Abstract: Compositions for increasing the amount of available silica, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are described herein. The compositions contain calcium silicate (CaSiO2) and magnesium sulfite (MgSO3). Calcium silicate may be in the form of calcium silicate slag. Magnesium sulfite may be a by-product obtained from power plants. In one embodiment, the composition is in granular form and contains 65-90% (wt) calcium silicate slag, 20-30% (wt) magnesium sulfite, 0-5% (wt) expandible clay, and 2-10% (wt) residual moisture (H2O). In a preferred embodiment, the granules contain 31% (wt) silica, 22% (wt) calcium, 3% (wt) magnesium, and 4% (wt) sulfur. In a second embodiment, the composition is non granular and contains 75-90% (wt) calcium silicate slag, 10-20% (wt) magnesium sulfite and 0-10% (wt) H2O. The compositions may be applied to golf courses or residential or commercial lawns to improve the growth of grasses and their resistance to disease and insects.

Abstract: An increased palatability dry pet food product is provided having residual ?-amylase activity, a moisture content of 5 to 12%, and an Instron value of between 9.5 and 17.5 foot lbs. A method of producing the dry pet food product is also provided.

Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolized casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolized collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolized collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An acellular red blood cell substitute which comprises an essentially tetramer-free, substantially stroma-free, cross-linked, polymerized, pyridoxylated hemoglobin and a nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, its use and a process for preparing said acellular red blood cell substitute.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises an electrostatically charge ingredient, preferably selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged proteins, amino acids, conjugated proteins, dipeptides, multipeptides, protein colloids, enzymes, protein hydrolysates, natural and artificial food additives, flavorings, seasonings, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An integrated method is developed to utilize to a maximum extent the fresh biomass of seaweeds such as Kappaphycus alvarezii that can be crushed to release sap and where the sap is useful as a potent liquid fertilizer after suitable treatment with additives and dilution while the residue is a superior raw material for extraction of ?-carrageenan, thereby enhancing the value of the seaweed. Other advantages of the invention include a reduced drying time and drying area to obtain the raw material for ?-carrageenan production in dry and storable form, a reduced cost of transporting and storing this raw material because of its lesser bulk, easier handling due to its free flowing granular nature, and its direct use for gel preparation in certain applications.

Abstract: Fertilizer compositions for plant production are described, comprised of decontaminated manure and Bacillus spores, preferably a humic acid derived from lignite and, optionally, one or more of N compounds, P compounds, K compounds, and combinations of two or more of these compounds. Preferred compositions are those wherein the ingredients are blended into an admixture resulting in a granular product. Other preferred compositions are those blended into an admixture resulting in a powdered product. Preferably, the ingredients are formed into hardened prills or pellets. Processes for production and use are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a combination adjuvant comprising an ammonium sulfate fertilizer impregnated with a drift reducing agent. The drift reducing agent is preferably polyacrylamide. Anti-caking and drying agents are preferably added to the combination adjuvant to provide ease of use and prevent caking and agglomeration of the adjuvant. The combination adjuvant is formed by mixing a liquid drift reducing agent with dry ammonium sulfate granules. Any additional agents are added and mixed with the drift reducing agent and ammonium sulfate. Because each granule comprises approximately the same amount of drift reducing agent, the composition of the combination adjuvant is uniform, even after storage and transport.

Abstract: A pellet for use in conditioning soil made of a lignocellulose fiber matrix having up to 20% by weight of a soil conditioning material incorporated therein. The soil conditioning material comprises one or more synthetic soil conditioning polymers and, optionally, additional soil enhancing additives such as fertilizers, gypsum, and calcium salts. The preferred lignocellulose materials are pulp fibers with an alpha-cellulose purity of greater than about 75% by weight, with preferred lignin content of no higher than 10%. The soil conditioning polymers are preferably polyacrylamides (PAMs) or modified PAMs, but may be a combination of other soil conditioning polymers. The pellet is produced by dispersing the polymers into a bath of lignocellulose fibers. The dispersion is then formed into pellets with a pelletizing machine such that the polymer and other soil conditioning material is interspersed within the matrix formed by the pelletized lignocellulose.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pet food product is provided which is served to pets at either room temperature as a pudding or frozen, comparable to ice cream. The pet food product includes a combination of natural ingredients to an emulsion of vegetable oil, glycerin, and milk solids to provide a healthy treat for pets, such as dogs and cats.

Abstract: Volatility-inhibited fertilizers are prepared by coating granular urea with a coating that includes a binding agent having a boron anion and a hydrogen bonding group to adhere the binding agent to the granular urea. The binding agent may be an amino alcohol borate in which the amino alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and mixtures thereof, or a borate of an amino alcohol complex of a divalent metal. The borates are preferably prepared as an aqueous solution of the amino alcohol and boric acid, or the amino alcohol, a divalent metal salt, and boric acid, with the aqueous solution being applied to the urea granules. Additional plant nutrients may also be coated onto the urea granules.

Abstract: A firm, flexible feed gel that provides animals, especially non-human primates such as orangutans, with fiber. The gel comprises a gelling agent, added-fiber, and water. While nutritional foods consumed by animals, both natural and manufactured, can contain certain amounts of fiber, the amount of fiber can be insufficient in maintaining the health of the animal. The invention provides a firm, flexible gel that contains an amount of fiber that is over and above the amount of fiber normally found in the animal's nutritional foods, i.e., it provides added-fiber. A method of preparing the gel comprises: (i) providing a gelling agent, a source of added-fiber, and water; (ii) blending the gelling agent and the added-fiber to form a mixture; (iii) combining the water and the mixture to form a homogeneous mass; (iv) transferring the homogeneous mass into a mold; and (v) cooling the homogeneous mass to form the firm, flexible feed gel.

Abstract: Mycotoxin adsorbents are produced containing an organically modified (organophilic) layered silicate, in which quaternary onium compounds contain at least one C10 to C22 alkyl group and at least one aromatic substituent, or containing a mixture of not organically modified silicate and a layered silicate organically modified at least to 75%, referring to the total cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the layered silicate.

Abstract: A high concentration, stable, neutral liquid fertilizer solution containing ammonium phosphite with a preferred composition of 9.8-34-0 for use as a fertilizer and a method for production and use of such a compound is disclosed.

Abstract: A blend of starch and a thermoplastic aliphatic-aromatic copolyester resin, at a specific gravity of greater than 1.0. In method form, the invention comprises supplying an aromatic-aliphatic based polyester, supplying starch and mixing the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester with the starch and introducing the mixture to a melt processing apparatus wherein the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester and starch are mixed and molded or extruded into a desired shape.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid product containing nitrogen and phosphor, particular a solid ammonium phosphate and/or urea ammonium phosphate product, in which method the solution containing urea and phosphoric acid is heated. Water then evaporates from the solution and the urea in the solution decomposes into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide exits the reactor together with water vapor; the generated ammonia neutralizes the phosphoric acid. A suspension containing ammonium phosphate and/or urea ammonium phosphate is obtained, which is solidified, dried, crushed, ground and/or granulated. The end product as such can be used as a fertilizer or it can be used as part of a mixed fertilizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for beneficial control of body condition and dietary energy balance in dairy cattle during colostrum milk production. An important aspect of the beneficial control is the provision of a feedstock which has a supplemented content of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid derivative having rumen-bypass properties. The ingested quantity of CLA derivative ingredient per cow is effective for lowering and maintaining the fat content of colostrum milk in the range between about 4-6 weight percent and for increasing milk yield. The presence of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid structural isomer in an invention feedstock is minimized, because it counteracts the beneficial effects of the trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid structural isomer, such as reduction in milk yield.

Abstract: A feed supplement for livestock includes, in a feed supplement combination, a quantity of waste product material selected from the group comprising dissolved air floatation product (DAF) and paunch manure and a quantity of an inert dry medium which will not chemically react with the waste product material such as soy hulls, hay, alfalfa, corn and other such dry mediums. The waste product material comprises between one percent (1%) and ninety-nine percent (99%) of the feed supplement combination. The feed supplement combination is then processed through an extrusion process involving the cooking, grinding and mixing of the feed supplement combination under pressure and elevated temperature, wherein the temperature of the feed supplement combination is raised above 250 degrees Fahrenheit to sterilize and dehydrate the feed supplement combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a long-term feed for aquatic animals, especially for fish, shrimp and invertebrates, which feed is stable for a long time, is insoluble and does not load the water chemistry in fresh and sea water and can also be used as a weekend or holiday feed for warm and cold water ornamental fish, wherein it contains 1 to 50% by weight of agar-agar.