GELLED FEED FOR ANIMALS AND PROCESS FOR PREPARATION THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a gelled feed for piglets, said method comprising: a) forming a mixture of water and of a gelling agent, b) adding at least one nutritive element to said mixture, c) cooling the mixture until the mixture has gelled, d) destructuring the gelled mixture to obtain a gelled feed for piglets, wherein the gelling agent comprises from 50 to 75% by weight of xanthan gum, from 0.5 to 13% by weight of locust bean gum and from 12 to 37% by weight of guar gum, relative to the total weight of the gelling agent, and the temperature of the water is from 65 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, for example 80 degrees Celsius. The present invention also relates to a gelled feed for piglets, obtained by the process defined according to the invention.

Claims

1. A process for preparing a gelled feed for an animal, comprising: a) forming a mixture of water and a gelling agent, wherein the temperature of the water is from 60 C. to 85 C., b) adding one or more nutritive elements to the mixture, c) cooling the mixture until it has gelled, and d) destructuring the gelled mixture to obtain a gelled feed, wherein the gelling agent comprises from 50 to 75% by weight of xanthan gum, from 0.5 to 13% by weight of locust bean gum, and from 12 to 37% by weight of guar gum, relative to the total weight of the gelling agent.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the mixture of water and the gelling agent is carried out at a temperature of about 60 C. to about 70 C.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the mixture of water and the gelling agent is carried out at a temperature of about 65 C. to about 85 C.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the mixture of water and the gelling agent is carried out at a temperature of about 80 C.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the cooling is carried out until the mixture reaches a temperature of less than or equal to about 20 C.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the mixing in step a) is carried out under high shear.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein step b) is carried out while mixing at a temperature of from 60 C. to 70 C.

8. A gelled feed composition for an animal, wherein the composition is formed by the process of claim 1.

9. The gelled feed of claim 8, comprising from 0.1 to 2% by weight of gelling agent relative to the weight of the gelled feed.

10. A gelling agent comprising from 50 to 75% by weight of xanthan gum, from 0.5 to 13% by weight of locust bean gum and from 12 to 37% by weight of guar gum, relative to the total weight of the gelling agent.

11. The gelling agent of claim 10, wherein the gelling agent is substantially free of pectin.

12. The gelled feed of claim 8, wherein the gelled feed is substantially free of pectin.

13. A method for feeding an animal, comprising providing to an animal a gelled feed formed according to the process of claim 1.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the animal is swine.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the gelled feed is provided within about the first ten days after the animal's birth.

Description

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

[0047] The invention is further described in detail by reference to the following experimental examples. These examples are provided for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. Thus, the invention should in no way be construed as being limited to the following examples, but rather should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.

Example 1

Method of Making a Gel Feed For Piglets

[0048] This example provides an embodiment for making a gel feed, in which the gelling agent is a combination of xanthan gum, guar gum, and locust bean gum. Cycle time/batch: 2 H

TABLE-US-00002 Phases Instructions Designation steps 1. Loading water Water meter: 400 liters Loading of 400 liters of hot water End loading 400 liters hot water 2. Loading of the Vacuum pump to start Starting vacuum to suction of the liquid liquid core core: vacuum setpoint: 0.5 b Vacuum: 0.5 b Suction of the liquid core and rinsing piping with 2 liters of water. Stop vacuum and returned to atmosphere of the mixture 3. Gelling agent Paddle stirrer in running: Starting paddle stirrer base speed 26 Hz manufacturing Loading gelling agent powder by the vacuum bags hopper End loading gelling agent powder Dispersers in running Starting dispersers Water meter: 70 liters Adding 70 liters of hot water by the vacuum bags hopper: rinsing powder on the shaft of the paddle stirrer Vacuum: 0.5 b - time of Start mixing gelling agent base - time of mixture: 10 min mixture setpoint: 10 min After 10 min of mixture Stop mixing, stop vacuum and returned to under vacuum atmosphere of the mixture Temperature control of State value of temperature of the gelling mixture agent mixture: setpoint: 10 C. < 70 C. < T C. < 80 C. 4. Cooling gelling Cold water circulation jacket Cold water circulation jacket to reduce agent base temrperature of the gelling agent base Paddle stirrer running: speed Starting paddle stirrer 26 Hz After 20 min of cooling, State value of temperature of the gelling control temperature of the agent mixture: setpoint: mixture 10 C. < 10 C. < T C. < 17 C. 5. Loading powders Paddle stirrer in running: Starting paddle stirrer core speed 26 Hz Loading powders by vacuum bags hopper End loading powders, closure valve of vacuum bags hoper Speed paddle stirrer: 50 Hz Increasing speed of paddle stirrer, starting Dispersers in running dispersers and mixture during 10 min Mixing time: 10 min After 10 min of mixing Stop agitations Temperature control of State value of mixture temperature: setpoint: mixture 10 C. < T C. < 17 C. 6. Preparation of Water meter: 40 liters Loading 40 liters of cold water in the stirred acids core tank of 60 liters End loading 40 liters cold water Loading liquid acids in the stirred tank of 60 liters End loading liquid acids Pneumatic agitator in Starting pneumatic agitator on tank of 60 running - speed: valve liters and adjusting stirring speed Loading powder acids under agitation End loading of powder acids, closure and clamping the lid of the stirred tank Speed pneumatic agitator - Increasing speed of agitation in the tank of speed: valve opened to the 60 liters, time of mixing: 2 min minimum, maximum the time to carry out adjustments on the control cabinet 7. Adjustment of Switch of dispersers in off Switch of the switch of dispersers on off parameters to position position in front of the control cabinet include acids core Mixer clock set at 30 s Adjust the operation time clock of the paddle stirrer on 30 s Potentiometer speed of the Adjust the potentiometer speed of the paddle paddle stirrer set at 10 stirrer on 10 8. Incorporation of Paddle stirrer in running: Starting the paddle stirrer the acids core speed 50 Hz Opening the drain valve of Incorporation under agitation of the acids the stirred tank of 60 liters, solution by quick opening of the dran valve time of mixture 30 seconds of the stirred tank of 60 liters End incorporation acids solution, stop pneumatic agitator and closure of the drain valve After 30 seconds of mixing Stop the paddle stirrer and beginning of the at 50 Hz gelation in static Temperature control of the State value of the mixture temperature: mixture setpoint: 10 C. < T C. < 17 C. 9. Gelation Time of gelation: 50 min Time of gelation of the mixture in static: 50 min. Note the start time of gelation 10. Adjustment of Clock of mixer set at 120 s Adjust the operation time clock of the paddle parameters for stirrer on 120 s disintegration of Potentiometer speed of the Adjust potentiometer speed of the paddle gel paddle stirrer set between 1 stirrer between 1 and 2 and 2 Switch of dispersers in off Make sure that the switch of the dispersers is position in off position 11. Disintegration of Paddle stirrer running: speed Beginning paddle stirrer the gel 13 Hz Mixture time: 4 min After 4 min of disintegration Stop paddle stirrer, end of disintegration 12. Degassing Sop air bearings Close the air flow control knobs on the unstructured gel bearings of the paddle stirrer and on the bearings od dispensers Vacuum pump to start Starting vacuum for degassing unstructured gel: vacuum setpoint: 0.4 b Vacuum: 0.4 b - degassing Beginning of degassing of the unstructured time: 3 min gel - setpoint of degassing time: 3 min at 0.4 b After 3 min of degassing Stop vacuum and gently return the tank to at 0.4 b atmosphere Temperature control of the State value of the mixture temperature: mixture setpoint: 10 C. < T C. < 17 C. 13. Drain to the Open drain valve under Switch the valve switch in on position at production lines mixer tank the front of the control cabinet Product quality control Take a sample of the unstructured gel for quality control 14. Homogenizing of Opening air bearing Open and adjust the air flow control knobs the unstructured on the bearings of the paddle stirrer and on gel: to make the bearings of dispersers when remains Clock of the mixer set at 60 Adjust the operation time clock of the paddle about of seconds stirrer on 60 s product in the Switch of dispersers in off Make sure that the switch of dispersers is in mixer and end of position off position draining Paddle stirrer running: Speed Starting paddle stirrer 13 Hz

Example 2

Gel Feed For Piglets Made by the Method of Example 1, and Study of the Feed in Piglets

[0049] EARLYSTART: complete feed in the form of gel for the first 10 days of life. An innovative and comprehensive solution for feeding piglets from day 1 to day 10

Product

[0050] Direction for use Before opening, mix in the pouch during few seconds, then open the cap and fill the tray from Day 1 to Day 10. Every day, adapt the dosage to the daily intake, once or twice daily. On the first days of life, the intake will be approx. 100 gr i.e half a tray per day and per litter. It will increase day after day for reaching one complete tray (i.e 200 g) per day and per litter.

[0051] Composition Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Whey protein, Pea protein, Lactose, Dextrose, Glycerine, Caprylic and capric triglycerides, Soya oil, Maltodextrin, Yeasts and part thereof Propylene glycol, Salts of butyric acid.

[0052] Analytical constituents Dry matter: 32.10%, Crude protein: 9.10%, Crude oils and fats: 4.20%, Crude ash: 1.90, Crude fibre: 0.10%, Lysine: 0,50%, Methionine: 0.25% , Threonine: 0.35% , Tryptophan: 0.10% , Calcium: 0.10%, Phosphorus: 0.10%, Sodium: 0.20%.

[0053] Additives Nutritional additivesVitamins: 3a672a Vitamin A: 16000 UI/Kg, E671 Vitamin D3: 2000 UI/Kg, 3a700 Vitamin E: 160 mg/Kg, Vitamin C: 350 mg/KgTrace elements: 3b8.11 Selenomethionine produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiaie NCYC R397: 0.25 mg/K Technological additivesPreservatives: E202 Potassium sorbate, E331 Trisodium Citrate, E330 Citric acid, 1a297 Fumaric acidAntioxidant: E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene: 0.01%. Sensory additives Mixture of flavouring compounds

[0054] Gelling agent: xanthan gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, water.

[0055] Shelf life 2 years in original packingstore at ambient temperature and out of direct sunlight.

[0056] Packaging Eco-friendly Pouch 5 Kg (25 doses of 200 g)

Study

[0057] The study was carried out on 427 piglets from 35 sows (LW LR Pietrain) randomly assigned to 2 batches only differing by diet:

a first batch CONTROL (18 sows, 213 piglets having an average
Weight at day 0 of 1.248 g and of which 46.009% were female) only receiving mother's milk from day 0 to day 10 then lactation (no food is distributed to the piglets or conventional livestock feed).
a second batch EARLYSTART (17 sows, 214 piglets having an average weight at day 0 of 1.31 g and of which 52.336% were female) receiving mother's milk and the complete feed EarlyStart (200 g per day and litter in a little preconditioned tray) from day 0 to day 10 then lactation (no food is distributed to the piglets or conventional livestock feed). The average consumption of the complete feed EarlyStart was 10 g/piglet/day during 10 days, then about 1143 g per litter. The consumption may be low on the first days. Then consumption may increase up to 3 times the initial consumption.

[0058] Sows were matched according to the rank and the litter size. The 35 sows selected for this study were randomly assigned to one of the two batches.

[0059] Piglets were weighed individually at days 0, 11 and 21. For the batch EarlyStart, the amount of complete feed EarlyStart ingested was measured daily for each litter from day 0 to day 10. The monitoring of mortality was conducted throughout the duration of the study with recording of dead animals.

[0060] The main criteria of the study were:

daily weight gain (DWG) at weaning. A calculation of the average daily gain was done for each litter, to compare the two batches.
homogeneity of litters.

[0061] The secondary criteria were:

daily weight gain (DWG) from day 0 to day 11. A calculation of the average daily gain was done from day 0 to day 11 for each litter, to compare the two batches.
mortality between farrowing and weaning.
relationship between growth and feed intake.

[0062] The experimental unit is the litter (DWG, feed intake) and the piglet (mortality). Regarding statistical tests, DWG was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to 1 factor (group) for the comparison of the two batches with the sow as a factor nestled in the group with the number of piglets of the litter as an adjustment variable. The homogeneity of litters was tested by calculating the standard deviation of each litter as a variable. Mortality was compared between batches using a Pearson's chi-square test.

Properties

[0063] A decrease of the mortality before weaning (7,5% vs 14,60%=48%, compared to piglets only receiving mother's milk).
An increase of the average daily gain (ADG) at day 11 of +14% and from birth until weaning of +20%, compared to piglets only receiving mother's milk).
A significant return on investment based only on the effect of the complete feed EarlyStart (without taking into account the 20% improvement of ADG).

Example 3

Composition of a Gelled Feed For Piglets

[0064] This composition represents an exemplary embodiment of a gelled feed produced by the methods described herein.

TABLE-US-00003 Name Amount in the feed (%) LYSAMINE 2 to 8% MALTODEXTRIN 1 to 5% LACTOSE 1 to 5% MONOPROPYLENE GLYCOL 0.5 to 5%.sup. GLYCERIN 1 to 5% MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES 1 to 5% RADIAMULS SOYBEAN OIL 1 to 5% CHOLINE CHLORIDE 0.01 to 0.10% BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE 0.001 to 0.020% GREEN TEA EXTRACT 0.001 to 0.050% WPC35 CONCENTRATED SERUM 1 to 10% PROTEINS HYDROLYSED WHEAT GLUTEN 1 to 10% VITAMIN CORE 0.01 to 0.05% LYSINE 0.1 to 0.7% METHIONINE 0.1 to 0.7% L-THREONINE 0.1 to 0.7% TRYPTOPHAN 0.01 to 0.10% ALGAL DHA 0.001 to 0.020% HYLISE 0.5 to 5%.sup. SELENOMETHIONINE - ALKOSEL 0.001 to 0.050% VITAMIN E50 0.001 to 0.050% VITAMIN C 0.001 to 0.050% MANNOOLIGOSACCHARIDES and B- 0.01 to 0.10% GLUCANS EXTRACTED from YEASTS - AGRIMOS POTASSIUM BUTYRATE 0.1 to 0.7% VANILLA FLAVOURING 0.1 to 0.7% POTASSIUM SORBATE 1 to 5% TRISODIUM CITRATE 0.2 to 1.5% CITRIC ACID 0.2 to 1.5% FUMARIC ACID 0.5 to 5%.sup. GELLING AGENT 0.1 to 2%.sup. HOT WATER 50 to 80% DEXTROSE 1 to 7% Composition, in %, in Gelling agent the gelling agent Xanthan gum 50 to 75% Guar gum 12 to 37% Locust bean gum 0.5 to 13%

[0065] In some embodiments, the gel feed has the following physical chemical specifications.

Aspect: Creamy white powder;
Particle size: 95% through 150 m-u.s. Stand. NO100;
pH (1% gel): 5.0-8.0;
Loss on drying: Max 15%

Example 4

Evaluation of the Zootechnic Efficiency of a Feeding Gel For Young Piglets, Earlystart, Distributed Between 0 and 10 Days

[0066] The study is a controlled and randomized comparative test realized in two contemporary groups among which the one will receive an exemplary embodiment of the gel feed described herein (EARLYSTART). Sows will be matched according to the rank and litter size. The litter of both two groups will be evaluated on zootechnical performances.

[0067] The study is performed in farms, selected on the following criteria: Pig farms with a high prolificacy i.e., more than 13 piglets born alive per sow and per litter. Pig farms with a mortality rate before weaning which is >to 9%. The highest will be this mortality rate, the most important will be the effect of EARLYSTART. Practical possibility to set up the experiment with some farms which are including at least (in some contemporary trials) 15 litters for the control group and 15 litters for the trial group. Serious and cooperative breeder.

[0068] All piglets healthy and born at the peak of farrowing are included in the study.

[0069] Non-inclusion criteria: piglets sick or unviable not included.

[0070] Exclusion criteria: Generally, no exclusion is allowed during the study. Inclusion of animals in one of the two groups will be made following a random list. Randomization will be performed according to the size, rank and final weight of the litter after initial weighing.

[0071] For piglets from the first group (also called the Control group) no supplementation are distributed. However, for those of the second group (also called Trial group), EARLYSTART is distributed in addition. EARLYSTART is given ad libitum to piglets in a small red tray. In no case, another feed or additive (such as peat, litter dryer, milk replacer etc . . . ) is distributed to the animals during the study.

[0072] The daily quantity is increased day after day according to the intake of each litter which could be different with a ratio from 1 to 3, which is normal since this intake is bound to milk production of each sow. More the sow has an important milk production less the piglets will ingest gel, and vice versa.

[0073] Gel feed is used as soon as possible after piglets' birth. When first use is postponed, a negative impact can result on the intake for the whole period of 10 days. So even if the intake is weak, the piglets are acclimated and accustomed for the next days and the intake will increase.

From D1 to D3, A Daily Intake of 50 g to 100 g/Litter

[0074] On the first 2-3 days of life, the intake is not so important as each litter will eat approximately 50 to 100 g/day. So the intake is quite low but this is 100% normal as the piglets don't have proper eating behavior on the first days of life and they are in a learning phase how to feed, mainly based on breast feeding. The exact location of the feed tray can also be very important. If putting the tray at the back of the farrowing pen, the intake can be at least 30% inferior compared to a location close to the head of the sow. The tray should be located close to sow's head and nest.

[0075] The parameters evaluated are mainly zootechnical. Piglet growth is assessed on the basis of two sets of individual weighing, a first at farrowing during inclusion and the second at weaning. The litters homogeneity and mortalities are also recorded. For both two batches followed, D0 is the day of birth of piglets included in the study.

[0076] At D0 (day 0):Individual weighing and identification (ear tag) of piglets.Distribution in groups of piglets and sows, taking into accounts the rank and litter size.Distribution of the gel to the piglets of treated group.

[0077] Between D2 and D3:Control of piglets care and adoptions which are inside a same group.Equalization (by removing piglets assigned to a nurse sow) of the litter size average between two groups.Follow up of animals and control of the study progress.

[0078] At D10:End of the daily distribution of the gel.

[0079] Towards D28:Weaning.Individual weighing of the piglets. To analyze the effects on piglets, the statistical unit is the piglet. The effect of batch of sows is taken into account in the analysis of quantitative criteria (adjustments).

Outcome Measures

[0080] Data is studied on following main criteria of statistical point of view:

Average daily weight gain (ADWG) at weaning
Litter homogeneity
Mortality between farrowing and weaning

[0081] The following parameters can also be recorded:

Average number of total born piglets and born alive piglets by sow
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in each group of piglets
GTTT (technical results for sows in the farm)

[0082] Average Daily Weight gain is compared between groups using ANOVA test with 3 factors (group, parity of sow and farm) with sow as nested factor in group. The number of piglets per litter is used as covariate. Litter homogeneity is compared with calculation of standard deviation for each sow litter. ANOVA can be performed in case of normality or Mann-Whitney test elsewhere. The mortality is compared between groups with the Mantel-Haenszel test adjusted on farm or in case of low number by the Fisher exact test.

[0083] As shown in the table below, the gel feed reduces mortality rate and improves average daily gain in piglets.

TABLE-US-00004 mortality rate Litters Mortality rate BREEDING in the trial Control EARLYSTART Gain (points) CTPA Breeding 35 14.6% 7.5% 7.1 Cooperl Breeding N.sup.o 1-Batch 42 13.5% 10.2% 3.3 N.sup.o 1 Cooperl Breeding N.sup.o 1-Batch 42 14.0% 12.0% 2 N.sup.o 2 Cooperl Breeding N.sup.o 2-Batch 60 12.0% 10.0% 2 N.sup.o 1 Cooperl Breeding N.sup.o 2-Batch 60 13.5% 10.5% 3 N.sup.o 2 Cooperl Breeding N.sup.o 3 30 14.2% 8.5% 5.7 Breeding Japan N.sup.o 1 20 14.2% 7.6% 6.6 Results for mortality > 10% 289 13.7% 9.5% 4.2 pts/31% Breeding University 50 8.7% 7.3% 1.4 Minnesota Breeding Japan N.sup.o 2 20 6.1% 5.8% 0.3 Breeding Japan N.sup.o 3 27 5.9% 1.8% 4.1 Breeding South Korea N.sup.o 1 44 8.5% 4.3% 4.2 Breeding South Korea N.sup.o 2 52 4.0% 1.7% 2.3 Results for mortality < 10% 193 6.6% 4.2% 2.4 pts/37% Average mortality rate 482 10.8% 7.3% 3.5

TABLE-US-00005 Average Daily Gain Piglet weight Piglet weight Litters in Weaning at D 0 at weaning ADG BREEDING the trial (days) (kg) (kg) (g) Gain CTPA 65 21 100% 100% 100% +28 g/20% 105% 116% 120% Cooperl 42 28 100% 100% 100% +16 g/7% Breeding No1 104% 106% 107% Field trial, 65 21 100% 100% 100% +32 g/15% Denmark 99% 111% 115% Breeding 44 21 100% 100% 100% +8 g/4% South Korea 110% 106% 104% ADG 186 21 or 1.34 5.81 194 +11% 28 days vs. 1.40 vs. 6.34 vs. 215

[0084] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, or publication cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and variations.