Water-Soluble Antimethanogenic Composition for Ruminant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering antimethanogenic compounds to ruminant animals are inefficient, as they often involve malodorous algae that reduce palatability and have a short shelf-life, or require administration through animal feed, which is impractical for free-range cattle.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble composition comprising an antimethanogenic compound, such as bromoform, dissolved in a carrier like propylene glycol, which is miscible with water, allowing for effective delivery and increased shelf-life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If freeze-dried algae are used to deliver antimethanogenic compounds, then the compounds are delivered to ruminant animals, but the malodorous components reduce feed palatability and the product has short shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the antimethanogenic compounds (bromoform) from the algae, separating them from the malodorous components. This is achieved through extraction processes that isolate the active compound, allowing delivery of the beneficial substance without the unpleasant odor that reduces palatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (such as molasses or other carriers) to deliver the antimethanogenic compounds. This intermediary acts as a vehicle that can mask or eliminate the malodorous components while still delivering the active bromoform compound to the animals, thereby improving palatability.
2Ease of manufacture
If freeze-dried algae are used to deliver antimethanogenic compounds, then the compounds are delivered to ruminant animals, but the product has short shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting only the essential antimethanogenic compound from the algae and removing all other organic matter, the patent creates a stable, concentrated product. This extraction process eliminates the organic components that would otherwise degrade over time, significantly extending shelf-life while maintaining the active compound's efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the antimethanogenic compound delivery system by converting it from a whole-organism product (freeze-dried algae) to a purified chemical compound or its derivatives. This parameter change from biological material to isolated compound fundamentally improves stability and shelf-life.
3Ease of manufacture
If antimethanogenic compounds are administered through animal feed, then the compounds are delivered to ruminant animals, but this method is impractical for free-range cattle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid carriers or intermediaries (such as molasses-based solutions) that can be easily administered through water troughs or drinking systems. This intermediary delivery method allows free-range cattle to receive the antimethanogenic compounds voluntarily through their drinking water, eliminating the need for controlled feed administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic systems by delivering the antimethanogenic compounds through water distribution systems. The active compound is dissolved or suspended in water, allowing it to be delivered automatically to free-range cattle through their existing water infrastructure, making the method highly adaptable to various farming systems.
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 water-soluble composition effectively reduces enteric methane emissions and improves feed efficiency in ruminant animals, while being more palatable and having a longer shelf-life compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A water-soluble composition comprising an antimethanogenic compound, such as bromoform, dissolved in a carrier like propylene glycol, which is miscible with water
Implementation Method 2
Bromoform is known to be an inhibitor of methanogenesis in ruminant animals, and studies have been conducted on reducing methane production in ruminant animals by including trace amounts of bromoform with their feed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to liquid (e.g., water-soluble) compositions comprising antimethanogenic compounds, and methods of administering the same to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminant animals, and/or improve feed-efficiency. Certain disclosed compositions exhibit improved rapid effect over prior art compositions. The disclosure further relates to methods of concentrating antimethanogenic compounds, extracting antimethanogenic compounds, and methods of increasing the bioavailability of antimethanogenic compounds.