Animal feed containing specific glycolipids

Abstract

Use of a sophorolipid in the preparation of a feed supplement to improve feed efficiency in an animal. A feed supplement comprising a mixture of sophorolipid and lysolecithin is also provided to improve the feed conversion ratio of an animal.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to specific glycolipids for providing improved animal feeds.TECHNICAL FIELD.

[0002] It is known to supplement animal feeds with different additives to improve animal performance, for example adding specific phospholipids to the animal feed as described in WO 00 / 36929 or WO 94 / 22324. New feed additives are desired to further improve performance, such as growth of the animal. It is preferable for such feed additives to be naturally-occurring.

[0003] CN 102 696 880 A (Ningbo Inst Tech Zhejiang Univ) describes a bioemulsifier comprising saponin, rhamnolipod and trehalose which may be added to fat for livestock and poultry feed.

[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to provide novel animal feed additives that promote animal performance, particularly but not exclusively, animal growth.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

[0005] Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a composition, optionally for use an animal feed suitable for feeding mammals, birds and fish, the composition comprising at least one sophorolipid having the following general formulas (1) or (2): wherein R represents hydrogen or an acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 1< represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R 2< represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R 3< represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; and X represents a functional group selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an acyl group, an amide and a monosaccharide having a glycosidic linkage, characterised in that the composition is a powder consisting essentially of the sophorolipids and amorphous silicon dioxide. R is preferably hydrogen. R 2< is preferably a hydrogen or methyl group. R 3< is preferably a hydrocarbon group containing 16 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 carbon atoms. Normally, R 3< will have one site that is unsaturated (C=C bond).

[0006] Preferably, the sophorolipid comprises at least 0.05 wt. % to 0.1 wt. % of the feed. For example, preferably 0.05 to 0.5g of sophorolipid is included in 1 kg of feed (50 to 500g per tonne of feed).

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides an ingredient, premix or supplement for an animal feed suitable for feeding mammals, birds and fish, comprising at least one sophorolipid the following general formulas (1) or (2): wherein R represents hydrogen or an acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 1< represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R 2< represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R 3< represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; and X represents a functional group selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an acyl group, an amide and a monosaccharide having a glycosidic linkage, characterised in that the ingredient, premix or supplement is a powder consisting of the sophorolipids and silicon dioxide and wherein the dosage of said sophorolipid in said animal feed is 0.01 wt.% or higher, based on the total weight of said ingredient, premix or supplement, wherein said ingredient, premix or supplement further comprises at least one of vitamins, trace elements, minerals and organic acids.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for reducing the feed conversion rate in an animal comprising feeding a mammal, bird or fish with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention or with the ingredient, premix or supplement according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0009] In the context of this disclosure, the feed conversion rate (FCR) is a ratio or rate for measuring the efficiency with which animals, such as livestock, convert animal feed into a desired output. FCR is the mass of the input divided by the output (for example, kilos of feed per kilo of meat or milk). Animals with low FCR values are considered efficient users of feed.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a sophorolipid composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the improvement of a feed conversion rate in an animal.

[0011] More preferably, at least one sophorolipid has the following general formulas (1) or (2): wherein R 1< represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R 2< represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; and R 3< represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 15 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0012] The animal feed may be suitable for any type of animal, such as mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians but preferably is a bird feed additive, especially poultry.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a bar chart illustrating Feed Conversion Ratio for birds treated with a feed additive of Example 1 falling outside the scope of the present invention and a control group; Figure 2 is a graph of the total Feed Conversion Ratio for control and treated groups of birds of Example 1; Figure 3 is a graph of the Feed Conversion Ratio for control and treated groups of birds of Example 1 on the final day (Day 35); Figure 4 is a graph of the finisher body weight in kilograms (Day 35) for control and treated groups of birds of Example 1; Figure 5 is a graph of the total consumption in kilograms for control and treated groups of birds of Example 1; Figure 6 is a graph of percentage dressing for control and treated groups of birds of Example 1; Figure 7 is a bar chart illustrating Feed Conversion Ratio at Days 1-7 for birds treated with a feed additive of Example 2 according to the present invention and a control group; Figure 8 is a bar chart illustrating Feed Conversion Ratio at Days 8-21 for birds treated with a feed additive of Example 2 of the present invention and a control group; Figure 9 is a bar chart illustrating Feed Conversion Ratio at Days 22-35 for birds treated with a feed additive of Example 2 of the present invention and a control group; and Figure 10 is a bar chart illustrating the total FCR for birds treated with a feed additive of Example 2 of the present invention and a control group of birds. DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

[0014] The present invention relates to the use of sophorolipids as an animal feed supplement. A sophorolipid is a surface-active glycolipid that can be synthesized by non-pathogenic yeasts, the main one being Candida bombicola using raw ingredients such as vegetable oils. Sophorolipids reduce surface tension and therefore are used as surfactants in detergents but also possess a number of useful biological activities including antimicrobial, virucidal, anticancer and inmuno-modulatory properties. Sophorolipids have previously been used for the treatment of skin and hair (see, for example, WO 95 / 34282 and US 5981497).

[0015] The production of sophorolipids is well documented in the art, see for example, "Production of sophorolipids by the yeast Candida bombicola using simple and low cost fermentative media" Davery and Pakshirajan, Food Research International 42 (2009) 499-504.

[0016] Sophorolipids are comprised of a sugar head sophorose, an unusual β-(1,2) disaccharide consisting of two glucose molecules, covalently linked to a long chain hydroxylated fatty acid having a fatty acid chain length of 16-18 carbon atoms. Two types of esterification can occur which have a big effect on the molecule's behaviour, namely (i) acetylation and (ii) lactonization. Acetylation takes place at the C6' and C6" positions of the sophorose resulting in a mixture of non-, mono- and di- acetylated molecules. Acidic sophorolipids are not readily soluble in aqueous medium at acidic pH but become soluble at higher pH. However, these sophorolipids show instability at pH higher than 7.0. Lactonization converts the open-chain or acid sophorolipid to a closed-chain sophorolipid (lactonic form), specific for position C4", see below. The lactonised sophorolipids are stable across a wider pH range. (i) Acidic Sophorolipid: (ii) Lactonic Sophorolipid.

[0017] The present invention has surprisingly found that both acidic and lactonic sophorolipids may be added to animal feedstuffs to improve the performance of the animal. This is surprising because sophorolipids, especially the acidic form, would be expected to be destroyed by the stomach acid in the stomach of the animal thereby resulting in minimal, if any, effect on the bodyweight of the animal. Previously, oral administration of sophrolipids has not been considered due to it being readily hydrolyzed in the stomach as well as intestine. Natural sophorolipids containing around 50% of the acidic and lactonic forms may be used as the feed additive. The lactonic sophorolipids are preferred.Example 1: Trial to demonstrate increased animal performance for birds treated with an animal feed containing a feed additive falling outside the scope of the present invention comprising a sophorolipid and lysolecithin mix compared with a control group of birds that did not receive the animal feed additive.

[0018] Birds were fed identical diets over a period of 35 days but the diet of the treated birds was supplemented with 125g of a sophorolipid / lysolecithin mix per ton of feed that has been cultivated from C.bombicola. 50% of the sophorolipid was in the lactonic form, thus the feed contained 62.5g per ton of feed. The mix was 75% lysolecithins and 25% sophorolipids at a range of inclusion levels up to 250 ppm. The control and treated groups consisted each of replicates of 10 birds (total of 100 birds for each group). The three phases of the trial were BOOSTER (Day 1-14), STARTER (Day 15-28) and FINISHER (Day 35).

[0019] The data obtained for the control group and treated group are provided in the tables below:I. CONTROL GROUP. Weight (kg)

[0020] Rep Initial Booster Starter Finisher 10.0470.3431.3601.69120.0470.3391.2611.74530.0460.3361.2061.60840.0450.3551.2261.69850.0470.3811.3221.75260.0460.3651.2381.65870.0460.3351.2201.67280.0460.3681.3271.77190.0460.3791.3261.766100.0470.3881.3361.7780.046 0.359 1.282 1.714 Consumption (kg)

[0021] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 10.4651.4370.9632.86520.4461.4631.0022.91130.4631.3870.9192.76940.4551.4340.9962.88550.4821.4610.9402.88260.4601.4091.0572.92670.5281.4400.9362.90380.4681.5231.0133.00390.5001.5400.9252.965100.4951.4761.0893.0600.476 1.457 0.984 2.917 FCR

[0022] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 11.5691.4132.9051.74221.5281.5872.0681.71431.5971.5942.2861.77241.4681.6472.1081.74551.4431.5512.1871.69061.4441.6142.5111.81571.8271.6262.0701.78581.4521.5882.2801.74191.5001.6262.1001.723101.4481.5572.4641.7671.523 1.578 2.278 1.749 Weight Gain (kg)

[0023] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 10.2961.0170.3321.64520.2920.9220.4851.69830.2900.8700.4021.56240.3100.8710.4731.65350.3340.9420.4301.70560.3190.8730.4211.61270.2890.8860.4521.62780.3220.9590.4441.72590.3330.9470.4411.721100.3420.9480.4421.7320.313 0.923 0.432 1.668 Dressing

[0024] Rep Dressing (%) Weight 180.0001.400276.7441.650377.7781.400478.3781.450578.9471.500680.0001.400775.001.350877.1431.350976.9231.5001075.6761.40084.020 1.440 II TREATED GROUP Weight (kg)

[0025] Rep Initial Booster Starter Finisher 10.0460.3411.3051.73320.0460.3451.1971.64830.0450.3641.2901.71140.0450.3221.2151.72650.0470.3681.2271.63860.0470.3621.2941.76670.0460.3821.2621.71680.0470.3491.2191.73690.0460.3391.2371.743100.0470.3691.2411.6530.046 0.354 1.248 1.70 Consumption (kg)

[0026] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 10.5051.5060.9352.94520.4301.3980.9332.76030.4561.5060.9542.91640.4181.4461.0292.89350.5081.4130.9372.85860.4791.4600.9402.87970.5331.4510.9292.91380.4441.4560.9952.89490.4261.4281.0272.881100.5041.3920.9042.7990.470 1.445 0.958 2.874 FCR

[0027] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 11.7101.5622.1831.74521.4381.6392.0701.72331.4281.6262.2631.74941.5061.6192.0141.72051.5811.6442.2791.79561.5181.5671.9941.67571.5851.6492.0461.74481.4701.6731.9221.71391.4521.5902.0301.697101.5651.5952.1931.7421.526 1.615 2.090 1.730 Weight Gain (kg)

[0028] Rep Booster Starter Finisher Total 10.2950.9640.4281.68720.2990.8530.4511.60230.3190.9260.4221.66740.2780.8930.5111.68250.3210.8590.4111.59260.3160.9320.4721.71970.3360.8800.4541.67080.3020.8700.5181.69090.2930.8980.5061.697100.3220.8730.4121.6070.308 0.895 0.458 1.661 Dressing

[0029] Rep Dressing (%) Weight 182.0511.600278.3781.450377.7781.400477.7781.400580.0001.400680.0001.600777.7781.400875.6761.400975.0001.3501077.7781.40084.368 1.440

[0030] These results are shown graphically in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, with the line charts presenting the 10 replicates' results ranked from highest to lowest to demonstrate the consistency of the treated group compared with the control group.

[0031] The overall conversion ratio or rate (FCR) was shown to be lower in the treated group than the control group (see Figures 1 to 3), most notably during the finisher phase, indicating that the treated group are more efficient converters of their food. The benefit of the feed additive can also be seen in the final bodyweight of the two groups, which was broadly the same, and the lower consumption for the treated group compared to the control group (see Figures 4 and 5). The dressing percentage was also higher in the treated group (see Figure 6).

[0032] Modifications to the sophorolipid molecules have also been carried out in the art and such modified sophorolipids are also suitable for use in the animal feed supplement.. Examples of such modified sophorolipids are given below (i to vii). Their methods of production are described in articles, such as "Enzymatic Synthesis of a Galactopyranose Sophorolipid Fatty Acid Ester" Nunez, Foglia and Ashby, Biotechnology Letters (2003) 25: 1291-1297 and ""Enzyme-catalyzed regioselective transesterification of peracylated sophorolipids" Carr and Bisht, Tetrahedron 59 (2003) 7713-7724. Example 2: Trial to demonstrate increased animal performance for birds treated with an animal feed containing a feed additive according to an embodiment of the invention comprising sophorolipids only compared with a control group of birds that did not receive the animal feed additive.

[0033] Another trial was carried out in a similar manner to Example 1 above with control and treated groups of birds with the birds being fed identical experimental diets over a period of 35 days but the diet of the treated birds was supplemented with a pure sophorolipid (SPL) supplement at a range of inclusion levels up to 250 ppm. The sophorolipid was provided as a powder with 50% sophorolipids liquid with 50% silicon dioxide.

[0034] The composition of the Experimental diet is provided below: Starter Grower Finisher Ingredients Com (3mm)52.457.83Com (5mm)39.9918.60Com (7mm)8.0040.00SBM (de-hulled)39.1535.5532.05Soy Oil3.594.365.33L-Lysine Sulfate 550.310.210.21DL-Met 980.38L-Met 990.320.31Threonine 980.100.070.06Choline Chloride 500.070.070.08MCP1.75MDCP1.681.60Limestone (Fine)1.541.251.10Salt0.300.250.25NaHCO 3 0.100.190.19Vit Premix-Broiler0.140.140.12Min Premix-Poultry0.110.110.11Total100.00100.00100.00Calculated values (%) AME n (kcal / kg)3,0003,1003,200CP23.0021.5020.00Lys1.441.291.19Met0.710.640.61Met + Cys1.080.990.94Ca0.960.870.81Available P0.480.430.41 Results: Effect of pure SPLs on growth performance in broilers.

[0035] Table 1 below provides the average daily gain (ADG) (g) for the control and treated birds. Table 1Days 1-7 Days 7-21 Days 21-35 Overall Control12.734.5103.257.6SPL (25ppm)12.339.5111.062.7SPL (50-ppm)12.035.1102.057.2SPL (100ppm)11.835.7105.358.8SPL (250ppm)11.835.099.856.3

[0036] Table 2 below provides the feed intake (FI) (g) for the control and treated birds. Table 2Days 1-7 Days 7-21 Days 21-35 Overall Control34.584.9141.3101.9SPL (25ppm)34.292.7144.9106.7SPL (50-ppm)33.978.6142.8101.5SPL (100ppm)33.980.5138.698.7SPL (250ppm)33.680.8136.698.0

[0037] Table 3 below provides the feed efficiency (FE) (g) for the control and treated birds. Table 3Days 1-7 Days 7-21 Days 21-35 Overall Control0.370.410.730.57SPL (25ppm)0.360.430.770.59SPL (50-ppm)0.350.450.710.57SPL (100ppm)0.350.460.760.60SPL (250ppm)0.350.450.730.58

[0038] Examples 1 and 2 above demonstrate that sophorolipids, both alone and in combination with lysolecithin, enhance the feed conversion rate of animals. Example 2 shows that the incorporation of 25-250ppm pure sophorolipid into an animal feed consistently improves the FCR of the animal compared with the control birds, particularly during the first 8-21 days of the trial, as illustrated in the Table 4 below and shown graphically in Figures 7 to 10: Table 4Days 1 - 7Days 8 - 21Days 22-35TotalControl2.7172.4611.3691.69025ppm2.7802.3471.3051..62650ppm2.8252.2391.4001.666100ppm2.8732.2551.3161.607250ppm2.8472.3091.3691.665

Claims

1. A sophorolipid composition comprising at least one sophorolipid having the following general formulas (1) or (2): wherein R represents hydrogen or an acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R2 represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R3 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; and X represents a functional group selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an acyl group, an amide and a monosaccharide having a glycosidic linkage, characterised in that the composition is a powder consisting of the sophorolipids and silicon dioxide.

2. A sophorolipid composition according to claim 1 wherein at least one sophorolipid has the general formula (1) or (2) below: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R2 represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 15 to 18 carbon atoms.

3. A sophorolipid composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein R2 is a hydrogen or a methyl group.

4. A sophorolipid composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein R3 is a hydrocarbon group containing 16 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 carbon atoms, preferably wherein R3 has one site that is unsaturated (C=C bond).

5. A sophorolipid composition according to claim 1, wherein the sophorolipid has at least one of the following formulas: or 6. An ingredient, premix or supplement for an animal feed suitable for feeding mammals, birds and fish, comprising at least one sophorolipid having the following general formulas (1) or (2): wherein R represents hydrogen or an acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 represents hydrogen or an acetyl group; R2 represents hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R3 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; and X represents a functional group selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an acyl group, an amide and a monosaccharide having a glycosidic linkage characterised in that the ingredient, premix or supplement is a powder consisting of the sophorolipids and silicon dioxide and wherein the dosage of said sophorolipid in said animal feed is 0.01 wt. % or higher, based on the total weight of said ingredient, premix or supplement, wherein said ingredient, premix or supplement further comprises at least one of vitamins, trace elements, minerals and organic acids.

7. A method for reducing the feed conversion rate in an animal comprising feeding a mammal, bird or fish with the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the ingredient, premix or supplement according to claim 6.

8. Use of a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in improving feed efficiency in an animal by reducing a feed conversion rate in the animal.

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