Ruminant Feed Additive Granules with Oil-Lecithin Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed additive compositions for ruminants face challenges in maintaining high concentrations of acidic or neutral amino acids, as they are often lost in the rumen due to exposure to rumen juice, leading to decreased nutrient content and complex production processes.
Innovation Solution
A dispersion-type feed additive composition using a molten mixture of hydrogenated vegetable or animal oil, lecithin, and acidic or neutral amino acids, extruded and then dropped into water to form solidified granules, which are resistant to rumen microorganisms and can maintain high amino acid content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dispersion-type preparations are used to protect amino acids with protective agents, then amino acids are protected from rumen microorganisms, but amino acids are partially exposed at the preparation surface and tend to be eluted when in contact with rumen juice, reducing protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coating layer formed from protective agents that completely encapsulates the amino acid core, creating a flexible protective shell. This coating structure prevents amino acid exposure at the surface and eliminates elution when contact with rumen juice occurs, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and amino acid loss.
2Reliability
If coated-type preparations are used to encapsulate dispersion-type preparations with a coating agent, then amino acids are stable in rumen juice without exposure, but the production process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the core formation and coating processes into a single integrated operation. The coating layer is formed directly on the amino acid core during the same production process, eliminating the need for separate encapsulation steps. This combination maintains amino acid stability while significantly simplifying the production process.
3Quantity of substance
If the content of amino acids in dispersion-type preparations is increased to exceed 40% by weight, then nutrient content is improved, but amino acid loss in the rumen increases and production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a complete coating shell structure that allows high amino acid content (exceeding 40% by weight) to be maintained without loss. The coating layer acts as a barrier that prevents rumen microorganisms from accessing the amino acids, enabling high nutrient content while eliminating the amino acid loss that normally occurs at high concentrations in dispersion-type preparations.
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 allows for the efficient delivery of high concentrations of amino acids to the small intestine, enhancing milk production in lactating cows while simplifying the production process and preventing amino acid loss, with granules that are stable in rumen juice and easily digestible.
Implementation Method 1
dropped into water to form solidified granules
Data Source
AI summary
A feed additive composition includes a protective agent, lecithin, an acidic or neutral amino acid, and water. A method of producing a feed additive composition includes preparing a molten mixture of a protective agent, lecithin, and an acidic or neutral amino acid, and immersing the molten mixture in water or an aqueous liquid to obtain a solidified mixture. Feed additives may be obtained by such method. The protective agent may include a hydrogenated vegetable oil or hydrogenated animal oil having a melting point of higher than 50° C. and lower than 90° C.