Seaweed feed product, feed product, bolus, lick and method

Abstract

Seaweed feed products containing seaweed and methods for processing seaweed. Embodiments of the present disclosure include seaweed feed products containing seaweed material with reduced halogen compounds, a binder, and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder. Also disclosed herein are methods of feeding ruminant animals, feed products, methods of administering halogen compounds to ruminant animals, methods of processing seaweed, and boluses and licks for consumption by ruminant animals.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 411,342 (Attorney Docket No. CBH0004MA), filed September 29, 2022, and entitled "SEAWEEED FEED PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SEAWEED," and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486,615 (Attorney Docket No. CBH0004MA1), filed February 23, 2023, and entitled "SEAWEED FEED PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SEAWEED," each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] This specification relates generally to feed products, and more particularly to animal feed products suitable for ruminants. [Background technology]

[0003] With up to 1.5 billion domestic cattle worldwide, a significant greenhouse gas ("GHG") global contribution comes from cattle, sheep, and other ruminant production systems, which are responsible for up to 20% of total global GHG emissions, primarily through the emission of methane. Such methane emissions are a by-product of the fermentation of feed organic matter in the rumen, the stomach of ruminant animals' unique digestive system. Therefore, there is an urgent need for methods and products that can reduce ruminant methane emissions. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to one embodiment, the seaweed feed product can include a halogen-reduced seaweed material, a binder, and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds can be bound to at least a portion of the binder.

[0005] According to another embodiment, a ruminant may be fed a seaweed feed product in an amount effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant. The seaweed feed product may include a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, a binder, and one or more bound halogen compounds. The one or more bound halogen compounds may be bound to at least a portion of the binder.

[0006] According to yet another embodiment, the feed product may consist essentially of a binder and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are capable of binding to at least a portion of the binder.

[0007] According to yet another embodiment, a ruminant may be fed by a method comprising administering to the ruminant an amount of a feed product effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant. The feed product may consist essentially of a binder and one or more bound halogen compounds. The one or more bound halogen compounds may be bound to at least a portion of the binder.

[0008] According to yet another embodiment, seaweed can be processed by a method comprising contacting harvested seaweed with an aqueous solution comprising a binder. The harvested seaweed can include one or more halogen compounds. A portion of the one or more halogen compounds in the harvested seaweed can be released from the harvested seaweed to form a halogen-reduced seaweed material. At least a portion of the released halogen compounds can be combined with the binder to form a bound halogen compound material. The method can further include separating one or both of the bound halogen compound material and the halogen-reduced seaweed material from the aqueous solution.

[0009] According to yet another embodiment, a seaweed feed product may include a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, including red algae, a binder including one or more cyclodextrins, and one or more bound halogen compounds. The one or more bound halogen compounds may be bound to at least a portion of the binder. The one or more halogen compounds may include bromoform.

[0010] According to yet another embodiment, a ruminant may be fed a method comprising administering to the ruminant an amount of seaweed feed product effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant. The seaweed feed product may comprise a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, including red seaweed, a binder comprising one or more cyclodextrins, and one or more bound halogen compounds. The one or more bound halogen compounds may be bound to at least a portion of the binder. The one or more halogen compounds may comprise bromoform. Additional features and advantages of the seaweed feed products and related methods described herein are set forth in the detailed description below, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the subject matter described in the claims and described in various embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0012] Detailed Description Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the seaweed feed products and methods of processing and use described herein. According to one or more embodiments, the seaweed feed product can include a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, a binder, and one or more bound halogen compounds. As described in detail herein, it has been discovered that seaweed containing halogen compounds, such as bromoform, once harvested, is susceptible to loss of some of these halogen compounds through various stages of processing, storage, transportation, and / or other handling before reaching the end consumer and subsequent ingestion by animals. This loss of halogen compounds is undesirable because bromoform and other halogen compounds have generally been identified as substances that can reduce methane emissions by ruminant animals. In one or more embodiments described herein, these halogen compounds present in the previously harvested seaweed are bound to at least a portion of the binder present in the seaweed feed product. Thus, the halogen compounds can be preserved in the seaweed feed product rather than being lost to the environment.

[0013] As described herein, some embodiments are directed to seaweed feed products. Seaweed feed products, as described herein, refer to any material eaten (e.g., ingested and / or digested) by animals, such as ruminants, and include seaweed or processed materials derived from seaweed. The seaweed feed products described herein, according to various embodiments, may be ingested individually by animals (i.e., the feed is ingested primarily without other feed ingredients) or together with other feeds (i.e., the feed is ingested in a mixture with other feed ingredients or "with" other feeds). In some embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein may constitute a relatively small portion of an animal's total diet and may be considered a supplement to another bulk feed. For example, the feeds described herein may be eaten by animals along with other feeds, such as forage (e.g., including grass or legume (e.g., alfalfa) feeds), silage, corn, soybeans, other seeds, oils, nutritional supplements, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein may be mixed with other feeds, such as, for example, corn and / or soybeans. In other examples, animals may graze or otherwise be fed any of a variety of forages from time to time and may be separately fed some amount of the seaweed feed product described herein. It is contemplated that the seaweed feed described herein may be part of a feeding regimen that may vary depending on the breed and type of ruminant, e.g., dairy cows, beef feedlot cows, "high-end" cows (e.g., Wagyu or other premium beef types), free-range cows, etc., or depending on the feeding approach (e.g., feedlot or grazing system, or a combination thereof). Each type of ruminant can have a specialized diet that includes the seaweed feed product along with other additives.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein can be ingested and / or digested by ruminants. As described herein and understood by those skilled in the art, "ruminants" can refer to herbivorous ungulate mammals (suborders Ruminata and Nucellopoda) with complex three- or four-chambered stomachs. Ruminants include, but are not limited to, cattle, sheep, deer, goats, giraffes, camels, and llamas. Ruminants described herein may be domesticated, such as ruminants used for direct human food consumption, dairy purposes, and / or recreation. In some embodiments, ruminants may be dairy cattle, beef cattle, "high-end" cattle such as Wagyu beef, free-range cattle, or others, or may vary by feeding approach (e.g., feedlot or grazing system, or a combination thereof).

[0015] Generally, in embodiments described herein, the seaweed feed product includes seaweed material (sometimes referred to herein as reduced-halogenated seaweed material) having reduced levels of halogenated compounds, which are naturally present in seaweed and stored in specialized gland cells. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that this reduced level of halogenated compounds compared to freshly harvested seaweed may be due to the release of these halogenated compounds, sometimes classified as volatile organic compounds ("VOCs"), from the seaweed gland cells into the environment during processing, transportation, and / or storage, resulting in the seaweed being reduced in halogenated compounds.

[0016] As described herein, in some embodiments, some or all of the halogen compounds emitted from harvested seaweed are VOCs, which herein means having a vapor pressure of greater than 10 Pa at 20°C or above. VOCs may have a greater tendency to leak from seaweed gland cells, especially after harvesting when the glands may be ruptured or otherwise damaged or degraded. Some or all of the halogen compounds disclosed herein may have such volatility and may be considered VOCs if they meet this criterion. In one or more embodiments, when describing bound halogen compounds, the vapor pressure of the bound halogen compounds corresponds to the vapor pressure of the unbound bound halogen compounds (i.e., the vapor pressure of the halogen compounds alone).

[0017] According to embodiments disclosed herein, at least a portion of the halogen compounds lost from the halogen-depleted seaweed material are present in a "bound halogen compound material," which comprises one or more "bound halogen compounds" bound to a "binding agent," e.g., one or more cyclic oligosaccharides. The use of a binding agent during any of the various stages of seaweed processing allows for the retention of at least a portion of the halogen compounds that would otherwise be lost to the environment.

[0018] As described herein, "halogen compound" refers to any compound containing a halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine). As described herein, these halogen compounds are generally present in the glands of some seaweed. Throughout this disclosure, references to "halogen compound" or "halogen compounds" can refer to one or more halogen compounds present in seaweed, such as the glands of particular seaweed, prior to harvest. In some embodiments, the halogen compound is organic, which generally means that the halogen is bound to a carbon molecular backbone, as understood by those skilled in the art. As described herein, a "bound halogen compound" is one that is bound to a binder.

[0019] A non-exhaustive list of possible organohalogen compounds is: bromoform, dibromo(iodo)methane, bromo(diiodo)methane, iodoform, dibromo(chloro)methane, bromo-chloro-iodomethane, dibromomethane, bromo(iodo)methane, diiodomethane, tetrabromomethane, acetyl iodide, 2-iodoethanol, 1-bromo-2-iodoethane, 2,2-dibromoacetaldehyde, 1-bromopropan-2-one, 1-iodopropan-2-one, 1,1-dibromopropan-2-one, 1-bromobutan-2-one, 1- ... 1,1,1-tribromopropan-2-one, 1,1-dibromo-1-chloropropan-2-one, 1,3-dibromobutan-2-one, 1,1-dibromo-3-iodopropan-2-one, 1,1,3,3-tetrabromopropan-2-one, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexachloropropan-2-one, 1,1,3-tribromopropan-2-ol, 1,1,3,3-tetrabromoprop-1-ene, 1,1,3-tribromo-3-chloroprop-1-ene, 1,1-dibromo-3,3-dichloroprop-1- ene, 1,3,3-tribromo-1-iodoprop-1-ene, 3,3-dibromoprop-2-enal, 4,4-dibromobut-3-en-2-one, 1,4,4-tribromobut-3-en-2-one, 1-iodo-4,4-dibromobut-3-en-2-one, 1,1,4,4-tetrabromobut-3-en-2-one, 1,4,4-tribromo-1-chlorobut-3-en-2-one, 1,1,4-tribromo-4-chlorobut-3-en-2-one, 1,1-dibromo-4,4-dichlorobut-3-en-2-one, 1,4-dibromo-1, 4-Dichlorobut-3-en-2-one, 2-chloroacetic acid, 2-bromoacetic acid, 2-iodoacetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, 2-bromo-2-chloroacetic acid, 2-iodo-2-chloroacetic acid, 2,2-dibromoacetic acid, 2-iodo-2-bromoacetic acid, 2,2-diiodoacetic acid, 3-chloroprop-2-enoic acid, 2-chloroprop-2-enoic acid, 3-bromoprop-2-enoic acid, 3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid, 3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid, 3,3-dichloroprop-2-enoic acid, 2,3-dichloroprop-2-enoic acid, 3,3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid, 2,These include 3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid, 3-iodo-3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid, 2-iodo-3-bromoprop-2-enoic acid, 2-bromo-3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid, 3,3-diiodoprop-2-enoic acid, 2,3-diiodoprop-2-enoic acid, 2,3,3-tribromoprop-2-enoic acid, 2,3-dibromo,3-iodoprop-2-enoic acid, 2-iodo-3,3-dibromoprop-2-enoic acid, bibromochloromethane, and bromochloromethane. At least bromoform, bibromochloromethane, and bromochloromethane are known to be major constituents of some seaweed species, such as Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata.

[0020] In one embodiment, the halogen compound comprises bromine. Of particular interest in this embodiment, but not limited to, is bromoform, which has been demonstrated to reduce methane emissions in ruminants when provided in sufficient doses. However, without being bound by any theory, it is believed that other halogen compounds besides bromoform may also be effective in reducing methane emissions in ruminants, and therefore scavenging these other compounds may also be beneficial. In a further embodiment, the halogen compound may comprise iodine, which may have the effect of improving the palatability of animal feed, as described herein. Such iodine compounds, such as iodine salts, may adversely affect palatability, and in some embodiments, these compounds may not bind to binders and may undesirably leach into the environment.

[0021] As described herein, seaweed feed products may include seaweed material with reduced halogen compounds and bound halogen compound material. According to one or more embodiments, the reduced halogen compound seaweed material is derived from unharvested seaweed and consists of materials present in unharvested seaweed. Generally, the seaweed material described herein is material resulting from some processing of harvested seaweed. Harvesting, as used herein, may generally refer to collecting a seaweed crop, such as by cutting or other mechanical means, and removing the seaweed from its growing habitat. In one or more embodiments, the reduced halogen compound seaweed material described herein includes harvested seaweed that is similar or identical to unharvested seaweed, except for the loss of various chemical compounds, such as, but not limited to, halogen compounds.

[0022] The seaweed material present in the seaweed feed products described herein is "halogen-reduced," meaning that the seaweed material present in the seaweed feed product contains fewer halogen compounds than were present in the preceding unharvested seaweed. It should be understood that halogen-reduced seaweed may still contain some halogen compounds. For example, halogen compounds such as bromoform may be present in the halogen-reduced seaweed material, meaning that not all of the halogen compounds originally present in the unharvested seaweed have leaked from specialized gland cells or other structures present in the seaweed at the time of harvest.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the reduced halogenated seaweed material in the seaweed feed product may also be physically modified compared to the prior unharvested seaweed by mechanically cutting, shredding, crushing, grinding, etc. In some embodiments, the reduced halogenated seaweed material may be freeze-dried, and some amount of water may be substantially removed from the reduced halogenated seaweed material compared to the prior unharvested seaweed.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the reduced-halide seaweed material in the seaweed feed product may also be processed to reduce the content of water-soluble salts, particularly halide salts, that may otherwise adversely affect the suitability of the reduced-halide seaweed as a component in the seaweed feed product material. For example, the reduction of these materials may lead to improved palatability for ruminants. In some embodiments, the seaweed feed material may have improved palatability to cattle, sheep, or other ruminants compared to freshly harvested seaweed.

[0025] As described herein, seaweed material with reduced halogen compounds may contain materials present in unharvested seaweed or may otherwise be minimally processed compared to freshly harvested seaweed. As described herein, "seaweed" may refer to any aquatic plant, particularly multicellular seaweed. Seaweed species contemplated herein may include, but are not limited to, macroalgae from the phyla Rhodophyta (red), Phaeophyta (brown), and Chlorophyta (green). Such algae may be grown or otherwise harvested in fresh or saltwater, either in naturally occurring marine environments or in artificial environments such as aquaria, ponds, etc.

[0026] In particular, some seaweeds known to contain halogenated compounds, especially bromoform, include red algae. Such seaweed species include, but are not limited to, members of the Asparagopsis genus, such as Asparagopsis taxiformis or Asparagopsis Armata. However, it is contemplated that other species of seaweed containing halogenated compounds may be discovered, or that genetic variants of seaweed containing halogenated compounds may be developed, all of which are contemplated as being applicable to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] The prior seaweed utilized in the halogen-reduced seaweed material described herein, when unharvested, contains some amount of halogen compounds. For example, the unharvested seaweed from which the halogen-reduced seaweed material is derived may contain 0.1 mg to 6 mg of halogen compounds per gram of unharvested seaweed, such as 0.1 mg to 6 mg of bromoform per gram of unharvested seaweed. Such measurements can be performed immediately after harvest. As noted, some of the halogen compounds present in unharvested seaweed may be lost from the seaweed upon harvesting and processing, and may sometimes be lost during storage and transportation due to the volatility of the halogen compounds, which is undesirable in some embodiments because halogen compounds may reduce methane production in ruminants.

[0028] As described herein, the seaweed feed product may include a binder and one or more bound halogen compounds bound to some or all of the binder. A material including halogen compounds bound to a binder may be referred to herein as a bound halogen compound material, in which one or more halogen compounds are bound to the binder.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the binder can be any material (including a mixture of compounds) capable of binding with the desired halogen compound or halogen compounds. As described herein, a halogen compound "bound" to a binder refers to a halogen compound that is chemically bound to the binder. Various chemical bonds are contemplated, such as chemical associations (e.g., complexes formed by two or more compounds), hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, ionic bonds, van der Waals bonds, or polar covalent bonds. Generally, the binding of these materials, such as cyclic oligosaccharides, will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, cyclodextrins can be derived from complexes with one or more halogen compounds contemplated herein or otherwise associated with one or more halogen compounds contemplated herein. In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more cyclodextrins bind with bromoform to form a chemical complex or association, thereby forming a solid precipitate.

[0030] As described herein, the binder included in the seaweed feed product described herein may or may not bind one or more halogen compounds. For example, some of the binder may be bound to the halogen compound or halogen compounds, and some may not be bound to the halogen compound or halogen compounds. For example, there may be an excess of binder compared to the stoichiometric bound of the corresponding halogen compounds, such that all halogen compounds are bound.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments, the seaweed feed product may contain at least 0.01% by weight of binder (including bound and unbound binder). In further embodiments, the seaweed feed product may contain at least 0.02%, at least 0.03%, at least 0.04%, at least 0.05%, at least 0.1%, at least 0.2%, at least 0.3%, at least 0.4%, at least 0.5%, at least 0.6%, at least 0.7%, at least 0.8%, at least 0.9%, or even at least 1% by weight of binder. As described herein, the amount of binder does not include halogen compounds that may be combined with the binder. As an example, a mixture of about 1% by weight of cyclodextrin (1 g per 100 g of seaweed) can bind about 200 mg of bromoform, or about 0.2% in unharvested seaweed.

[0032] According to various embodiments, the binder may be a naturally occurring or synthetic material or combination of materials with limited or no pharmaceutical activity. For example, the binder may include a material recognized by those skilled in the art as being harmless to animals when ingested, and may be a naturally occurring or synthetic material. In some embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein do not contain any active pharmaceutical ingredients or bioactive materials other than those that may be present in unharvested seaweed. For example, without limitation, some cyclic oligosaccharides, such as cyclodextrins, are believed to be substantially or completely harmless to ruminants and other animals when ingested.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments, the binder may be an organic binder or an inorganic binder, as discussed herein. Organic binders generally include a carbon skeletal structure, while inorganic binders do not, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0034] In some embodiments, the organic binder may comprise one or more cyclic oligosaccharides. As used herein, the term "cyclic oligosaccharide" refers to a cyclic structure containing six or more sugar units. Some exemplary embodiments for implementation herein are cyclic oligosaccharides having six, seven, or eight sugar units, and mixtures thereof. It is common in the art to abbreviate six-, seven-, and eight-membered cyclic oligosaccharides as α, β, and γ, respectively.

[0035] The cyclic oligosaccharides of the compositions embodying this embodiment can include any suitable sugar or mixture of sugars. Examples of suitable sugars include, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, maltose, and mixtures thereof. In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharides embodying this embodiment are cyclodextrins, such as α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or mixtures thereof. As described herein, α-cyclodextrin includes cyclodextrins with six glucose subunits (substituted or unsubstituted), β-cyclodextrin includes cyclodextrins with seven glucose subunits (substituted or unsubstituted), and γ-cyclodextrin includes cyclodextrins with eight glucose subunits (substituted or unsubstituted).

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the cyclic oligosaccharides for use herein are all α-cyclodextrin, all β-cyclodextrin, or all γ-cyclodextrin. According to further embodiments, the cyclodextrin included in the compositions described herein may be a mixture of any two or three of alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, or gamma-cyclodextrin. For example, the cyclodextrin may comprise or consist of a mixture of alpha-cyclodextrin and beta-cyclodextrin, a mixture of alpha-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrin, a mixture of beta-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrin, or a mixture of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and gamma-cyclodextrin. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the use of multiple types of cyclodextrin (alpha, beta, or gamma) in combination may enable the binding of multiple chemical compounds present in seaweed. For example, one type of cyclodextrin may bind bromoform to a large extent, while another type of cyclodextrin may bind a different compound from the seaweed. Such a variety of binders can allow for the capture of multiple components, which, in some embodiments, can ultimately result in a reduction in methane output when ingested by ruminants.

[0037] In some embodiments, the cyclodextrin may comprise 0-10 mol%, 10-20 mol%, 20-30 mol%, 30-40 mol%, 40-50 mol%, 50-60 mol%, 60-70 mol%, 70-80 mol%, 80-90 mol%, 90-100 mol% of α-cyclodextrin, or any combination of these ranges. In some embodiments, the cyclodextrin may comprise 0-10 mol%, 10-20 mol%, 20-30 mol%, 30-40 mol%, 40-50 mol%, 50-60 mol%, 60-70 mol%, 70-80 mol%, 80-90 mol%, 90-100 mol% of beta-cyclodextrin, or any combination of these ranges. In some embodiments, the cyclodextrin can comprise 0-10 mol%, 10-20 mol%, 20-30 mol%, 30-40 mol%, 40-50 mol%, 50-60 mol%, 60-70 mol%, 70-80 mol%, 80-90 mol%, 90-100 mol% of gamma-cyclodextrin, or any combination of these ranges.

[0038] The cyclic oligosaccharides or mixtures of cyclic oligosaccharides utilized in the embodiments described herein can be substituted with any suitable substituent or mixture of substituents. As used herein, the term "mixture of substituents" means that two or more different suitable substituents can be substituted on the cyclic oligosaccharide. Cyclodextrin derivatives can consist primarily of molecules in which some of the hydroxyl groups have been substituted. Suitable substituents include, but are not limited to, alkyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, dihydroxyalkyl groups, (hydroxyalkyl)alkylenyl bridging groups, such as cyclodextrin glycerol ethers, aryl groups, maltosyl groups, allyl groups, benzyl groups, alkanoyl groups, cationic cyclodextrins, such as those containing 2-hydroxy-3-(dimethylamino)propyl ether, quaternary ammonium groups, carboxyalkyl groups, sulfobutyl ether groups, sulfate groups, and anionic cyclodextrins such as succinylates, amphoteric cyclodextrins, and mixtures thereof.

[0039] The substituents may be saturated or unsaturated, and may be straight-chain or branched. Some substituents include saturated and straight-chain alkyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and mixtures thereof. Some alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C8 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or mixtures thereof. In further embodiments, the alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents are selected from C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups and mixtures thereof. Embodiments of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents include propyl, ethyl, and methyl groups.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, cyclic oligosaccharides for use in embodiments of the present disclosure are unsubstituted or substituted only with saturated linear alkyl or hydroxyalkyl substituents. Thus, some examples of cyclic oligosaccharides for use in the present disclosure are α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, methyl-α-cyclodextrin, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. One or more of these compounds are available from Wacker-Chemie GmbH, Hanns-Seidel-Platz 4, Munchen, DE, under the trade names Alpha W6 M and Beta W7 M, respectively.

[0041] According to further embodiments, the organic binder can include one or more amphiphilic components that combine to form a cohesive structure in an aqueous system, which in some embodiments has a lipophilic interior. Non-limiting examples of amphiphilic components include ethoxylated castor oil and polyoxyethylene-hydrogenated castor oil. In further embodiments, the organic binder can include one or more amphiphilic multi-arm star block copolymers, such as those described by Ternat et al. (Macromol. Chem. Phys. 208:131 2007). In still further embodiments, the organic binder can also include one or more polymeric emulsifiers having a lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion. Non-limiting examples of such polymeric emulsifiers include acrylate / C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, available under the trade name Pemulen™ from Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio, USA).

[0042] In a further embodiment, the binder may be an inorganic binder, for example, a molecular sieve such as, but not limited to, a zeolite. Zeolites are [SiO4] 4- or [AlO4] 5- It may also be a crystalline aluminosilicate formed by corner-sharing tetrahedra, which has a periodic 1-3 dimensional framework, a unique pore structure, and excellent physical and chemical stability.

[0043] Described herein is a process for processing seaweed that can be utilized to produce the seaweed feed products described herein. Generally, in the processes described herein, harvested seaweed is contacted with a solution containing a binder, and at least a portion of the halogen compounds that leach from the seaweed are bound by the binder. Thus, in one or more embodiments, these halogen compounds can be retained in the seaweed feed product in the form of bound halogen compound materials.

[0044] According to one or more embodiments, in the first step, harvested seaweed can be provided. In some embodiments, the harvested seaweed can be provided by harvesting a prior seaweed. As described herein, the prior seaweed is the seaweed that, after any of a variety of processing steps (e.g., cutting, packaging, etc.), forms the seaweed material of the seaweed feed products described herein. As discussed herein, harvesting can generally refer to collecting the seaweed crop and removing the seaweed from its growing habitat, such as by cutting or other mechanical means. In other embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be provided by another party, and the following steps are equally applicable.

[0045] According to some embodiments described herein, loss of halogen compounds from harvested seaweed is generally undesirable, as it may be advantageous to retain halogen compounds in the seaweed when fed to ruminants to reduce methane emissions. It has now been discovered that the amount of halogen compounds released from seaweed between harvest and animal consumption may be significant, and may begin very shortly after harvest. Therefore, it is desirable to capture and retain these lost halogen compounds relative to their loss to the environment.

[0046] After providing the harvested seaweed, the harvested seaweed can be contacted with an aqueous solution containing a binder. Generally, the harvested seaweed can be submerged in the aqueous solution, for example, in a holding tank. In such embodiments, the contents of the holding tank can be stirred or otherwise agitated. Upon harvesting, a portion of the one or more halogen compounds of the harvested seaweed can be released from the harvested seaweed. This release of the one or more halogen compounds can be due to volatilization of the halogen compounds, which allows the halogen compounds to leach from the harvested seaweed. This loss of naturally occurring halogen compounds forms the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material described herein.

[0047] According to embodiments disclosed herein, at least a portion of the released halogen compounds combine with the binder to form a bound halogen compound material (including both the binder and the halogen compounds). In some embodiments, the released halogen compounds and binder are dissolved in an aqueous solution and precipitate from the solution upon binding. Thus, in these embodiments, the released halogen compounds can be retained as a solid composition at least partially comprising the aforementioned bound halogen compound material. This solid composition can be suitable for animal consumption and allows for relatively easy transport and compatibility of the bound halogen compound material in the solid seaweed feed product. For example, the association of cyclodextrin with bromoform can form a solid material.

[0048] As previously described herein, halogen compounds may volatilize and begin to be released from the harvested seaweed relatively quickly after harvesting. In such embodiments, it may be beneficial to quickly contact the harvested seaweed with an aqueous solution containing a binder. For example, according to one or more embodiments, contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution may first occur within one hour of harvesting the seaweed. In further embodiments, contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution may first occur within 30 minutes, 15 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, or even 15 seconds of harvesting the seaweed.

[0049] According to embodiments, the contact time of the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution can include a wide range of times and is not necessarily limited. Generally, the harvested seaweed can be contacted with the aqueous solution when the seaweed is ready for subsequent processing and / or packaging steps, as described later herein. In further embodiments, the contact time can be a time sufficient to allow a desired amount of halogen compounds to be released into the aqueous solution and combined with the binder. This time can depend on the initial amount of halogen compounds present in the harvested seaweed, any intervening processing steps that may reduce the halogen compound content in the harvested seaweed prior to contact, and the rate at which halogen compounds are released from the seaweed during contact with the aqueous solution.

[0050] Based on the above timing considerations, in one or more embodiments, contact of the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution can be for a period of time ranging from 5 minutes to 1 month, e.g., 5 minutes to 1 hour, 1 hour to 6 hours, 6 hours to 12 hours, 12 hours to 24 hours, 24 hours to 2 days, 2 days to 1 week, 1 week to 2 weeks, 2 weeks to 1 month, or any combination of these ranges.

[0051] As described herein, it is contemplated that additional processing steps may occur between harvesting and / or providing the harvested seaweed and its initial contact with the aqueous solution. For example, in some embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be transported by boat from its harvesting site prior to contacting the aqueous solution. In further embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be physically modified by cutting, shredding, etc., prior to contacting the aqueous solution.

[0052] In further embodiments, the harvested seaweed may be physically modified while in contact with the aqueous solution by cutting, shredding, etc. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that some such mechanical processing may increase the rate of excretion of halogen compounds from the harvested seaweed into the aqueous solution. For example, it is believed that rupture of glands that retain halogen compounds in the seaweed may allow halogen compounds, such as bromoform, to be excreted into the environment. In such embodiments, the excretion of halogen compounds may be intentionally increased to form additional bound halogen compound material. This may be advantageous because fewer halogen compounds remain in the seaweed material after removal by contact with the aqueous solution, thus providing fewer halogen compounds with an opportunity to leak into the environment for downstream processing prior to ingestion by animals.

[0053] As described herein, the aqueous solution contacted with the harvested seaweed contains a binder, which may include one or more compounds capable of forming bonds with halogen compounds. The concentration of the binder in the aqueous solution can vary based on several factors, such as the ratio of the aqueous solution to the harvested seaweed during contact and the amount of halogen compounds expected to be released from the harvested seaweed during contact with the aqueous solution. The amount of halogen compounds expected to be released from the harvested seaweed during contact with the aqueous solution can depend at least on the contact time, the amount of halogen compounds present in the harvested seaweed at the time of contact, and the rate at which the halogen compounds are released from the seaweed during contact with the aqueous solution. By way of example, the amount of binder in the aqueous solution (upon initial contact with the seaweed) can be determined so that the binder is similar in molar amount to the released halogen compounds (assuming a 1:1 molar bond ratio between the halogen compounds and the binder). That is, in one or more embodiments, the binder can be a non-limiting reagent, such that there is no significant excess of halogen compounds that are not captured. However, the amount of binder in the aqueous solution can be limited to avoid wasting excess binder based on cost considerations.

[0054] In embodiments, if precipitation occurs during the bonding process, the organic bonding material is dissolved in an aqueous solution before bonding with the halogen compound. Cyclic oligosaccharides may be particularly suitable due to their relatively high solubility. The cyclic oligosaccharides of the compositions used for this embodiment may be soluble in water. As used herein, "soluble" means that at least about 0.1 g of solute dissolves in 100 mL of solvent at 25°C and 1 standard atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). In some embodiments, cyclic oligosaccharides for use herein have a solubility of at least about 1 g / 100 mL at 25°C and 1 atm pressure. In some embodiments, cyclic oligosaccharides are present in a given composition only at levels up to their solubility limit at room temperature.

[0055] It is contemplated that contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution containing the binder can be a batch or continuous process, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0056] The methods described herein may allow a significant amount of halogen compounds present in the harvested seaweed to be present as halogen compounds in the bound halogen compound material. For example, the seaweed feed product may contain at least 0.01 wt.% of bound halogen compound material, based on the total weight of the seaweed feed product. In further embodiments, the seaweed feed product may contain at least 0.02 wt.%, at least 0.03 wt.%, at least 0.04 wt.%, at least 0.05 wt.%, at least 0.1 wt.%, at least 0.2 wt.%, at least 0.3 wt.%, at least 0.4 wt.%, at least 0.5 wt.%, at least 0.6 wt.%, at least 0.7 wt.%, at least 0.8 wt.%, at least 0.9 wt.%, or even at least 1 wt.% of bound halogen compound material, based on the total weight of the seaweed feed product.

[0057] In further embodiments, the seaweed feed product may comprise at least 1% by weight, or even at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, 20%, at least 25%, or even at least 50% by weight of bound halogen compound material, based on the total weight of the seaweed feed product. For example, such embodiments may utilize a post-processing separation step whereby some or all of the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material is separated from the bound halogen compound material. Such seaweed feed products may be administered to ruminants with relatively concentrated doses of bromoform or other halogen compounds along with other feed ingredients.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the bound halogen compound material may be completely or nearly completely separated from the seaweed material. In such embodiments, the feed product may consist of or consist essentially of the binder and halogen compound with little or no seaweed material present (i.e., 99% or more by weight).

[0059] After contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution containing a binder, one or both of the halide-reduced seaweed material and the bound halide material can be separated from the aqueous solution. This can be by simple liquid / solid separation, in some embodiments where the bound halide material is a precipitated solid. Such separation can be performed by sieving or the like and / or by processes such as centrifugation. This separation has the potential to remove water-soluble salts dissolved in the aqueous solution from the seaweed, particularly halide salts that may otherwise adversely affect the suitability of the halide-reduced seaweed as an ingredient in seaweed feed product materials. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, "separation" of these materials can include incomplete separation, in which some limited amount of aqueous solution remains present on the halide-reduced seaweed material and the bound halide material after separation.

[0060] After separation, the halogen-reduced seaweed material and the bound halogen compound material may remain separated, may be combined, or may be recombined if applicable, which may constitute the seaweed feed product described herein. However, in further embodiments, the halogen-reduced seaweed material, the bound halogen compound material, or a combination of these materials in the mixture may be subjected to further processing steps. For example, the halogen-reduced seaweed material, the bound halogen compound material, or a combination of these materials in the mixture may be freeze-dried or otherwise dried to remove residual water, shipped, thawed, aged, washed, and packaged prior to ingestion by an animal in a seaweed feed product.

[0061] According to further embodiments described herein, the seaweed feed product may include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, that may reduce further loss of halogen compounds. For example, the seaweed feed product may be susceptible to further loss of halogen compounds (from the halogen-depleted seaweed material) when exposed to the environment. In one embodiment, the oil is sprayed, misted, or the like over at least a portion of the exterior of the seaweed feed product. Without being bound by theory, the use of such oil may reduce loss of halogen compounds to the environment because the oil may bind or otherwise limit the migration of halogen compounds continuously released by the halogen-depleted seaweed material. Contemplated oils include, but are not limited to, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or other vegetable oils (including mixtures of any of the foregoing).

[0062] According to a further embodiment, the seaweed feed product may further comprise molasses or other viscous sugar material. The incorporation of molasses can significantly reduce dust, significantly mask odors, and increase palatability. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the incorporation of molasses can "encapsulate" the seaweed, which reduces odor, improves palatability, and may retain bromoform or other halogenated compounds. Molasses can be used in combination with oil. In one embodiment, 100 grams of seaweed material (dry weight) can be mixed with 10 mL of canola oil and 10 grams of molasses. The canola may be first sprayed onto the seaweed material and then mixed. Molasses may then be added, which may be heated to modify the viscosity.

[0063] According to the methods described herein, in various embodiments, a majority of the seaweed feed product produced may comprise a combination of the reduced halogenated seaweed material and a binder. For example, the seaweed feed product may comprise at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, at least 99%, at least 99.5%, or even at least 99.9% by weight of the reduced halogenated seaweed material and a binder.

[0064] According to one or more embodiments described herein, the seaweed feed product may further comprise other ingredients in addition to the halogen-reduced seaweed material and the bound halogen compound material. For example, the seaweed feed product described herein may further comprise grains (whole, ground, or steamed, including barley, sorghum, oats, wheat, corn, and other similar grains fed to cattle), grass / silage materials (whole, ground, or pounded, including alfalfa, corn silage, straw, and hay), and cellulosic waste streams (whole or ground, including cottonseed, almond shells, distillers' grains, citrus peels, or combinations thereof). In further embodiments, the seaweed feed product described herein may further comprise flow conditioners, such as silica and tricalcium phosphate, to avoid clumpiness and allow material flow in bulk conditions. In further embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein may further comprise other stability enhancers, such as antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E), to avoid oxidative stability concerns. In further embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein may further comprise added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. In further embodiments, the seaweed feed products described herein may incorporate active pharmaceutical ingredients.

[0065] In further embodiments, the seaweed feed product may contain other bound chemical compounds (formed from non-halogenated compounds) that form bonds with the binder. For example, non-halogenated compounds may also be released from the harvested seaweed during contact with the aqueous solution and bound to the binder. When these bound substances precipitate from solution, they may be present along with the halogen-reduced seaweed material and bound halogenated materials in the seaweed feed product. However, in some embodiments, based on the selection of the binder, the amount of these materials that form in the contacting step may be relatively small, even in a molar ratio of less than 1:1 with the bound halogenated materials.

[0066] However, in one or more embodiments, binders may be utilized that have some selectivity for which substances are bound and / or precipitated. For example, the halogen-reduced seaweed material, and the seaweed feed product as a whole, may contain fewer iodine-containing compounds, such as iodide salts, than were present in the preceding unharvested seaweed. This aspect may be beneficial because iodine-containing compounds, such as iodide salts, contained in the seaweed feed product may have such poor taste that they may be rejected as a food source by ruminants. Thus, in some embodiments, iodine-containing compounds, such as iodide salts, may be present in lower amounts in the seaweed feed product described herein than in the harvested seaweed, particularly if the binder does not bond with or form precipitates with certain iodine-containing compounds. This is believed to be true, at least for the cyclodextrins disclosed herein.

[0067] According to one or more embodiments, the amount of iodine salt present in the seaweed feed material may be 1000 mg or less per gram of dry seaweed. In a further embodiment, the amount of iodine salt present in the seaweed feed material may be 600 mg or less per gram of dry seaweed, which may reduce feed rejection by ruminants. In a further embodiment, the amount of iodine salt present in the seaweed feed material may be 340 mg or less per gram of dry seaweed, which may further increase the palatability of the feed.

[0068] Furthermore, without being bound by theory, it is believed that bromoform is more volatile than other bromine-containing compounds and therefore may be excreted from the harvested seaweed. In some embodiments, this means that relatively small amounts of non-bromoform-containing compounds are lost from the harvested seaweed (i.e., these compounds are present to a greater extent in the seaweed material with reduced halogen compounds). Without being bound by any particular theory, this aspect may be beneficial in seaweed feed production, as it is believed that non-bromoform compounds may also contribute to reduced methane emissions in ruminants.

[0069] Generally, in embodiments disclosed herein, the halogen compounds present in the bound halogen compound material and the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material are the same compounds originally present in the harvested seaweed. Generally speaking, in some embodiments, the primary difference between the seaweed feed product and harvested seaweed, in terms of chemicals present, is the addition of a binder while retaining most of the halogen compound-containing compounds originally present in unharvested seaweed, such as bromoform and others. Such embodiments may be superior to alternatives such as synthetic or isolated halogen compounds, which may be carcinogenic and are known to contribute to ozone depletion.

[0070] According to further embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for feeding ruminant animals. According to such a method, a seaweed feed product can be administered to a ruminant animal in an amount effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant animal. As described herein, administering the seaweed feed product can include various steps, such as providing the seaweed feed product to the ruminant animal and allowing the ruminant animal to eat and digest the seaweed feed product. For example, the seaweed feed product can be mixed with other feeds or fed separately to the ruminant animal. According to various embodiments, the administration of the seaweed feed product disclosed herein to the animal can be continuous (e.g., eaten daily with the animal's regular food supply) or at specific intervals (e.g., about once a week or once a month).

[0071] Described herein herein is the digestive system of a ruminant animal according to various embodiments contemplated herein, without relying on any particular theory throughout. The digestive system of a ruminant animal differs from that of a non-ruminant animal in that the entire stomach is composed of four compartments: (1) the rumen, (2) the reticulum, (3) the omasum, and (4) the abomasum. This unique configuration allows for the combination of microbial fermentation of feed by a large microbial population combined with typical mammalian digestive processes, allowing for the utilization of feed ingredients such as cellulose that cannot be digested by the latter digestive process in non-ruminant animals.

[0072] Ruminants can swallow much of their feed without adequate chewing. This partially chewed material is called "cud," and the bidirectional functionality of the esophagus allows for the reflux of the cud into the mouth for further chewing and mixing with saliva for further particle size reduction. This material is then swallowed again and passed to the reticulum, where the filtration process discussed above allows for the transfer of liquid and smaller particles of appropriate density to the omasum and then to the abomasum. The retained larger particulates and the 1.1 and 1.3 g / cm 3Those with densities outside the ideal range, as well as small amounts of associated fluid, may move slowly into the rumen for fermentation. Ruminal retention times of 42 to 56 hours have been reported for 2 mm fiber particles, a four-fold increase in fluid retention time, with larger particles exhibiting progressively greater retention times, up to 52 to 67 hours for 8 mm particles. The entire process, called rumination, increases surface area, and chewing exposes new surfaces of the fibrous matrix for bacterial action. Repetitive chewing activity typically continues until most of the rumen contents are smaller than 1 mm and can pass through the reticulum into the omasum.

[0073] The solid fraction remaining in the rumen from the roughage diet may typically remain for up to 48 hours, forming a dense mat within the rumen. Ruminal microorganisms (primarily bacteria) digest cellulose from plant cell walls, digest complex starch, synthesize protein from nonprotein nitrogen, and synthesize vitamins B and K. Ruminal fermentation initially breaks down carbohydrates and proteins to produce short-term intermediate products such as sugars and amino acids. The products of this initial breakdown can be further metabolized to microbial mass, the gases carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and to a lesser extent branched-chain VFAs and occasionally lactate). Important by-products of carbohydrate fermentation into VFAs can be hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

[0074] The rumen environment can be anaerobic, with fluid pH values ​​typically ranging from 6.5 to 6.8. However, measured volumes vary, with reported values ​​of approximately 50-55 L, 40-60 L, and 85-102 L. Reported fluid drainage rates may vary with temperature, ranging from 1.8 to 3.2 L / h at 26 and 41°C for retention times of 18.7 to 13.5 hours.

[0075] As previously described herein, the by-products of carbohydrate fermentation are hydrogen and carbon dioxide. If hydrogen is not removed, it can inhibit further metabolism by rumen microorganisms. Hydrogen removal can be provided by a group of archaea belonging to the phylum Euryarchaeota, collectively known as methanogens. This group is phylogenetically distinct from both eukaryotes and bacteria, although many live in close association with anaerobic bacteria such as those present in the anaerobic environment of the rumen.

[0076] Hydrogen removal can be achieved through the process of methanogenesis. Methane production in microorganisms is a form of anaerobic respiration. Methanogens do not use oxygen for respiration; in fact, oxygen can inhibit the growth of methanogens. The final electron acceptor in methanogenesis is carbon, not oxygen. Carbon can be present in a few organic compounds, all of which are low molecular weight. Two described pathways involve the use of acetate or inorganic carbon dioxide as the terminal electron acceptor. The pathways can be complex, but are summarized in a simple equation: [ka]

[0077] Because most of the acetate (CH3COOH) produced in the rumen is absorbed systemically through the rumen wall, carbon dioxide may be the primary carbon compound used in ruminal methanogenesis.

[0078] Although the predominant methanogens in the bovine rumen utilize hydrogen and carbon dioxide, niche groups that utilize other substrates may exist. Nevertheless, the removal of hydrogen from the rumen environment as the final step in carbohydrate fermentation by methanogens allows the microorganisms involved in fermentation to function most advantageously and support the complete oxidation of the substrate.

[0079] Methane production in cattle can be a function of diet, peaking approximately 5-6 hours after feeding, followed by a biphasic decline in production rate. An initial rapid decline in production rate may persist until approximately 12-15 hours after feeding, with a more gradual decline over the remaining 9-12 hours until the next feeding.

[0080] Without being bound by any particular theory, according to one or more embodiments, administration of halogen compounds may reduce the amount of methane produced by ruminants by inhibiting ruminal methanogenesis. For example, one or more of the chemical pathways described herein that ultimately produce methane may be inhibited by exposure to halogen compounds.

[0081] According to the embodiments described herein, the halogen compound can be administered to a ruminant in the form of a seaweed feed product. That is, the halogen compound can be contained in a bound halogen compound material that also includes a binder, such as one or more cyclodextrins. When administered to a ruminant, the halogen compound can dissociate from the binder, and the binder can be digested or otherwise excreted by the ruminant. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that administering the halogen compound to a ruminant while it is bound to the binder can act to modify the release of the halogen compound to the ruminant. For example, if the halogen compound is separated from the binder, the halogen compound can be continuously released to the ruminant to inhibit methane formation, rather than immediately exposing the ruminant to all of the halogen compound ingested by the ruminant.

[0082] In further embodiments, the bound halogen compound material (halogen compound bound with a binder) can be administered to a ruminant through the use of a bolus or lick. In such embodiments utilizing a bolus or lick, the bound halogen compound material can be completely or nearly completely separated from the seaweed material and then incorporated into a bolus or lick, which is then administered to the ruminant. In some embodiments, the bolus or lick may contain little or no seaweed-derived material other than the halogen compound, and may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially (i.e., 99% by weight or more) of the binder and halogen compound, along with other conventional materials used in boluses and licks, such as binders and other conventional materials delivered to ruminants via licks or boluses. In some embodiments, other additives may be present in the bolus or lick, such as conventionally known substances present in known boluses and licks, as described herein. In further embodiments, some additional seaweed-derived material may be present in the bolus or lick, separate from the bound halogen compound.

[0083] As described herein, a bolus refers to a type of oral supplement commonly used for ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. A bolus may be a relatively large, capsule-like tablet designed to slowly release its contents over a period of time. Boli can be used for a variety of purposes, such as delivering minerals, vitamins, or medications to animals or treating specific conditions such as parasitic infections. A typical ruminant bolus may consist of an outer layer of a hard, slowly dissolving material surrounding a core of active ingredient. The bolus may be designed to remain in the animal's rumen (the first compartment of its omasum) for weeks or months, slowly releasing its contents as the outer layer dissolves. The sustained release of the bolus can ensure that the animal receives a relatively consistent dose of the active ingredient (such as bromoform) over an extended period of time.

[0084] As described herein, a lick refers to a mixture of ingredients such as salt, minerals, and sometimes other ingredients (such as bromoform), which are formed into a concentrated block or spread on a flat surface. These licks are made available to ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, as a way to supplement their diet with essential minerals that may not be present in their normal feed. For example, a typical lick for ruminants is made with a mixture of minerals such as salt, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, and possibly molasses or other ingredients to enhance its palatability. Licks contemplated herein may further include halogen compounds, such as bound bromoform. The lick can then be formed into a block or spread on a flat surface, such as a metal or plastic plate, and made available to the animals.

[0085] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the incorporation of cyclodextrin into the bolus may contribute to the controlled release of halogenated materials. Additionally, it is believed that the incorporation of cyclodextrin into the bolus may contribute to improved stability of halogenated materials such as bromoform.

[0086] Contemplated embodiments of the bolus include, but are not limited to, one that may have a shelf life of about 30 days, delivering about 300 mg of bromoform per day. Such a bolus may utilize about 9 grams of bromoform, and the total weight of the bolus may be about 100 grams.

[0087] Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0088] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any method described herein is in no way intended to be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order, nor is it intended that any apparatus be performed in a particular orientation. Thus, if a method claim does not actually recite the order in which its steps are to be followed, or if any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation for individual components, or if it is specifically stated otherwise in the claim or description that the steps are to be limited to a particular order or that no particular order or orientation for the apparatus components is recited, no order or orientation is intended to be implied in any way. This applies to all possible non-expressive bases for interpretation, including matters of logic regarding the arrangement of steps, operational flow, component order, or component orientation, simple meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0089] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0090] The present disclosure includes a number of embodiments, referred to as Embodiments 1 through 70, as described below.

[0091] Aspect 1 1. A seaweed feed product comprising: a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds; a binder; and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder.

[0092] Aspect 2 2. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 1, wherein the seaweed feed product comprises at least 0.01 wt.% of a binder.

[0093] Aspect 3 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the bound halogen compound combined with the binder forms a bound halogen compound material that is solid.

[0094] Aspect 4 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises one or more cyclic oligosaccharides.

[0095] Aspect 5 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises one or more cyclodextrins.

[0096] Aspect 6 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or a mixture thereof.

[0097] Aspect 7 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin.

[0098] Aspect 8 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises β-cyclodextrin.

[0099] Aspect 9 4. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises one or more zeolites.

[0100] Aspect 10 2. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds comprises bromoform.

[0101] Aspect 11 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more of the bound halogen compounds, when in an unbound state, has a vapor pressure of 10 Pa or greater at 20° C. or greater.

[0102] Aspect 12 10. The seaweed feed product of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material comprises one or more halogen compounds.

[0103] Aspect 13 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the seaweed material comprises red algae.

[0104] Aspect 14 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the seaweed-based material comprises Asparagopsis taxiformis, Asparagopsis armata, or a combination thereof.

[0105] Aspect 15 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the seaweed feed product is one or both of a combination of at least 50% by weight halide-reduced seaweed material and a binder, and iodine salts present in the seaweed feed product, wherein the iodine salts are 1000 mg or less of iodine per gram of halide-reduced seaweed material.

[0106] Aspect 16 10. A method of feeding a ruminant animal, comprising administering to the ruminant an amount of the seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding aspects effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant animal.

[0107] Aspect 17 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the ruminant is a cow.

[0108] Aspect 18 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the ruminant is a sheep.

[0109] Aspect 19 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the seaweed feed material has improved palatability to cattle, sheep, or both, compared to freshly harvested seaweed.

[0110] Aspect 20 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the ruminant is a beef lot, a "high-end" ruminant, a dairy cow, or a free-range cow.

[0111] Aspect 21 21. The method of any one of aspects 16-20, wherein the ruminant is also administered forage, grain, or a combination thereof.

[0112] Aspect 22 1. A feed product consisting essentially of a binder and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder.

[0113] Aspect 23 23. The feed product of embodiment 22, wherein the bound halide material is a solid.

[0114] Aspect 24 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises one or more cyclic oligosaccharides.

[0115] Aspect 25 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises one or more cyclodextrins.

[0116] Aspect 26 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin or mixtures thereof.

[0117] Aspect 27 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin.

[0118] Aspect 28 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises β-cyclodextrin.

[0119] Aspect 29 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises one or more zeolites.

[0120] Aspect 30 30. The feed product of any one of aspects 22 to 29, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds comprises bromoform.

[0121] Aspect 31 31. The feed product of any one of aspects 22 to 30, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds have a vapor pressure of 10 Pa or greater at 20° C. or greater in the unbound state.

[0122] Aspect 32 32. A method of feeding a ruminant animal, comprising administering to the ruminant animal a feed product in an amount effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant animal, wherein the feed product is a feed product according to any one of aspects 22 to 31.

[0123] Aspect 33 The method of embodiment 32, wherein the ruminant is a cow.

[0124] Aspect 34 The method of embodiment 32, wherein the ruminant is a sheep.

[0125] Aspect 35 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the seaweed feed material has improved palatability to cattle, sheep, or both, compared to freshly harvested seaweed.

[0126] Aspect 36 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the ruminant is a beef lot, a "high-end" ruminant, a dairy cow, or a free-range cow.

[0127] Aspect 37 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the ruminant is also administered forage, grain, or a combination thereof.

[0128] Aspect 38 1. A method of processing seaweed, the method comprising: contacting harvested seaweed with an aqueous solution containing a binder, wherein the harvested seaweed comprises one or more halogen compounds, and wherein a portion of the one or more halogen compounds in the harvested seaweed are discharged from the harvested seaweed into a halogen compound-reduced seaweed material, and at least a portion of the discharged halogen compounds are combined with the binder to form a bound halogen compound material; and separating one or both of the bound halogen compound material and the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material from the aqueous solution.

[0129] Aspect 39 39. The method of embodiment 38, wherein the bound halide material precipitates from the aqueous solution.

[0130] Aspect 40 40. The method of embodiment 38 or 39, wherein the contacting step comprises submerging the harvested seaweed in an aqueous solution.

[0131] Aspect 41 41. The method of any one of aspects 38-40, wherein the step of contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution can first occur within one hour of harvesting the seaweed.

[0132] Aspect 42 42. The method of any one of aspects 38 to 41, wherein the step of contacting the harvested seaweed with the aqueous solution is for a period of from 5 minutes to 1 month.

[0133] Aspect 43 43. The method of any one of aspects 38-42, further comprising harvesting a precursor seaweed to form harvested seaweed, wherein the precursor seaweed comprises one or more halogenated compounds.

[0134] Aspect 44 44. The method of any one of aspects 38-43, wherein the binder comprises one or more cyclodextrins.

[0135] Aspect 45 45. The method of any one of aspects 38-44, further comprising physically modifying the halogen-reduced seaweed material.

[0136] Aspect 46 1. A seaweed feed product comprising: a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, including red algae; a binder comprising one or more cyclodextrins; and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder, and the one or more halogen compounds comprise bromoform.

[0137] Aspect 47 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or a mixture thereof.

[0138] Aspect 48 48. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46 or 47, wherein the halogen compound-reduced seaweed material comprises one or more halogen compounds.

[0139] Aspect 49 49. The seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 46-48, wherein the seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds comprises Asparagopsis taxiformis, Asparagopsis armata, or a combination thereof.

[0140] Aspect 50 50. A method of feeding a ruminant animal, the method comprising administering to the ruminant animal a seaweed feed product in an amount effective to reduce methane emissions in the ruminant animal, wherein the seaweed feed product is the seaweed feed product of any one of aspects 46-49.

[0141] Aspect 51 The method of embodiment 50, wherein the ruminant is a cow.

[0142] Aspect 52 The method of embodiment 50, wherein the ruminant is a sheep.

[0143] Aspect 53 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the seaweed feed material has improved palatability to cattle, sheep, or both, compared to freshly harvested seaweed.

[0144] Aspect 54 The method of embodiment 50, wherein the binder comprises gamma-cyclodextrin.

[0145] Aspect 55 The method of embodiment 50, wherein the binder comprises any two of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0146] Aspect 56 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0147] Aspect 57 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises gamma-cyclodextrin.

[0148] Aspect 58 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises any two of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0149] Aspect 59 24. The feed product of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the binder comprises α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0150] Aspect 60 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise an α-cyclodextrin.

[0151] Aspect 61 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise a β-cyclodextrin.

[0152] Aspect 62 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise gamma-cyclodextrin.

[0153] Aspect 63 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise any two of α-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0154] Aspect 64 47. The seaweed feed product of embodiment 46, wherein the one or more cyclodextrins comprise α-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin.

[0155] Aspect 65 A bolus comprising a binding agent and one or more bound halogen compounds, wherein the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binding agent.

[0156] Aspect 66 66. The bolus of embodiment 65, wherein the binding agent comprises one or more cyclodextrins and the one or more bound halogen compounds comprises bromoform.

[0157] Aspect 67 A bolus comprising the feed product according to any one of aspects 22 to 31.

[0158] Aspect 68 68. A method for administering a halogenated compound to a ruminant, comprising inserting the bolus of embodiment 67 into the cud of the ruminant.

[0159] Aspect 69 A lick comprising the feed product of any one of aspects 22 to 31.

[0160] Aspect 70 70. A method of administering a halogenated compound to a ruminant, comprising feeding the ruminant a lick according to embodiment 69.

Claims

1. 1. A seaweed feed product comprising: Seaweed material with reduced halogen compounds; a binder; and one or more bound halogen compounds bound to at least a portion of the binder; A seaweed feed product comprising:

2. The seaweed feed product comprises at least 0.01% by weight of a binder.

2. The seaweed feed product of claim 1.

3. the bound halide compound combined with the binder forms a bound halide compound material that is solid; 10. The seaweed feed product of any one of the preceding claims.

4. the binder comprises one or more cyclic oligosaccharides; 4. The seaweed feed product according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 1. A method of feeding a ruminant animal, comprising: administering to said ruminant an amount of a seaweed feed product effective to reduce methane emissions in said ruminant, wherein said seaweed feed product is a seaweed feed product according to any one of the preceding claims; A method comprising:

6. a binder; and one or more bound halogen compounds bound to at least a portion of said binder; Feed production.

7. A bolus comprising the feed product of claim 6.

8. 1. A method of administering a halogenated compound to a ruminant, comprising:

10. A method comprising the step of placing a bolus according to claim 7 into the rumen of the ruminant.

9. A lick comprising the feed product of claim 6.

10. 1. A method of administering a halogenated compound to a ruminant, comprising:

10. A method comprising the step of feeding the lick of claim 9 to the rumen.

11. 1. A method for processing seaweed, comprising: contacting the harvested seaweed with an aqueous solution comprising a binder, the harvested seaweed comprises one or more halogenated compounds; A portion of the one or more halogen compounds in the harvested seaweed is discharged from the harvested seaweed to form a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds; combining at least a portion of the one or more ejected halide compounds with the binder to form a combined halide material; Separating one or both of the bound halide material and the halide-depleted seaweed material from the aqueous solution; A method having the following.

12. the bound halide material precipitates from the aqueous solution; The method of claim 11.

13. 1. A seaweed feed product comprising: a seaweed material having reduced halogen compounds, including red algae; a binder comprising one or more cyclodextrins; one or more bound halogen compounds; the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder; The one or more halogen compounds include bromoform. Seaweed feed products.

14. The one or more cyclodextrins include α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or mixtures thereof; 14. The seaweed feed product of claim 13.

15. A bolus, a binder; and one or more bound halogen compounds; the one or more bound halogen compounds are bound to at least a portion of the binder; Bolus.

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