A particulate dry bird feed includes, in combination forming greater than 50% by mass of the feed, a protein source and an added vegetable oil-based or animal fat or fatty acid that is admixed together with the protein source, and less than 50% by mass grain or grain-derived ingredients. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing a particulate dry bird feed and to a method of feeding a granivore.

Disclosed herein is a method for promoting reduction of heat stress in animals, as well as a composition for use in the disclosed method. The composition comprises a glucan, silica, mineral clay, mannan, and optionally an endoglucanohydrolase, and may be administered to an animal that is susceptible to or suffers from heat stress.

Disclosed herein is a method for promoting reduction of heat stress in animals, as well as a composition for use in the disclosed method. The composition comprises a glucan, silica, mineral clay, mannan, and optionally an endoglucanohydrolase, and may be administered to an animal that is susceptible to or suffers from heat stress.

A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133 C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133 C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

Compositions, methods of preparing compositions, and methods of treating parasitic nematode infections in wild birds include a fenbendazole premix and a grain formulation. The fenbendazole premix includes fenbendazole, a solvent, a solubilizing agent, and a premix grain carrier. The grain formulation includes a plurality of grains selected from the group consisting of ground corn, soybean meal, whole milo, wheat midds, and rice bran. The fenbendazole premix is integrated within the grain formulation thereby yielding a fenbendazole concentration in the composition of between 80 ppm and 120 ppm. Processes and methods of preparation include mixing the fenbendazole premix and grain formulation in an industrial ribbon mixer, fully integrating the fenbendazole within the grain formulation. Methods of treating include collecting and testing samples, determining a number and location of treatment systems, and charging a feeder with the claimed composition.

Compositions, methods of preparing compositions, and methods of treating parasitic nematode infections in wild birds include a fenbendazole premix and a grain formulation. The fenbendazole premix includes fenbendazole, a solvent, a solubilizing agent, and a premix grain carrier. The grain formulation includes a plurality of grains selected from the group consisting of ground corn, soybean meal, whole milo, wheat midds, and rice bran. The fenbendazole premix is integrated within the grain formulation thereby yielding a fenbendazole concentration in the composition of between 80 ppm and 120 ppm. Processes and methods of preparation include mixing the fenbendazole premix and grain formulation in an industrial ribbon mixer, fully integrating the fenbendazole within the grain formulation. Methods of treating include collecting and testing samples, determining a number and location of treatment systems, and charging a feeder with the claimed composition.

The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate, for use in preventing and/or alleviating bacterial inflammation in a monogastric animal (including human) by inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal lumen of said animal. The present invention also refers to a therapeutic method for promoting the renewal and growth of epithelial cells in the small intestine of a monogastric animal (including human), the method comprising the step of distributing a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate to said animal.