EP4240175A1 - Raw material for animal nutrition comprising an organo-mineral complex containing dietary phosphate and a humic substance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a food-grade raw material for animal nutrition, comprising an organo-mineral complex containing a food-grade phosphate and a humic substance. The raw material improves the digestibility of the ration, absorbs mycotoxins, and increases zootechnical performance.

Description

Raw material for animal nutrition comprising an organo-mineral complex containing food phosphate and a humic substance

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a new raw material containing phosphate intended for animal feed. This new raw material combines feed phosphate with an organic compound in the form of an organo-mineral complex, which makes it possible to increase the digestibility of inorganic phosphorus in the diet of farm animals, and which has beneficial effects on certain biological effectors.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Phosphorus (P) is a chemical element essential to life on earth. It participates in the proper functioning of the metabolism of many organisms, fauna and flora such as human beings, animals, micro-organisms or plants, by intervening in the energy processes (production of adenosine triphosphate, ATP), in bone and dental synthesis, in the composition of deoxyribonucleic (DNA) and ribonucleic (RNA) acid, in the composition of cell membranes (phospholipids, etc.) and in the regulation of blood acidity. In fact, the worldwide use of mineral phosphates, a source of P, has multiplied by 15 since 1950 and the demand is expected to increase by 50 to 100% by 2050 due to the increase in the world's population. However, the sources of mineral P (phosphate rock) are not renewable and their stock is destined to disappear over time. It is therefore necessary to find alternative solutions or at least to increase the efficiency of the natural phosphate used.

[0003] P is therefore an essential element for the good health of animals and for the productivity of farms. It is necessary to add mineral phosphorus to the feed ration of livestock in order to improve animal weight gain, milk production, bone mineralization and fertility.

[0004] With regard to animal nutrition, in poultry and pigs, a global approach is often preferred, in which the need is defined as being the intake enabling performance and/or bone mineralization to be maximized. However, in the case of monogastric animals, improving the digestibility of phosphorus in the ration can involve the use of more digestible sources of mineral phosphorus or consists in making phytic phosphorus (phytates) available in the ration. Indeed, since monogastric animals do not produce phytase, the enzyme necessary for the hydrolysis of phytates, this form of phosphorus which is the majority in cereals and cakes is very poorly digested in these animals, as in humans. This involves the valorization of the natural phytases contained in certain cereals and co-products resulting from their transformation for human food, and especially by the incorporation of phytases of microbial origin in the ration which today constitutes a common practice in animal feed. [0005] Unlike monogastrics, it has long been agreed that there was little to be expected in ruminants from the use of microbial phytase, since rumen bacteria produce it naturally. P is one of the essential minerals for ruminants which is involved in many metabolisms. Rumen bacteria have P requirements 2.0 to 2.5 times higher than the maintenance requirement of the animal. This need is partially met by dietary intake, but intake from salivary recycling provides a highly available form of P whose use is favored by rumen microorganisms. P plays an essential role for bacteria, particularly for their structure or the synthesis of ATP.

[0006] Despite the importance of P in the rumen (salivary source), it is absorbed by the animal in the duodenum, the jejunum and the large intestine. In the diet of a dairy herd, P will be used for bone growth, energy metabolism and milk production of the animals.

[0007] A deficiency in dietary P can disrupt milk production, feed consumption and animal performance and lead to a state of latent acidosis which, despite dietary intake, is not resolved until salivation does not is not sufficient. The solubility of the source is not a determining factor in managing this disorder. In the case of a deficiency, the ruminant system will draw on their P reserves, namely the P stored in the tissues or in the bones. This type of short-term deficiency in early lactation is not a problem if it is corrected quickly before the start of the ^2nd stage of lactation, as in the case of calcium (Ca) metabolism.

[0008] More specifically, the food requirements of the lactating animal are high during the 2 ^nd phase of lactation because that is when the animal reconstitutes its reserves. The absorption of P shows little interaction with other minerals but the Ca/P ratio is important. It is normal between 1 and 8 (and up to 16) but excess Ca can increase the effects of P deficiency.

[0009] Conversely, if the intake is excessive in relation to the need, the P will ultimately end up in the excreta. Research has therefore been carried out to more accurately determine P requirements, with the aim of ensuring the health and productivity of cows, while minimizing the excretion of this nutrient in the manure. Excess P is excreted in the faeces or urine when salivary recycling saturates, which corresponds to a blood concentration of 2.5-3mmol/L.

[0010] On the basis of knowledge of the digestive and metabolic use of P, it is possible to determine the P balance in the different livestock species, namely the quantities consumed, digested, absorbed, excreted or deposited in the fabrics. However, the levels of phosphorus retention efficiency, relative to the ingested, are highly variable between species. The highest efficiency is obtained in standard chickens (62%), followed by pigs, red label chickens and dairy cows (respectively 41, 38 and 29%), laying hens and suckler cows presenting the values lowest (21% and 15% respectively). [0011] During digestion, the rise in pH in the digestive tract of monogastric animals leads to the recomplexation of the ionized molecules of opposite charge initially dissolved in the stomach. These molecular recomplexations, in particular between calcium ions and phosphate ions, reduce the absorption of the latter in the body. This phenomenon of recomplexation therefore results in a decrease in the digestibility of nutrients and in particular that of minerals. In addition, the release into the environment of inorganic P that has not been absorbed by animals represents an economic loss for livestock farmers, and could soon be limited within the framework of environmental compliance.

[0012] Consequently, it is necessary to improve the bioavailability of the inorganic P supplied in the animal diet.

[0013] It is also harmful for the quality of digestion to overdose the Ca. In order to limit the negative effects mentioned above in the digestive tract and on the health of the animals, it is therefore essential to limit its dose in the food.

[0014] Furthermore, calcium has an inhibitory action on the activity of phytases. Monogastric feed manufacturers therefore tend to overdose phytases to obtain better overall digestibility of the ration and therefore maximize zootechnical performance.

The raw material of the invention contains a food phosphate and a humic substance, such as humic acid, fulvic acid or humates.

[0016] Humic substances are commonly used to improve the digestibility of the ration. The prior art has already described food or food raw materials containing humic substances and calcium phosphate, such as for example the patent application CN109198275, which proposes a raw material to improve the nutritional balance of carp and promote their growth. . However, in this raw material, the calcium phosphate is not complexed with the humic substance, since they have not been reacted together. The two compounds are simply dry mixed and ground so that the complex cannot form. Moreover, patent application CN109198275 does not deal with the problem of bioavailability of phosphorus in animals.

[0017] The need therefore remains to improve the zootechnical performance of livestock animals by increasing in particular the digestibility of the inorganic phosphorus present in the ration.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves these problems and meets these needs by proposing a food raw material for animal nutrition comprising an organo-mineral complex containing food phosphate and a humic substance, said humic substance engaging physico-chemical bonds with atoms, such as for example calcium atoms, and/or with the phosphorus atoms of food phosphate. [0019] The inventors have in fact found, surprisingly, that the humate-phosphate complex confers an improvement in the effects of phosphate compared with the results recorded, when the latter is used alone. These effects relate in particular to zootechnical performance, the digestibility of phosphorus in the ration and the regulation of certain biological effectors.

[0020] The inventors have in fact shown that the nutritional properties of phosphorus of mineral origin can be improved by complexing it with a humic substance.

[0021] The methods consisting in administering humic substances and phosphate separately described in the prior art as food raw materials and in adding them dry to the ration without having previously caused them to react with each other, do not not achieve these effects.

[0022] Without being bound by any theory, the inventors believe that, in the case of calcium phosphate, the complexation of calcium with the humic substance makes it at least partially unavailable in the digestive tract and thus makes it possible to increase both efficiency of phosphorus digestion and efficiency of phytase activity. The raw material of the invention thus makes it possible to reduce the necessary dose of phosphate and/or the necessary dose of phytases in food.

The present invention stems from the surprising advantages demonstrated by the inventors of the effect of complexation by humic substances of calcium and/or phosphate ions on the bioavailability of phosphorus during digestion in a monogastric animal. The digestibility of inorganic phosphorus is in fact improved by using a complex between mineral P and an organic molecule based on humic substance, in particular humates or humic acids. This leads in particular to better digestibility of the ration (and of phosphorus in particular) for all species, better bone mineralization (for chickens and hens, for example, which reduces lameness in breeding and delays the culling of layers) and better eggshell quality (for hens) which reduces egg downgrade rate and increases hatchability and chick viability. Beyond these nutritional benefits, the raw material of the invention also brings benefits for breeders, since it allows a saving of ingredients and an increase in productivity. The fact of binding calcium with a humic substance limits many reactions of this cation with the other elements present in the digestive tract. These reactions are indeed often sources of loss of performance. The raw material of the invention therefore leads to better efficiency of the ration, and thus reduces phosphorus discharges into the environment.

[0024] More specifically, the food raw material allows zootechnical performance to be maintained if it is incorporated at a dose making it possible to reach 80% of the usual phosphorus requirements. The raw material of the invention also makes it possible to fight against mycotoxins because it is capable of adsorbing them at different pH during digestion.

More specifically, in the digestive tract, the organo-mineral complex is capable of adsorbing some of the aflatoxins and other mycotoxins initially present in the ration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The food raw material for animal nutrition may comprise an organo-mineral complex based on food phosphate and a humic substance, said humic substance being able to engage physico-chemical bonds with phosphorus atoms of the food phosphate. The organo-mineral complex may alternatively comprise a phosphate matrix in which the humic substance is dispersed, preferably in a mass content ranging from 0.5% to 15%.

In a particular embodiment, the organo-mineral complex is a matrix of calcium phosphate comprising from 0.5% to 15% by mass, preferably from 1.0 to 2.5% by mass of humates relative to the mass of calcium phosphate and humates.

In the organo-mineral complex, the humic substance can initiate chemical bonds with some or all of the phosphorus atoms of the food phosphate: the phosphorus can be complexed with the humic substance. The complexation of phosphorus with the humic substance in the organo-mineral complex can be demonstrated by any method known to those skilled in the art, in particular by X-ray diffraction (XRD) or phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR ³¹ P ).

[0030] The feed phosphate can be anhydrous or hydrated. It can be chosen from a calcium phosphate, a magnesium phosphate, a monosodium phosphate (MSP), a calcium-sodium phosphate and one of their mixtures. In the raw material of the invention, the feed phosphate can be chosen from monocalcium phosphate (MCP), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monodicalcium phosphate (MDCP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and mixtures thereof. The phosphate can also be in the form of tri-magnesium phosphate.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the feed phosphate contains or consists of calcium phosphate. The humic substance is preferably a humate. [0032] When the food phosphate is a calcium phosphate, for example, the molecules of the humic substance can form chemical bonds with the calcium atoms and/or with the phosphorus atoms contained in the calcium phosphate. The complexation of calcium atoms can be demonstrated by the same methods as those used to detect the complexation of phosphorus.

By physico-chemical bond is meant a bond of ionic, hydrogen, Van der Walls or covalent nature. The organo-mineral complex can be obtained from a source of calcium, a source of phosphorus and a humic substance. The humic substance can be complexed with calcium and/or with phosphorus.

The food phosphate of the raw material of the invention may contain, in addition to calcium phosphate, a magnesium phosphate, a sodium phosphate and/or a mixed sodium and calcium phosphate.

In the particular embodiment of the invention according to which the food phosphate contains calcium phosphate, the humic substance intervenes in the first place by complexing with the calcium cations. The advantage of complexation is in particular to increase the bioavailability of phosphorus by making calcium unavailable. The humic substance intervenes in the second place in the metabolic reactions taking place in the digestive tract by remaining complexed at least in part with the calcium after passing through the stomach. The free fraction of the humic substance has the possibility of complexing itself with the other cations present in the digestive tract, in particular ionized free calcium.

[0037] Dietary phosphate can contain or consist of a sodium phosphate, a calcium-sodium phosphate or a magnesium phosphate, and the humic substance can initiate chemical bonds between the molecules it contains, and the sodium or magnesium atoms respectively.

The term "humic substance" within the meaning of the present invention, a molecule or a set of molecules of natural origin in accordance with the definition of the International Humic Substance Society (IHSS), according to which humic substances are complex and heterogeneous mixtures of polydispersed materials formed in soils, sediments and natural waters by biochemical and chemical reactions during a process of decomposition and transformation of plant and microbial remains, which process is called humification. Participate in the humification of many compounds such as plant lignin and its transformation products, polysaccharides, melanin, cutin, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbonization residues.

The main molecules present in humic substances include humic acids (HA) of dark brown or gray-black color, fulvic acids (FA) of light yellow or yellow-brown color, and humin of black color. The more the color of the humic substance goes towards black, the more the molecular weight of the molecules it contains increases, the more the carbon content increases, the more the oxygen content decreases and the more the exchange of acidity decreases.

The humic substance which enters into the composition of the organo-mineral complex can comprise at least one molecule chosen from humic acids and fulvic acids.

[0041] The humic substance can be chosen in particular from water-soluble humic substances endowed with carboxylate and phenolate functions which are will name humates in the present description. Mention may be made of sodium humates and potassium humates.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the humic substance is chosen from sodium humates, having a higher ion exchange capacity, the sodium ion being more easily exchangeable in the digestive tract of the animal. in comparison with a divalent calcium or potassium ion.

The humic substance can be prepared by treating humic substances naturally in acid form, with an appropriate amount of a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, to obtain deshumates. For example, the starting product in the form of humic acids naturally present in a soil could be used to manufacture humates. The humates can be obtained in the form of an aqueous solution, or in a dry form which can then be dissolved in water.

[0044] An aqueous dispersion of humic substances may comprise a non-negligible amount of insoluble matter. This is the case, for example, when the liquid composition of humic substances is prepared from a raw material mixed with water. In this particular case, the soluble fraction can be isolated by separating it from the insoluble fraction, for example by decantation, filtration or by centrifugation.

The humic substance can be obtained from natural humic substances. It may for example be a raw material containing humic substances, for example peat, leonardite, lignite, hard coal or anthracite. Thus, the humic substance can be a liquid composition of peat, leonardite, lignite, coal or anthracite. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the humic substance is extracted from leonardite.

Peat is fossil organic matter formed by accumulation over long periods of time of dead organic matter, essentially plants, in a water-saturated medium. Peat forms most of the soils in peatlands. Peat can be more or less rich in humic substances depending on the degree of decomposition. The degree of decomposition of peat is classified according to the Von Post scale which goes from H1 (least decomposed peat) to H 10 (most decomposed peat). Humus peat, that is to say a peat classified from H6 to H 10 according to the Von Post scale, is the preferred peat for implementing the process according to the invention because it is richer in humic substances. than peat classified from H1 to H5 according to the Von Post scale.

[0047] Leonardite is a rock which can contain more than 90% by weight of humic substances. This rock has undergone more extensive degradation than peat, but less extensive than coal.

Lignite is a sedimentary rock composed of the fossil remains of plants. It is an intermediate rock between peat and coal. Coal is a sedimentary carbonaceous rock corresponding to a specific quality of coal, intermediate between lignite and anthracite. Blackish in color, it comes from the carbonization of plant organisms.

Anthracite is a sedimentary rock of organic origin. It is a grey, blackish and shiny variety of coal extracted from the mines.

The humic substance can also be obtained from synthetic humic substances. Synthetic humic substances can for example result from a process of synthesis or from the transformation of natural humic substances, in particular by hemisynthesis.

The humic substance can also be extracted from organic materials (peat, leonardite, lignite, coal, anthracite, soils rich in humic substances, composts of plant waste, etc.) using an alkaline agent such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) and optionally subjected to purification. The humic substances can in particular be extracted and/or purified by methods well known to those skilled in the art. The humic substance can be a potassium humate or, preferably, a sodium humate.

[0053] Humic substance includes liquid compositions of a salt of humic substances. Among the preferred salts, mention may in particular be made of ammonium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts. Preferably, a sodium salt of humic substances is used, such as sodium humates or sodium salt of humic substances because of its high ion exchange capacity. Salts of humic substances are sold commercially. Mention may be made, for example, of the potassium salt of humic substances marketed by the company Humatex under the brand name Dralig® (CAS 68514-28-3). The Dralig® product is prepared from humic substances extracted from natural Czech oxyhumolite with a high content of humic substances. Mention may also be made of sodium humate (CAS number 68131-04-4) commercially available under the reference Nut Mordan® manufactured by the company Humatex. A person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in preparing a salt of humic substances.

The humic molecule purity of the humic substance can also vary, for example depending on the source used. Of course, peat is generally less pure in humic substances than leonardite or a commercial powder of humic substances. In a particular embodiment, the humic substance comprises at least 50% by dry mass of humic molecules.

The present application also describes a food raw material which comprises calcium phosphate and a humic substance. The calcium phosphate can be a monocalcium phosphate or a dicalcium phosphate. The humic substance content may vary from 0.5% to 10% by mass, preferably from 1.0% to 2.5%, and more preferably from 1.25% to 1.75% by mass, relative to the mass of the raw material, and the raw material may comprise from 90% to 99.5% by mass of calcium phosphate. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the raw food material described above, said process comprising a step of preparing an aqueous dispersion or an aqueous solution containing the humic substance, followed by a step of mixing of this dispersion or this solution with a source of phosphorus. In a particular embodiment, the manufacturing method comprises a step of mixing the humic substance with a source of calcium, magnesium or sodium.

The complexation of the humic substance with phosphorus atoms, and optionally with calcium, magnesium or sodium atoms, and the creation of chemical bonds between the humic substance and the phosphorus atoms can be obtained thanks to the presence of the humic substance in a reaction mixture containing the source of phosphorus and the source of calcium, magnesium or sodium. Chemical bonds can be created by insertion of the humic substance at the time of the reaction between a source of phosphorus and a source of calcium, magnesium or sodium. In a particular embodiment, the chemical bonds of the organo-mineral complex are created by insertion of humates at the time of the reaction between a source of phosphorus and a source of calcium.

The food raw material described above can be obtained by preparing an aqueous dispersion or an aqueous solution containing a humic substance, a source of phosphorus, and optionally a source of calcium, magnesium or sodium. . For example, the food raw material of the invention is obtained by preparing an aqueous dispersion or an aqueous solution containing the humic substance, followed by mixing this dispersion or this solution with the source of phosphorus and with the source calcium, magnesium or sodium.

The aqueous dispersion or the aqueous solution of humic substance preferably has a basic pH, for example a pH ranging from 8.0 to 12.0, from 8.0 to 11.0 or from 10.0 to 12.0. Phosphoric acid can be brought into contact with a humic substance in aqueous solution having a pH ranging from 10.0 to 12.0, for example ranging from 10.5 to 11.5 at ready measurement uncertainties.

According to a particular embodiment, the food raw material of the invention is capable of being obtained or is obtained by a preparation process comprising a step of mixing a source of phosphorus, for example phosphoric acid , a source of calcium, for example an oxide or a hydroxide of calcium, and a humic substance in solution or in dispersion in water having a pH ranging from 8.0 to 12.0, for example a solution of humic substance. A solution of humic substance which can be advantageously used is a solution of humate having a pH ranging from 10.0 to 12.0, for example a solution of sodium humate. It is preferred to use a water-soluble humic substance to prepare the food raw material of the invention. It is also preferred to use a water-soluble source of phosphorus, such as phosphoric acid, undiluted in water or diluted in water. The mixture of solution of humic substance and the water-soluble phosphorus source is preferably made at a temperature

The mixing of the aqueous dispersion or of the aqueous solution containing the humic substance with the source of phosphorus, and optionally with the source comprising calcium, magnesium or sodium, can be carried out at a temperature ranging from 40° C. at 80°C, from 45°C to 80°C, from 50°C to 80°C, or preferably from 60°C to 80°C. The temperature can range from 45°C to 55°C.

[0062] A process for manufacturing the raw food material may comprise a step of purification, extraction or treatment of a humic substance taken in the natural state to obtain humates which can then be dissolved in water.

In a particular embodiment, the humic substance is mixed in solution in water with a source of phosphorus and a source of calcium. The mass ratio between the source of phosphorus and the source of calcium is preferably chosen so as to produce a dietary phosphate compound chosen from the group consisting of monocalcium phosphate (MCP), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monodicalcium phosphate (MDCP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or a mixture thereof, the matrix of the feed phosphate comprising a humic substance, preferably humates in a content ranging from 0.5% to 15% by mass relative to the feed phosphate compound. For example, phosphoric acid at 54% P ₂ O ₅ and calcium carbonate are chosen in a mass ratio ranging from 1.1 to 1.2, preferably equal to about 1.3 to manufacture a dicalcium phosphate (DCP) whose matrix contains a humic substance. Another example consists in choosing phosphoric acid at 54% P ₂ O ₅ and calcium carbonate in a mass ratio ranging from 2.4 to 2.6, preferably equal to about 2.5 to manufacture a monocalcium phosphate (MCP) whose matrix contains a humic substance. In these two examples, the concentration of an aqueous solution of humates can be chosen so as to obtain a dietary calcium phosphate compound comprising from 1.0% to 2.5% by mass of humic substance relative to the mass of said compound. In a first embodiment, a solution of humic substance and a solution of phosphoric acid are prepared, the solution of humic substance is poured into the solution of phosphoric acid, then a calcium oxide is added to this mixture, each of these stages preferably being carried out at a temperature ranging from 40° C. to 60° C. and with stirring. In a second embodiment, undiluted phosphoric acid is poured into water, and a solution of humic substance onto a calcium oxide, a calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate.

The source of calcium which can be used to prepare the raw material of the invention can be calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) or quicklime (CaO) or even slaked lime (Ca(OH) ₂ ) . The source of phosphorus can be phosphoric acid. The source of calcium, magnesium or sodium, and the phosphoric acid react with the humic substance placed in solution or in aqueous dispersion. The raw material of the present invention can be manufactured by various methods depending on how the humic substance is mixed with the source of calcium, magnesium or sodium, and the source of phosphorus. For example, the humic substance can be introduced simultaneously but separately from the other raw materials, introduced into a premix with the source of calcium, magnesium or sodium, mixed with the source of phosphorus before dissolution in water, be introduced into the source of phosphorus once dissolved in water, or introduced into water.

According to a particular embodiment, the humic substance is a humate mixture which is dissolved in water to obtain an aqueous solution of humates, which solution is then mixed with phosphoric acid with stirring. The dispersion obtained can be mixed with calcium carbonate. The P ₂ O ₅ titer of the phosphoric acid can range from 52% to 60%. The concentration of humates in the aqueous solution of humates can range from 50 g/L to 250 g/L of water. In the aqueous dispersion containing the humates and the phosphoric acid, the phosphoric acid is preferably diluted between 40% and 55% of P ₂ O ₅ .

The humic substance represents for example between 0.1% by mass and 10% by mass of the mass of a mixture consisting of i) a source of calcium, magnesium or sodium, ii) the source of phosphorus and iii) humic substance. When the humic substance is based on humates, the dose of humates in the raw material of the invention can be between 1.0% and 10.0%, preferably between 1.0% and 5.0%, more preferably between 1.0% and 3.0 % by mass, and even more preferably between 1.0% and 2.5%, for example equal to 1.5% by mass, of the mass of said mixture.

The method according to the invention may comprise one or more additional steps, for example one or more granulation or drying steps.

The present application describes a raw material intended for animal feed which can be obtained by preparing a mixture essentially consisting of water, a humic substance, a source of mineral phosphorus, and optionally a source of mineral calcium.

[0070] By “essentially constituted” is meant a mixture comprising more than 95% by mass, preferably more than 98% by mass, and even more preferably more than 99% by mass, and more preferentially more than 99.5% by mass, water, a humic substance, a source of phosphorus and a source of calcium. For example, the raw food material is likely to be obtained, or is obtained, by preparing a mixture essentially consisting of water, humate, phosphoric acid, and optionally calcium carbonate.

The mixture can be obtained from an aqueous dispersion or an aqueous solution consisting of water and a humic substance, which is reacted with a source of phosphorus, and optionally with a source of calcium. The humic substance is preferably a humic acid or a humate, preferably a sodium humate. Source of phosphorus is preferably phosphoric acid. The source of calcium is preferably calcium carbonate, calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.

The present application also describes a food additive for animal nutrition and an animal feed comprising a calcium humate and a source of phosphorus, for example a phosphate. Each of the characteristics which have been described above in relation to the feed of the invention and the process for preparing this feed can be applied independently of one another to this feed additive and to this animal feed.

Another object of the invention relates to the use of a raw material as described above for improving the bioavailability of a mineral phosphorus in a monogastric farmed animal. The invention is a means of supplying minerals and inorganic phosphorus, in particular for monogastrics, but also for ruminants.

The invention also relates to a process for the nutrition of a livestock animal comprising a step of incorporating into the animal's ration the raw material described above, this raw material possibly coming from a prior manufacture according to the method described above.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a premix or a complete feed for livestock. The raw material of the invention is intended to be used in premixes or complete feeds intended for premixers or manufacturers of feedstuffs for breeding animals.

The raw material can be used for poultry (standard or label broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks and others), but also for pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, and aquaculture. .

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0076] Figure 1 represents the X-ray diffractogram of a reference product containing monocalcium phosphate devoid of humic substance (MCPHO).

Figure 2 shows the X-ray diffractogram of a product of the invention containing 1.5% humates (MCPH15).

Figure 3 compares the two diffractograms of Figures 1 and 2 above.

Figure 4 shows the ³¹ P NMR spectra of a reference product containing monocalcium phosphate devoid of humic substance (MCPHO), and that of the product of the invention containing 1.5% humates (MCPH15).

FIG. 5 represents the ³¹ P NMR spectrum of a reference product containing monocalcium phosphate devoid of humic substance (MCPHO).

FIG. 6 represents the ³¹ P NMR spectrum of the product of the invention containing 1.5% humates (MCPH15).

Figure 7 shows the effect of the invention on the evolution of the pH of the ruminai medium from 2.0 to 6.5 hours of incubation under in vitro fermentation conditions. Figure 8 shows the effect of the invention on the VFA concentrations of the ruminai medium from 2.0 to 6.5 hours of incubation under in vitro fermentation conditions.

Figure 9 shows the effect of different doses of the invention on the rate of adsorption of various mycotoxins in the stomach of monogastrics under in vitro conditions.

Figure 10 shows the effect of different doses of the invention on the rate of adsorption of various mycotoxins in the intestine of monogastrics under in vitro conditions.

[0086] Figure 11 shows the average consumption index (CI) at the end of finishing (ICO-35 between D0 and D35) of batches of chickens whose food has been enriched with different PCMs containing or not containing different doses of smell.

[0087] Figure 12 shows the ash content and the amount of calcium and phosphorus of the chicken tibiae sampled at D35 as a function of the treatments.

[0088] Figure 13 shows the fracture force of chicken tibiae taken at D35 as a function of the treatments.

Figure 14 shows for each treatment, the difference (%) in chicken meat pH between the measured value and the value to be reached after 15 minutes of maturation (pH = 6.4) or 7 days of storage (pH = 5.6).

[0090] Figure 15 shows the average consumption index (CI) at the end of finishing (ICO-35 between D0 and D35) of batches of chickens whose food has been enriched with a standard calcium phosphate or the product of invention MCPH15.

Figure 16 shows the quantity of P ₂ O ₅ in the litter at D42 of chickens having received in their food a standard calcium phosphate or the product of the invention MCPH15.

Example 1: Preparation of a complex of humates and calcium phosphate then characterization

[0093] Preparation of the complex

Several aqueous solutions of sodium humates with a variable concentration of humates ranging from 100 g/L to 250 g/L are prepared by dissolving the sodium humates in water, preferably water heated to 50°C.

Sodium humate (CAS number 68131-04-4) is commercially available under the reference Nut Mordan® manufactured by the company Humatex. The pH of this product diluted at 10% in water is between 10.0 and 12.0 and its humic acid content by dry weight is greater than 60%. The content of humic acids by dry weight is equal to the complement to 100% of the ash content measured after calcination of the sample in an electric furnace at 500°C for 60 minutes and at 805°C-825°C for 60 minutes (according to the manufacturer).

A solution of Israeli green phosphoric acid (P ₂ O ₅ total=54.2%) diluted to 50% P ₂ O ₅ with water heated to 50° C. is prepared.

Each aqueous solution of humates is then poured with stirring into the phosphoric acid solution, stirring being maintained to disperse the solid formed and the temperature maintained at 50°C. Calcium carbonate (having a total CaO content greater than or equal to 53%) is then poured into the dispersion, then the mixture is stirred vigorously, lumped together, granulated and then dried.

Alternatively, phosphoric acid is not diluted in water, and it is poured simultaneously with the solution of sodium humates on calcium carbonate.

The mass ratio between undiluted phosphoric acid at 54% P ₂ O ₅ in water and calcium carbonate was 2.5 to manufacture MCP.

By varying the concentration of the solution of humates, monocalcium phosphates containing 1.0% (noted MCPH10), 1.5% (noted MCPH15), 2.0% (noted MCPH20), 2.5% (noted MCPH25), 5.0% (noted MCP50) and 10.0% (denoted MCP100) of humates could be prepared.

Dicalcium phosphates containing 0% (denoted DCP), 1.0% (denoted DCP10), 5.0% (denoted DCP50) and 10.0% (denoted DCP100) of humates by applying a mass ratio [phosphoric acid at 54%P ₂ O ₅ / calcium carbonate] = 1.3. could also be prepared. In most of the tests, and in order to limit the number of invention samples studied, the choice fell on doses between 1.0% and 2.5%, preferably 1.5%.

[0094] Characterization by DRX and NMR

[0095] Experimental conditions for XRD analysis:

The diffractograms were recorded on a diffractometer (X'Pert Pro, PANalytical brand) in reflection mode and equipped with a copper tube (Ko = 0.1542 nm, 45kV and 40mA) and a PIXcel linear detector (length active = 3.347°20). In the path of the X-ray beam were mounted as primary optics Soller slits of 0.04 rad, a divergence slit of 1/16°, a mask of 10 mm, an anti-scattering slit of 1/8°, and as secondary optics, a Nickel filter and Soller slits of 0.04 rad. After fine grinding, the samples were compacted in a rear-loading sample holder.

[0096] Results of the XRD analysis:

The peaks of the diffractogram revealed that the PCM without humate (MCPH0) consists of two crystalline phases: mainly monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O) and a minority of calcite (calcium carbonate; CaCO ₃ ). However, three peaks of very weak intensity after 65° could not be identified, the reflections of the reference map having only been recorded up to 64° (Figure 1). This indicates that an additional crystalline phase is present in the MCPH0 which cannot be identified by XRD.

The peaks of the MCPH15 diffractogram reveal that this sample mainly contains monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O), probably anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (monetite Ca(HPO ₄ )) and possibly calcite ( calcium carbonate; CaCO ₃ ) and anhydrous monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ (Figure 2). However, the diffractogram of MCPH15 shows less intense diffraction peaks than that of MCPH0, which indicates that this sample is less crystallized. To confirm this, when the two diffractograms of the two samples are superimposed, it is possible to see that the baseline of the MCPH15 sample between 15 and 40° is higher than that of the MCPH0 sample (Figure 3). This therefore indicates the presence of amorphous in the MCPH15 sample. Also, organic matrices cannot be identified by X-ray diffraction and thus appeared as an amorphous phase. This decrease in intensity of the peaks and this higher baseline of MCPH15 are explained by the presence of humates which correspond to a non-crystalline organic product and to an amorphous phase not identified by the XRD. In general, the organo-mineral complexes characterized by XRD show a widening of the curves which signifies the presence of an amorphous product in the sample.

[0097] Experimental conditions for the NMR analysis:

After fine grinding, the samples (powders) were introduced (packed) into a cylindrical sample holder (rotor) made of zirconium oxide 4 mm in diameter closed by a Kelefl® stopper. The analyzes were carried out at room temperature with a Bruker Avance II 400 MHz spectrometer (Larmor frequency (31P)=103.85 MHz), equipped with a Bruker 4 mm dual-channel measuring head. The 31P MAS spectra (Magic Angle Spinning) were recorded at a rotation speed of 12kHz with a pulse angle equal to a duration of 3 microns and a recycling time of 200s. The chemical shifts are expressed relative to an 85% aqueous solution of H ₃ PO ₄ . After analysis, the samples were fully recovered.

[0098] Results of the NMR analysis:

Figure 4 shows the superposition of the ³¹ P-NMR spectra of the two samples analyzed. More precisely, Figure 5 shows that after deconvolution, the spectrum of MCPH0 presents four signals at 0.75, -0.15, -1.45 and -4.65 ppm. The signals at -0.15 and -4.65 correspond to the presence of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H2O) major compound (80%), as demonstrated by XRD analysis. In addition, these two signals correspond to two H ₂ PO ₄ ' groups which are differentiated, that at -4.65 being an acceptor of hydrogen bonds with the protons of the water molecule while that at - 0.15 would be a donor of a hydrogen bond . The two broader signals at -1.45 and 0.75 ppm characterize the crystallographic sites of dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO ₄ ) not revealed by XRD and in a minority quantity in this sample (20%).

Figure 6 shows that after deconvolution, the spectrum of MCPH15 presents five signals at -0.1, -0.2, -1.75, -4.75 and -10.0 ppm. As in the MCPH0 sample, the characteristic signals of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H2O) are observed at -0.2 and -4.75 ppm but in a lower proportion (40% of the sample) , their corresponding peaks being weaker than for MCPH0. The peak at -1.75 ppm corresponds to the peak at -1.45 ppm of MCPH0, it is therefore the presence of dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO ₄ ), up to 10%. However, for MCPH15, it is impossible to distinguish the equivalent of the peak at 0.75 ppm from MCPH0, which also reveals the presence of this dicalcium phosphate. Thus, the signal at - 0.1 ppm particularly wide would correspond to the superposition of several elements chemicals, namely: the missing part of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O; i.e. 20%), the invisible resonance of this dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO ₄ ; i.e. 10%) and a hidden part of anhydrous monocalcium phosphate ( Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ); up to 5% to 10%) the only phosphate component whose chemical shifts can be found in the region around -0.1 ppm. Although in very small quantities, this latter compound can only be present in an amorphous form, explaining the characteristic form of the very enlarged signal. Finally, the very broad signal between -6.0 and -12.0 ppm corresponds to amorphous p-Ca ₂ P ₂ O ₇ type pyrophosphates, present at about 15% in the sample. This amorphous characteristic is highlighted by the width of the signal which indicates that the environment of the P is very unordered and therefore modified. This peak reflects the new environment of phosphate bound by Ca-humic acid binding sites, highlighting the complexation of humic acids with minerals (Ca or P). The widening of these two peaks, revealing amorphous phases, highlights a chemical reaction between the sources of phosphorus and the humates indicating the presence of complexes.

Thus, the results of the XRD and ³¹ P NMR analyzes of the two samples are consistent and complementary. Concerning the MCPH0 sample, the two methods confirm the presence of crystallized monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O). Contrary to the XRD, the ³¹ P NMR makes it possible to highlight the presence of dicalcium phosphate otherwise called monetite (CaHPO ₄ ) in the MCPH0 and probably in amorphous form (broad signals at -1.45 and 0.75 ppm of the NMR) because not detected in XRD. This means that the 3 unidentified peaks beyond 64° do not correspond to this monetite. On the other hand, the XRD reveals that there remains calcite (CaCO ₃ ) crystallized in the MCPH0. Finally, ³¹ P NMR makes it possible to estimate that the relative proportions of phosphorus are distributed as follows: as majority phase 80% of Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O and approximately 20% of CaHPO ₄ .

Concerning the MCPH15 sample, the ³¹ P NMR makes it possible to confirm the presence of crystallized phases observed in XRD, namely: monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O) which is predominant followed by monetite (CaHPO ₄ ). Anhydrous monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ ) amorphous or very little crystallized (because possibly visible in XRD) is also present. ³¹ P NMR also highlights the presence of a new species, calcium pyrophosphates (p-Ca ₂ P ₂ O ₇ ) which are in amorphous form since they are not identified by XRD. According to the XRD, residual traces of calcite also appear to be present. Also other types of amorphous phases have been identified. Some of the amorphous phases not fully identified by NMR are related to the presence of the complexes in the sample, which demonstrates that a chemical reaction has taken place between the phosphorus sources and the humates. Physico-chemical bonds between the organic matrix of humate types with the minerals are present in the system (calcium and phosphorus). Finally, the ³¹ P NMR makes it possible to evaluate in a very relative way the distribution of phosphorus in the following way: majority phase, more than 50% of Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ .H ₂ O, several minority phases (less than 50%) were identified from CaHPO ₄ , amorphous pyrophosphates and partially crystallized Ca(H ₂ PO ₄ ) ₂ , also an amorphous phase represented by the broadening of the spectra (curves) corresponding to our organo-mineral complex.

Thus, the two XRD and NMR analyzes reveal the presence of amorphous phases equivalent to an organo-mineral complex resulting from chemical reactions in the medium between humic acids and inorganic compounds (calcium phosphates).

Example 2: In vitro test on an artificial fermenter: impact of the product of the invention on the fermentation parameters

A test in an artificial fermenter was carried out with the four products of invention MCPHO, MCPH10, MCPH5 and MCPH100 prepared according to Example 1.

[0100] Experimental protocol

The principle of artificial fermentation is based on the incubation of rumen juice under anaerobic conditions at 39°C (Menke and Steingass, 1988). The bacterial flora in the presence of the appropriate substrate reproduces ruminal fermentations, which makes it possible to monitor gas production as well as end products such as volatile fatty acids (VFA), N-NH ₃ etc. depending on the objectives of the study.

The device consists of 21 250ml bottles containing 150ml of an inoculum based on rumen juice and buffered artificial saliva (1:2). This inoculum is incubated under anaerobic conditions at 39°C without substrate (White) or with 1.25g of substrate (corn silage, hay, concentrate: 50/30/20, provides 2.2g of P/kg) alone (Control CT) or with the substrate added with the appropriate dose of each product tested to have an identical phosphorus supply (MCPHO to MCPH100). The vial sampling system will allow kinetics to be carried out at 2h, 4h and 6h30. Table 1 recalls the experimental design of the trial.

[0102] [Table 1] Experimental design of the in vitro fermentation test in the presence of the products of the invention

[0103] Results

Figure 7 gives the evolution of the pH at the start and end of fermentation. Treatments and time have a significant effect (p.val < 0.001). The high dose (10%) of humic acid in the MCP increases the pH compared to the control and the other treatments. Moreover, the interaction “treatment*time” is significant (p.val = 0.06). It therefore seems that the impact of the treatments varies according to the kinetic points.

Figure 8 shows that the VFA concentrations increase over time (p.val<0.001). Certain treatments in particular tend to increase the production of total VFAs compared to Control CT (p.val<0.10). The statistical study of this parameter highlights a significant interaction between the treatments and time (p.val = 0.02). The results of the statistical study at each time show that after 2 hours of fermentation the high doses of humic acids tend to reduce the production of VFA (p.val = 0.07). After 4 hours, the treatments have no effect (p.val > 0.10). Finally, after 6 hours, MCP supplementation increases the production of VFAs and the formulas with 1% and 10% humic acids promote this effect (p.val < 0.01).

[0105] Conclusion

This in vitro study made it possible to evaluate the effect of the MCP-Humates complex on rumen fermentations. Supplementation with MCP-Humates complex limits the drop in pH during fermentation under these closed batch conditions. In addition, it improves the production of VFA and therefore the energy supply for the ruminant.

Example 3: In vitro monogastric digestion test: impact of the product of the invention on the digestibility of the minerals Ca. P and Mq

The present in vitro digestion test aims to evaluate the digestibility of the Ca, P and Mg minerals of the invention products of Example 1. In order to confirm the results, the test was repeated once. The results of the two in vitro tests carried out are presented as follows: test 1 and test 2 below.

[0106] Experimental protocol

The device used is a Bain-Marie composed of 15 places that can each accommodate a 50 ml Eppendorf tube each containing a food sample of 1.0 g. The samples are incubated at 40°C. A test takes place in 3 stages in order to mimic the digestion of growing chickens, in the crop (amylase, pH: 5.8, duration: 35 min), then the succenturiate ventricle (pepsin, pH: 2.7, duration: 42 min) and finally in the intestine until the ileal phase (pancreatin, pH: 6.5, duration: 170 min).

[0107] Since the Bain-Marie can accommodate 15 samples, a test is carried out over 1 day in order to have a sufficient number of repetitions per food (n=3). Of the 15 tubes, one tube is used to check the absence of mineral contamination (blank, no sample) and one tube is used to receive wheat bran (laboratory standard) to check that the test is running correctly . Nine tubes are used to receive samples of complete feed for growing chickens which contain the products of the invention at the following doses of humates: 0% and 1.5%.

The chemical composition of the foods put to digest is given in Table 2.

[Table 2]. Nutritional composition of two experimental feeds for growing chickens.

In vitro digestibility is expressed by calculating the solubility of minerals. That is to say that the greater the quantity of minerals in the liquid of the alimentary bolus Qus ileal) will be important, the better will be the potential absorption of these minerals. The solubility is calculated as follows: Solubility (%) = quantity of mineral in the ileal juice / quantity of mineral in the 1 g of food put to digest.

[0109] Results

An in vitro digestion test was conducted where MCPHO and MCPH15 were compared. The results were as follows.

The solubility of chicken feed provided with MCPHO or MCPH15 manufactured according to Example 1 is given in Table 3.

[Table 3] Solubility of the minerals of the monogastric in vitro digestion test as a function of the treatments based or not on the product of the invention (Mean±SD).

[YES] The solubility of calcium is significantly impacted by the presence of humates (p.val = 0.02). In addition, the solubility of calcium is significantly higher by 3 points in the presence of 1.5% humates than in its absence. Similarly, the solubility of phosphorus is not significantly higher (p.val = 0.11) by 4 points in the presence of humates than in its absence. Finally, the solubility of magnesium is also not significantly higher (p.val = 0.08) by 4 points in the presence of humates than in its absence.

[0112] Conclusion

The results showed that the solubilities of Ca and P are impacted in the diet of the test by the presence of MCP provided with humates. These results show that the solubilities of Ca and P are significantly better in the presence of humates (+ 3 and 4 points respectively). The solubility of Mg is systematically significantly better (from 1 to 4 points) in the presence of humates, whatever the digestion test.

Example 4: In vitro study of the adsorption capacity of mvcotoxins by the product of the invention in the digestive tract of monoaastrigues

The purpose of the present in vitro study is to evaluate the mycotoxin adsorption capacity of the product of the invention under the conditions of digestion of monogastrics. The principle consists in bringing the product into contact with a given dose of mycotoxins at a given temperature and pH.

[0115] Experimental protocol

Four mycotoxins were chosen according to the recurrence of their presence in food or vegetable raw materials intended for monogastrics but also according to the sensitivity of poultry and pigs (young and adult) towards them. The dose of each of these four mycotoxins was determined according to European regulations (aflatoxin B1) and the sensitivity of the two species (zearalenone, ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol). Thus, three doses (0.5%, 0.8% and 1.0%) of the product of the invention MCPH15 were brought into contact with 100 to 900 ng/ml of mixed mycotoxins (Table 4).

[Table 4] Doses of mycotoxins and of product of the invention introduced into the monogastric in vitro digestion system

The mycotoxin concentration was measured after each incubation time to determine the quantity adsorbed by the product.

[0117] Mycotoxin concentrations were measured by UHPLC-MS/MS. Specifically, a buffered phosphate solution was prepared at 0.1 M at pH 2.50 ± 0.05 (average stomach pH between pig and poultry) and spiked with mycotoxins at the concentrations listed above. The sample was added to the mycotoxin enriched solutions and the suspension was then incubated at 40°C for 1 hour. The suspension was then centrifuged and the supernatant was sampled. The remaining supernatant was discarded, and the test material was then resuspended in a solution of 0.1 M buffered phosphate at pH 6.80 ± 0.05 (average _testin pH between pigs and poultry) before being incubated at 40° C. for an additional 3 hours. The suspension was again centrifuged and the supernatant was sampled. Sample solutions were spiked with isotopically labeled internal standards before being analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Quantification was performed using external calibration solutions spiked with isotopically labeled internal standards. All samples were prepared in quintuplicate.

The calculation of the adsorption rate is as follows:

Stomach adsorption rate (%) = ([mycotoxin] _in it _ia ie - [mycotoxin]s stomach magant _U )/ [mycotoxin] mitiaie;

final adSOrptiOn rate (%) ⁼ l ^_ (([myCOtOXin]stomach supernatant + [mycotoxin]intestinal supernatant)/initial [mycotoxin]) .

[0119] Results

The results show that the higher the product dose in the system, the higher the adsorption rate. Adsorption rates at low pH (stomach level) are also higher than at high pH (intestinal level). On passage through the intestine, the rise in pH results in a certain desorption of mycotoxins. More precisely, the adsorption capacity is in decreasing order: aflatoxin > zearalenone > ochratoxin > deoxynivalenol. Once in the intestine, the desorption rate (quantity of mycotoxins released into the system because not retained by the binder) is respectively 20, 37, 50 and 100% for deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin, zearalenone and ochratoxin. The product therefore has no adsorption capacity in the intestine for the latter (FIGS. 9 and 10).

Example 5 - Test 1 in vivo on meat poultry: effect of the product of the invention on performance, metabolism and meat quality

[0120] Study conditions:

Zootechnical test on 48 cages of 40 male chickens in a conventional breeding building with a standard consumption index (IC D35 = 1.50).

[0121] Food:

Distribution of six feeds (ie 8 repetitions per feed) to Ross 308 broiler chickens for 35 days of rearing.

The feed was made to order with the incorporation of the products tested during the mixing of the raw materials.

The food does not contain microbial phytase and the raw materials chosen are low in endogenous phytases.

Products tested: monocalcium phosphates with or without humates. The doses of humates in the product of the invention vary from 1.0 to 2.5%.

[0122] Measures:

The following measurements were carried out during breeding:

- Collective weighing on D0, D7, D13, D21 and D28 (total weight of animals/number of individuals) and individual weighing on D35; - ADG (average daily gain) on D7, D13, D21, D28 and D35 (average weight/number of days in the period);

- Food consumption on D7, D13, D21, D28 and D35 (weighing of food residues at each age, upstream each bag of food was weighed and identified); - CI (consumption index) at D7, D13, D21, D28 and D35 (ADG/weight of food consumed for each period);

- Dosage of blood minerals at D35

- Dosage of minerals in the shins at D35

- Quality of the tibias: o Latency-to-lie test at D27 o Post-mortem bone strength and resistance

- Post-mortem meat quality

The study conditions are summarized in Table 5 below. [Table 5] In vivo broiler test conditions [0123] Results of the in vivo study

The results showed effects on the consumption index [Fig. 11], the quality [Fig. 12] and bone strength [Fig. 13] and meat pH [Fig. 14].

At a lower dose of digestible P in the food, the CI is -2 points (-1%) better with MCPH10 and MCPH15 compared to the positive control (p.val=0.05) [Fig. 11]. Similarly, the pH of the meat is closest to the objective after 15 minutes of maturation (pH = 6.4) with the addition of MCPH20 (p.val = 0.02) whereas at 7 days of storage ( pH = 5.6) this is the case with the addition of MCPH10 (p.val = 0.13) [Fig 14].

At an equal dose of digestible P in the feed, the fracture force of the tibiae is 10% higher and 12% higher respectively with MCPH10 and MCPH20 compared to the negative control (p.val = 0.004) [Fig 13]. In addition, the ash rate and the amounts of Ca and P in these same tibiae are higher by 0.4 (p.val = 0.001), 0.8 (p.val = 0.004) and 1.7% (p.val = 0.04) respectively. with the contribution of MCPH10 compared to the negative control [Fig 14]. Thus, for an equal quantity of nutrients, 80% of digestible P in the ration provided with the aid of the product of the invention makes it possible to obtain a better CI than with 100% of digestible P provided with a standard monocalcium phosphate. In the same way, for an equal quantity of nutrients, including digestible P, the product of the invention makes it possible to obtain better results in terms of bone quality and preservation of the meat.

[0125] Example 6 - In vivo test on meat poultry: effect of the product of the invention on the performance, the quality of the legs and the litter

[0126] Study conditions

Zootechnical test on 16 cages of 30 male chickens in a conventional breeding building with a minimum prevalence of 70% in pododermatitis and a standard consumption index (IC = 1.50 at D35 and 1.65 at D42).

[0127] Food:

Distribution of two feeds (ie 8 repetitions per feed) to Ross 308 strain broilers for 42 days of rearing. The feed was made to order with the incorporation of the products tested during the mixing of the raw materials. At the end of manufacturing, a phytase is added on-top to the feed at an equivalent dose of 500 FTU/kg. Products tested: monocalcium phosphates with or without humates (Control food: MCPH0; Test food: MCPH15).

[0128] Measures:

The following measurements were carried out during breeding:

- Collective weighing on D0, D7, D13, D21, D28 and D35 (total weight of animals/number of individuals) and individual weighing on D42;

- ADG (average daily gain) on D7, D13, D21, D28, D35 and D42 (average weight/number of days in the period);

- Food consumption on D7, D13, D21, D28, D35 and D42 (weighing of food residues at each age; upstream each bag of food was weighed and identified); - CI (consumption index) at 17, 113, 121, 128, 135 and 142 (GMQ/weight of food consumed for each period);

- Litter quality at 17, 113, 121, 128, 135 and 142 (litter score according to the ITAVI grid, French poultry technical institute); - Pododermatitis at 321 and 142 (score according to the ITAVI scoring grid);

- P residue in the litter at 321 and 142 (2 samples per cage, one sample halfway between the edge of the cage on the sleeping side and the pipette line and one third between the feeder and the edge of the cage; one sample halfway between the edge of the cage on the coating side and the pipette line and two thirds between the feeder and the edge of the cage) by assay using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) of the P after mineralization with hot aqua regia.

The study conditions are summarized in Table 6 below.

[Table 6] In vivo broiler test conditions

[0130] Results of the in vivo study

Among the results obtained, significant effects were observed on the consumption index (CI) over the period 0-35 days as shown in Figure 15. This shows that the CI is significantly lower by 2 points (-1%; p.val=0.056) over the 0-35 day period with the product of the invention (MCPH15) compared with the MCPHO control. This result confirms what had already been observed in the trial presented above. In addition, at an equal dose of digestible P in the food, the product of the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce (p.val=0.001) by 14% the quantity of P ₂ O ₅ in the litter at D42 compared to the intake of a standard monocalcium phosphate (Figure 16).

Claims

26 Claims

[Claim 1] Food raw material for animal nutrition comprising an organo-mineral complex containing food phosphate and a humic substance, said humic substance engaging physico-chemical bonds with phosphorus atoms.

[Claim 2] Raw material according to Claim 1, characterized in that the feed phosphate is chosen from a calcium phosphate, a magnesium phosphate, a monosodium phosphate, a calcium-sodium phosphate and a mixture thereof.

[Claim 3] Raw material according to Claim 1, characterized in that the feed phosphate is chosen from monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, monodicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, and mixtures thereof.

[Claim 4] Raw material according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed phosphate is in the form of tri-magnesium phosphate.

[Claim 5] Raw material according to claim 1, characterized in that the humic substance is a potassium humate or a sodium humate.

[Claim 6] Process for the manufacture of the food raw material according to claim 1, comprising a step of preparing a dispersion or an aqueous solution containing the humic substance, followed by the mixing of this dispersion or this solution with a source phosphorus and with a source of calcium, magnesium or sodium.

[Claim 7] Manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that the source of phosphorus is phosphoric acid.

[Claim 8] Manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that the source of calcium is calcium carbonate, quicklime or slaked lime.

[Claim 9] Manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that the humic substance is extracted from leonardite.

[Claim 10] Manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that the mixture of the aqueous dispersion or of the aqueous solution containing the humic substance, with the source of phosphorus and with the source of calcium, magnesium or sodium is carried out at a temperature ranging from 50°C to 80°C.

[Claim 11] Use of the food raw material according to claim 1 for improving the bioavailability of an inorganic phosphorus in a monogastric livestock animal.

[Claim 12] Process for the nutrition of a livestock animal comprising a step of incorporating into the animal's ration the raw food material according to claim 1.

[Claim 13] Raw material intended for animal feed obtainable by preparing an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble humic substance, a source of water-soluble mineral phosphorus, and optionally a water-soluble mineral calcium source.