency per dose of silicium additive.

[0137] In the most preferred embodiment, the salt is a calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) salt. More preferably, the salt is a calcium salt. Most preferably, the salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing bioavailable silicon to bovines had a positive effect in the mineral deposition in bone tissue. In particular, calcium and phosphorus content in the pelvic bones of bovines had increased when bio-available silicon was provided without a significant increase of calcium or phosphorus in the feed. Consequently, it is believed silicon aids in the uptake and I or deposition of calcium and phosphorus in bovines. Providing silicon, calcium and phosphorus in combination may thus be particularly beneficial to improve bone density and hoof density in bovines.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid bovine feed; wherein said bovine feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount in a range according to the solid poultry feed.

[0139] The concentrations for both solid feeds and drinking water for bovines were determined as an optimum between providing beneficial effects and limiting the amount of supplementation required. At lower concentrations, beneficial effects can be further improved by providing additional bioavailable silicium. Higher concentrations do not provide for further enhanced fur quality, bone strength or joint flexibility improvements, thus resulting in lower efficiency of the consumed silicon complex. It should be noted that the optimum silicium concentration differs between the varying beneficial effects. That is to say, the optimum for fur quality, skin elasticity, feed conversion, bone strength and joint flexibility differ from one another. Depending on aimed use, amounts are a balance between these beneficial effects; i.e. going above these concentrations does not provide further daily health improvements.

[0140] In a seventh aspect the invention relates to the use of a bioavailable silicium dispersion according to the second aspect, or a feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect, for feeding animals being ungulates, in particularly pigs.

[0141] In a preferred embodiment the feed or drinking water composition is for pigs. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to pigs showed a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increases in bone strength, skin quality and health improvements.

[0142] In a further preferred embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in prevention of skin irritation of pigs. The addition of the bioavailable silicon dispersion to both a solid feed mix as well as drinking water provided to pigs showed an improvement in skin flexibility, particularly a reduction in dry skin. Furthermore, the improved skin quality contributes to overall reduction in redness and / or inflammation of the skin. Additionally, this use is particularly beneficial for the overall improvement of the skin of pigs kept in pigsties year-round. Even more, better skin quality reduces wounds, leading to healthier pigs.

[0143] In an embodiment, a dosage of the bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for use for treatment of animals with skin irritation quality, expressed in g / day I kg, is administered weekly, more preferably administered every other day, more preferably administered daily. Preferably the dosage is a low dosage. Low dosages are important to provide a consistent supply of bioavailable silicon dispersion. The low dosage is preferably used as a preventive measure and supports long-term health without risk of over-supplementation.

[0144] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in treatment of fur loss of pigs suffering from mange. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the pigs suffering from mange improve recovery speed of the skin post mange. The improvement in recovery speed of the skin is a result of a reduction of dry skin, which consequently decreases itchiness and helps prevent further fur loss. Additionally, the bioavailable silicon dispersion also stimulates fur growth by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation in hair follicles. This stimulation can lead to increased hair density and reduce the appearance of thinning hair.

[0145] In another embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for use in treatment or prevention of fur loss of pigs post castration. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the pigs post castration improves skin and fur elasticity. This improves the fur having become dull and / or coarse post castration and even counter shedding post castration.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, the high dosage for pigs is between 2 and 10 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 3 and 8 mg / day I kg, more preferably between 4 and 6 mg / day I kg.

[0147] In a preferred embodiment, the medium dosage for pigs is between 0.5 and 4.0 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 1.0 and 3.5 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 1.5 and 3.0 mg I day / kg.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, the low dosage is between 0.5 and 2.0 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mg I day I kg, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mg / day I kg for pigs.

[0149] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition for medical use for treatment of joints, particularly to improve joint flexibility. The bioavailable silicon dispersion in the feed or drinking water composition for the pigs is essential for the health of cartilage and joints. This can help prevent and manage conditions like osteoarthritis, especially in breeding pigs as said pigs have need of strong pelvic bones and connective tissues which can support easier birthing processes and healthier litters.

[0150] In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of bones, particularly to improve bone density. It helps reduce the risk of development of osteoporosis, to improve bone mineralization and collagen formation which improves to maintain bone density and bone strength. This is particularly important for young, growing pigs. In an embodiment, the feed or drinking water composition is for medical use in treatment of hoofs, particularly to improve hoof cracking and splitting. By improving hoof mineralization, the hoof strength and density is improved.

[0151] In a particular preferred embodiment, present invention can also relate to a pig feed or drinking water composition according to the first aspect and comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect.

[0152] The bioavailable silicon dispersion may be included in a solid pig feed or drinking water composition.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, the bioavailable silicon dispersion according to the second aspect is added to a solid pig feed. In said solid pig feed, the preferred silicon content may range according to the preferred silicon content as in the first aspect.

[0154] In a preferred embodiment, said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid pig feed; wherein said pig feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in a range with an amount according to the solid poultry feed.

[0155] For both solid pig food and drinking water feeds described above, at lower concentrations, the improvements to fur quality, bone strength and health improvements were also lower. At higher concentrations, there were little to no further improvements to bone strength, fur quality nor health improvements and thus reducing efficiency per dose of silicium additive.

[0156] In the most preferred embodiment, the salt is a calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) salt. More preferably, the salt is a calcium salt. Most preferably, the salt is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite. The inventors have surprisingly found that providing bioavailable silicon to pigs had a positive effect in the mineral deposition in bone tissue. In particular, calcium and phosphorus content in the femur bones of pigs had increased when bio-available silicon was provided without a significant increase of calcium or phosphorus in the feed. Consequently, it is believed silicon aids in the uptake and I or deposition of calcium and phosphorus in pigs. Providing silicon, calcium and phosphorus in combination may thus be particularly beneficial to improve bone density and hoof density in pigs. In a preferred embodiment, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid pig feed; wherein said pig feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount in a range according to the solid poultry feed.

[0157] The concentrations for both solid feeds and drinking water for pigs were determined as an optimum between providing beneficial effects and limiting the amount of supplementation required. At lower concentrations, beneficial effects can be further improved by providing additional bioavailable silicium. Higher concentrations do not provide for further enhanced fur quality, bone strength or joint flexibility improvements, thus resulting in lower efficiency of the consumed silicon complex. It should be noted that the optimum silicium concentration differs between the varying beneficial effects. That is to say, the optimum for fur quality, skin elasticity, feed conversion, bone strength and joint flexibility differ from one another. Depending on aimed use, amounts are a balance between these beneficial effects; i.e. going above these concentrations does not provide further daily health improvements.

[0158] It is clear to the skilled person in the field of animal nutrition and supplements that the feed or drinking water from the first aspect and the bioavailable silicon dispersion from the second aspect can be used for feeds and drinking water and bioavailable silicon dispersion for any animal as described in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh aspect of the invention.

[0159] The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples which further illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be interpreted to, limit the scope of the invention.

[0160] EXAMPLES

[0161] Materials and methods Table 1 shows the properties of a series of mesoporous silica materials used in these examples. Table 2 shows the properties of a series of salts used in these examples.

[0162] Table 1 : Properties of mesoporous silica materials Table 2 : Properties of salts

[0163] The degradation behavior of mesoporous silicas was investigated in 900 ml ultra- pure water at 37 ± 0.5°C under a stirring at 75 rpm on a dissolution apparatus (Sotax AT Xtend) and characterized by ICP-OES (5110 VDV from Agilent) to assess the amount of degraded silica after 8h in function of the salts amount introduced in the dissolution media at to.

[0164] Examples 1-5 A series of dissolution tests was conducted on OSUOO, OSHOl, OSU02, OSU03 and OSI104 in combination with tri calcium dicitrate tetrahydrate as calcium salt in ultra- pure water. These experiments have been performed with a constant amount of silicon dioxide (100 mg), a constant amount of water (900 ml) and the amount of tricalcium dicitrate tetrahydrate as calcium salt was varied.

[0165] Figure 1 shows the proportion of silicium dissolved after 8h in function of the amount of calcium element (in mg) introduced into the aqueous medium for mesoporous silicas OSUOO (example 1) and OSU03 (example 4). Figure 2 shows the proportion of silicium dissolved after 8h in function of the calcium element amount (in mg) introduced in the media for the mesoporous silicas OSI101 (example 2), OSU02 (example 3) and OSU04 (example 5).

[0166] The mesoporous silica's assessed show a very significant increase in silicium dissolved with the increase of the calcium to silicium ratio. The increase in silicium dissolved is most pronounced for OSIIOO.

[0167] Examples 5-6

[0168] The mesoporous silica OSIIOO with the highest properties of dissolution in water in presence of calcium element has been used to compare its solubility in presence of two calcium salts: tricalcium dicitrate tetrahydrate (example 5) and calcium acetate hydrate (example 6). These two salts were chosen to assess the effect of the solubility of the salt on the degradation of the mesoporous silica, calcium acetate hydrate has a solubility in water that is significantly higher than that of tricalcium dicitrate tetra hydrate.

[0169] Figure 3 shows the proportion of silicium dissolved after 8h for OSIIOO in function of the amount of calcium cation introduced in the media for tricalcium dicitrate tetrahydrate (example 5) and for calcium acetate hydrate (example 6). The experiments have been performed with a constant amount of silicon dioxide (100 mg) in a constant amount of water (900 ml) as previously described.

[0170] The dissolution of OSIIOO significantly increased when the calcium is introduced in the acetate form in comparison of the tricalcium dicitrate form. The significant increase is assumed to be related to the greater solubility of calcium acetate compared to the tricalcium dicitrate form. The amount of silica dissolved appears to be linked to the amount of Ca2+in solution.

[0171] Examples 7-10

[0172] The influence of the nature of the cation on the dissolution of a mesoporous silica has been studied. The dissolution tests have been performed with a constant amount of silica (lOOmg) in presence of different amounts of acetate salts. All these acetate salts are completely soluble in the range of concentration used and the complete solubility is reached after few minutes. The following cations, derived from their acetate salt, have been selected : sodium (example 7), potassium (example 8), calcium (example 9) and magnesium (example 10). The properties of these acetate salts are reported in the table 2.

[0173] The figure 5 shows the evolution of the amount of silicium dissolved after 8h in water in function of the amount of the different cations (in moles) added at the beginning of the dissolution test.

[0174] The divalent cations (Ca2+and Mg2+) are better solubilizing agent of mesoporous silica than the monovalent (Na+and K+) as it can be observed on the figure 5. Approximately 82% of the silicium is dissolved after 8h with 0.37mmol of Mg2+. To reach the same order of magnitude of silicium dissolved with Ca2+, 0.90 mmol are necessary. For approximately 0.90 mmol of Na+, 42% of silicium is dissolved and approximately 30% with K+. This is assumed to be due to the difference of valence and the ionic radius of the cations, where divalent and smaller ionic radius are preferred for higher dissolution rates.

[0175] Examples 11-18

[0176] The dissolution of OSI100 to OSU07 in the presence of calcium acetate and magnesium acetate was tested quantitatively. 100 mg of each silica material was provided in seven different beakers with 900 ml water. A first mixture only contained water and silica and served as reference. A second, third and fourth mixture further contained magnesium acetate so that the weight of magnesium was equal to 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg respectively. A fifth, sixth and seventh mixture contained water, mesoporous silica and calcium acetate so that the weight of calcium was equal to 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg respectively.

[0177] The beakers degradation of the mesoporous silica's was inspected visually on regular intervals. The reference mixtures showed little degradation. At each interval and for each silica material, higher amounts of cation showed equal or greater degradation of the silica material. Furthermore, at each interval and for each silica material prior to full degradation, magnesium showed greater degradation than calcium.

[0178] It is clear that the method according to the invention, and its applications, are not limited to the presented examples. Examples 19-23

[0179] The dissolution of OSIIOO was tested in 900 ml mineral water comprising varying amounts of cations. The total silicium content dissolved in water was measured before the addition of 100 mg OSIIOO (tO) and measured again after 8 hours.

[0180] The compositions of the mineral water at tO as well as the total amount of silicium after 8 hours is shown in table 3. The elements calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium are present as their respective cation in mineral water.

[0181] Table 3 : Examples 19-23

[0182] Examples 24-26 : Controlled live floorpen study

[0183] A study was conducted to investigate the effect of silicium supplementation in drinking water of broiler chicken on their performance, locomotive system, skin healing and bone formation. Silicium was supplemented in 2 treatment groups. A third group was used as control and not treated with silicium (comparative example 26). A dry dispersion of 70 wt.% calcium acetate with a median particle size of 31 m and 30 wt.% mesoporous silica with a BET specific surface area of 670 m2 / g, median pore size of 2.5 nm and a median particle size of 9 pm was produced. This dry dispersion was administered at 2 different concentrations :

[0184] - 75 mg dispersion (10.5 mg Si) per kg of solid feed (Example 24), 150 mg dispersion (21.0 mg Si) per kg of solid feed (Example 25).

[0185] Birds were moreover reared on humidified bedding material to simulate bad housing conditions and induce mild locomotive and skin complications. During the study, performance was assessed by weighing birds and monitoring feed intake on specific time points, separating the study in a starter, grower and finisher period. Additionally, mobility of the birds was assessed at the end of the grower (D33) and finisher period (D41) by means of gait scoring (Kestin et al., 1992). At the end of the trial (D49), footpad and chest lesions, femur head necrosis and tibia dyschondroplasy were assessed by qualified veterinarians, which also isolated 1 tibia per bird for bone strength and composition analysis. The tibia was analysed for bone weight, fracture force (N), maximum force (N), stiffness (N / mm), bone dry matter (%), bone ash (%), phosphorus content (%), calcium content (%), copper content (mg / kg), manganese content (mg / kg) and zinc content (mg / kg). Mortality did not exceed 5% of the birds for this study and therefore evaluated as a natural loss.

[0186] Birds receiving the bio-available Si showed significantly higher bone strength than the unsupplemented group. The bone strength was measured as average fracture force of the tibia. The bone strength was 11% higher comparing ex. 24 to comparative ex. 26. The bone strength was 13% higher comparing ex. 25 to comparative ex. 26. These results were statistically significant (p<0.05). The highest concentration group (ex. 25) showed slightly improved bone strength over the lower concentration group (ex. 24); but these differences were not statistically significant.

[0187] Birds in the supplemented groups (ex. 24 and 25) showed a 3% improvement in daily weight gain over the 0 to 49 day period compared to the unsupplemented group (ex. 26). These differences were statistically significant.

[0188] Birds in the supplemented groups (ex. 24 and 25) showed a 4.4 and 4.0% improvement in feed conversion ratio over the 0 to 49 day period compared to the unsupplemented group (ex. 26) respectively. These differences were statistically significant. It was noted the group with the lower concentration of supplements (ex. 24) showed the highest feed conversion ratio, although these differences were not statistically significant.

[0189] Birds in the supplemented groups showed a reduction in resting behavior, suggesting a higher level of comfort. This reduction was significantly higher for the birds in the higher concentration supplementation group (ex. 25) compared to the lower concentration supplementation group (ex. 24). The resting behavior was measured after inducing gouty arthritis by intra-articular injection of sodium urate. It was measured by counting on 12 different times, with 10 minutes interval between, the number of birds with their eyes closed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Poultry feed or drinking water composition, comprising a bioavailable silicon dispersion comprising: a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g; and b. a salt, said salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or a mixture thereof; wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) lies between 10:90 and 90: 10.

2. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) lies between 10:90 and 50:50.

3. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-2, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of 1 to 100 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES.

4. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of 5 to 50 mg Si I kg of solid poultry feed as determined by ICP-AES.

5. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in a solid poultry feed; wherein said poultry feed comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of 10 to 2000 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed, preferably 50 to 500 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion I kg solid poultry feed.

6. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-2, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in an drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.1 to 50 mg Si / I of said drinking water composition as determined by ICP-AES.

7. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-2 or 6, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in an drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.1 to 5 mg Si / I of said drinking water composition as determined by ICP-AES.

8. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-2 or 6-7, wherein said bioavailable silicon dispersion is comprised in an drinking water composition; wherein said drinking water composition comprises said bioavailable silicon dispersion in an amount of 1 mg to 100 mg bioavailable silicon dispersion to I I drinking water.

9. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-8, whereby said poultry is chicken and whereby said chicken is between 1 and 700 days of age, preferably between 1 and 40 days.

10. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-9, wherein said salt (b) is a calcium (Ca) or Magnesium (Mg) salt.

11. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-10, wherein said salt (b) is a calcium (Ca) salt, preferably an organic calcium salt, more preferably salt (b) is chosen from the list of : calcium acetate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphite and mixtures thereof.

12. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-11, said bioavailable silicon dispersion consisting essentially of : a. a mesoporous silica with a specific surface area of at least 100 m2 / g; and b. a salt, said salt consisting of a cation and an anion, wherein said salt is chosen from the list of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or a mixture thereof; wherein the ratio by weight of said salt (b) to said mesoporous silica (a) lies between 10:90 and 50:50.

13. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-12, wherein said mesoporous silica (a) has a median particle size between 1 and1000 pm, preferably between 1 and 100 pm, more preferably between 1 and 50 pm.

14. Poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-13, wherein said salt (b) has a median particle size lower than 300 pm, preferably lower than 100 pm, more preferably lower than 50 pm.

15. Use of a poultry feed or drinking water composition according to any of claims 1-14, for feeding poultry.

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