BOVINE SUPPLEMENT FOR NEONATAL CALVES

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a feed supplement preparation for administration to ruminant animals and, more particularly, to a formulation for an oral bovine supplement for neonatal calves that delivers naturally occurring caffeine, in a stable liquid form of elevated viscosity and optionally antioxidants and other electrolytes. A 10-40 ml liquid dose of the supplement containing green tea extract delivers a concentrated amount of caffeine of about 100-400 mg to the neonatal calf.

Claims

1. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising non-synthetic caffeine and a viscosity adjustor in liquid form that is formulated to produce a viscosity of about 400-800 centipoise at 21° C. such that the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the neonatal calf.

2. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the viscosity range of the supplement product is about 500-650 cps at 21° C.

3. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the naturally occurring caffeine is provided by a green tea, green tea extract, black tea, coffee, or cocoa.

4. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the naturally occurring caffeine comprises about 1-3% wt of the supplement product.

5. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises a thickening agent like corn syrup, molasses, glycerin, vegetable oil, glucose syrup, or high fructose syrup.

6. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 5, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises about 50-60% wt of the supplement product.

7. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises a further thickening agent like xanthan gum, guar gum, corn starch, potato starch, citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid or phosphoric acid.

8. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 7, wherein the further thickening agent comprises about 0.05-0.20% wt of the supplement product.

9. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising an antioxidant.

10. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 9, wherein the antioxidant comprises green tea extract.

11. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising vegetable oil defoaming agent for facilitating the suspension of the non-synthetic caffeine in the supplement product.

12. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising a preservative or antimicrobial agent like cassia oil or citric acid.

13. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising an emulsifier like Polysorbate 80.

14. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising electrolytes like sodium citrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate, sodium chloride, or potassium chloride.

15. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the green tea extract contains a concentrated amount of caffeine so that a 10-40 ml liquid dose of the supplement delivers 100-400 mg caffeine to the neonatal calf.

16. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising green tea extract, xanthan gum or guar gum, corn syrup, and water, wherein the viscosity of the supplement is about 400-800 centipoise at 21° C. such that the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the neonatal calf.

17. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising green tea extract, xanthan gum or guar gum, corn syrup, and water, wherein the level of green tea extract in the supplement is about 1-3% wt.

18. A method of use of a neonatal bovine dietary supplement containing a naturally occurring source of caffeine for a new-born calf, said method comprising: (a) being presented with a newborn calf suffering from bovine dystocia; (b) administering to the newborn calf a dose of the supplement comprising non-synthetic caffeine and a viscosity adjustor in liquid form that is formulated to produce a viscosity of about 400-800 centipoise at 21° C.; and (c) wherein the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the newborn calf.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the naturally occurring caffeine is provided by a green tea extract.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises corn syrup and xanthan gum or guar gum.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the supplement dose comprises 10-40 ml liquid with the green tea extract containing a concentrated amount of caffeine so that the dose of the supplement delivers 100-400 mg caffeine to the neonatal calf.

22. A method for preparing a neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine through the oral mucosal lining of a neonatal calf, the method comprising: (a) adding water to a mixer vessel and heating it to at least 50° C.; (b) adding a thickening agent like xanthan gum, guar gum, corn starch, potato starch, citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, or phosphoric acid to the mixer vessel; (c) adding a non-synthetic caffeine like green tea extract, green tea, black tea, or coffee to the mixer vessel; (d) adding a further thickening agent like corn syrup, molasses, glycerin, vegetable oil, glucose syrup, or high fructose syrup to the mixer vessel; (e) allowing the admixture to rest for about 24 hours at which point the resulting neonatal bovine dietary supplement exhibits a viscosity of about 400-800 centipoise at 21° C.

23. The method for preparing a neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 22 further comprising one or more of the following steps, prior to the admixture resting step (e), of: (f) adding an antioxidant like caffeine to the mixer vessel; (g) adding a flavor enhancer like cassia oil to the mixer vessel; (h) adding an emulsifier like Polysorbate 80 to the mixer vessel; (i) adding a preservative agent like citric acid to the mixer vessel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A unique formulation for a neonatal bovine calf supplement to be administered following birth that delivers naturally occurring, concentrated dose of caffeine sourced from, e.g., green tea extract, antioxidants, and electrolytes for overcoming the adverse effects of dystocia is provided by the invention. The supplement successfully incorporates a viscosity adjustor like xanthan gum or guar gum and corn syrup to produce a product which remains shelf stable in a liquid form, while greatly enhancing the effectiveness of the supplement for absorption through the oral mucosa of the neonatal calf for rapid treatment. The supplement not only provides needed multi-system (i.e., CNS/cardiac/respiratory) stimulation to the newly borne calf, but it also stimulates respiration, reduces edema, and stimulates muscle contraction. In this manner, the supplement treats the three biggest problems encountered by hypoxic calves: lethargy, respiratory rate, and high concentrations of adenosine.

[0021] The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of the present invention comprises a concentrated dose of non-synthetic caffeine and water in a liquid solution that is modified by a viscosity adjustor to produce a viscosity of about 400-800 centipoise (“cps”) at 21° C., preferably about 500-650 cps, even more preferably about 600 cps, so that when the supplement is introduced into the mouth of the newly-born calf who is suffering from dystocia or hypoxia, the supplement sticks to the neonatal calf's tongue and internal cheeks in the mouth for rapid absorption of the caffeine through the mucosal lining. Due to the close proximity of blood vessels to the oral mucosal surface of the neonatal calf, this allows for much more rapid entry of the caffeine into the circulation system compared with the digestive system that could take multiple hours for an ingested product to enter the circulatory system. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement may contain a number of other optional ingredients, including antioxidants, electrolytes, solubility aides, anti-foaming agents, and preservatives for producing a stable solution that enhances the health of the neonatal calf who is under duress.

[0022] For purposes of the neonatal bovine dietary supplement, the non-synthetic caffeine may be sourced from a variety of naturally occurring caffeines that have not been chemically synthesized. Such non-synthetic caffeine sources include green tea, green tea extract, black tea, coffee, and cocoa. Green tea extract having a caffeine level of about 90%, preferably about 99%, is preferred. The non-synthetic caffeine ingredient should comprise about 1-15% wt, preferably about 1-5% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0023] The water component of the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product may constitute tap water or deionized water. The water should be clean and free of any contaminants that would impair the health of the neonatal calf. The water ingredient should comprise about 30-60% wt, preferably 35-50% wt, even more preferably about 39% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0024] One or more thickening agents should be added to the solution containing water, non-synthetic caffeine, and tri-sodium citrate dihydrate to obtain the desired viscosity level of about 400-800 cps at 21° C., preferably about 500-650 cps, even more preferably about 600 cps. Corn syrup may be used to enhance the viscosity of the resulting neonatal bovine dietary supplement product, although other suitable substitute viscosity-enhancing ingredients include molasses, glycerin, vegetable oil, glucose syrup, and high fructose syrup. This corn syrup or substitute viscosity enhancer should comprise about 40-75% wt, preferably about 50-60% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0025] A second viscosity adjustment component for further thickening the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product can be xanthan gum, although guar gum, corn starch, potato starch, or an acid like citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, or phosphoric acid may be used. This further thickening agent should only comprise about 0.05-5.0% wt, preferably about 0.05-0.20% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0026] The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of the present invention may also contain one or more antioxidant agents. Such antioxidant agents will address the buildup of free radicals in the neonatal calf caused by a lack of oxygen during the labor process. Caffeine functions as an antioxidant for purposes of the supplement product of the present invention. As noted above, suitable non-synthetic sources of caffeine include green tea, green tea extract, black tea, coffee, and cocoa. It is convenient, therefore, to have the caffeine source perform double duty within the product formulation by additionally providing the antioxidant function. Green tea extract is preferred for contributing antioxidants to the neonatal calf.

[0027] Sodium citrate can be added to the product formulation to help to solubilize the caffeine component into solution to make the antioxidants more accessible to the neonatal calf. Sodium citrate will also reduce metabolic acidosis in the neonatal calf caused by hypoxia, or water imbalance. It buffers the blood in the neonatal calf to a proper pH level.

[0028] The resulting sodium dissociated from the sodium citrate also serves as an electrolyte for the neonatal calf. Such an electrolyte will help to manage the hydration status of the newborn calf. Sodium helps with absorption and storage of water within the animal Other suitable electrolytes for purposes of the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product formulation include sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

[0029] Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate is the preferred form of sodium citrate for purposes of the formulation. Such sodium citrate should comprise about 1-10% wt, preferably about 1-5% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0030] Trans-400 represents a 100% active, food-grade, defoaming agent designed to destroy foam in aqueous environments that builds up during the food product manufacturing process. It may be obtained from Applied Material Solutions, Inc. of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. As a vegetable oil-based defoamer, it may be added to the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product in the United States and some foreign countries in order to release bubbles that accumulate during the manufacturing process, so that the bubbles escape to produce a smooth, even end product. If used, Trans-400 should comprise about 0.0-1.0% wt, preferably about 0.1-0.5% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0031] Cassia oil is a flavor enhancer that also acts as a preservative and antimicrobial agent. Cinnamaldehyde is its essential component. It may be added to the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product at an about 0.1% wt level. Any phenol propionoid such as oregano oil may be used as a substitute in the product formulation.

[0032] Polysorbate 80 liquid is an emulsifier that helps oil components within the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product to integrate into water. Thus, it represents a solubility aid. It is derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid, and it is widely available from a number of manufacturing sources. It should comprise about 0.0-3.0% wt, preferably about 0.07-0.70% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0033] Citric acid may be added to the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product as a preservation agent. It should comprise about 0.5-3.0% wt, preferably about 1.2-1.6% wt, of the formulated neonatal bovine dietary supplement product.

[0034] A coloring agent may likewise be added to the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product. The formulated product is naturally milky white in color. FD&C Blue Dye or beta-carotene are suitable coloring agents.

[0035] One successful formula for the neonatal bovine dietary supplement of the present invention had the following preferred range of ingredients.

TABLE-US-00001 MIN (% MAX (% INGREDIENT wt) wt) Water 35.00% 50.00% Green Tea Extract 1.00% 5.00% Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate 1.00% 5.00% Polysorbate 80 Liquid 0.0% 0.7% Trans 400 - Vegetable oil defoaming agent 0.00% 0.005% Cassia Oil 0.0% 1.0% Corn Syrup Blend 50.00% 60.00% Citric Acid 1.2% 1.6% Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum 0.05% 0.20% FD&C Blue Dye ~.005% ~.005%

[0036] The supplement is a homogeneous solution when heated and packaged that becomes a suspension at room temperature. The solution is preferably bottled when warm. The supplement is shelf-stable for a time period greater than two hours, and does not require a factory vacuum seal and it does not grow mold, yeast or bacteria.

[0037] The process for preparing the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product of the present invention is as follows:

[0038] 1. Add the water to a jacketed tank mixer vessel having an impeller blade. Heat the water with a lid to about >50° C., preferably about 50-75° C., even more preferably about 52-57° C.

[0039] 2. Add half of the xanthan gum or guar gum thickening agent to the vessel, mixing the composition at about 250-500 rpm, depending upon the volume of the batch, for about 15 minutes.

[0040] 3. Add the other half of the xanthan gum or guar gum thickening agent to the vessel and repeat the mixing process. It takes time for the xanthan gum or guar gum to fully hydrate in the water. If all of the xanthan gum or guar gum ingredient were added to the mixture in the vessel at the same time, the composition would thicken too quickly.

[0041] At the same time, incorporation of air from the environment should be avoided during the mixing process.

[0042] 4. Add the non-synthetic caffeine ingredient to the mixer vessel.

[0043] 5. Add the tri-sodium citrate dihydrate ingredient to the vessel.

[0044] 6. Turn off the heat to the mixer vessel.

[0045] 7. Add the cassia oil to the vessel.

[0046] 8. Add the Polysorbate 80 to the vessel.

[0047] 9. Add the corn syrup at about 70° F. to the vessel.

[0048] 10. Add the citric acid to the vessel.

[0049] The final mixture for the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product will generally exhibit a viscosity level of about 75-150 cps at the prevailing 50° C. temperature immediately after mixing. It takes several hours for the guar gum or xanthan gum to fully hydrate. Once the caffeine is fully solubilized, caffeine crystals will start to form within 12-24 hours during cooling to room temperature with a subsequent increase in viscosity. Thus, approximately 24 hours after the mixing process is completed, the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product will achieve its desirable viscosity level of about 550-600 cps at 21° C.

[0050] The finished product is preferably packaged in 15-20 ml squeeze tubes or syringe plunger. Such squeeze tubes or syringe plunger will conveniently introduce the product into the newborn calf's mouth.

[0051] A typical product dose for the neonatal bovine dietary supplement is about 10-40 ml liquid solution containing a concentrated caffeine dose of about 100-400 mg.

[0052] The above specification provides a complete description of the components and preparation process for the neonatal bovine dietary supplement product of the present invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims herein appended.