Transgenic Corn Alpha-Amylase Feed for Cattle Liver Abscesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Animal feed efficiency is low, leading to high production costs and liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, particularly due to low forage/high concentrate diets which increase liver abscess prevalence, affecting weight gain and carcass quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating microbial α-amylase into animal feed compositions, specifically through steam-flaked corn from transgenic plants expressing recombinant α-amylase, to enhance feed utilization and reduce liver abscesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If low forage/high concentrate diets are used to increase energy value, then productivity is improved, but liver abscesses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probiotic microorganisms as intermediary agents that modify the gut environment and compete with pathogenic bacteria. These probiotics act as mediators between the high-concentrate diet and the liver, reducing abscess formation through microbial competition and production of antimicrobial substances without requiring dietary change
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the feed by adding specific probiotic strains and prebiotic substrates. This modifies the gut microbiome composition and metabolic profile, creating an environment that prevents pathogenic bacterial colonization while maintaining high energy intake
2Productivity
If feed efficiency is low, then production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs probiotic microorganisms that self-replicate and self-regulate within the animal's gut environment. These microorganisms automatically colonize the digestive tract, compete with pathogens, and maintain beneficial microbial populations without requiring continuous external intervention or complex feed formulation adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
Probiotic microorganisms serve as intermediaries that improve nutrient utilization and digestive efficiency. They produce enzymes that break down feed components more effectively, generate vitamins and growth factors, and reduce anti-nutritional factors, thereby improving feed efficiency and reducing production costs
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 use of microbial α-amylase in animal feed increases weight gain, improves feed efficiency, and significantly reduces the incidence of liver abscesses in cattle, thereby lowering production costs and improving carcass quality.
Implementation Method 1
microbial α-amylase
Implementation Method 2
steam flaked corn
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an animal feed composition comprising plant material from a transgenic plant or plant part expressing a recombinant thermotolerant α-amylase. The invention further provides methods of improving feed utilization and decreasing liver abscesses. Also provided are methods of producing a steam flaked corn product, and the steam flaked corn product so produced.