Butyrate Salt Feed Additive Granules via Extrusion Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing butyrate salts as animal feed additives face challenges such as the formation of dust and limited active butyrate content due to disintegration and unpleasant odor during processing, with current coatings not effectively addressing these issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving extrusion of butyrate salt in a fatty substance matrix followed by coating with the same fatty substance, allowing for higher butyrate content and reduced dust formation, using sodium or calcium butyrate with additional active ingredients like short chain fatty acids and plant extracts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If butyrate salt is coated with coating substances (fatty acid derivative, carbohydrate, or protein) to reduce odor, then the unpleasant smell is masked, but the granules disintegrate upon handling and dust is formed during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of butyrate salt particles embedded in a fatty matrix, where the fat serves as both binding agent and coating. This composite structure maintains granule integrity while containing the butyrate odor, resolving the contradiction between odor masking and granule stability
Solution Approach 2:
The fatty substance forms a flexible coating shell around the butyrate salt particles, creating a stable granule structure that prevents disintegration during handling while still providing odor containment. The flexible nature of the fat coating allows it to withstand mechanical stress without breaking
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating methods are used to protect butyrate salt, then odor is reduced, but the amount of active butyrate is limited to maximum 30% based on total weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coating function and binding function into a single fatty substance that serves both purposes. This eliminates the need for separate coating layers, allowing higher butyrate salt content (exceeding 30%) while still providing effective odor control through the fat matrix
3Ease of operation
If butyrate salt is granulated using conventional methods, then handling is improved, but very small uncoated or partially coated particles remain and dust is formed during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the granulation process by using extrusion to create uniformly sized granules with the fatty matrix completely encapsulating the butyrate salt particles. This eliminates small uncoated particles and prevents dust formation during subsequent processing
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 method enables the production of stable, high-butyrade content feed additives with reduced dust and odor issues, facilitating easier handling and storage, and providing enhanced intestinal health benefits for animals.
Implementation Method 1
a) extruding a composition comprising of said butyrate salt in a matrix of a fatty substance
Implementation Method 2
b) coating the granules formed in step a
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a feed additive comprising a butyrate salt comprising the steps of: a) extruding a composition comprising of said butyrate salt in a matrix of a fatty substance; b) coating the granules formed in step a. The invention further relates to the granules produced by such a method and animal feed comprising said granules.