Abstract: The invention provides compositions for feline consumption and methods of preparing such compositions. The compositions comprise at least about 65% by weight meat and have an essentially solid mass which assumes the shape of its container. The compositions are characterized as having a moisturized appearance and visually recognizable discrete food particles upon slicing the mass after removal from a container.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as livestock feed mixes produced by combination of zeolites and/or activated carbons with at least one by-product of ethanol-producing or other fermentation processes. Vitamins, minerals and/or other substances may be added to the zeolites and/or activated carbons to further increase the nutritional value of the feed mixtures. The feed mixes provided have a lower moisture level than existing feed mixtures while requiring less energy input in a drying step. Feed mixtures produced by methods provided herein have a longer shelf life than existing feed mixes created from the by-products of the ethanol production or other fermentation processes, and have increased nutritional value relative thereto. A method according to the disclosure further results in production of consistent feed mixtures from the by-products of ethanol production and/or other fermentation processes on a plant-to-plant basis.

Abstract: Methods for using or incorporating glycerin in animal feeds are disclosed. Animal feeds including the glycerin are also disclosed, as well as methods of feeding such animal feeds to animals.

Abstract: A re-hydration supplement composition particularly suitable to counteract dehydration stresses in mature bovine mammals in the form of a pelletized feed supplement is disclosed which includes relatively large fractions of carbohydrates including saccharides, cationic and anionic electrolytes and a minor amount of betaine osmolyte. A process for pelleting is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an edible fiber source to make an animal feed with increased digestible energy. An exemplary method includes hydrolyzing the edible fiber source with an inorganic fiber hydrolyzing agent in a twin screw mixer that shears the edible fiber to a size of between 0.5 to 25 mm. The hydrolysis in the mixer occurs at pressure of about 14 psig or higher with a temperature about 100° C. to 110° C. The inorganic hydrolysis liberates a first portion of soluble carbohydrates from the edible fiber source. The inorganically hydrolyzed material is also treated (before or after) with a fiber degrading enzyme to solubilize a second portion of carbohydrates. The dually hydrolyzed material is dried to form an animal feed or feed ingredient having a soluble and insoluble carbohydrate fraction with the amount of soluble carbohydrate being at least 45% wt/wt of the total carbohydrates obtained from the edible fiber source.

Abstract: A highly refined cellulose material is a composition of matter is used as an ingredient in the preparation of a neutraceutical in liquid, solid, or tablet form. These compositions may provide an expectation of a health benefit selected from the group consisting of Antioxidation; Cancer prevention; Arterial health improvement; Cholesterol lowering; Reduced blood pressure; Skin and wrinkle treatment; and Prolonging and/or delaying release of a nutrient into a bloodstream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to codon-optimized xylanase coding sequences and the expression of xylanases in microbes and yeast. The invention further relates to using multiple copies of the xylanase expression construct for high levels of protein expression. The invention also relates to the use of xylanases as feed or food additives. The invention also relates to methods of expression of enzymes to increase thermotolerance by expressing them in organisms that glycosylate proteins compared to expression that the same enzyme without the glycosylation. Further, the invention relates to methods of preparing feed, enzyme feed additives, and methods of reducing the feed conversion ration or increasing weight gain of animals.

Abstract: To increase the efficiency of utilizing protein, lipid and starch by ruminants, feed and urea-formaldehyde polymer are mixed in quantities suitable for a crosslinking reaction. The mixture is heated at a temperature, moisture content and time sufficient to covalently bond the urea-formaldehyde polymer with the proteins and starches to thereby protect the proteins, starches and contained lipids from degradation by rumen microbes.

Abstract: A method for feeding a ruminant animal a feed ration for enhancing its milk production stability across a multiple-stage lactation cycle is provided according to the invention. The feed ration should contain: at least one primary forge source selected from the group consisting of brown midrib corn silage, dual-purpose corn silage, leafy corn silage, and grass silage; a secondary forage source selected from the group consisting of dual-purpose corn silage, alfalfa haylage, alfalfa dry hay, grass silage, and alfalfa/grass mix; a corn grain blend of opaque/floury and vitreous/hard endosperm starch grain into which normal dent corn or mutt corn may be blended in order to achieve a predetermined level of in vitro starch digestibility; such blended grain component being further processed to produce a specific particle size of the blended starch.

Abstract: An improved extracted corn composition having an oil concentration of less than about 1.7 wt % (on an anhydrous basis) and containing high concentrations of protein and essential amino acids is provided. The composition has a nutritional profile advantageous for use as an animal feed ingredient. Also provided are processes for the preparation of the extracted corn composition; feed rations incorporating the extracted corn composition; and methods for the preparation of such feed rations.

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: Continuous direct enzymatic protein solubilization process for industrial wastes. The present invention involves a sequential enzymatic process which enables solubilizing proteins that are present in determined industrial wastes, permitting the use of by-products. The wastes used can be of plant origin (rice bran, algarroba seed, etc.) or animal origin (Procambarus clarkii or American crab). The main process includes two steps: a first step of successive washings with acidified water and a second step of continuous enzymatic hydrolysis. Variants to the main process are shown without pretreatment of the wastes with acidified water. These solubilized protein wastes (peptones) have an application, among others, in the formulation of culture media, in the biosynthesis of pharmaceutical and food products, in clinical or dietetic nutrition, as additives in cosmetics and as components of organic fertilizers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an animal feed. The animal feed includes fat, preferably vegetable oil; a solid nutritive source; such as a whole seed or grain or a fraction thereof; and a binder, the binder comprising hemicellulose. Also disclosed are methods for preparing an animal feed and for feeding an animal. When formulated into pellets, the disclosed animal feeds have excellent durability, such that pellet fracture and dust formation are minimized.

Abstract: A dried pet food which is able to mechanically clean the teeth of pets when chewed. The pet food is based on a matrix of a protein source and a carbohydrate source. The density of the product is less than 20.5 lbs./ft3. The product also has a large size as compared to at least some other prior dried pet food.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently obtaining a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate by a solvent extraction method. A method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal comprises precipitating a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal using a monohydric alcohol having 4 to 10 carbon atoms as a extraction solvent, keeping a polyhydroxyalkanoate solution containing 0.1 to 10% by weight of water relative to the total amount of the solution warm at 70° C. or higher, and cooling the solution to below 70° C.

Abstract: An edible animal chew toy which provides a dental benefit when chewed. The chewing action of the animal causes ribs and/or protrusions on the chew toy, in close proximity to the area being chewed, to floss the sides of the animal's teeth and gums.

Abstract: The present invention an antibiotic-free fodder composition for domestic animals. According to the present invention, by adding germanium biotite instead of antibiotic to assorted fodder commonly used in the livestock industry, it is possible to produce domestic animals having a growth rate and immune ability as good as by adding a large amount of antibiotic to the feed. Therefore, in preparing feed, use of antibiotic harmful to animals and a human which has consumed the meat of the animals can be avoided partially or totally, thereby enabling production of “healthful meat”. The present composition comprises a basal diet including corn, soybean meal, molasses, salt, vitamin premix and mineral premix, and 0.1 to 3.0% of germanium biotite including 36 ppm of germanium, and biotite, muscovite, feldspar, tourmaline, zircon, garnet, apatite and opaque minerals, and having 0.93% of emissivity and 4.31×102 W/m2 ?m of radioactive energy at a range of far infrared rays between 5 and 20 ?m.

Abstract: A nutritionally complete, shelf stable pet food product and process of manufacture includes two different textures which has a meaty outer component and a inner bone-like component.

Abstract: A dried pet food which is able to mechanically clean the teeth of pets when chewed. The dried pet food is based on a matrix of a denatured protein source and a gelatinized carbohydrate source. Insoluble fiber is bound within the matrix. Further, a humectant is included within the gelatinized matrix is an amount sufficient for reducing the brittleness of the dried pet food.

Abstract: A composition and process of using it are provided to improve glucose and insulin metabolism in pet animals by controlling the postprandial glycemic and/or insulin response in those animals. The composition includes a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrates from a multiple grain source containing a blend of sorghum and barley; a blend of corn and barley; or a blend of corn, sorghum and barley.

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: A dual texture pet or animal food product having inner and outer components. The soft inner component contains a mixture of lipid and solid ingredients and has a water activity, aw, less than about 0.65 and a total moisture content less than about 15 wt %. The outer component is a cereal based shell containing at least one ingredient comprising a carbohydrate, fat, protein or combination thereof, the shell component having a total moisture content less than about 20 wt %. The shell component completely surrounds the soft inner component and is formed by the co-extrusion of the soft inner component within the shell component to form one dual component pet or animal food product.

Abstract: A composition comprising partially hydrolyzed proteins for use as a hypoallergenic pet food, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: Packaging container, packaged food and packaged feed, with the packaging container being produced by: preparing a hole-sealing sheet by providing, on a back surface of a base material whose bending strength (S) represented by the following formula (A) is no less than 0.20 m3/N, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer whose vertical peeling strength at 40° C., with respect to a surface of the gas-impermeable container, is in the range of 0.3-2 N/cm; and sealing a vent hole in the gas-impermeable container by the hole-sealing sheet. Packaged food and feed are obtained by enclosing food and feed in the packaging container. S=L/W(m3/N)  (A) wherein L: Critical length measured by a Clark degree testing machine (m) W: Weight per 1 m2 of the sheet base material (N/m2).

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 methods and compositions for providing controlled protection for hygroscopic ingredients that will be exposed to moist or humid environments for significant periods of time by encapsulating the hygroscopic ingredients with a controlled-protection lipid coating. The methods and compositions are particularly useful for stabilizing a hygroscopic bioactive substance, such as choline chloride or lysine hydrochloride, in an animal feed composition and also providing adequate rumen protection in ruminant feeds.

Abstract: Improved compositions and processes for making a livestock feed supplement including compressing a mixture of materials that has wet cake into a feedblock for a livestock animal. Advantages of the compositions and processes are an increase in efficiency and a savings of energy, including the use of less syrup.

Abstract: A composition comprising partially hydrolyzed proteins for use as a hypoallergenic pet food, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: A method of feeding young, weaned swine, that includes applying a liquid digest onto a feed substance to form a feed material, the liquid digest including an enzymatically-processed material, and providing the feed material to the young, weaned swine.

Abstract: A composition for livestock feed, comprising a feed for livestock and at least two additives selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid, glutamine and glutamic acid; and a method for increasing body weight gain efficiency and feed efficiency in livestock, comprising administering the above composition for livestock feed to livestock.

Abstract: A livestock feed supplement block including a molded base and a livestock feed supplement composition compressed into and extending upwardly from the base. The molded base includes a generally cylindrical wall having a radially inwardly extending annular shelf, and a generally circular floor that is integrally formed with the wall to define an upwardly open interior cavity. The floor of the base is configured and arranged to define a downwardly open channel, the opposite ends of the channel being defined by a pair of downwardly open notches in the wall, the channel having a center line disposed away from the center of the generally circular floor. A plurality of upwardly extending pins are located at intervals along the annular shelf of the wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is an animal feed. The animal feed includes fat, preferably vegetable oil; a solid nutritive source; such as a whole seed or grain or a fraction thereof; and a binder, the binder comprising hemicellulose. Also disclosed are methods for preparing an animal feed and for feeding an animal. When formulated into pellets, the disclosed animal feeds have excellent durability, such that pellet fracture and dust formation are minimized.

Abstract: A die head suitable for preparation of a dual textured pet food having a core and a shell surrounding or essentially surrounding the core, the die head attached to or an integral part of an extruder, which comprises a) at least two shell flow areas through which an extruded shell composition flows, b) a shell flow control regulator which is capable of impinging upon the shell flow, c) a core inlet tube located post shell flow control regulator, its orifice in the shell flow, and delivering core composition to the shell flow wherein the shell composition essentially or totally envelops the core composition d) the shell enveloped core composition exiting the die orifice.

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: A poultry and livestock feed additive composition containing 36 wt. % electrolytes, roughage and mineral oil to increase their dietary electrolyte balance. Addition of the electrolyte additive composition improves breeder hen performance as to egg production, body weight, and reduced mortality from heat stress. Broiler chickens on this diet result in increased processing yield, feed conversion and body weight. A method of preparing this dietary electrolyte feed for poultry and livestock is also described.

Abstract: This invention encompasses high-energy protein-protected ruminant feeds comprising oil seed meal, hulls, water, and fat that have been cooked to give a cooked meal having a temperature of at least 200° F. and a moisture content of from 21 to 26 percent by weight and which are thereafter dried to give high energy protein protected ruminant feeds. The high-energy protein-protected ruminant feeds provide a larger amount of both energy and protein, as well as nourishment, to the lower gut of animals than previously known protein-protected ruminant feeds.

Abstract: A poultry eggshell strengthening composition for enhancing eggshell thickness and external eggshell membrane thickness, containing a viable microorganism of the genus Bacillus as an active ingredient, optionally together with a carrier or diluent.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing animal feed from food waste by providing a dry, pelletized, fibrous organic material. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of thickening/dewatering solids that contain substantial amounts of moisture, e.g., ground food waste.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the concentration of the cis-9, trans-11 isomer of octadecadienoic acid in the milk fat and/or the tissue fat of a ruminant. In the method the ruminant is fed the trans-11 isomer of octadecenoic acid either as such or mixed with other feed, separately or together with other fatty acids.

Abstract: A process is provided for limiting weight gain in cats. The process includes feeding the cat a pet food composition that includes a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrates from a grain source that excludes rice. Use of preferred low glycemic index grain sources that comprise a blend of corn and sorghum; a blend of corn, sorghum, and barley; or a blend of corn, sorghum, and oats, has the effect of decreasing the postprandial blood glucose and insulin response of the cat as compared to when feeding a rice-based diet. The result is that the animal becomes satiated and voluntarily decreases its intake of food, causing less weight gain. This effect is even more marked when the composition is fed to male cats.

Abstract: The present invention an antibiotic-free fodder composition for domestic animals. According to the present invention, by adding germanium biotite instead of antibiotic to assorted fodder commonly used in the livestock industry, it is possible to produce domestic animals having a growth rate and immune ability as good as by adding a large amount of antibiotic to the feed. Therefore, in preparing feed, use of antibiotic harmful to animals and a human which has consumed the meat of the animals can be avoided partially or totally, thereby enabling production of “healthful meat”. The present composition comprises a basal diet including corn, soybean meal, molasses, salt, vitamin premix and mineral premix, and 0.1 to 3.0% of germanium biotite including 36 ppm of germanium, and biotite, muscovite, feldspar, tourmaline, zircon, garnet, apatite and opaque minerals, and having 0.93% of emissivity and 4.31×102 W/m2 &mgr;m of radioactive energy at a range of far infrared rays between 5 and 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Deer attractant and feed comprising stabilized rice bran and calcium carbonate is disclosed. Limestone is added to the rice during the milling process. The residue from this process, rice bran and a small amount of pulverized limestone, is the cooked in an extruder, resulting in stabilized rice bran. The extrusion process destroys lipase activity and reduces the free fatty acid content to under 4%. The product contains about 12.5% or more protein, and preferably has a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorous. Because of the balanced nutritional analysis and the addition of calcium carbonate to the feed, the product aids in promoting overall deer growth as well as bone growth in bucks. The product also acts as a deer attractant, moving deer toward sources of adequate food supplies and away from cultivated gardens and crops.

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: A gelatinized cereal product which contains a plant material which is a source of inulin: for example chicory. Sufficient of the plant material is included to provide at least about 0.25% by weight of inulin on a dry basis. The cereal product may be used as a pet food or breakfast cereal.

Abstract: A method steam flaking grain comprises the steps of providing grain, passing the grain through a steam chest at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a predetermined time, flaking the grain between two rotating corrugated rollers having a gap, sampling the flakes at predetermined intervals as the flakes come out from between the rollers, weighing the sampled flakes to determine the density of the sampled flakes, and adjusting the temperature, the pressure, the retention time, and the size of the gap between the rollers on the basis of the measured density of the sampled flakes, so that the resulting flakes have a predetermined density and a predetermined amount of gelatinization and so that the variability in the amount of gelatinization is minimized. In another highly preferred embodiment, the sampled flakes are cooled for a predetermined time and then screened before measuring the density.

Abstract: The present invention discloses: (i) a non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (ii) a formulation comprising an aqueous solution of a volatile fraction (VF) prepared from the extract of at least one plant derived material and its therapeutic uses; (iii) a process of manufacturing the formulation from the plant derived material; (iv) a probiotic composition comprising the non-pathogenic probiotic microorganism of the invention and/or other probiotic microorganism(s) and the formulation of the invention, and its probiotic/therapeutic uses; (v) a composition for industrial applications comprising the formulation of the invention and microorganism(s) of industrial applicability; and (vi) industrial processes and apparatuses in which the latter composition is used.

Abstract: Improved ivermectin-containing daily ration extruded feeds for domesticated household pets such as cats and dogs are provided so that a pet consuming the feeds receives quantities of ivermectin sufficient to establish and maintain substantially constant concentrations of the drug in the pet's bloodstream. The feeds are produced by extrusion with addition of minor quantities of ivermectin so as to uniformly distribute the drug throughout the extruded product. Ivermectin levels of from about 2-1500 &mgr;g/kg of extruded feed are preferred.

Abstract: A composition comprising partially hydrolyzed proteins for use as a hypoaller-genic pet food, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: A composition comprising partially hydrolyzed proteins for use as a hypoallergenic pet food, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: New products are provided comprising inactivated lower eukaryotic cells, preferably yeasts or molds, having at the outer surface functionally active antibodies or functionally active fragments thereof. Preferred antibody fragments are the variable domains of Camelidae heavy chain antibodies, which are surprisingly stable against physical and chemical decontamination regimes and do not loose their activity when they are immobilized on the glucan layer of the cell wall which is present in a variety of lower eukaryotes. The new products are preferably in the field of food products, personal care products, and animal feed products.