The subject invention provides compositions and methods for feeding livestock animals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock animals. The compositions comprise one or more beneficial microorganisms and/or growth by-products thereof, as well as one or more nutritive mineral components. In certain embodiments, the composition is formulated as a compressed mineral assembly, such as a salt lick or mineral lick, which, when made available to a livestock animal, can be ingested by the livestock animal.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for feeding livestock animals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock animals. The compositions comprise one or more beneficial microorganisms and/or growth by-products thereof, as well as one or more nutritive mineral components. In certain embodiments, the composition is formulated as a compressed mineral assembly, such as a salt lick or mineral lick, which, when made available to a livestock animal, can be ingested by the livestock animal.

Novel products formulated for use as nutritional supplements are designed to enhance oral health and immune function in mammals. An exemplary composition can be customized by adding nutritional or therapeutic ingredients according to a health condition or medical requirement. Oral formulations are described which can be used as dietary supplements on a daily basis to effectively prevent plaque formation in the oral cavity in addition to providing immune protection mediated by enhancing saliva secretions.

Disclosed are methods of administering one or more Bacillus subtilis strains to swine. The Bacillus subtilis strains that are administered include 747 (NRRL B-67257), 1104 (NRRL B-67258), 1541 (NRRL B-67260), 1781 (NRRL B-67259), 2018 (NRRL B-67261), and BS1999 (NRRL B-67318). The Bacillus strains improve bacterial homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract by inhibiting bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, Clostridium, Salmonella, and Streptococcus. Administering the Bacillus strains also improves performance such as weight gain and feed conversion. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strains are also provided.

Disclosed are methods of administering one or more Bacillus subtilis strains to swine. The Bacillus subtilis strains that are administered include 747 (NRRL B-67257), 1104 (NRRL B-67258), 1541 (NRRL B-67260), 1781 (NRRL B-67259), 2018 (NRRL B-67261), and BS1999 (NRRL B-67318). The Bacillus strains improve bacterial homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract by inhibiting bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, Clostridium, Salmonella, and Streptococcus. Administering the Bacillus strains also improves performance such as weight gain and feed conversion. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strains are also provided.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating degenerative mitral valve disease in a canine. In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing early stage degenerative mitral valve disease in a canine can comprise measuring a normalized relative abundance of a biomarker selected from the group consisting of Erysipelatoclostridium, Ruminococcaceae UCG014, Butyricicoccus, Faecalibacterium, and combinations thereof, and determining that the canine has early stage degenerative mitral valve disease if the Erysipelatoclostridium is from 0 to 0.5 normalized relative abundance, the Ruminococcaceae UCG014 is from 0 to 0.1 normalized relative abundance, the Butyricicoccus is from 0 to 0.1 normalized relative abundance, or the Faecalibacterium is from 0 to 0.1 normalized relative abundance.

Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spores container to store spores, a nutrient container to store nutrients, a water supply line, a syringe tank, a syringe pump, an adjustable valve, a heater, and a controller. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can cause the syringe pump and the adjustable valve to draw into the syringe tank a volume of spores, nutrients, and water to form a mixture. The controller causes the heater to heat the mixture for a period of time. In a dispensing phase of the system, the controller can cause the syringe pump to expel the mixture through the adjustable valve and into a water distribution system. The controller can direct the system through a number of other phases of operation.

Disclosed herein is an extrudate comprising a yeast material wherein the yeast material constitutes between 35% and 100% by dry weight of the extrudate. Further, compositions and food products comprising same are disclosed. Further methods for improving the flavor of a yeast material, by adjusting its pH are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein is an isolated strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH05, which is deposited at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH under an accession number DSM 33616. Also disclosed herein are a composition including the isolated strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH05 for treating a metabolic syndrome-related disorder and for modifying gut microbiota, and use of the isolated strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH05 for treating a metabolic syndrome-related disorder and for modifying gut microbiota.

Novel lactic acid bacterium L8 strain and a composition including the same L8 strain, the composition having blood glucose level reducing action, a lipid metabolism improving action, an antioxidant action, an antiobesity action, a fatty liver suppressing action, a hepatitis preventing action, a liver function improving action, and an intestinal environment improving action. A Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis L8 strain derived from Amur cork living in the Shirakami Mountains, a composition containing the strain, and a medium and a method for efficiently culturing the strain.