The present invention relates to a feed supplement and a feed containing this feed supplement, comprising 1) a homotrimer, heterotrimer, homotetramer and/or heterotetramer of a carbohydrate component selected from the group consisting of a pentose saccharide, a hexose saccharide, glucuronic and galacturonic acid, and 2) a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), selected from the group consisting of caproic acid (C6), caprylic (C8), capric (C10) and lauric acid (C12). The invention also refers to the use of the feed supplement or feed in order to improve the efficiency of animal production, such as weight gain, feed conversion, nutritive value, health and wellbeing through the selective elimination of enteropathogens.

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.

Disclosed is a modified colostrum protein having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.: 1, which is generated by replacing Ile at position 33, Glu at position 101 and Arg at position 175 present in the amino acid sequence of a wild type colostrum protein shown in SEQ ID NO.: 2 respectively with Ala, Cys and Cys.

The disclosure relates to isolated microorganisms-including novel strains of the microorganisms-microbial ensembles, and compositions comprising the same. Furthermore, the disclosure teaches methods of utilizing the described microorganisms, microbial ensembles, and compositions comprising the same, in methods for modulating the production of poultry, disease resistance, and egg yield. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of increasing feed efficiency, and methods of preventing colonization of pathogenic microbes.

The present invention relates to the use of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of GMP (guanosine monophosphate) and IMP (inosine monophosphate), a first amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, histidine and glycine or a mixture thereof; a second amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline and threonine or a mixture thereof; and furaneol for increasing the palatability of a foodstuff to a companion animal. The invention also relates to a pet food-stuff or supplement comprising one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of GMP and IMP, a first amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, histidine and glycine or a mixture thereof; a second amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline and threonine or a mixture thereof; and furaneol, and also to a method of increasing the palatability of a food-stuff to a companion animal.

The present invention relates to the use of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of GMP (guanosine monophosphate) and IMP (inosine monophosphate), a first amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, histidine and glycine or a mixture thereof; a second amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline and threonine or a mixture thereof; and furaneol for increasing the palatability of a foodstuff to a companion animal. The invention also relates to a pet food-stuff or supplement comprising one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of GMP and IMP, a first amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, histidine and glycine or a mixture thereof; a second amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline and threonine or a mixture thereof; and furaneol, and also to a method of increasing the palatability of a food-stuff to a companion animal.

Embodiments of a composition comprising three or four Bacillus species selected from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus coagulans are disclosed. The composition may further comprise, or be used in combination with, feed and/or feed supplements, including feed supplements comprising yucca, quillaja, silica, mineral clay, glucan, mannans, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a method of administering the composition and/or combination to animals, such as poultry.

The present invention is directed to the utilization of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce single cell protein or protein enriched biomasses for use as food and/or feed sources. In particular, provided is the use of organic material (e.g., animal waste or sludge and/or produce) for use as a biomass in such processes.

This disclosure provides a highly concentrated protein composition and the processes of making the same. The compositions are shelf-stable, easy to use and have excellent nutritional values as compared to other protein products. The compositions may be prepared from animal sources, such as chickens or turkeys.