Use of a seaweed blend to modify gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of an animal host. Modifying the GI microbiota may comprise modifying a community of bacteria, wherein the community of bacteria comprises Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes and the seaweed blend modifies the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteriodetes, such as increasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteriodetes. Further, the seaweed blend modifies specific families of commensal bacteria families including Ruminococceae and Lachnospiraceae within the Phyla Firmicutes. The seaweed blend may comprise (i) 65-80 wt % Ulva; (ii) 3-8 wt % Gracilaria; and (iii) 15-25 wt % Sargassum and/or Ascophyllum.

Provided is a composition for improving liver function that utilizes a plant-derived resorcinolic lipid, being useful, for example, in improving symptoms of non-alcoholic hepatitis. A plant-derived resorcinolic lipid is used as an active ingredient of the composition for improving liver function. The resorcinolic lipid is preferably an alkylresorcinol and is also preferably derived from a gramineae plant, also preferably from wheat and/or rye bran and/or whole grains. This composition for improving liver function is especially suitably used to improve symptoms of non-alcoholic hepatitis.

Provided is a composition for improving liver function that utilizes a plant-derived resorcinolic lipid, being useful, for example, in improving symptoms of non-alcoholic hepatitis. A plant-derived resorcinolic lipid is used as an active ingredient of the composition for improving liver function. The resorcinolic lipid is preferably an alkylresorcinol and is also preferably derived from a gramineae plant, also preferably from wheat and/or rye bran and/or whole grains. This composition for improving liver function is especially suitably used to improve symptoms of non-alcoholic hepatitis.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for a pet treat. The present pet treat has an inner portion and an outer portion, and optionally a hollowed space confined by the inner portion. The inner portion may comprise a grain-based composition and a plurality of cavities enclosed therein. The outer portion may comprise a meat-based composition. The inner portion and the outer portion of the pet treat have different compositions and characteristics, which enables the pet treat to have a crunchy and/or crispy palatability profile when chewing.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising gelatin and collagen hydrolysate. The composition of the present invention has enhanced properties of ease of use in various applications, especially in food applications, in a wide range of temperatures and has enhanced setting time properties. The present invention further relates to an improved process for making said Composition and to uses of said composition in food applications, in pharmaceutical applications, technical and in pet food applications. The present invention is particularly useful in the preparation of food applications such as confectionery products and various types of desserts.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising gelatin and collagen hydrolysate. The composition of the present invention has enhanced properties of ease of use in various applications, especially in food applications, in a wide range of temperatures and has enhanced setting time properties. The present invention further relates to an improved process for making said Composition and to uses of said composition in food applications, in pharmaceutical applications, technical and in pet food applications. The present invention is particularly useful in the preparation of food applications such as confectionery products and various types of desserts.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for characterizing the nutritional needs of an animal. The method can include providing an animal profile comprising one or more animal criteria. The method can also include extracting, from a first database, one or more lists of ingredients associated with the one or more animal criteria. In addition, the method can include determining a rating associated with the extracted lists of ingredients, and comparing the rating with at least one ingredient from the one or more lists of ingredients. A nutritional profile of the animal can then be determined based on at least one of the animal profile, the extracted lists of ingredients, and the rating of the extracted lists of ingredients.

The invention provides animal feed comprising microbial biomass and methods of producing animal feed by culturing a microorganism to produce microbial biomass. In particular, the invention relates to animal feed produced by fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising one or more of CO, CO.sub.2, and H.sub.2, especially by a Gram-positive, anaerobic, and/or Clostridium microorganism.

The invention provides animal feed comprising microbial biomass and methods of producing animal feed by culturing a microorganism to produce microbial biomass. In particular, the invention relates to animal feed produced by fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising one or more of CO, CO.sub.2, and H.sub.2, especially by a Gram-positive, anaerobic, and/or Clostridium microorganism.

A medicant delivery device for masking taste of a medicant for facilitating oral delivery to an animal includes a shell, which defines an interior space. The shell has a top, which is open for insertion of a medicant therethrough into the interior space. The shell comprises one or more of protein, fat, and vegetable matter, so that the shell is both edible and formable. The shell is at least one of compressible and foldable, proximate to the top, to encase and substantially seal the medicant within the shell. The shell containing the medicant is delivered orally to an animal to medicate the animal.