Spirulina-Seaweed Feed Composition for Methane and Digestibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal feed compositions do not effectively utilize the synergistic benefits of spirulina and Ascophyllum nodosum extracts for improving the zootechnical performance and welfare of livestock, particularly ruminants, monogastrics, and aquatic animals, and lack specific formulations suitable for farm animals.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining spirulina protein hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharide extract is formulated for non-human farm animals, specifically livestock, enhancing nutritional value and immune function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate extracts of spirulina and Ascophyllum nodosum are used in animal feed, then individual nutritional benefits are provided, but the synergistic effect on zootechnical performance is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvezootechnical performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines spirulina protein extract and Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharide extract into a single integrated feed composition. This merging of two distinct algal extracts creates a synergistic effect that improves zootechnical performance beyond what either extract could achieve alone, while maintaining a practical formulation that can be incorporated into existing feed systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite feed material combining proteins from spirulina with polysaccharides from Ascophyllum nodosum. This composite approach leverages the complementary nutritional and functional properties of both algae types, providing enhanced immune support, growth promotion, and gut health benefits through the interaction of different bioactive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional animal feed compositions are used, then basic nutritional requirements are met, but immune function and welfare benefits are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune functionVSAvoidfeed composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates specific bioactive components from spirulina (proteins, phycocyanin) and Ascophyllum nodosum (polysaccharides, fucoidan) at targeted levels to provide localized immune-modulating effects. Rather than uniformly distributing all nutrients, the formulation focuses on delivering concentrated immunostimulatory agents that specifically enhance immune function without requiring complete reformulation of the entire feed composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If algae are used in raw form or as simple extracts, then extraction is simple, but the specific synergistic benefits of protein hydrolysate and polysaccharide extract combinations are not realized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutrient absorptionVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs specific extraction parameters including controlled hydrolysis conditions, temperature, pH, and extraction time to optimize the release of bioactive proteins from spirulina and polysaccharides from Ascophyllum nodosum. These parameter adjustments maximize the availability of immunostimulatory peptides and oligosaccharides while maintaining a manufacturing process that is scalable and economically viable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4287840B1Composition for the nutrition or drink of a non-human animal
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AGRO INNOVATION INT
  • EP4287840B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4287840B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4287840B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Present invention relates to a composition for the nutrition or drink of a non-human animal comprising the combination of spirulina and Ascophyllum nodosum. It further relates to the use of this composition for improving the veterinary performance of non-human animals, in order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, in particular methane, in a non-human mammal, in order to increase the digestibility of the dry matter and fibres, in particular forage and concentrates, and/or to improve the consumption index and/or the dietary efficiency and/or to promote weight gain and/or to increase the intensity of fermentation and of microbial metabolism and/or to inhibit flora protozoa and/or to reduce the degradation of proteins and/or to orient the fermentation towards the production of volatile fatty acids in a non-human mammal, in order to improve the quality of the meat and/or the growth performance and/or the well-being of a non-human animal. It also relates to the composition according to the invention, for its use for improving the intestinal health and/or the intestinal well-being and/or the immune system and/or the bone mineralisation and/or the quality of the bone structure and/or as an antibacterial in non-human animals and/or to increase the intestinal villi of monogastric non-human animals and/or to modulate the inflammatory response and/or to avoid damage associated with post-weaning nutritional stress in monogastric mammals.