FEED ADDITIVE FOR INCREASING VITAMINE E ABSORPTION

Abstract

It has been found that administering probiotic Bacillus strains to animals improves vitamin E absorption. Thus, probiotic Bacillus strains can be used when animals are stressed, e.g. during weaning. The present invention relates to a Bacillus strain as a feed additive, which is useful for improving vitamin E absorption in animals.

Claims

1. The use of at least one Bacillus strain for improving vitamin E absorption in animals.

2. The use of claim 1 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal.

3. The use of claim 2 wherein the animal is a swine.

4. The use of claim 3 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet.

5. The Bacillus strain according to claim 1, wherein the strain is selected from the group of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis.

6. The Bacillus strain according to claim 1, wherein the Bacillus strain composition comprises a strain chosen from the group of Bacillus subtilis BMS 3, BMS 4, BMS 5, DSMZ 5750 or Bacillus licheniformis BMS 1, BMS 2, DSMZ 5749 or a mutant of any of these strains.

7. The use according to claim 1, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed.

8. The use according to claim 1, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.4-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, more preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.7 CFU/kg body weight per day.

9. A method for improving vitamin E absorption in animals, said method comprises feeding to the animal at least one Bacillus strain.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the animal is a swine.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the strain is selected from the group of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the Bacillus strain composition comprises a strain chosen from the group of Bacillus subtilis BMS 3, BMS 4, BMS 5, DSMZ 5750 or Bacillus licheniformis BMS 1, BMS 2, DSMZ 5749 or a mutant of any of these strains.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.4-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, more preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.7 CFU/kg body weight per day.

17. An animal feed composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain of claim 1 or compounds obtained from the Bacillus of claim 1 for improving vitamin E absorption in animals.

18. The feed composition of claim 17 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal.

19. The feed composition of claim 18 wherein the animal is a swine.

20. The feed composition of claim 19 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet.

21. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein the Bacillus strain or compounds obtained from the Bacillus is present in a concentration of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed.

22. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein the feed composition further comprises one or more ingredients from the group consisting of a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a lipid source, ash, water and any combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed.

23. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, further probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, vitamins, immune modulators, milk replacers, minerals, amino acids, acid-based products, medicines, and combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed.

24. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of: corn, Soybean meal, Soy protein, Potato proteins, Lactoserum, Soybean oil, fish meal, krill meal, soya concentrate, corn gluten, wheat gluten, pea protein, wheat flour, fish oil, a vitamin, mineral premix, mineral premix plus synthetic phosphorus and combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed.

25. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein the feed composition comprises from 15-30% (w/w) of a protein source.

26. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein the feed composition comprises from 65-80% (w/w) of a carbohydrate source.

27. The feed composition according to claim 17, wherein the feed composition comprises from 3-5% (w/w) of a lipid source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0056] FIG. 1. Vitamin E absorption in plasma comparing weaned piglets fed control diet or a feed comprising dietary probiotic Bacillus strains at 510.sup.8 CFU/kg of feed compared to control basal diet fed pigs.

[0057] FIG. 2. Vitamin E absorption in plasma comparing weaned piglets fed control diet or a feed comprising dietary probiotic Bacillus strains at different concentrations compared to control basal diet fed pigs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] 1. The use of at least one Bacillus strain for improving vitamin E absorption in animals. [0059] 2. The use of claim 1 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal. [0060] 3. The use of claim 2 wherein the animal is a swine. [0061] 4. The use of claim 3 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet. [0062] 5. The Bacillus strain according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the strain is selected from the group of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. [0063] 6. The Bacillus strain according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the Bacillus strain composition comprises a strain chosen from the group of Bacillus subtilis BMS 3, BMS 4, BMS 5, DSMZ 5750 or Bacillus licheniformis BMS 1, BMS 2, DSMZ 5749 or a mutant of any of these strains. [0064] 7. The use according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed. [0065] 8. The use according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.4-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, more preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.7 CFU/kg body weight per day. [0066] 9. A method for improving vitamin E absorption in animals, said method comprises feeding to the animal at least one Bacillus strain. [0067] 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal. [0068] 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the animal is a swine. [0069] 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet. [0070] 13. The method according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein the strain is selected from the group of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. [0071] 14. The method according to any of claims 9 to 13 wherein the Bacillus strain composition comprises a strain chosen from the group of Bacillus subtilis BMS 3, BMS 4, BMS 5, DSMZ 5750 or Bacillus licheniformis BMS 1, BMS 2, DSMZ 5749 or a mutant of any of these strains. [0072] 15. The method according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed. [0073] 16. The method according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein said Bacillus strain is administered in an amount of at least 10.sup.4-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.8 CFU/kg body weight per day, more preferably 10.sup.5-10.sup.7 CFU/kg body weight per day. [0074] 17. An animal feed composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain of claim 1 or compounds obtained from the Bacillus of claim 1 for improving vitamin E absorption in animals. [0075] 18. The feed composition of claim 17 wherein the animal is a monogastric animal. [0076] 19. The feed composition of claim 18 wherein the animal is a swine. [0077] 20. The feed composition of claim 19 wherein the animal is a weaned piglet. [0078] 21. The feed composition according to any of claims 17 to 20 comprising the Bacillus strain of claim 1 or compounds obtained from the Bacillus of claim 1 in a concentration of at least 10.sup.7 CFU/kg feed, preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.10 CFU/kg feed, more preferably 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 CFU/kg feed. [0079] 22. The feed composition according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the feed composition further comprises one or more ingredients from the group consisting of a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a lipid source, ash, water and any combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed. [0080] 23. The feed composition according to any of claims 17 to 21, comprising at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, further probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, vitamins, immune modulators, milk replacers, minerals, amino acids, acid-based products, medicines, and combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed. [0081] 24. The feed composition according to any of claims 17 to 21, comprising at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of: corn, Soybean meal, Soy protein, Potato proteins, Lactoserum, Soybean oil, fish meal, krill meal, soya concentrate, corn gluten, wheat gluten, pea protein, wheat flour, fish oil, a vitamin, mineral premix, mineral premix plus synthetic phosphorus and combinations thereof and wherein the vitamin E content is reduced below 95%, preferably below 90%, preferably below 85%, preferably below 80%, more preferably below 75%, more preferably below 70%, more preferably below 65%%, more preferably below 60%, more preferably below 55%, more preferably below 50%, more preferably below 45%, more preferably below 40%, more preferably below 35%, more preferably below 30% of the recommended standard values in animal feed. [0082] 25. The feed composition according to any claims 17 to 24, wherein the feed composition comprises from 15-30% (w/w) of a protein source. [0083] 26. The feed composition according to claims 17 to 24, wherein the feed composition comprises from 65-80% (w/w) of a carbohydrate source. [0084] 27. The feed composition according to claims 17 to 24, wherein the feed composition comprises from 3-5% (w/w) of a lipid source.

[0085] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1

[0086] The first study evaluated dietary probiotic Bacillus strains at 510.sup.8 CFU/kg of feed compared to control basal diet fed pigs.

[0087] 144 male piglets (Large-White x Redon) were divided in groups of 4 piglets per treatment with 6 replicates per treatment (24 piglets/treatment) and fed pellets of sample or control diets ad libitum for 42 days. Vitamin E absorption in the plasma was measured after 21 days of treatment.

[0088] Treatment dosages are shown in table 1 and diet composition in table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Dosage [CFU/kg feed] of probiotic in treatments Treatment Control BMS1 BMS2 BMS3 BMS4 BMS5 Dose 0 5 10.sup.8 5 10.sup.8 5 10.sup.8 5 10.sup.8 5 10.sup.8 [CFU/kg feed]

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Composition of the diets Phase D 1-7 D 7-21 D 21-42 Ingredient inclusion (%) Corn 52.80 55.05 60.20 Soybean meal CP48 26.50 26.50 29.50 Soy protein 3.00 3.00 1.00 concentrate Potato proteins 2.00 2.00 0 Lactoserum 5.00 3.00 0 Soybean oil 4.15 4.15 3.00 Vitamin &Trace 3.00 3.00 3.00 Mineral Premix Dicalcium phosphate 1.90 1.90 1.90 Calcium carbonate 0.60 0.60 0.60 L-Lys 0.70 0.50 0.50 L-Met 0.15 0.10 0.10 L-Thr 0.05 0.05 0.05 L-Trp 0.05 0.05 0.05 NaCl 0.10 0.10 0.10 Phytase (mg/kg) 100 100 100 Calculated Provision CP (%) 20.6 20.4 19.1 Metabolizable 13.06 13.04 12.72 Energy (MJ/kg) Analyzed content CP (%) 21.27 0.13 21.35 0.24 19.25 0.51 Metabolizable 14.79 0.16 14.80 0.13 14.37 0.34 Energy (MJ/kg)

[0089] The results are shown in Table 3 and FIG. 1. The probiotic treatment resulted in an increased vitamin E concentration in the plasma of at least 63%.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Vitamin E content in plasma Vit E in Increase in plasma [ng/ml] vitamine E [%] Control 810 0 BMS1 1208 67 BMS2 1152 70 BMS3 1051 77 BMS4 1276 63 BMS5 1177 69

Example 2

[0090] The second study evaluated dietary probiotic Bacillus strains at different dosages compared to control basal diet fed pigs.

[0091] 144 male piglets (Large-White x Redon) were divided in groups of 4 piglets per treatment with 9 replicates per treatment (36 piglets/treatment) and fed pellets of sample or control diets ad libitum for 42 days. Vitamin E absorption in the plasma was measured after 21 days of treatment.

[0092] Treatment dosages are shown in table 3 and diet composition in table 4.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Dosage [CFU/kg feed] of probiotic in treatments Treatment Control BMS1 HD BMS1 LD BioPlus2B Dose[CFU/kg feed] 0 5 10.sup.8 1.6 10.sup.8 1.6 10.sup.8

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Composinon of the diets Phase D 1-7 D 7-21 D 21-42 Ingredient inclusion (%) Corn 50.80 54.65 61.60 Soybean meal CP48 28.00 28.40 29.00 Soy protein 5.00 3.00 2.00 concentrate Potato proteins 2.00 2.00 0 Lactoserum 5.00 3.00 0 Soybean oil 3.00 3.00 1.50 Vitamin &Trace 3.00 3.00 3.00 Mineral Premix Dicalcium phosphate 1.70 1.55 1.40 Calcium carbonate 0.60 0.60 0.70 L-Lys 0.60 0.50 0.50 L-Met 0.10 0.10 0.10 L-Thr 0.05 0.05 0.05 L-Trp 0.05 0.05 0.05 NaCl 0.10 0.10 0.10 Phytase (mg/kg) 100 100 100 Chromium oxide No No Yes Calculated Provision CP (%) 21.7 20.6 18.9 Metabolizable 13.45 13.52 13.30 Energy (MJ/kg) Analyzed content CP (%) 22.7 0.2 21.4 0.4 19.9 0.4 Metabolizable 13.33 0.1 13.311276 0.1 13.09 0.1 Energy (MJ/kg)

[0093] The results are shown in Table 6 and FIG. 2. The probiotic treatment resulted in an increased vitamin E concentration in the plasma of at least 67%.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Vitamin E content in plasma Vit E in Increase in plasma [ng/ml] vitamine E [%] Control 893 0 BMS1 LD 1289 69 BMS1 HD 1279 70 BioPlus2B 1328 67

Example 3

[0094] Recommended vitamin E contents for poultry are shown in table 7.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Recommended vitamin E content in poultry feed Vit. E Category Phase Duration [mg/kg feed] .sup.(1) Broilers Starters 1-10 days 150-300 .sup.(2) Growers 11-24 days 50-100 .sup.(3) Finishers 25 days - market .sup.50-100 .sup.(3)(4) Broiler Starters & 0-18 wks 80-100 .sup.(2) growers breeders Layers & male 19 wks - end 100-150 .sup.(3) breeders Hen & duck Starters (pullets) 0-10 wks 40-100 .sup.(2) layers Rearing (pullets) 10 wks - 2% lay 30-35 Layers Laying phase 20-30 .sup.(3) Layer breeders Growers, layers 0 wks - end 50-100 .sup.(3) & male breeders Ducks & geese 40-80 Partridged, quails 50-80 & pheasants Ostriches & emus 40-60 Turkeys Starters 0-6 wks 100-250 .sup.(2) Growers 7-12 wks 60-80 Finishers 1 13-18 wks .sup.30-50 .sup.(3)(4) Finishers 2 18 wks - market .sup.30-50 .sup.(3)(4) Turkey breeders Starters 0-6 wks 100-250 .sup.(2) Growers 7-29 wks 60-80 Layers & male Laying phase 100-150 .sup.(3) breeders .sup.(1) When dietary fat is higher than 3% then add 5 mg/kg feed for each 1% dietary fat. .sup.(2) Higher level for optimum function. .sup.(3) Under heat stress conditions increase level up to 200 mg/kg feed. .sup.(4) For optimum meat quality increase level up to 200 mg/kg feed.

Example 4

[0095] Recommended vitamin E contents for swine are shown in table 8.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Recommended vitamin E content in swine feed Vit. E Category Phase Duration [mg/kg feed] .sup.(1) Fattening pigs Pre-starters <5 kg 100-150 .sup.(2) Starters 5-30 kg 100-150 Growers 30-70 kg 60-100 Finishers 70 kg - market 60-100 .sup.(3) Breeders Replacement gilts 80-100 Sows 100-150 .sup.(4) Boars 100-150 .sup.(1) When dietary fat is higher than 3% then add 5 mg/kg feed for each 1% dietary fat. .sup.(2) For optimum immune health: additional 100 mg/kg feed. .sup.(3) For optimum meat quality: additional 150 mg/kg feed. .sup.(4) For optimum piglet health: during late pregnancy and lactation total 250 mg/kg feed.