Abstract: A method for enhancing the palatability of aquaculture food, the method comprising treating the food with a compound of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, and n are as defined herein, are disclosed.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of oligomers and co-oligomers comprised of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acids and ?-amino acids or peptides is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid with a specific chiral configuration is linked by an amide linkage to a ?-amino acid specific with a specific chiral configuration or linked by an amide linkage to a peptide made up of ?-amino acid monomers having identical chiral configurations. Proteolytic enzymes catalyze oligomerization of the ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid and ?-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to animals such as ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen and other animals such as swine, poultry and aquatic animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising oocysts and a surfactant capable of reducing or preventing aggregation of the oocysts. Also provided are methods for reducing or preventing oocyst aggregation in a vaccine, and methods for evaluating the ability of a surfactant to reduce or prevent oocyst aggregation.

Abstract: A method of supplying a ruminant with its nutritional requirements for methionine is provided wherein a hydroxy analogue of methionine that is available for absorption by a ruminant is administered to the ruminant. Preferably, the, ruminant is administered an isopropyl ester of a hydroxy analogue of methionine, wherein at least 40% of the isopropyl ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine is available for absorption by the cow.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the sporulation, sterilization and storage of coccidial oocyst which are characterized by an absence of the highly toxic chemical potassium dichromate. Also provided are compositions containing sporulated oocysts which are free of potassium dichromate.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions and combinations comprising a compound of Formula I 1

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the digestibility of protein-containing compositions, including food and feed ingredients. The methods comprise incubation of the compositions with proteases, followed by determination of the hydrolyzed peptide bonds. The methods are suitable for rapid, routine determination of digestibility for food and feed processing plants.

Abstract: A nutrient formulation including moisture, a coloring agent, a palatability modifier, and/or an adjuvant which is designed for use in poultry and other animals, and a method of feeding it which improves subsequent livability, cumulative feed efficiency, weight gain, and resistance to disease challenge or other stresses is disclosed.

Abstract: An inoculation device and method are provided. The device includes a hypodermic syringe with a hollow needle that is positioned to inject a small animal in its abdominal area with an inoculant. A work platform supports the animal during inoculation in a back down, face up orientation. Air flow sensing activation means is positioned adjacent a portion of the animal. When the animal is moved into contact with the activation means, drive means connected to the hypodermic syringe moves the needle forward to penetrate the animal after which the inoculant is injected.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid or peptide co-oligomers is disclosed wherein a residue of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid is linked to a residue of the &agr;-amino acid or peptide by an amide linkage. Proteolytic enzyme papain catalyzes co-oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of oligomers and co-oligomers comprised of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acids and &agr;-amino acids or peptides is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid with a specific chiral configuration is linked by an amide linkage to a &agr;-amino acid specific with a specific chiral configuration or linked by an amide linkage to a peptide made up of &agr;-amino acid monomers having identical chiral configurations. Proteolytic enzymes catalyze oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to animals such as ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen and other animals such as swine, poultry and aquatic animals.

Abstract: An inoculation device and method are provided. The device includes a hypodermic syringe with a hollow needle that is positioned to inject a small animal in its abdominal area with an inoculant. A work platform supports the animal during inoculation in a back down, face up orientation. Air flow sensing activation mechanism is positioned adjacent a portion of the animal. When the animal is moved into contact with the activation mechanism, drive connected to the hypodermic syringe moves the needle forward to penetrate the animal after which the inoculant is injected.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A method for the identification and enumeration by flow cytometry of species of coccidial sporocysts and in particular sporocysts of the genus Eimeria is disclosed. The method is useful in the identification and enumeration of coccidial protozoa in environmental samples, designing treatment programs for animals infected with coccidial protozoa, and for quality control of preparations containing coccidial protozoa.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the viability of sporocyst-forming protozoa. The method involves treating a sample of protozoa with at least one vital dye and determining the viability of the protozoa in the sample by differential staining. The viability of protozoa in the sample can then be correlated with the viability of protozoa in the population from which the sample was obtained.

Abstract: A process is provided for the combustion of ammonium salts of sulfuric acid contained in aqueous media. More particularly, a reductive combustion process which produces a combustion gas containing a divalent sulfur compound having a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide. The process is suitable for combusting ammonium salts of sulfuric acid produced during manufacture of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid (HMBA) or methionine. The divalent sulfur compounds in the combustion gas may be further converted to other useful sulfur products and recycled for use in the manufacture of HMBA or methionine.

Abstract: A nutrient formulation including moisture which is designed for use in poultry and other animals, and a method of feeding it which improves subsequent livability, cumulative feed efficiency and weight gain is disclosed.