Amaranth Extract Feed Supplement for Broiler Meat Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving poultry meat quality lack effective, cost-efficient, and health-safe feed supplements derived from readily available plant materials, particularly from the genus Amaranthus L., which can address nutritional deficiencies and stress-related issues in broiler chickens.
Innovation Solution
A nutraceutical composition is developed using biologically active compounds extracted from fresh, ensiled, or dried phytomass of Amaranthus L., specifically Amaranthus cruentus, using ethanol extraction, which is administered as a feed supplement to broiler chickens to enhance meat quality through anti-stress and metabolic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotic feed additives are used to improve poultry meat quality, then meat quality and growth performance are improved, but health safety and regulatory compliance are compromised due to complete ban in European Union
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and regulated antibiotic feed additives with a cost-effective plant-based extract (amaranth) that provides similar beneficial effects without the harmful side effects of antibiotics. The plant extract serves as a temporary, non-permanent alternative that eliminates the need for continuous antibiotic use while maintaining meat quality improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the feed supplement from synthetic antibiotics to natural plant compounds (flavonoids, squalene, vitamins). This parameter change maintains the functional benefits (growth promotion, stress reduction, meat quality improvement) while eliminating the harmful properties of antibiotics through complete compositional substitution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If phytogenic feed additives are used to replace antibiotics, then health safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity and extraction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific bioactive compounds (flavonoids, squalene, vitamins) from amaranth plant material to create a concentrated feed supplement. This extraction process simplifies the final product while maintaining the complex beneficial effects of the whole plant, separating the essential active components from the bulk plant material.
Solution Approach 2:
The amaranth plant extract serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an antioxidant, anti-stress agent, growth promoter, and meat quality enhancer. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate supplements or additives into a single product, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If amaranth phytomass is used as feed supplement to improve meat quality, then nutritional performance is improved, but feed conversion efficiency and cost-effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the amaranth extract locally and specifically to address particular needs of broiler chickens during critical growth periods. By targeting specific developmental stages and physiological functions (stress reduction, antioxidant protection, muscle development), the supplement maximizes its impact on meat quality while minimizing unnecessary feed consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a controlled, partial amount of amaranth extract in the feed formulation rather than complete substitution of the entire feed. This partial action approach maintains cost-effectiveness while providing sufficient beneficial effects to improve meat quality, avoiding the waste and cost inefficiency of excessive supplementation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition improves carcass yield, weight gain, and meat quality by reducing stress-induced weight loss, increasing fat content, and enhancing organoleptic and technological properties, demonstrating its anti-stress and metabolic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a substance, obtained from fresh, dried or ensiled phytomass of genus Amaranthus, in particular A. cruentus, by means of extraction
Data Source
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AI summary
A nutraceutical composition comprising as a functional ingredient an effective amount of a substance extracted from dry, fresh or ensilaged phytomass of genus Amaranthus L., in particular of Amaranthus cruentus L., is provided, and the methods of application thereof in poultry. Said nutraceutical composition may be utilizedas a veterinary preparation in prophylaxis and therapy of functional system's disorders in poultry,farm livestock, fur-bearing animals, farmed fish and household animals, fish and birds. Said composition may be also utilized as a phytogenic feed supplement for poultry, depending on dosage regime, administration duration, and on age and category of poultry stock.