Use of ammonium ferric citrate and organic acid complex thereof in preparation of animal feed additive

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of animal feed additives, and specifically relates to the use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of a feed additive. The ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, as well as the feed composition comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof provided by the present invention, have significant effects in inhibiting the growth of coccidia, effectively preventing and controlling diarrhoea in test animals, and significantly increasing the weight gain rate and improving the feed conversion rate.

Description

[0001] USE OF AMMONIUM FERRIC CITRATE AND ORGANIC ACID COMPEEX THEREOF IN PREPARATION OF ANIMAE FEED ADDITIVE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of animal feed additives, and specifically to the use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of an animal feed additive. The present invention also relates to a feed composition comprising ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, and a method for improving growth performance of animals by administering the feed composition or ammonium ferric citrate or the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Diarrhoea in animals is a prevalent health issue in the animal breeding industry. It not only affects animal survival rates and growth development but also significantly reduces feed conversion efficiency, leading to substantial economic losses for the industry. Based on etiological classification, diarrhoea in animals can be mainly divided into four major types: viral diarrhoea, bacterial diarrhoea, parasitic diarrhoea, and diarrhoea caused by environmental factors. In traditional animal breeding practices, methods such as high-dose feed-grade zinc oxide, feedgrade antibiotics, and feed-grade anticoccidial agents are commonly used to prevent and control diarrhoea. Besides their prophylactic effects on diseases, these methods also promote animal growth, improve feed utilization, alleviate stress responses, and enhance reproductive performance.

[0006] However, the long-term and extensive use of these chemical agents has triggered a series of serious public health and ecological environmental problems: firstly, the issue of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms is becoming increasingly prominent, leading to reduced treatment efficacy; secondly, residues of these chemicals in animals can enter the human body through bioaccumulation in the food chain, posing potential threats to human health; and finally, unabsorbed high-dose zinc sources, antibiotics, anticoccidial agents, and their metabolites are excreted into the environment via feces by animals, causing soil and water pollution,disrupting the ecological balance, and creating environmental problems difficult to remediate. The cumulative effects of these issues have drawn widespread global attention, prompting the animal breeding industry to seek more sustainable alternatives.

[0007] Regarding alternatives to high-dose feed-grade zinc oxide, currently various technologies have been developed, mainly including: coated zinc oxide which reduces the release rate and improves utilization of zinc oxide through coating technology; organic zinc sources, such as zinc methionine and zinc glycinate, which have higher bioavailability; nano-zinc oxide which utilizes nanotechnology to enhance zinc absorption efficiency; probiotics and prebiotics which regulate the balance of intestinal flora and enhance gut health; plant extracts, such as essential oils and polyphenols, which have antimicrobial and antioxidant effects; acidifiers which inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria by lowering the intestinal pH value; enzyme preparations which improve feed digestibility and reduce intestinal burden; functional amino acids, such as glutamine, which promote intestinal mucosal repair; and immune enhancers, such as P-glucans, which boost immunity in animals.

[0008] Regarding alternative technologies for anticoccidial drugs, developed solutions mainly include: plant extracts, such as saponins and flavonoids, which possess anticoccidial activities; vaccines against coccidia which prevent coccidiosis through vaccination; microecological preparations which inhibit the reproduction of coccidia by regulating intestinal flora; acidifiers which inhibit the growth of coccidia by lowering the intestinal pH value; and Chinese herbal medicines, such as Artemisia annua and Sophora flavescens, which have natural anticoccidial effects.

[0009] Alternative technologies for feed-grade antibiotics mainly include: probiotics which inhibit pathogenic bacteria by regulating the balance of intestinal flora; prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides, which promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria; bacteriophages which specifically lyse pathogenic bacteria; enzyme preparations which improve feed digestibility and reduce intestinal burden; enzyme preparations which improve feed digestibility and indirectly reduce the growth of pathogenic bacteria by degrading anti-nutritional factors in feed; acidifiers which inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and promote nutrient absorption by lowering the intestinal pH value; antimicrobial peptides which have broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects by disrupting bacterial cell membranes; Chinese herbal medicines which improve animal health through heat-clearing and detoxifyingeffects, and antibacterial action and disease resistance; and plant extracts, such as active ingredients from Scutellaria baicalensis, allicin, saponins, and alkaloids, which have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.

[0010] These alternative technologies are environmentally friendly, reduce risk of drug resistance, and inhibit the growth of bacteria or coccidia through non-antibiotic mechanisms. To some extent, they improve animal intestinal health, enhance immunity or antioxidant capacity, and improve the feed conversion rate so as to promote animal growth. Furthermore, these solutions align with global policy trends towards reducing zinc and restricting antibiotic use, providing new directions for the sustainable development of the animal breeding industry.

[0011] However, these solutions still suffer from the following shortcomings, such as: Unstable effects: some substitutes for feed-grade zinc oxide (e.g., prebiotics, plant extracts) are less stable than high-dose zinc oxide in preventing diarrhoea in piglets, some substitutes for feed-grade anticoccidial drugs (e.g., Chinese herbal medicines, microecological preparations) are less stable than anticoccidial drugs in preventing coccidiosis, and their effects are influenced by factors like animal breed and health status; probiotics are prone to inactivation, Chinese herbal medicines act slowly, and the quality of plant extracts is inconsistent.

[0012] Higher costs: some alternative technologies (e.g., antimicrobial peptides and coated zinc oxide as substitutes for feed-grade zinc oxide, vaccines against coccidia or plant extracts as substitutes for anticoccidial drugs), due to high production costs, may increase feed costs or animal breeding costs, thus affecting economic benefits. Technical limitations: for example, bacteriophages are only effective against specific bacteria, making it difficult to address infections by various pathogenic bacteria; the usage dosage of acidifiers needs precise control, as excess may cause equipment corrosion.

[0013] Technical limitations: for example, vaccines against coccidia are only effective against specific coccidia, making it difficult to address infections by various coccidia; bacteriophages are only effective against specific bacteria; the usage dosage of acidifiers needs precise control, as excess may cause equipment corrosion.

[0014] Lack of standardized products: many alternatives (e.g., Chinese herbal medicines, microecological preparations, plant extracts) lack standardized production processes and quality control, leading to inconsistent effects.Long-term effects remain unknown: although some alternative technologies (e.g., nano-zinc oxide, modified zinc oxide) show significant short-term effects, research on the impact of long-term use on animal health and the environment is insufficient.

[0015] Lack of comprehensive solutions: a single alternative technology is difficult to fully replace the multiple functions of antibiotics.

[0016] Summary of the Invention

[0017] Based on this, the present invention provides the use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of a multifunctional feed additive; and also provides a feed composition comprising ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof.

[0018] In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0019] The present invention relates to the use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of an improved feed additive for use in preventing cocci dial infection, preventing diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals.

[0020] In some technical solutions, the animals are young livestock.

[0021] Specifically, the livestock are preferably pigs, cattle, sheep, and rabbits.

[0022] In some technical solutions, the animals are young poultry.

[0023] Specifically, the poultry are preferably broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0024] In some technical solutions, the animals are young pets.

[0025] Specifically, the pets are preferably dogs or cats.

[0026] In some technical solutions, the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprises ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid, wherein the organic acid is selected from fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, or an acidic amino acid.

[0027] Further, the organic acid is fumaric acid or maleic acid.

[0028] In some technical solutions, the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is a sodium salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate.In some technical solutions, the usage dosage of the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof used as or in the preparation of an animal feed additive, calculated as Fe (the same applies below), is 20-1000 ppm.

[0029] The present invention further relates to ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof for use in improving animal growth performance, preferably for preventing coccidial infection, preventing diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals, wherein a usage dosage of the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 20-1000 ppm.

[0030] The present invention further relates to a feed composition comprising ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, and one or more carriers, excipients, diluents, or vehicles acceptable in feeds.

[0031] Further, the feed composition further comprises an additional feed additive and / or a feed raw material; and preferably, the feed composition is used as a feed additive.

[0032] The present invention further provides the aforementioned feed composition for use in improving animal growth performance, preferably in preventing coccidial infection, preventing diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals, wherein the feed composition comprises ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof at a usage dosage, calculated as Fe, of 20-1000 ppm.

[0033] The present invention further provides a method for improving growth performance in animals, the method comprises administering to the animals ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof; or administering to the animals a feed composition comprising ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof; and preferably, the method is used for preventing coccidial infection, preventing diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals.

[0034] Specifically, the animals applicable to the method are young livestock, poultry, and pets.Experiments have confirmed that the ammonium ferric citrate or the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof provided by the present invention demonstrate significant coccidiostatic effects and efficacy in controlling diarrhoea in test animals. The use of the ammonium ferric citrate or the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof in animal breeding can effectively prevent the occurrence of diarrhoea in animals, and also increase weight gain rate, improve feed conversion rate, and promote animal growth in test animals.

[0035] The foregoing content is merely a summary of certain aspects of the present invention, but is not limited to these aspects. The content involved above and in other aspects will be described more specifically and completely below.

[0036] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0037] The following detailed description is intended to enable those skilled in the art to implement different embodiments. The present invention intends to cover all alternative, modified and equivalent technical solutions, which are all included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, for clarity, some technical features of the present invention are described in multiple independent embodiments, respectively, but they may also be provided in combination or in the form of any suitable sub-combination in a single embodiment.

[0038] Ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof involved in the present invention Ammonium ferric citrate, also known as ammonium iron(III) citrate, citric acid iron ammonium and ferric(III) ammonium citrate, is an iron-red solid powder with an iron (Fe) content of 20%-22% and a market price of approximately 50-115 CNY / kg. Ammonium ferric citrate is a double salt of ferric citrate and ammonium citrate, i.e. an organic non-heme iron complex or iron salt composed of naturally occurring substances (iron with citric acid and ammonia). In foods or drugs, ammonium ferric citrate is used as an iron source in the treatment of elemental iron deficiency, is used as a food additive in the fortification of bread nutrition or is used as a dietary iron supplement, and is used as an anti-caking agent in the production of products containing a compounded sweetener and in the production of table salt. In the field of animal breeding, ammonium ferric citrate is used to alleviate thegeneration of H2S in rumen and as a non-heme iron source required for animal nutrition.

[0039] A method for preparing an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprises the following steps of:

[0040] (1) dissolving an organic acid in a solvent to obtain a solution of the organic acid;

[0041] (2) dissolving ammonium ferric citrate in a solvent to obtain a solution of the ammonium ferric citrate;

[0042] (3) adding the solution of the ammonium ferric citrate to the solution of the organic acid to obtain a reaction solution, and stirring the reaction solution at 25°C-60°C for 1-4 h;

[0043] (4) stirring the reaction solution obtained in step (3) at room temperature for 4-15 h; and

[0044] (5) filtering the reaction solution obtained in step (4), and concentrating and drying the resulting filtrate to obtain the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprising ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid,

[0045] wherein the organic acid is an organic acid or acidic amino acid acceptable in pharmacy, foods and feeds, the organic acid is selected from fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid or sorbic acid, and the acidic amino acid is selected from glutamic acid or aspartic acid; and the solvents in step (1) and step (2) are solvents capable of solvating ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid, and are selected from water, methanol, ethanol, an aqueous methanol solution, or an aqueous ethanol solution.

[0046] In some particular embodiments, the molar ratio of the ammonium ferric citrate to the organic acid in the preparation method is 1 : 1-3 : 1; preferably, the molar ratio of the ammonium ferric citrate to the organic acid is 2 : 1; more preferably, the organic acid is fumaric acid or maleic acid.

[0047] In some particular embodiments, in order to obtain an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate or a salt thereof having a higher chemical purity and a lower impurity content, the preparation for the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate or the salt thereof provided in the present invention further comprises: concentrating and drying the filtrate obtained in step (5) in the above-mentioned preparation method to obtain an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid, and subjecting thecomplex to slurrying treatment in methanol, ethanol, an aqueous methanol solution or an aqueous ethanol solution to further remove impurities.

[0048] In some embodiments, in order to improve the solubility or effective utilization in an organism, the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate can be prepared into a salt by a chemical synthesis method. Provided is a method for preparing a salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, comprising the following steps:

[0049] (1) dissolving an organic acid salt in a solvent to obtain a solution of the organic acid salt;

[0050] (2) dissolving ammonium ferric citrate in a solvent to obtain a solution of the ammonium ferric citrate;

[0051] (3) adding the solution of the ammonium ferric citrate to the solution of the organic acid salt to obtain a reaction solution, and stirring the reaction solution for 1-4 h while heating;

[0052] (4) stirring the reaction solution obtained in step (3) at room temperature for 4-15 h; and

[0053] (5) filtering the reaction solution obtained in step (4), and concentrating and drying the resulting filtrate to obtain the salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid salt,

[0054] wherein the organic acid salt is an organic acid salt or an acidic amino acid salt acceptable in pharmacy, foods and feeds, the organic acid is selected from fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid or sorbic acid, and the acidic amino acid is selected from glutamic acid, aspartic acid or y-aminobutyric acid; and the solvents in step (1) and step (2) are solvents capable of solvating the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid salt, and are independently selected from water, methanol, ethanol, an aqueous methanol solution, or an aqueous ethanol solution. Preferably, the heating is performed at 25°C-60°C.

[0055] In some particular embodiments, the organic acid salt is a sodium salt of the organic acid, the product obtained by the above-mentioned method for preparing a salt of an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is a sodium salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, and the molar ratio of the sodium ions to the organic acid in the sodium salt of the organic acid is 1 : 1-1 : 2. Forexample, taking fumaric acid as an example, the sodium salt of fumaric acid may include monosodium fumarate and disodium fumarate.

[0056] In some embodiments, the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate and the salt thereof obtained by the above-mentioned preparation method further comprise at least one solvent capable of solvating ammonium ferric citrate, the organic acid and a salt of the organic acid, wherein the solvent is selected from water, methanol, ethanol, or a combination thereof.

[0057] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, wherein the organic acid is selected from fumaric acid or maleic acid.

[0058] Fumaric acid is trans-butenedioic acid. Maleic acid is cis-butenedioic acid, which has the same molecular formula, same molecular weight, and same number of carboxyl groups as fumaric acid, and can be used as a substitute for fumaric acid in the preparation of an organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate.

[0059] In some embodiments, the solvent capable of solvating ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid is selected from water.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate provided in the present invention comprises ammonium ferric citrate and fumaric acid, and a method for preparing the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprises the following steps:

[0061] (1) dissolving fumaric acid in water to obtain a solution of fumaric acid;

[0062] (2) dissolving ammonium ferric citrate in water to obtain a solution of ammonium ferric citrate;

[0063] (3) adding the solution of ammonium ferric citrate to the solution of fumaric acid to obtain a reaction solution, and stirring the reaction solution at 50°C for 1-4 h;

[0064] (4) stirring the reaction solution obtained in step (3) at room temperature for 4-15 h; and

[0065] (5) filtering the reaction solution obtained in step (4), and concentrating and drying the resulting filtrate to obtain a fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate comprising ammonium ferric citrate and fumaric acid.

[0066] In some embodiments, in the above-mentioned method for preparing a fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, the molar ratio of the ammonium ferric citrate to the fumaric acid is from 1 : 1 to 3 : 1, and the content of elements in theprovided fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is: C 23.8%-25.82%, H 4.09%-4.29%, N 5.74%-6.19%, O 45.12%-48.84%, andFe 16.13%-18.8%.

[0067] Further, the fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate provided in the present invention further comprises a certain amount of water.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, in the above-mentioned method for preparing a fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, the molar ratio of the ammonium ferric citrate to the fumaric acid is 2 : 1, and the content of elements in the provided fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is: C 25.82%, H 4.09%, N 6.19%, and Fe 18.8%.

[0069] In some preparation schemes, the sodium salt of fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate provided in the present invention is prepared by the above-mentioned method, wherein step (1) of the preparation method involves dissolving sodium fumarate in water to obtain a solution of sodium fumarate.

[0070] In some particular preparation schemes, the sodium fumarate is monosodium fumarate, and the salt of the fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is ammonium ferric citrate-monosodium fumarate.

[0071] In some particular preparation schemes, the sodium fumarate is disodium fumarate, and the salt of the fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is ammonium ferric ci trate-di sodium fumarate.

[0072] Bioavailability studies on ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof involved in the present invention

[0073] The experiments for studying the bioavailability of the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof provided by the present invention include the following contents:

[0074] (1) studies on the inhibitory effects of a feed additive comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof as main active ingredients against various intestinal coccidia; and

[0075] (2) studies on the preventive and therapeutic effects of the feed additive against diarrhoea in young animals.

[0076] Study results indicate:

[0077] (1) the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof exhibit broad-spectrum inhibitory effects againstintestinal coccidia, can significantly inhibit their growth and effectively reduce the incidence of bloody feces and diarrhoea in animals; and

[0078] (2) the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof can significantly improve animal growth performance, specifically manifested as promoting growth (increased feed intake and body weight) and improving feed conversion rate (reduced feed conversion ratio).

[0079] In the present invention, "inhibition" means a relative decrease in a designated activity in specific response, such as coccidial motility, in the presence of the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof. Inhibition of coccidial motility can be determined by assays described in the present invention.

[0080] In some study experiments, the intestinal coccidia include, but are not limited to, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria debliecki, Eimeria stiedai, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria canis, and Eimeria brunetti.

[0081] Further, the intestinal coccidia are preferably Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria acervulina, and Eimeria tenella.

[0082] In some study experiments, the intestinal coccidia include, but are not limited to, intestinal coccidia of the genera Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Hammondia, and Besnoitia.

[0083] These findings provide important experimental evidence for the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof as and / or for the preparation of an animal feed additive for use in preventing coccidial infection in animals, preventing diarrhoea in animals, controlling diarrhoea rates in animals, and enhancing growth performance in animals.

[0084] Use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof involved in the present invention Based on bioavailability study results of the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, the present invention provides the use of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of an animal feed additive.The feed additive refers to the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, and can also refer to a feed additive comprising the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof as main ingredients, which is used for preventing coccidial infection in animals and diarrhoea in animals, controlling the incidence of bloody feces and diarrhoea in animals, and also for enhancing growth performance in animals, including increasing animal feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate.

[0085] The "prevent" involved in the present invention refers to a method of reducing animal health risk by delaying and / or preventing the complete or partial onset, recurrence, or transmission of a disorder, disease, or condition, or by preventing an animal from developing a disorder, disease, or condition, or by reducing the risk of an animal developing a disorder, disease, or condition.

[0086] The "coccidial infection" involved in the present invention refers to an infectious disease caused by parasitism of coccidia; further, it refers to an infectious disease caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia.

[0087] In some embodiments, the feed additive is used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Eimeria such as Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria debliecki, Eimeria stiedai, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria canis, and Eimeria brunetti.

[0088] In some embodiments, the feed additive is used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Hammondia, and Besnoitia.

[0089] In some specific embodiments, the animal infectious disease is bloody feces in animals caused by intestinal coccidia.

[0090] The "animals" involved in the present invention include poultry, livestock, and other animals that are raised in captivity and are legally captured including pets, all are susceptible to coccidial infection.

[0091] The livestock include, but are not limited to, pigs, cattle, sheep, deer, horses, rabbits, minks, or donkeys.

[0092] In some embodiments, the feed additive is used for preventing coccidial infection in livestock, and also for enhancing growth performance in livestock,including increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in livestock.

[0093] In specific embodiments, the livestock refer to piglets, calves, lambs, and young rabbits.

[0094] The poultry include, but are not limited to, turkeys, broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0095] In some embodiments, the feed additive is used for preventing coccidial infection in poultry, and also for enhancing growth performance in poultry, including increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in poultry.

[0096] In specific embodiments, the poultry refer to broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0097] The pets include, but are not limited to, dogs and cats.

[0098] In some embodiments, the feed additive is a pet feed additive, used for preventing coccidial infection in pets and maintaining pets in health status.

[0099] In specific embodiments, the pets refer to puppies and kittens.

[0100] The effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof for preventing coccidial infection in animals and enhancing growth performance in animals, calculated as Fe, is 20-1000 ppm.

[0101] In some embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 100-1000 ppm.

[0102] In some specific embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 250-1000 ppm.

[0103] Feed composition involved in the present invention

[0104] The “composition” involved in the present invention refers to a collection or a set of compounds comprising one or more compounds, and further refers to a collection or a set of compounds comprising one or more compounds as active ingredients or components.

[0105] The feed composition provided by the present invention comprises the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof.Further, the active ingredient or component comprised in the feed composition is the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, and further comprises one or a combination of a carrier, an excipient, a diluent, or a vehicle acceptable in feeds.

[0106] In the present invention, the term “comprise” is an open-ended expression that encompasses both the content explicitly indicated in the present invention and the content from other aspects.

[0107] The “carrier” involved in the present invention refers to a substance that is acceptable in feeds, has the ability to carry active ingredients and improve their dispersibility, and exhibits good chemical stability and adsorbability, including an organic carrier and an inorganic carrier. The organic carrier is selected from a material containing large quantities of crude fibres, including, but not limited to, corn flour, corn cob powder, wheat bran, rice hull powder, defatted rice bran, rice mill by-product, corn stalk powder, peanut shell powder, etc. The inorganic carrier is selected from minerals, further selected from calcium salts and oxides of silicon, is used in the preparation of a trace element premix, and includes, but not limited to, calcium carbonate, silicates, vermiculite, zeolite, sepiolite, etc.

[0108] The “excipient” involved in the present invention refers to a wetting agent that induces the inherent viscosity of a substance, an adhesive that binds substances together, a disintegrating agent that breaks the entire sheet of a substance into many fine particles, a retention aid that reduces the friction between particles, or an antisticking agent that prevents materials from adhesion, and includes, but not limited to, magnesium stearate, talc powder, vegetable oil, magnesium lauryl sulphate, starch, starch slurry, water, inorganic salts, dextrin, powdered sugar, etc.

[0109] The “diluent” involved in the present invention refers to a substance that enables additive raw materials to be uniformly distributed in a material, and dilutes the high-concentration additive raw materials into a low-concentration premixed agent or premix, which can separate the trace ingredients from each other and reduce the interaction between active ingredients so as to increase the stability of the active ingredients without affecting the physicochemical properties of the material involved, including an organic diluent and an inorganic diluent. The organic diluent includes, but is not limited to, corn flour, degermed corn flour, dextrose (glucose), sucrose, semolina with bran, stir-fried soybean powder, wheat middling, corn gluten meal, etc.; and the inorganic diluent includes, but is not limited to, limestone,calcium dihydrogen phosphate, shell powder, kaolin (white clay), table salt and sodium sulphate.

[0110] The “vehicle” involved in the present invention refers to a solvent required for dissolving or dispersing a solid, and includes, but not limited to, water, ethanol, glycerol, etc.

[0111] In some embodiments, the feed composition provided by the present invention further comprises one or a combination of an additional animal feed additive, and an animal feed raw material.

[0112] The “feed additive” involved in the present invention refers to a small or trace amount of substances added during feed processing, production, and use, including a nutritional feed additive and a general feed additive, also known as a non-nutritional feed additive.

[0113] The “animal feed additive” involved in the present invention refers to one or more of a nutritive feed additive, a general feed additive, or a medicinal feed additive.

[0114] The “nutritive feed additive” involved in the present invention refers to a small amount or trace amount of substances that are added to formula feeds for balancing feed nutrients, improving feed utilization, and directly exerting nutritional effects on animals, including an amino acid, an amino acid salt and an analogue thereof, a vitamin and a vitamin-like substance, a mineral element and a complex (chelate) thereof, a microbial enzyme preparation or a nonprotein nitrogen.

[0115] The “general feed additive” involved in the present invention, also known as “non-nutritive additive”, refers to some non-nutritive substances that are added to feeds for improving feed utilization and ensuring feed mass and quality, and are beneficial to animal health or metabolism, including a growth promoter, a deworming agent, a flavouring agent and an attractant, a feed conditioning agent, a feed formulation agent, a feed preservative and a Chinese herbal medicine additive.

[0116] In some embodiments, the feed composition provided by the present invention is a premixed agent, a composite premixed agent, a granule or an aqueous agent comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof.

[0117] Use of the feed composition involved in the present invention

[0118] Based on bioavailability study results of the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, the present invention provides the use of the feed composition comprisingthe ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof as or in the preparation of an animal feed additive and / or an animal feed.

[0119] The “feed” involved in the present invention refers to a product that is industrially processed and made for consumption by animals. Unless otherwise stated, the “feed” or “animal feed” includes animal feed raw materials and one or more animal feed additives. In some embodiments, the animal feed raw materials include substances acceptable in feeds, such as grains and processed products thereof, oilseeds and processed products thereof, leguminous crop seeds and processed products thereof, stem tubers, root tubers and processed products thereof, other seed and fruit products and processed products thereof, forage, roughage and processed products thereof, other plants, algae and processed products thereof, dairy products and by-products thereof, terrestrial animal products and by-products thereof, fish, other aquatic organisms and by-products thereof, minerals, microbial fermentation products and by-products thereof, and other feed raw materials.

[0120] Specifically, the feed is a livestock feed, poultry feed, or pet feed formulated according to the needs of the animal growth stage.

[0121] The feed additive or animal feed comprising the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof as main active ingredients is used for preventing coccidial infection in animals and the occurrence of bloody feces and diarrhoea in animals, and also for promoting weight gain and improving feed conversion rate.

[0122] In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Eimeria such as Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria debliecki, Eimeria stiedai, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria canis, and Eimeria brunetti.

[0123] In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Hammondia, and Besnoitia.

[0124] In some specific embodiments, the animal infectious disease is bloody feces in animals caused by intestinal coccidia.In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is used for preventing animal diarrhoea caused by infections from pathogenic bacteria or stress responses.

[0125] The "animals" involved in the present invention include poultry, livestock, and other animals that are raised in captivity and are legally captured including pets, all are susceptible to coccidial infection.

[0126] The livestock include, but are not limited to, pigs, cattle, sheep, deer, horses, rabbits, minks, or donkeys.

[0127] In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is used for preventing coccidial infection in livestock, and also for enhancing growth performance in livestock, including increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in livestock.

[0128] In specific embodiments, the livestock refer to piglets, calves, lambs, and young rabbits.

[0129] The poultry include, but are not limited to, turkeys, broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0130] In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is used for preventing coccidial infection in poultry, and also for enhancing growth performance in poultry, including increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in poultry.

[0131] In specific embodiments, the poultry refer to broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0132] The pets include, but are not limited to, dogs and cats.

[0133] In some embodiments, the feed additive or animal feed is a pet feed additive or pet feed, used for preventing coccidial infection in pets and maintaining pets in health status.

[0134] In specific embodiments, the pets refer to puppies and kittens.

[0135] The effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex comprised in the feed additive or animal feed for preventing coccidial infection in animals and enhancing growth performance in animals, calculated as Fe, is 20-1000 ppm.

[0136] In some embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 100-1000 ppm.In some specific embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 250-1000 ppm.

[0137] Method for improving growth performance in animals involved in the present invention

[0138] The method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention comprises administering to the animals the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, which is given to the animals in admixture with a feed or via drinking water for consumption.

[0139] In some embodiments, the method for improving animal growth performance provided by the present invention further comprises administering to animals a feed composition comprising the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, which can be given to the animals in admixture with a feed or via drinking water for consumption.

[0140] In some embodiments, the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention further comprises administering to the animals the animal feed comprising the aforementioned ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof formulated according to the needs of the animal growth stage, which is given to the animals as a daily ration for consumption by animals.

[0141] The method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention is used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Eimeria such as Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria debliecki, Eimeria stiedai, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria canis, and Eimeria brunetti.

[0142] The method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention is also used for preventing animal infectious diseases caused by parasitism of intestinal coccidia of the genera Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Hammondia, and Besnoitia.

[0143] In some specific embodiments, the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention is for preventing the occurrence of bloody feces in animals caused by intestinal coccidia.The "animals" involved in the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention include poultry, livestock, and other animals that are raised in captivity and are legally captured including pets, all are susceptible to coccidial infection.

[0144] The livestock include, but are not limited to, pigs, cattle, sheep, deer, horses, rabbits, minks, or donkeys.

[0145] In some embodiments, the method for improving growth performance in animals is used for preventing coccidial infection in livestock, and also for increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in livestock.

[0146] In specific embodiments, the livestock refer to piglets, calves, lambs, and young rabbits.

[0147] The poultry include, but are not limited to, turkeys, broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0148] In some embodiments, the method for improving growth performance in animals is used for preventing coccidial infection in poultry, and also for increasing feed intake, promoting weight gain, and improving feed conversion rate in poultry.

[0149] In specific embodiments, the poultry refer to broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

[0150] The pets include, but are not limited to, dogs and cats.

[0151] In some embodiments, the method for improving growth performance in animals is used for preventing coccidial infection in pets and maintaining pets in health status.

[0152] In specific embodiments, the pets refer to puppies and kittens.

[0153] The effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof involved in the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention, calculated as Fe, is 20-1000 ppm.

[0154] In some embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof involved in the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention, calculated as Fe, is 100-1000 ppm.

[0155] In some specific embodiments, the effective usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complexthereof involved in the method for improving growth performance in animals provided by the present invention, calculated as Fe, is 250-1000 ppm.

[0156] Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0157] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention are further illustrated in detail below by way of examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are merely used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0158] Example 1 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria tenella in broilers

[0159] One-day-old fast-growing yellow-feathered broilers were raised in a coccidia-free environment. At 18 days of age, after microscopic examination confirmed the absence of coccidial oocysts in feces, they were grouped for the experiment. Weak or overweight chicks were culled, and healthy chicks with individual weight differences within 20 g were selected and divided into 13 groups, with 50 experimental chicks per group. Groups 1 and 2 were the unmedicated unchallenged control group and the coccidia-infected unmedicated control group, respectively. Groups 3-13 were experimental groups supplemented with different types of feed additives. On the day of experiment grouping, different feed additives were added to the feed according to Table 1, respectively. During the experiment, feed and water were provided ad libitum. Except for Group 1, 72 hours after the start of the experiment, 2.5 x 105sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella were administrated by gavage via ingluvies to each experimental broiler in each experimental group. On day 5 after challenge for infection, bloody feces scores were recorded for each experimental group. The experiment was ended on day 7 after challenge for infection. The relative weight gain rate (%), survival rate (%), and bloody feces score during the experiment were counted.

[0160] Bloody feces score: 0 points, no bloody feces; 1 point, less than 25% of feces with blood; 2 points, 25%-50% of feces with blood; 3 points, 50%-75% of feces with blood; 4 points, more than 75% of feces with blood.

[0161] Relative weight gain rate (%): The body weight of each broiler was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment, respectively, and the average weight gain and relative weight gain rate were calculated. Relative weight gain rate =(Average weight gain of experimental group / Average weight gain of uninfected unmedicated control group) x 100%.

[0162] Mortality: the number of dead broilers in each group was recorded, causes of death were determined via necropsy, and survival rate was calculated. Survival rate = (Total number of broilers in the experimental group - Number of broilers dead because of coccidial infection during the experiment) / Total number of broilers in experimental group x 100%.

[0163] Experimental results showed that feed additives comprising ammonium ferric citrate or a fumaric acid complex thereof or a salt of the fumaric acid complex thereof as main ingredients all exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activity against Eimeria tenella. By comprehensively evaluating the three indicators of survival rate, bloody feces score, and relative weight gain rate, it was found that when the usage dosage of the main ingredient in the feed additive reached 250 ppm or above, the inhibitory activity against coccidia was the most significant. Compared to the unmedicated unchallenged control group, the growth rate of the experimental broilers increased significantly with increasing usage dosage of the feed additive.

[0164] Table 1 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria tenella in broilers

[0165] Survival Bloody Relative weight Main ingredient of feed Dosage

[0166] Group rate (%) feces gain rate (%) additive (ppm)

[0167] score

[0168] 1 - - 100 0 100 2 - . 70 4 56.2 3 Ammonium ferric citrate 20 100 3 78.7 4 Ammonium ferric citrate 100 100 2 85.3 5 Ammonium ferric citrate 250 100 1 95.5 6 Ammonium ferric citrate 500 100 1 105.9 7 Ammonium ferric citrate 1000 100 0 131.8 Fumaric acid complex of 100 100 2 87.2 ammonium ferric citrate

[0169] Fumaric acid complex of 500 100 1 99.4 ammonium ferric citrate

[0170] Fumaric acid complex of 1000 100 0 133.4 ammonium ferric citrate

[0171] Ammonium ferric citrate- 100 100 2 83.7 11

[0172] monosodium fumarate

[0173] Ammonium ferric citrate- 500 100 1 97.9 12

[0174] monosodium fumarateAmmonium ferric citrate- 1000 100 0 127.5 13

[0175] monosodium fumarate

[0176] Example 2 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria acervulina in broilers

[0177] One-day-old fast-growing yellow-feathered broilers were raised in a coccidia-free environment. At 18 days of age, after microscopic examination confirmed the absence of coccidial oocysts in feces, they were grouped for the experiment. Weak or overweight chicks were culled, and healthy chicks with individual weight differences within 20 g were selected and divided into 5 groups, with 50 experimental chicks per group. Groups 1 and 2 were the unmedicated unchallenged control group and the coccidia-infected unmedicated control group, respectively. Groups 3-5 were experimental groups supplemented with different types of feed additives. On the day of experiment grouping, different feed additives to be tested were added to the feed according to Table 2, respectively. During the experiment, feed was provided ad libitum. Except for Group 1, 72 hours after the start of the experiment, 4.0 * 105sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina were administrated by gavage via ingluvies to each experimental broiler in each experimental group. The experiment was ended on day 7 after challenge for infection. The relative weight gain rate (%), survival rate (%), and feed conversion ratio during the experiment were counted. Experimental results showed that feed additives comprising ammonium ferric citrate, an fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, or ammonium ferric citrate-monosodium fumarate as main ingredients, respectively, all had significant inhibitory activity against Eimeria acervulina. By comprehensively evaluating the three indicators of survival rate, relative weight gain rate, and feed conversion ratio, it was found that under the same addition dosage (1000 ppm), the anticoccidial activities of these three feed additives were comparable. Compared to the unmedicated unchallenged control group, the experimental broilers not only showed improved growth rates but also significantly improved feed conversion rates, which was specifically manifested as a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio.Table 2 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria acervulina in broilers

[0178] Relative Feed Main ingredient of feed Dosage Survival

[0179] Group weight gain conversion additive (ppm) rate (%)

[0180] rate (%) ratio 1 - - 100 100 2.151 2 - - 100 48.6 3.078 3 Ammonium ferric citrate 1000 100 137.4 2.047 Fumaric acid complex of 1000 100 140.1 1.936 4

[0181] ammonium ferric citrate

[0182] Ammonium ferric citrate- 1000 100 133.6 2.063 5

[0183] monosodium fumarate

[0184] Example 3 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria necatrix in broilers

[0185] One-day-old fast-growing yellow-feathered broilers were raised in a coccidia-free environment. At 18 days of age, after microscopic examination confirmed the absence of coccidial oocysts in feces, they were grouped for the experiment. Weak or overweight chicks were culled, and healthy chicks with individual weight differences within 20 g were selected and divided into 11 groups, with 50 experimental chicks per group. Groups 1 and 2 were the unmedicated unchallenged control group and the coccidia-infected unmedicated control group, respectively. Groups 3-11 were experimental groups supplemented with different types of feed additives. On the day of experiment grouping, different feed additives to be tested were added to the feed according to Table 3, respectively. During the experiment, feed was provided ad libitum. Except for Group 1, 72 hours after the start of the experiment, 1.0 * 105sporulated oocysts of Eimeria necatrix were administrated by gavage via ingluvies to each experimental broiler in each experimental group. On day 5 after challenge for infection, bloody feces scores were recorded for each experimental group. The experiment was ended on day 7 after challenge for infection. The relative weight gain rate (%), survival rate (%), and bloody feces score during the experiment were counted (the same as in Example 1).

[0186] Experimental results showed that feed additives comprising ammonium ferric citrate or a fumaric acid complex thereof or a salt of the fumaric acid complex thereof as main ingredients all exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activity against Eimeria necatrix. By comprehensively evaluating the three indicators of survivalrate, bloody feces score, and relative weight gain rate, it was found that when the usage dosage of the main ingredient in the feed additive reached 500 ppm or above, the inhibitory activity against Eimeria necatrix in broilers was the strongest. Compared to the unmedicated unchallenged experimental group, the growth rate of the experimental broilers was significantly improved (Table 3).

[0187] Table 3 Inhibitory effects of different types of feed additives against Eimeria necatrix in broilers

[0188] Survival Bloody Relative weight Main ingredient of feed Dosage

[0189] Group rate (%) feces gain rate (%) additive (ppm)

[0190] score

[0191] 1 - - 100 0 100 2 - 58 4 60.9 3 Ammonium ferric citrate 100 100 1 99.3 4 Ammonium ferric citrate 500 100 0 129.5 5 Ammonium ferric citrate 1000 100 0 134.1 Fumaric acid complex of 100 100 1 98.46

[0192] ammonium ferric citrate

[0193] Fumaric acid complex of 500 100 0 131.7 ammonium ferric citrate

[0194] Fumaric acid complex of 1000 100 0 141.68

[0195] ammonium ferric citrate

[0196] Ammonium ferric citrate- 100 100 2 79.7 9

[0197] monosodium fumarate

[0198] Ammonium ferric citrate- 500 100 1 96.8 10

[0199] monosodium fumarate

[0200] Ammonium ferric citrate- 1000 100 0 130.1 11

[0201] monosodium fumarate

[0202] Example 4 Effects of different types of feed additives on growth performance and diarrhoea in piglets

[0203] One hundred and eighty of 45-day-old Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire heterozygous lean piglets with similar weights were randomly divided into 9 treatment groups, with 2 replicates per group and 10 piglets per replicate (half male and half female). The specific grouping was as shown in Table 4. Pigsty and utensils were disinfected before the experiment. In the experimental period, the animals were held in separate pens in the same pigsty under the same raising and management conditions. During the experiment, the experimental piglets had free access to foodand water. Group 1 was the blank control group, and provided with nursery feeds only. Groups 2-3 were positive control groups fed zinc oxide and chlortetracycline, respectively. Groups 4-9 were experimental groups fed nursery feeds containing different addition amounts of ammonium ferric citrate or a fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate, respectively. No additional antioxidant ingredients and growth promoters were added to each experimental group throughout the raising process. The experimental period was 28 days, and the growth performance of the experimental piglets was recorded. The average daily feed intake (ADFI, g / d*the number of piglets), average daily gain (ADG, g / d*the number of piglets), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and diarrhoea rate of the experimental piglets were expressed as “mean values”, as shown in Table 4.

[0204] Feed conversion ratio (FCR) = average daily feed intake / average daily gain; Weight gain rate = (experimental group ADG - control group ADG) / control group ADG* 100%;

[0205] Feed intake increase rate = (experimental group ADFI - control group ADFI) / control group ADFI* 100%;

[0206] Feed conversion ratio decrease rate = (control group FCR - experimental group FCR) / control group FCR* 100%;

[0207] Diarrhoea ameliorating rate = (diarrhoea rate of experimental group - diarrhoea rate of control group) / diarrhoea rate of control group* 100%.Table 4 Effect of fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate on growth performance of piglets

[0208] """"

[0209]

[0210] From the above-mentioned experimental results, it could be seen that the experimental groups provided with the nursery feeds containing ammonium ferric citrate or the fumaric acid complex thereof had obvious effects on improving the feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and diarrhoea rate of the experimental piglets compared to those in the blank control group.

[0211] The experimental piglets provided with the nursery feeds containing ammonium ferric citrate had an increase of 12.54%-15.49% in the feed intake, an increase of 21 ,94%-30.83% in the body weight, a feed conversion ratio decrease rate of 8.08%-12.12%, and a decrease of 22.54%-68.57% in the diarrhoea rate.

[0212] The experimental piglets provided with the nursery feeds containing the fumaric acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate had an increase of 15.49%- 18.31% in the feed intake, an increase of 25.00%-33.89% in the body weight, a feed conversion ratio decrease rate of 13.85%- 18.08%, and a decrease of 36.55%-74.47% in the diarrhoea rate.

[0213] From the experimental results in Table 4, compared to the positive control groups, 500-1000 ppm of ammonium ferric citrate or the fumaric acid complex thereof had effects similar to zinc oxide in controlling the diarrhoea rate in experimental piglets, and showed better animal breeding effects in terms of feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion rate. Furthermore, when the usage dosage of ammonium ferric citrate or the fumaric acid complex thereof reached 250 ppm or above, it could achieve the application effects of chlortetracycline in animal breeding.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof for use as or in the preparation a feed additive.

2. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed additive is used for preventing coccidial infection in animals, preventing diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals.

3. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the animals are young livestock; preferably pigs, cattle, sheep, and rabbits.

4. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the animals are young poultry; preferably broilers, layers, ducks, meat pigeons, geese, and quails.

5. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the animals are young pets; preferably, the pets are dogs or cats.

6. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the organic acid complex comprises ammonium ferric citrate and an organic acid, wherein the organic acid is selected from fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, or an acidic amino acid; preferably, the organic acid is fumaric acid or maleic acid.

7. The use according to claim 1 , characterized in that the salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate is a sodium salt of the organic acid complex of ammonium ferric citrate.

8. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that a usage dosage of the ammonium ferric citrate and the organic acid complex thereof or the salt of the organic acid complex thereof, calculated as Fe, is 20-1000 ppm.

9. A feed composition, characterized in that the feed composition comprises ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt ofthe organic acid complex thereof, and one or a combination of a carrier, an excipient, a diluent, or a vehicle acceptable in feeds.

10. The feed composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the feed composition further comprises an additional feed additive and / or a feed raw material; preferably, the feed additive is selected from a nutritive feed additive or a non-nutritive feed additive.

11. A method for improving growth performance in animals, characterized in that the method comprises administering to the animals ammonium ferric citrate or an organic acid complex thereof or a salt of the organic acid complex thereof, or the feed composition according to any one of claims 9-10.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the improving growth performance in animals comprises preventing coccidial infection in animals, preventing animal diarrhoea in animals, improving the conversion rate of animal feed, and promoting weight gain in animals.

13. The method according to claim 11 , characterized in that the animals are young livestock; preferably, the young livestock are piglets, young rabbits, calves, or lambs.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the animals are young poultry; preferably, the poultry are chicks.

15. The method according to claim 11 , characterized in that the animals are young pets; preferably, the pets are dogs or cats.

Images