Abstract: The present invention relates to omega-3 fatty acid enrichment, and n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio improvement, of poultry products using animal feed supplemented with defatted microalgae, and treatment methods involving such poultry products. One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing poultry eggs with elevated amounts of n-3 fatty acids. This method involves feeding poultry an amount of defatted microalgae under conditions effective for the poultry to produce an egg comprising about 300 mg to about 550 mg of n-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to omega-3 fatty acid enrichment, and n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio improvement, of poultry products using animal feed supplemented with defatted microalgae, and treatment methods involving such poultry products. One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing poultry eggs with elevated amounts of n-3 fatty acids. This method involves feeding poultry an amount of defatted microalgae under conditions effective for the poultry to produce an egg comprising about 300 mg to about 550 mg of n-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising defatted microalgae in a solid, powder, or liquid form formulated for oral administration. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising defatted microalgae formulated as a food additive. Also disclosed are treatment methods that involve administering microalgae compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal feed composition comprising one or more grains in an amount totaling 48-70% w/w of the composition; a non-algal protein source in an amount totaling 15-30% w/w of the composition; algae in an amount totaling 3-15% w/w of the composition; an exogenous protease totaling 0.01-0.1% w/w of the composition; and an oil heterologous to the algae in an amount totaling 0.5-15% w/w of the composition. The present invention also relates to an animal feed supplement, methods of feeding an animal, methods of improving the feed efficiency of an animal, and an improvement to an animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer comprising at least one microbe selected from the group consisting of Trichoderma viride (NRRL B-50520), Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (NRRL B-50521), Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (NRRL B-50522), and combinations thereof, and a substrate which is acted upon by the at least one microbe to release nitrogen. The invention also relates to a fertilizer comprising at least one microbe selected from a keratin degrading microorganism and a keratin substrate which is acted upon by the at least one microbe to release nitrogen. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing growth of plants with the fertilizer, and methods of making a fertilizer. The invention further relates to an isolated Trichoderma viride strain (NRRL B-50520) and two isolated Scopulariopsis brevicaulis strains (NRRL B-50521, NRRL B-50522).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in a subject. The method involves selecting a subject with: (1) an antioxidant deficiency and (2) a need for enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and administering to the selected subject an agent selected from the group consisting of (1) a compound according to Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the substituents R1-R3, X, Y, and n are as described herein, (2) glutathione peroxidase, or (3) activators of PGC-1? antioxidant response element, under conditions effective to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the subject. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a subject with Type 2 diabetes and treating a subject with hypoglycemia by administering these agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal feed composition comprising one or more grains in an amount totaling 50-70% w/w of the composition; a non-algal protein source in an amount totaling 15-30% w/w of the composition; algae in an amount totaling 3-15% w/w of the composition; an oil heterologous to the algae in an amount totaling 0.5-15% w/w of the composition; an inorganic phosphate source in an amount totaling up to 1.5% w/w of the composition; a sodium source in an amount totaling up to 0.5% w/w of the composition; and one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan, and methionine in an amount totaling up to 0.5% w/w of the composition. Also disclosed are an animal feed supplement, methods of feeding animals, methods of improving the feed efficiency of an animal, and an improvement to animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer comprising at least one microbe selected from the group consisting of Trichoderma viride (NRRL B-50520), Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (NRRL B-50521), Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (NRRL B-50522), and combinations thereof, and a substrate which is acted upon by the at least one microbe to release nitrogen. The invention also relates to a fertilizer comprising at least one microbe selected from a keratin degrading microorganism and a keratin substrate which is acted upon by the at least one microbe to release nitrogen. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing growth of plants with the fertilizer, and methods of making a fertilizer. The invention further relates to an isolated Trichoderma viride strain (NRRL B-50520) and two isolated Scopulariopsis brevicaulis strains (NRRL B-50521, NRRL B-50522).

Abstract: A method is described for improving the nutritional value of a foodstuff comprising a source of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by feeding the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast. The method comprises the step of feeding the animal the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast wherein the phytase can be selected from the group consisting of AppA1, AppA2 and a site-directed mutant of AppA. The invention also enables reduction of the feed to weight gain ratio and an increase bone mass and mineral content of an animal. A foodstuff and a feed additive comprising AppA2 or a site-directed mutant of AppA are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides variant phytase enzymes having increased thermal stability relative to their counterpart parent enzymes. The modifications to the enzymes include both single substitutions and various combinations of substitutions that provide improved stability and activity. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding the variant phytase enzymes, host cells and vectors containing and expressing them, as well as feed compositions useful for providing improved nutrition, particularly with respect to the bioavailability of dietary phosphate, calcium, iron and zinc, among others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing bone strength in an animal, preferably a mammal. In one aspect, the methods provided by the invention involve administering to the animal strontium and a phytase enzyme. In another aspect, methods are provided for treating or preventing osteoporosis in a subject, the method comprising administering to said individual a phytase enzyme and strontium. Also encompassed are animal feed compositions comprising a phytase enzyme and supplemental strontium and a dietary supplement composition for administration to a human, the composition comprising a phytase enzyme and supplemental strontium.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the nutritional value of a foodstuff comprising a source of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by feeding the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast. The method comprises the step of feeding the animal the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast wherein the phytase can be selected from the group consisting of AppA1, AppA2 and a site-directed mutant of AppA. The invention also enables reduction of the feed to weight gain ratio and an increase bone mass and mineral content of an animal. A foodstuff and a feed additive comprising AppA2 or a site-directed mutant of AppA are also described.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the nutritional value of a foodstuff comprising a source of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by feeding the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast. The method comprises the step of feeding the animal the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast wherein the phytase can be selected from the group consisting of AppA1, AppA2 and a site-directed mutant of AppA. The invention also enables reduction of the feed to weight gain ratio and an increase bone mass and mineral content of an animal. A foodstuff and a feed additive comprising AppA2 or a site-directed mutant of AppA are also described.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the nutritional value of a foodstuff comprising a source of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by feeding the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast. The method comprises the step of feeding the animal the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast wherein the phytase can be selected from the group consisting of AppA1, AppA2 and a site-directed mutant of AppA. The invention also enables reduction of the feed to weight gain ratio and an increase bone mass and mineral content of an animal. A foodstuff and a feed additive comprising AppA2 or a site-directed mutant of AppA are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding mutant phytases and the isolated mutant phytases themselves. The present invention further relates to methods of using the isolated nucleic acid molecules and the isolated mutant phytases of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the nutritional value of a foodstuff comprising a source of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate by feeding the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast. The method comprises the step of feeding the animal the foodstuff in combination with a phytase expressed in yeast wherein the phytase can be selected from the group consisting of AppA1, AppA2 and a site-directed mutant of AppA. The invention also enables reduction of the feed to weight gain ratio and an increase bone mass and mineral content of an animal. A foodstuff and a feed additive comprising AppA2 or a site-directed mutant of AppA are also described.