Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing granulates which contain enzymes and which are suited for feeding animals. The granulates are produced by mixing at least one enzyme with a supporting material and by extruding this mixture. The inventive method is characterized in that the supporting material is firstly plasticized in a screw mixer which is equipped with at least one horizontally arranged screw. Afterwards, the enzyme is introduced into the screw mixer and is processed with the plasticized supporting material to produce a homogeneous material which is then extruded.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for adding additives during the conditioning of animal feed. The feed is transferred from a container (1) into a conditioner (3) via a feed screw (2) at an inlet point (M). In the conditioner (3), the feed is transported by a mixing screw (12) from an inlet point (M) along a path (A) to an exit point (N), and is exposed to vapor in the course of this. One or more additives (5) which are introduced into the conditioner (3) through one or more ports (10) are added to the feed which, has passed through x% of the path (A) in the conditioner (3). The feed and the additives (5) added through one or more ports (10) are mixed on the remaining (100-x)% of the path (A) to form a mixture (6). The mixture (6) leaving the conditioner (3) at the exit point (N) is transferred to a pelleting press (7), where the mixture (6) is formed into pellets (8). The pellets (8) are finally transferred to a cooling device (9).

Abstract: Process for producing riboflavin granules or riboflavin microgranules with a riboflavin content of from 90 to 99.5% by weight and with a particle size range from 50 to 450 .mu.m, which entails adding during the granulation at least one auxiliary selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal bicarbonates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal phosphates, crosslinked cellulose and cellulose derivatives and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in amounts of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, all % by weight data being based in each case on the dry product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to improve the processing and storage stability of dry enzyme preparations. To this extend an inorganic salt, e.g. MgSO.sub.4, is dissolved in an enzyme containing solution which is subsequently dried, using e.g. spray drying. Not only does the addition of salt improve the yield of enzyme activity upon drying, also the storage and processing stability of the obtained solid composition containing the enzyme and the inorganic salt are improved with respect to enzyme activity. The invention further discloses solid compositions comprising enzymes and inorganic salts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to improve the processing and storage stability of dry enzyme preparations. To this extent an inorganic salt, e.g. MgSO.sub.4, is dissolved in an enzyme containing solution which is subsequently dried, using e.g. spray drying. Not only does the addition of salt improve the yield of enzyme activity upon drying, also the storage and processing stability of the obtained solid composition containing the enzyme and the inorganic salt are improved with respect to enzyme activity. The invention further discloses solid compositions comprising enzymes and inorganic salts. Preferably the enzymes comprise phytase, protease, hemicellulase, cellulase, and mixtures thereof, and the inorganic salts are divalent cations comprising zinc, magnesium, or calcium. The concentration of the inorganic salt is at least 5%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 30%, still more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably at least 90% (w/w).