Abstract: The present invention relates to acid-stable proteases homologous to those derived from strains of the genus Nocardiopsis, their use in animal feed, feed-additives and feed compositions containing such proteases, and methods for the treatment of vegetable proteins using such proteases.

Abstract: There is provided an inexpensive silage additive which improves silage fermentation and improves the nutrient quality for livestock animals.

Abstract: Liquid lysine can be made with almost any particular specification that may be reasonably expected. A multistep process for producing lysine includes at least: fermentation, ultrafiltration, evaporation, and mixing. Depending upon the particular specifications that are to be met, at least two liquids may be taken from selected points in the multistep process. The lysine in these two liquids is concentrated to a desired level and then the liquids are mixed together and returned to the processing feed stream. The process may be applied to any amino acid which can be produced by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention advances prior art animal food products by providing an animal food product formulated with Morinda Citrifolia, or Noni, from the Indian Mulberry plant. The addition of Noni to the animal food product of the present invention serves to provide significant health advantages not found in prior art animal food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal feed made of an amount of cereal grain and a peptide or polypeptide expressed by a transformed organism, whereby the transformed organism can be included in the animal feed composition. The present invention also relates to a method for forming the animal feed wherein the method includes forming a transformed organism by transforming a yeast cell by inserting a nucleic acid molecule which will express a polypeptide desired for use in the animal feed.

Abstract: A purified recombinant phytase enzyme derived from Escherichia coli B. The enzyme has a molecular light of about 47.1 kilodaltons and has phytase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the flavor, tenderness and/or consumer acceptability of the meat of domestic fowl. The method includes feeding low levels of long chain omega-3 and/or omega-6 HUFAs to the fowl, preferably during the later stages of the production cycle. The method can also result in improved nutrition value in the meat of the fowl.

Abstract: Continuous direct enzymatic protein solubilization process for industrial waste. The invention consists of obtaining peptones (mixture of proteins, peptides and amino acids) starting from industrial wastes of plant origin. The process is carried out in two steps. On the first step the wastes are subjected to successive washes with acidified water to wash out alkaloids (polyphenols), sugars, insoluble fibers, etc., a concentrate rich in proteins being obtained. In a continuous process said protein concentrate is next subjected to a second enzymatc hydrolysis step (25-40%) with endoproteases, the peptones being obtained which involve a degree of solubilization in the order of 60-80% of the insoluble commencement proteins.

Abstract: The invention has the object of offering a novel means for making effective use of organic wastes, and offering a method for producing a feed by efficiently treating organic wastes. The invention has the additional object of enabling highly concentrated organic wastes to be treated efficiently in a short time. In a treatment method where molds are mixed with organic wastes to ferment and dry, the oil content of the mixture is adjusted to at least 3 wt %, preferably at least 5 wt %, more preferably at least 10 wt %.

Abstract: A method for treating an animal selected from the group consisting of pigs, poultry and ruminants, to increase the animal's performance, which comprises administering to the animal, with its feed, a performance-increasing amount of an organism selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus kefir, Lactobacillus parakefir and Lactobacillus parabuchneri.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a highly digestible, high protein product (high protein distillers dried grains or high protein DDG) from corn endosperm, and more particularly to a method for the recovery of high protein DDG by using: (i) dehulling and degermination to isolate a low fat, low fiber corn endosperm fraction, (ii) enzymatic hydrolysis to solubilize and alcoholic fermentation to assimilate the starch and non-starch carbohydrates present in the corn endosperm, and (iii) filtration and/or centrifugation to recover the dealcoholized insoluble solids that remain after fermentation of the corn endosperm. The present invention provides an alternative to the traditional dry mill method of processing corn to produce ethanol, and results in the production and recovery of a distillers' by-product (high protein DDG) with increased value and range of use as an ingredient in feeds for farm-raised ruminants and non-ruminants and pet foods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Protease variants are provided that contain substitutions of the amino acids at one or more residue positions so that the substitution alters the charge at that position to make the charge more negative or less positive compared to a precursor protease and thus the protease variant is more effective in a low detergent concentration system than a precursor protease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing mushroom mycelia and uses of the mushroom mycelia. Mushroom mycelia can be cultured at low cost in a broth made of the water from the washing of grains. Also, mushroom mycelia rich in trace minerals can be cultured in a broth supplemented with trace minerals. Feeding of feedstuffs mixed with the mushroom mycelia culture produces duck meats with excellent taste and quality and low cholesterol content.

Abstract: A method for reducing bacterial enteropathogens in fowl subjected to feed withdrawal, involving withdrawing feed from fowl and orally administering to the fowl an effective amount of a cocktail sufficient to reduce bacterial enteropathogens in the crop of the fowl, wherein the cocktail contains contains water, a carbohydrate (e.g., glucose, sucrose), and optionally a protein source, a vitamin source, an organic acid, an emulsifier, a mineral source, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Enzyme feed supplements containing fungal cellulase produced by Trichoderma viride are specially adapted for increasing protein digestability of dairy cow and cattle feed. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include enzyme formulations adapted for application to corn and enzyme formulations adapted for application to grain sorghum, to which is added Trichoderma viride cellulase. An increase in protein digestability has been evidenced by increased protein content of milk and increased nitrogen retention from the feed.

Abstract: The invention offers a method for producing a livestock feed composition including steps of adding Aspergillus to a feed material comprising at least two types chosen from among a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and an organic waste material, and allowing the Aspergillus to incubate, and a livestock feed composition produced by such a process.

Abstract: Dry plant base products for example, fat extracted meals as a result of processing soybean, canola (rapeseed), sunflower, cottonseed, peanut and other seeds, whole seeds such as peas, beans, and cereal grains, plant based by-products such as rice bran, wheat bran, corn gluten meal, and all other plant based products used in diet formulation, is combined with high moisture animal, plant or microbial by-products, for example animal by-products such as macerated portions or whole carcasses from animals such as fish, poultry, swine or cattle and by-products of the dairy industry such as whey; plant by-products such as corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed; and microbial by-products such as distillers thins from the brewing and distilling industries. The mixture is treated with phytase to dephytinize the plant based products. Optionally, a chelating agent can be added to improve the efficiency of the reaction.

Abstract: A feed additive composition which contains enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea; a method for making a feed additive containing enzyme-treated concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea; a process for improving the nutritive value of spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea by enzymatic treatment; a method for feeding livestock with a feed containing an enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea additive and a process for improving poultry feed conversion, breast meat yield and intestinal strength by feeding a feed containing an enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea additive are disclosed. Preferably, the spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea is treated with a cellulase and at least one glycosidase, and then concentrated.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing adiposity in an animal such as a companion animal by feeding the animal an effective amount of Vitamin A for a time sufficient to reduce adiposity in the animal. Preferably, the such effective amount comprises from about 50,000 IU to about 1,000,000 IU of Vitamin A per kilogram of diet. Such an effective amount provides sufficient Vitamin A to decrease accumulation of body fat, increase UCP1 levels, and decrease serum leptin levels in the animal.

Abstract: Animal feed is obtained by mixing a grain material and/or a fiber material with at least one industrial waste selected from the group consisting of fish-broth effluents, fish viscera, animal wastes, and distillatory effluents, to form a mixture. Subsequently, koji mold is added to the mixture, then allowed to undergo fermentation, and then dried to form the animal feed. A method for producing animal feed comprises the steps of: mixing a grain material and/or a fiber material with at least one industrial waste selected from the group consisting of fish-broth effluents, fish viscera, animal wastes, and distillatory effluents to form a mixture, wherein the water content of the mixture is 45 wt % or less; adding koji mold to the mixture to cause fermentation; and drying the mixture by utilizing heat generated by the fermentation caused by the koji mold and, if necessary, by driving a current of air upon the mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for making and using thermotolerant phytases, e.g., a method of using a thermotolerant phytase in feed and food processing and feed or food products comprising a thermotolerant phytase.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Such variant proteases have properties which are different from those of the precursor protease, such as altered wash performance. The substituted amino acid residue correspond to positions 62, 212, 230, 232, 252 and 257 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving feed conversion and weight gain in poultry, including chickens, wherein Bacillus laterosporus, or any microorganism with a similarity index, based on its cellular fatty acid profile, of greater than 0.5 to Bacillus laterosporus (including Bacillus laterosporus strain CM-33 (ATCC Accession No. PTA-3952)) is administered to poultry. Strain CM-33 of Bacillus laterosporus was isolated from soil and has a similarity index of 76% to Bacillus laterosporus. The administration of strain CM-33 is preferably divided into daily doses of about 2.0 million colony forming units (cfu)/day and continued for about 40 days of the growth cycle. The cells or spores can be administered through the bird's drinking water or by other methods, including spraying them onto the bird's feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal feed additives comprising galactanase enzymes. More specifically the invention relates to animal feed additives comprising a arabinogalactan endo-1,4-&bgr;-galactosidase and/or an arabinogalactan endo-1,3-&bgr;-galactosidase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal feed with improved quality, improved resistance to undesirable bacterial strains and improved digestibility and to a process for preparing animal feed containing cereal involving cereal fermentation to produce a feed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved animal feed compositions comprising one or more milk proteins produced in the seeds of a transgenic plant and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel micro-organism, Penicillium funiculosum, to a new enzymes mixture obtained from it, and nucleic acid sequences encoding such enzymes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an enzyme-containing granulate is disclosed where an aqueous enzyme-containing liquid is mixed with an edible carbohydrate-based solid carrier, such as starch, mechanically processed into granules, and subsequently dried. This enzyme granulate is suitable for the manufacture of animal feed compositions by mixing feed ingredients with the granulate, treating with steam and pelleting. The compositions optimally show improved enzyme stability during the pelleting process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved dental compositions and methods for bleaching teeth. More specifically, this invention is directed towards hydrogen peroxide-containing compounds that are maintained at a substantially constant pH range of 6.0-10.0 during the tooth-bleaching procedure in the presence of a calcium chelating agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved chlortetracycline-containing animal feed compositions and processes and apparatuses for their preparation. In certain embodiments, raw fermentation broth comprising chlortetracycline is divided into two portions. The first portion is mixed with a compound that complexes chlortetracycline. The second portion is acidified and the solids are removed. The acidified liquid is treated with a complexing agent to produced a chlortetracycline complex. The first and second portions thus treated are then mixed and the mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids to produce a wet cake comprising complexed chlortetracycline. In alternative embodiments, the second portion may be acidified and filtered and admixed with the first portion prior to the complexing step. The resulting mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids.

Abstract: A feedstuff with reduced ruminal protein degradability is prepared by mixing a carbohydrase enzyme with a material suitable for livestock feed and steeping the mixture under suitable conditions for the carbohydrase enzyme to hydrolyze carbohydrates contained within the material to reducing forms. The mixture is then heated to induce browning so that the protein contained within the material is rendered inert to ruminal degradation. The carbohydrase enzyme may be supplied to the steeping step by the addition of a microorganism capable of secreting the enzyme. A method of feeding a feedstuff with reduced ruminal degradability is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal feed additive, which comprises at least two components selected from the group consisting of the following three components (a), (b) and (c): (a) at least one herb selected from Pine Needle, Hawthorn Fruit, Bighead Atractylodes Rhizome, Milkvetch Root, Skullcap Root, Tangerine Fruit and Mint Siftings; (b) a live bacteria mixture composed of a yeast cell wall and a live bacteria preparation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or Enterococcus faecium; and (c) an organic acid.

Abstract: A process of obtaining &bgr;-glucan from cereal by extracting with water and without deactivation of enzymes associated with the cereal. A process for controlling the average molecular weight of &bgr;-glucan extracted from cereal by controlling the extraction time. A process fro recovering -glucan from an aqueous solution of &bgr;-glucan comprising freezing the solution, allowing the solution to thaw and separating solids from the resultant suspension. A &bgr;-glucan produced by any of these processes. A &bgr;-glucan which forms a gel when a heated solution of the &bgr;-glucan cools. The use of &bgr;-glucan in treating various health disorders, as an additive in cosmetics and foods, and as a film forming agent. A cereal from which b-glucan has been extracted for use as animal feed or in brewing processes.

Abstract: A process for feeding an animal a diet which alters the function and morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), a large lymphoid organ in the animal and which improves glucose metabolism, satiety, and nutrient absorption. The process involves feeding a companion animal such as, for example, a dog or cat a diet of a pet food composition containing fermentable fibers which have an organic matter disappearance (OMD) of 15 to 60 percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period, the fibers being present in amounts from about 1 to 11 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to allow the fermentable fibers to ferment in the GIT of the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal feed additives, which additives comprise a monocomponent xylanase derived from a strain of Byssochlamus, Chaetomium, Humicola, Malbranchea, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Paecilomyces, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, or Thielavia. In other aspects, the invention relates to monocomponent xylanase preparations, DNA constructs, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and methods of producing monocomponent xylanase preparations.

Abstract: A method of producing useful products, for example, gypsum and sugar products, from pulp and paper industry wastes.

Abstract: A feed additive composition which contains enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea; a method for making a feed additive containing enzyme-treated concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea; a process for improving the nutritive value of spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea by enzymatic treatment; a method for feeding livestock with a feed containing an enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea additive and a process for improving poultry feed conversion, breast meat yield and intestinal strength by feeding a feed containing an enzyme-treated, concentrated spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea additive are disclosed. Preferably, the spent fermentation beer of Saccharopolyspora erythraea is treated with a cellulase and at least one glycosidase, and then concentrated.

Abstract: A purified and modified phytase enzyme from Escherichia coli K12 appA phytase is provided. The enzyme has phytase activity and improved thermal tolerance as compared with the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the enzyme has improved protease stability at low pH. Glycosylation of the modified phytase provided a further improved enzyme having improved thermal tolerance and protease stability. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.

Abstract: A ruminant direct fed microbial composition of matter comprising an acidosis inhibiting effective amount of Propionibacterum P-63 is provided. Also disclosed is a process for reducing acidosis in ruminants or scours in swine by administration of the bacterium to the ruminant or swine. The microbial composition may be administered by itself, or combined with animal feed and/or lactic acid producing cultures.

Abstract: A feedstuff with reduced ruminal protein degradability is prepared by mixing a carbohydrase enzyme with a material suitable for livestock feed and steeping the mixture under suitable conditions for the carbohydrase enzyme to hydrolyze carbohydrates contained within the material to reducing forms. The mixture is then heated to induce browning so that the protein contained within the material is rendered inert to ruminal degradation. The carbohydrase enzyme may be supplied to the steeping step by the addition of a microorganism capable of secreting the enzyme. A method of feeding a feedstuff with reduced ruminal degradability is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of enhancing milk production by a ruminant that includes providing a feed that contains sorbitol and at least one additional feed component, and orally feeding the feed to the ruminant, the ruminant ingesting about 100 grams, or less, of sorbitol per day.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enhancing the concentration of the fiber derived dissolved and colloidal substances in process water that comes from mechanical pulping. According to the invention, process water is treated with enzyme preparations that have an effect on carbohydrates and that contain mannanase and/or endoglucanase, in particular, which break down the soluble carbohydrate polymers contained by the process water into low molecular weight oligosaccharides. The treatment prevents an increase in viscosity so that process water can be concentrated into a high dry content, or the treatment can be used to lower the viscosity of previously concentrated process water to facilitate after-treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treatment of animal feed or silage by treatment with a mixed culture of heterofermentive lactic acid bacteria and homofermentive lactic acid bacteria of the proper ratio. Bacterial strains for such treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A method of obtaining optimum performance of piglets without the use of antibiotic growth promoters, comprising administering to the piglets at least during the entire suckling period two different feed supplement compositions comprising dietary fibers, iron and other micronutrients including copper and zinc, where the first composition has the highest content of iron. A third feed supplement composition comprising dietary fibers and electrolytes may be used to prevent or cure diarrhoea as a substitute for antibiotic treatment.

Abstract: A method of adding a medicament (or other added ingredient) to animal feed pellets is described, in which the medicament is contained in a cohesive gel which is mixed with the feed pellets. The gel coats the pellets substantially homogeneously, and leaves little contamination of the mixing vessel. Preferably, the gel has a viscosity in the range 5,000 to 20,000 cP, and is added to the feed pellets in an amount of between 2 and 40 kg/tonne.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for culturing mushroom mycelia using grains, a culture product, and use of the culture product. Edible or medicinal mushroom mycelia are inoculated and cultured in solid media made of grains. Induction of the cultured mushroom mycelia to undergo autolysis produces autolysates rich in antitumorigenic and other medicinally useful materials. The squeezing of the autolysates produces a liquid filtrate, leaving a paste. The filtrate is concentrated for use in foods or medicines. The paste is processed into a nutrient-rich gruel or other foods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using a waste product which remains when various types of algae (such as Crypthecodinium cohnii) or non-yeast fungi (such as Mortierella alpina) are used to manufacture essential fatty acids. This waste product is a biomass which includes the cell carcasses that remain after one or more essential fatty acids (such as docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) have been extracted from lysed (ruptured) cells. In one preferred embodiment which forms a biscuit-type treat for dogs or cats, algal biomass is mixed with a combination of brewer's yeast, a grain product such as whole wheat, and burnt residues that collect on the interior walls of drying vessels used for spray-drying of yeast extracts. These ingredients are mixed with water to form a dough-like substance, which is made into a desired shape for a dog, cat, or other pet treat. The dough is then cooked to form a pleasant-smelling biscuit-type treat which dogs and cats find highly appealing.

Abstract: A poultry feed composition including protein, vitamins and minerals, and a source of carbohydrates from the group consisting of soybean meals and corn supplemented with an &agr;-galactosidase-based enzyme blend that catalyzes the degradation of the galactoside. The addition of the &agr;-galactosidase-based enzyme blend increases the ratio of gain to feed, increases the amount of white meat, increases the mass and yield of the carcass, or decreases the amount of fat deposited during growth of a chicken fed the feed composition, relative to the chicken fed on an identical feed composition absent the &agr;-galactosidase-based enzyme blend.

Abstract: Soil microorganisms are obtained that produce a hemicellulase which is particularly useful in increasing the available energy content of hemicellulosic foodstuffs. These microorganisms can be cultured per se or can be used as sources of genetic information with which to engineer other microorganisms to produce the enzyme. Thus, commercially useful quantities of native or recombinant hemicellulase can be produced with cultures consisting essentially of microorganisms that produce the enzyme. The hemicellulase can then be employed in a feed composition containing complex carbohydrates which the enzyme degrades, enhancing the nutritional value of the composition.