MX2008003842A - Livestock anti-acid composition - Google Patents

Abstract

Acid compositions for ruminants containing a plurality of acid-neutralizing salts with pKaâÇs effective at different ruminant gastrointestinal pH ranges and an active probiotic culture capable of stimulating the growth and concentration of beneficial acid-consuming rumen microorganisms. Methods for preventing clinical and sub clinical acidosis in ruminants with the acid-neutralizing salts and feed compositions to which the acid-neutralizing salts have been added are also disclosed.

Description

COMPOSITION OF ANTI-ACIDS FOR LIVESTOCK CROSS REFERENCE This request claims priority in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of the provisional patent application of E.U.A. No. 60 / 719,393 filed on September 22, 2005 and in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 120 (e) of the patent application of E.U.A. No. 11 / 534,092 filed on September 21, 2006. The total content of both applications is incorporated herein by way of reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to anti-acid compositions formulated for ruminants, and in particular, for ruminants consuming feed diets of high concentrates. More particularly, this invention relates to anti-acid compositions that work at different acidity scales during the digestion process in the rumen and in the intestine of the ruminant. This invention also relates to methods for avoiding clinical and subclinical acidosis in a ruminant with the anti-acid compositions of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The subclinical acidosis in ruminants produces excess losses in 500 million dollars per year for the dairy industry in the United States to seriously affect the development of the animal. The intake of dry matter and lactation (milk yield, fats and milk proteins) are negatively affected, which increases the incidence of laminitis. The ideal pH of the rumen is between 5.8 and 6.8. A pH lower than 5.8 increases the risk of subclinical acidosis and under 5.5 is considered as an acidosis condition. Animals can die when the rumen pH drops below 5.0. Digestive enzymes in the small intestine are not effective under a pH of 6.8. Two situations are well documented in which ruminants develop clinical and subclinical acidosis. Diets in intensive animal production systems (dairy or meat cattle) are very high in starch-rich concentrate feeds such as corn, barley, sorghum, oats, and the like and low in effective Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). High dietary starch and NDF with low effectiveness produce a rumen acid environment as a result of the low production of saliva and a high rate of starch fermentation in the rumen, and as a consequence, high concentrations of acids are produced (H + ). This causes clinical and subclinical acidosis, which is characterized by highly volatile fatty acid and lactic acid concentrations in the rumen.

The second situation causes that ruminants that graze high quality pastures with high rumen fermentation rates (NDF of low effectiveness) and this type of forage are complemented with high starch concentrate. This can also cause subclinical rumen acidosis. Now, sodium bicarbonate is widely used by fattening pens and intensive milk production systems as an antacid treatment for ruminants to avoid subclinical acidosis. In addition to being expensive, the sodium bicarbonate pKa is only effective to partially neutralize the acids in the rumen and will not neutralize the acid in the intestine. From the environmental point of view, sodium bicarbonate has a high sodium content. This results in salinization of the land and contamination of groundwater in intensive animal production systems. There is a need for a low sodium antacid commercial composition that includes different components that are integrated to work in the rumen and ruminant intestine at different pH scales to avoid and control subclinical acidosis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This need is satisfied with this invention. This invention provides a natural anti-acid composition for ruminants consuming high concentrate diets that avoids clinical and subclinical acidosis and other unspecified dysfunctions associated with the use of high energy diets in ruminants. The Anti-acid composition works on different scales of acidity during the digestion process in the rumen and the intestine of the ruminant. The components of the inventive composition have different pKa that control or consume hydrogen at a variety of pH scales. The inventive composition also includes an active probiotic culture that stimulates the growth and concentration of beneficial microorganisms (fungi and bacteria that use lactic acid) in the rumen and intestine of the ruminant which prevents the accumulation of lactic acid. Thus, according to one aspect of this invention, there is provided an anti-acid composition for ruminants, which is formulated with a plurality of acid neutralizing salts with effective pKa at different pH-specific gastrointestinal scales of ruminant and an active probiotic culture capable of stimulate the growth and concentration of the beneficial microorganisms of the rumen that consume acid. The active probiotic culture preferably stimulates the growth and concentration of lactic acid consumed by the rumen microorganisms and is preferably an active yeast culture. The active yeast culture is preferably a Saccharomyces, and even more preferably Saccharomyces cerevisiae. According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, at least one acid-neutralizing salt has an effective pKa to neutralize the acids within the rumen pH scale, and at least one acid-neutralizing salt has a pKa to neutralize the acids within the pH scale of the ruminant intestine. Examples of acid neutralizing salts include sodium, calcium and magnesium carbonate, calcium and magnesium oxides, and sodium, calcium and magnesium phosphates. According to another embodiment of this invention, the composition may also include an inorganic acid-absorbing material, examples which include bentonite, zeolite and some other clays and volcanic ash. Bentonite is an inorganic acid-absorbing material particularly useful because it also decreases the rate of digesta passage of the rumen and increases fiber digestion. The antacid compositions according to this invention are administered when mixed with other feeds, preferably grain concentrates. The compositions prevent the occurrence of acidosis instead of treating the existing conditions. Therefore, this invention also provides methods for avoiding clinical or subclinical acidosis in ruminants by feeding the ruminant with a neutralizing amount of acid of the antacid composition of this invention. Ruminants weighing more than 100 kg are generally fed with between about 25 and about 50 g of antacid composition of this invention per 100 kg of body weight. Ruminants weighing less than 100 kg are generally fed with between about 2.5 and about 10 g per 10 kg of body weight. This invention also includes a ruminant feed containing at least one plant material and between about 1 and about 2.5% by weight on a dry solids basis of the antacid composition of this invention. About 1.2% by weight of the total dry matter intake or about 2% by weight of the total concentrate intake is preferred. Since the composition of this invention was developed for ruminants (cows, goats, sheep, camels, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, deer, antelope, etc.) that consume grain diets or concentrates, they can also be administered to non-ruminants that are fed high concentrate diets, which is also a risk for the development of clinical and subclinical acidosis. For example, elephants and horses, for different reasons (breed preparation or disease recovery), are fed a diet high in grains or concentrates. The antacid compositions of this invention can also be used to avoid clinical and subclinical acidosis in non-ruminant animals fed concentrated diets, especially high value animals, such as racehorses and zoo animals that do not tolerate high grain or NDF diets. of low effectiveness. Therefore, this invention also includes methods for treating clinical and subclinical acidosis in non-ruminant animals by feeding them with a neutralized amount of acids of the antacid composition of this invention as well as a non-ruminant feed containing at least one plant material and between about 1% and about 2.5% by weight on a dry solids basis of the antacid composition of this invention. The following and other objectives, features and advantages of this invention are more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments mentioned below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The antacid compositions of this invention are dry fine powders which can be made by weighing and dry blending together with the component amounts with any suitable equipment to uniformly mix the volumetric amounts of dry powders. Such equipment is essentially conventional and is readily available. The antacid compositions are prepared by dry blending a plurality of acid neutralizing salts, wherein at least two of the salts have effective pKa at different gastrointestinal pH scales of ruminant, together with an active probiotic culture capable of stimulating growth and concentration of beneficial rumen microorganisms that consume acid and in any inorganic acid-absorbing material. The acid-neutralizing salts form at least two thirds by weight of the composition, above about 90% by weight. A level between about 75 and about 85% by weight is preferred. It is possible to formulate the antacid compositions to create a product line capable of directing different pH scales of acidosis and dietary variations such as mineral supplements given to livestock and the mineral salt content of drinking water. The formulations will contain at least one acid neutralizing salt with pKa to neutralize the acids within the rumen pH scale and at least one acid neutralizing salt with an effective pKa to neutralize the pH acids of the ruminant intestine. Examples of acid neutralizing salts include sodium, calcium and magnesium carbonates, calcium and magnesium oxides and sodium, calcium and magnesium phosphates. Sodium carbonates include sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate dehydrated, and NaHCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is effective in neutralizing the acid pH of the rumen. Calcium and magnesium carbonate are effective in neutralizing acidic pH in the gut of the ruminant. Magnesium oxide, inorganic acid-absorbing materials and active prebiotic cultures work to neutralize the acid pH of both the rumen and the gut of the ruminant. The compositions will contain between about 5 and about 15% by weight, preferably between about 8 and about 12% by weight and more preferably about 10% by weight of active probiotic culture. The active probiotic culture preferably stimulates the growth and concentration of lactic acid consumed by the rumen microorganisms and is preferably an active yeast culture. The active yeast culture is preferably a Saccharomyces, even more preferably Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An example of a yeast strain S. cerevisiae is the CNCM (Pasteur Institute) 1-1077 strain of S. cerevisiae, which is commercially available as LEVUCELL SC® in Virtus Nutrition of Fairlawn, Ohio. The compositions may also contain up to about 20% by weight of an inorganic acid-absorbing material, examples of these include bentonite, zeolite, and other clays and volcanic ash. A level of inorganic material between about 10 and about 20% by weight is preferred, with a level of about 15% by weight which is more preferable. Bentonite is particularly useful because it also increases fiber digestion and decreases the rate of feed passage through the rumen. A typical formulation is observed in Table 1, along with the variations within which individual components may vary: International number Ideal variation of Feed ingredient ratio (% by weight) 1 Dolomite limestone (magnesium) 6-02-633 30 25-35 2 Sodium bicarbonate 6-04-272 30 25-35 3 Bentonite (aluminum silicate) NA 15 12-18 4 Calcium carbonate limestone 6-02-632 10 8-12 . Yeast (S. cerevisiae) NA 10 8-12 6 Magnesium oxide 6-02-756 5 4-6 TOTAL 100 The antacid compositions of this invention may also be optionally formulated within a product line to include up to about 10% by weight of other mineral premixes, mineral complexes, chelating or tracer minerals with proteins (copper, manganese, selenium, cobalt, and zinc) for specific feeding situations such as grazing in high quality pasture, high salt (and sulfur) content in drinking water, excessive fertilizer production, thermal stress, etc. Another optional ingredient, only for ruminants (and not for horses or other non-ruminant animals) is monensin, which is an ionophore antibiotic that works mainly in the rumen by inhibiting certain bacteria (Gram +), thereby indirectly controlling acidosis of the rumen. The antacid compositions of this invention can be conveniently delivered to a ruminant mixed with a conventional ruminant feed. The elements are generally edible plant materials by ruminants, such as legume hay, grass hay, corn cobs, grass silage, legume silage, corn granules, oats, rye, distiller grain, brewing grain, soy food and cotton seed food. Concentrates or grains are preferred. For animals in free stall or dry poultry land, the antacid composition must be mixed with other ingredients in a Total Mixed Ratio. The composition can be mixed with grains to supplement the diet of the grazing animals. Due to its characteristics (dry fine powder) it is not recommended to offer this product alone. It is desired that the amount of the antacid composition, a feed ration mix, not exceed about 1.2% by weight dry solids content of the daily ration and is preferably between about 0.8 and about 1.6% dry solids content of the daily ration. There is no particular lower limit for the amount of the antacid composition to be added to the ruminant feed although in practical amounts below about 0.6% by weight of the dry solids content is too small to provide the important beneficial effect. For ruminants weighing more than 100 kg (young or adult cows, etc.), between about 25 and about 50 g per 100 kg of body weight of the antacid composition should be administered and preferably about 40 g per 100 kg of body weight or 2% of total concentrate intake includes a content of grains in the silage (for example corn). For ruminants weighing less than 100 kg (goats, sheep, deer, etc.) it should be administered from about 2.5 to about 10 g per 10 kg of body weight and preferably about 5 g per 100 kg. The antacid compositions are intended to feed ruminants and non-ruminants on a daily basis, preferably not less than 7 days a week. Administration should continue as long as the ruminant or the non-ruminant has a client that puts them at risk of developing clinical or subclinical acidosis. The antacid compositions according to this invention can be packaged in individual doses for the expensive or sick animals (10, 40 or 80 g / bag) or in 5 and 25 kg bags for commercial operations of livestock grazing pen. Because this is a highly hygroscopic product that includes a living ingredient (yeast), it must be protected from moisture and oxygen and stored in a cool, dry environment. The sodium content being lower than the sodium bicarbonate and, unlike the sodium bicarbonate, which is capable of neutralizing the acids on the variety of pH scales found in the gastrointestinal ruminant systems, this invention represents an improvement over the use of sodium bicarbonate for the prevention of clinical and subclinical acidosis in ruminants.

The description of the preferred embodiments should be taken as illustrative rather than limiting, this invention is defined by the claims. Numerous combinations of the aforementioned characteristics can be used without departing from this invention as presented in the claims. The variations are not taken as a novelty of the spirit and scope of the invention, and all modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. An antacid composition for ruminants comprising a plurality of acid neutralizing salts with pKg effective in different scales of gastrointestinal pH of ruminant and an active probiotic culture capable of stimulating the growth and concentration of the beneficial microorganisms of the rumen that consume acid.

2. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said active probiotic culture is present at a level between about 5 and about 15% by weight.

3. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said active probiotic culture stimulates the growth and concentration of lactic acid consumed by the rumen microorganisms.

4. The composition according to claim 3, further characterized in that said active probiotic culture is an active yeast culture.

5. The composition according to claim 4 further characterized in that said culture of active yeast is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

6. - The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said acid neutralizing areas comprise at least one acid neutralizing salt with a pKa to neutralize the acids within the rumen pH scale and at least one acid neutralizing salt with an effective pKa to neutralize acids within the pH scale of the ruminant intestine.

7. The composition according to claim 6, further characterized in that the acid neutralizing salts are selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium and magnesium carbonates, calcium and magnesium oxides, and sodium, calcium and magnesium phosphates.

8. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said acid neutralizing salts comprise between about two thirds by weight and about 90% by weight of said composition.

9. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said inorganic acid-absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of bentonite, zeolite and volcanic ash.

10. The composition according to claim 9, further characterized in that said inorganic acid-absorbing material is bentonite.

11. - The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said inorganic acid-absorbing material is present at a level above about 20% by weight.

12. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises between about 25 and about 35% by weight of dolomite limestone, between about 25 and about 35% by weight of sodium bicarbonate, between about 10 and about 20 % by weight of bentonite, between about 8 and about 12% by weight of sodium carbonate, between about 8 and about 12% by weight of S. cerevisiae, and between about 5 and about 10% by weight of magnesium oxide.

13. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises one or more mineral premixes, mineral complexes, mineral chelates or trace minerals with proteins.

14. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an effective amount of monensin.

15. The use of the antacid composition of claim 1, in the preparation of a medicament useful to avoid clinical or subclinical acidosis in ruminants.

16. - The use as claimed in claim 15, wherein said medicament is adapted to be administrable to said ruminant daily.

17. The use as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ruminant weighs more than 100 kg and the medicament is adapted to be administrable between about 25 and about 50 g per 100 kg of body weight.

18. The use as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ruminant weighs less than 100 kg and the medicament is adapted to be administrable between about 2.5 and about 10 g per 10 kg of body weight.

19. A feed composition for ruminant comprises at least one plant material and an effective amount of the antacid composition of claim 1.

20. The feed composition for ruminant according to claim 19, further characterized in that said plant material it is a grain or a concentrate of feed.