Abstract: The present application discloses a novel mammalian livestock feed additive containing a selective avian taste aversive agent, preferably dimethyl anthranilate, which is at least partially entrapped in an edible solid vehicle to improve its taste persistency. In the preferred embodiment, the edible vehicle is a modified food starch which is spray dried with the avian taste aversive agent. The disclosed livestock feed additive may be incorporated in a livestock feed to reduce the amount of feed lost to avian species, and to reduce the likelihood that mammals will be infected by avian transmitted diseases such as transmissible gastroenteritis. Alternatively, a mammalian poison is disclosed comprising an avian taste aversive additive which will increase the amount of that poison available for ingestion by mammalian target species and decrease the likelihood of secondary poisoning of a number of endangered species.

Abstract: Monellin, an intensely sweet polypeptide, substantially free from carbohydrate, is described. Monellin is the pure proteinaceous principle of the fruit Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii, having a molecular weight of approximately 11,000, an isoelectric point of 9.3, and an ultraviolet absorption maximum (.lambda. max) of 277 nm. A process for the production of monellin is described which includes the steps of extracting the fruit with an aqueous medium, separating the extract into a carbohydrate containing fraction and a proteinaceous fraction substantially free from carbohydrate, and recovering the proteinaceous fraction substantially free from carbohydrate.