WO2013140230A1

WO2013140230A1 - Process for preparing an animal feed with high nutritive value and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2013140230A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/000442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serino NAZZARO
Original assignee: Sevecom S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-03-19
Filing date: 2013-03-18
Publication date: 2013-09-26
Also published as: ITMI20120420A1; EP2827722A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dry animal feed containing nutritive substances in a solid state, in particular in powder or granular form, and an emulsifying composition which comprises a soy derivative. Moreover, the present invention relates to a process for preparing said dry animal feed that envisages a step in which the emulsifying composition is added to said nutritive substances directly or, alternatively, in an indirect manner i.e. only after said emulsifying composition has first been added to a hydrophobic component and/or water.

Description

DESCRIPTION of the invention having the title:

"PROCESS FOR PREPARING AN ANIMAL FEED WITH HIGH NUTRITIVE VALUE AND USE THEREOF"

The present invention relates to a dry animal feed containing nutritive substances in a solid state, in particular in powder or granular form, or in a liquid state, and. an emulsifying composition which comprises a soy derivative. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising . a soy derivative to prepare a dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder or granular or pellet form, by mixing said emulsifying composition with the nutritive substances in a liquid state and/or in powder and/or granular form or with other solid components present in said feed. Moreover, the present invention relates to a process for preparing said dry animal feed that includes a step in which the emulsifying composition is added to said nutritive substances directly or, alternatively, in an indirect manner i.e. only after said emulsifying composition has first been added to a hydrophobic component and/or water. Dispersing fats in water using surfactant agents, such as ethoxylated castor oil or lecithin, in order to prepare animal feeds, is known. Moreover, incorporating surfactant compounds in a feed in powder or granular form containing cereals or fats is known. Adding mixtures of ethoxylated castor oil and soy lecithin to a fat in order to improve the . digestibility thereof is known. Finally, using emulsifiers, such as ethoxylated castor oil, in order to reduce dust formation during the preparation of animal feeds is known.

Document US 6,379,723Bl describes the use of polyethylene glycol compounds in the preparation of an animal feed, wherein said compounds must have a molecular weight of less than 15,000 and an amount of ethyleneoxy units or units of ethylene oxide greater than 75% by weight.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an animal feed having a high nutritional value.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal feed that is capable of making the individual ingredients present in the feed more available and, consequently, of improving the absorption, by animals, of the individual ingredients present in the animal feed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal feed is capable of increasing the animals' growth per unit of weight of feed ingested and/or increasing the animals' daily growth, while at the same time reducing mortality .

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide an animal feed in solid form, for example in the form of pellets, having a high pellet durability index (PDI) , a reduced amount of dust and a reduced hourly production cost (reduction in process electricity consumption in amperes/hour) .

The Applicant has surprisingly found that the above objects, and still other objects which will be apparent from the detailed description that follows, are achieved thanks to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a soy derivative (a) .

The present invention relates to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising or, alternatively consisting of (aO) as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention relates to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a soy derivative (a) selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (aO), (al) , (a2), (a3), (a4) and (a5 ) .

In the context of the present invention, said emulsifying substance comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a soy derivative (a) has an average molecular weight of less than 12000, preferably less than 10000, even more preferably less than 8000. In one embodiment, said average molecular weight of (a) is comprised from 200 to 6000, preferably from 500 to 5000, even more preferably from 1000 to 3000. The present invention relates to an animal feed containing said emulsifying composition, as set forth in the appended independent claim.

The present invention further relates to a process for preparing said animal feed that envisages the use of said emulsifying composition, as set forth in the appended independent claim.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated in the detailed description that follows.

The emulsifying composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative (a) selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (a0) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil - additive E487, (Community Register of Feed Additives - Reg. (EC) N. 1831/2003). The polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, (additive E487 - Reg. (EC) 1831/2003) are surfactant or emulsifying compounds admitted in the list of additives for use in animal nutrition (common name: PEG esters of fatty acids from soya oil; EC N.: E487; Chemical Name: Polyethylene glycol ester of fatty acids from soya oil; CAS N. : 61791-07-9). Said esters (aO) are obtained using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the persons skilled in the art. By fatty acids obtained from soybean oil we mean one or more fatty acids obtained using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the persons skilled in the art. For example, a soybean oil (triglyceride) can be subjected to a process of hydrolysis in water to yield glycerine and a mixture of soybean oil fatty acids.

Soybean oil (100 g) generally has the following composition: about 16 g of saturated fats, about 23 g of monounsaturated fats, about 58 g of polyunsaturated fats and about 3% of other compounds.

A soybean oil, preferably a refined soybean oil, contains, for example, the following fatty acids:

- linolenic or alpha-linolenic acid (C-18:3) - CAS number 463-40-1, about 5 to 10%;

- linoleic acid (C-18:2) - GAS number 60-33-3, about 50 to 60%;

- oleic acid (C-18:l) - CAS number 112-80-1, about 18 to 25%;

- stearic acid - CAS number 57-11-4, about 3 to 6%;

- palmitic acid - CAS number 57-10-3, about 8. to 12%.

The polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from the soybean oil of the present invention (additive E487 - Reg. (EC) N. 1831/2003) can be, for example, in the form of monoesters or diesters or mixtures thereof. In the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to "polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil" to indicate one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments having a variable soybean oil fatty acid composition, without any limitation, but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description. In a preferred embodiment, the soybean oil fatty acid is selected from among linolenic or alpha- linolenic acid (C-18:3) - CAS number 463-40-1, linoleic acid (C-18:2) - CAS number 60-33-3, or oleic acid (C-18:l)

- CAS number 112-80-1, or stearic acid - CAS number 57-11- 4, or palmitic acid - CAS number 57-10-3 or mixtures thereof; in particular the soybean oil fatty acid can be selected from among a mixture of linolenic acid and/or linoleic acid and/or oleic acid in a ratio by weight of 1:1:1 or 1:1:2 or 1:2:1 or 1:2:2.

In a preferred embodiment said soy derivative (aO) comprises from 5 to 200 units of ethylene oxide, preferably from 10 to 100 units of ethylene oxide, more preferably from 20 to 60 units of ethylene oxide, even more preferably from 30 to 45 units of ethylene oxide and even more preferably it comprises 40 units of ethylene oxide.

In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (al) a soybean oil. Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from soybeans {Glycine max). The soybean oil is obtained using the techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the persons skilled in the art.

The composition of the soybean oil can be, for example, the following (per 100 grams) : 16 grams of saturated fats, 23 grams of monounsaturated fats, 58 grams of polyunsaturated fats and 3% of other compounds. The unsaturated fatty acids present in soybean oil triglycerides can be, for example, as follows: 5-10% by weight of alpha-linolenic acid (C- 18:3); 50-60% by weight of linoleic acid (C-18:2); and 18- 25% by weight of oleic acid (C-18:l). Moreover, saturated fatty acids,, namely, stearic acid (3-6% by weight) and palmitic acid (8-12% by weight), are also present.

Saturated fat means a fat consisting of triglycerides containing solely saturated fatty acids . Saturated fatty acids have a carbon number comprised, for example, as follows: less than 6 (short-chain saturated fatty acids); from 6 to 12 (medium-chain saturated fatty acids; 13-21 (long-chain saturated fatty acids) and greater than 22 (very long-chain saturated fatty acids). For example, a soybean oil can have the following specifications: an acidity value (amount of free, fatty acids) of less than 0.5 mg KOH/g; a peroxide value no greater than 1.0 meq C /Kg; an iodine value comprised from 120 to 145 mg I2/IOO g and a trans fatty acid value of at most 2% by weight.

The emulsifying composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (a2) an ethoxylated soybean oil and/or ethoxylated soybean, in a ratio by weight comprised from 1:3 to 3:1, for example 1:1. The ethoxylated soybean oil is obtained by means of an ethoxylation process, which involves the use of ethylene oxide, carried out on the soybean oil. The ethoxylation of soybean oil is realized using procedures, chemical reactions and apparatus known to the persons skilled in the art .

For example, an inert gas (nitrogen) is blown into a reactor in order to eliminate the presence of oxygen and subsequently a pre-established amount of soybean oil is introduced into the reactor. A profile of the fatty acids present in the soybean oil can be: C16:0 (palmitic acid) 9- 13%; C18:0 (stearic acid) 3-5%; C18:l (oleic acid) 17-30%; C18: (linoleic acid) 48-58; C18:3 (linolenic acid) 5-10%; C20:0 (arachidonic acid) less than 1%. The soybean oil is hydrolyzed to free fatty acids in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and ethylene oxide, for example at a temperature of 120-180°C and a pressure of 0.5-6.0 bars. After the^' addition of ethylene oxide is completed, the reaction temperature is maintained until a constant pressure value is reached. The reaction is then cooled and the alkaline catalyst is neutralized by adding an acid. The residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane are removed by using an inert gas or high-temperature steam. Then a vacuum is generated to remove any trace of steam (stripping) . When the levels of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane are below 1 mg/Kg and 5 mg/Kg respectively, the reaction is cooled to below 70°C so as to then filter the reaction product.

The degree of ethoxylation can vary according to need. For example, 10 or 20 or 40 or 65 moles of ethylene oxide can be reacted with 1 mole of fatty acids contained in the soybean oil (see patent applications GB1050497 A and EP516099 Al incorporated herein for ready reference) .

The ethoxylated soybean is obtained by means of an ethoxylation process carried out directly on the free saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids. The free fatty acids are obtained by hydrolyzing the triglycerides of soybean oil. Et oxylation is an industrial process in which ethylene oxide is added to alcohols, phenols and acids (i.e. compounds having reactive hydrogen atoms) in an amount that varies according to the operating conditions of temperature, pressure, solvent and catalyst. The ethoxylated soybean is realized using procedures, chemical reactions and apparatus known to the persons skilled in the art .

Ethoxylation is also known by the term PEGylation because poly ( ethylene oxide) is also known as poly ( ethylene glycol), abbreviated PEG. Therefore, ethoxylated soybean oil and ethoxylated soybean can be obtained by ethoxylating soybean oil or the saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids obtained from soybean oil with ethylene oxide, poly (ethylene oxide) or poly ( ethylene glycol). For example, an ethoxylated soybean can be prepared in accordance with the above-described process for preparing ethoxylated soybean oil.

The ethoxylated soybean oil or ethoxylated soybean contains from 5 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably from 10 to 150 ethyleneoxy groups; even more preferably from 15 to 100 ethyleneoxy groups.

The ethoxylated soybean oil or ethoxylated soybean contains from 20 to 80 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably it contains from 25 to 60 ethyleneoxy groups.

The ethoxylated soybean oil or ethoxylated soybean contains 40 ethyleneoxy groups.

Advantageously, the ethoxylated soybean oil or ethoxylated soybean contains from 30 to 45 ethyleneoxy groups.

By ethoxylated soybean containing, for example, 40 ethyleneoxy groups (an ethyleneoxy group derives from ethylene oxide) , we mean a product obtained by reacting 1 mole of soybean oil [the fatty acid composition of soybean oil was illustrated above, by way of example] with 40 moles of ethylene oxide using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the persons skilled in the art. In the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to "ethoxylated soybean oil" or "ethoxylated soybean" to indicate one or more of the above- mentioned embodiments, having a variable number of ethyleneoxy groups, without any limitation but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description.

The emulsifying composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (a3) at least one fatty acid obtained from soybean oil. The soybean fatty acid can be obtained by means of a process of hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of soybean oil triglycerides produces glycerol (or glycerine) and the respective free fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) such as alpha-linolenic acid, or linolenic acid, or linoleic acid, or oleic acid, or stearic acid, or palmitic acid or a mixture thereof. The mixture can comprise 0-10% by weight of alpha-linolenic acid (C-18:3), preferably from 0 to 5%; 0-70%. by weight of linoleic acid (C-18:2), preferably from 40 to 60%; and 0-55% by weight of oleic acid (C-18:l), preferably from 15 to 40%.

In another preferred embodiment, the fatty acid can be a mixture as described above which further comprises saturated fatty acids such as stearic acid, from 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 3 to 7% and/or palmitic acid, from 0 to 15% by weight, preferably from 5 to 10%. The emulsifying composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (a4) at least one ethoxylated fatty acid, preferably obtained from soybean oil.

The ethoxylated fatty acid obtained from soybean oil is obtained by ethoxylating alpha-linolenic acid, or linolenic acid, or linoleic acid, or oleic acid, or stearic acid, or palmitic acid or a mixture thereof. The mixture subjected to ethoxylation can comprise 0-10% by weight of alpha- linolenic acid (C-18:3), preferably from 0 to 5%; 0-70% by weight of linoleic acid (C-18:2), preferably from 40 to 60%; and 0-55% by weight of oleic acid (C-18:l), preferably from 15 to 40%.

In another preferred embodiment, the mixture subjected to ethoxylation can be a mixture as described above which further comprises saturated fatty acids such as stearic acid, from 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 3 to 7%, and/or palmitic acid, from 0 to 15% by weight, preferably from 5 to 10%.

The ethoxylation can be carried out on a triglyceride, a saturated fat, a monounsaturated fat and/or a polyunsaturated fat. The degree of ethoxylation varies according to the operating conditions adopted as regards, for example, temperature, pressure, solvent and catalyst. Therefore, the fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, using known chemical processes and apparatus, are ethoxylated to yield ethoxylated fatty acids of soybean oil.

In a preferred embodiment, the ethoxylated soybean oil fatty acid contains from 5 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably from 10 to 150 ethyleneoxy groups; even more preferably from 15 to 100 ethyleneoxy groups.

In a preferred embodiment, the ethoxylated soybean oil fatty acid contains from 20 to 80 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably from 25 to 60 ethyleneoxy groups; even more preferably from 30 to 50 ethyleneoxy groups. Advantageously, the ethoxylated soybean oil fatty acid contains from 30 to 45 ethyleneoxy groups, for example 40. By ethoxylated soybean oil fatty acid containing, for example, 15 ethyleneoxy groups (an ethyleneoxy group derives from ethylene oxide) , we mean a product obtained by reacting 1 mole of a single fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids [the composition, of soybean oil has been illustrated in the present description, by way of example] with 15 moles of ethylene oxide using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the persons skilled in the art. In the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to ""an ethoxylated soybean oil fatty acid" to indicate one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments, having a variable number of ethyleneoxy groups, without any limitation but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description. The emulsifying composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of mixtures (a5) . The emulsifier comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a mixture (a5) = (aO) + (al) + (a2 ) , preferably in a ratio by weight of 1:1:1.

The emulsifier comprises or, alternatively, consists of a soy derivative selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a mixture (a5 ) = (aO ) + (al ) or (a5 ) = (al) + (a2 ) , preferably in a ratio by weight of 1:1.

The fatty acid composition can be determined by gas chromatography, for example with the method NGD C 42-76. Whereas, the triglycerides in the vegetable oils are determined by high-resolution chromatography (HPLC) , for example with the method NGD C 45-91:22024 (1992)..

The Applicant has found that the use of an emulsifying composition comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a soy derivative (a) selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (aO), (al), (a2), (a3), (a4) or (a5), in a process for preparing an animal feed containing nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form, enables the following advantages to be achieved:

(i) to increase the output in tons per hour in equipments that produce feeds in solid form, for example in the form of cubes or pellets; the increase in output is estimated to range from 5 to 30%, preferably from 10 to 20% and is generally equal to approximately 12-15% (compared to preparing a same type of feed . prepared, under the same operating conditions, without the emulsifier of the present invention) depending on the operating conditions, apparatus and type of substances making up the animal feed;

(ii) to improve the pellet durability index (PDI); preferably, the improvement in the PDI is comprised from 2 to 6% (compared to the same type of feed prepared, under the same operating conditions, without the emulsifier of the present invention) ;

(iii) to reduce the consumption of electricity expressed in amperes per hour; preferably, the reduction is comprised from 2 to 6% (compared to the same type of feed prepared, under the same operating conditions, without the emulsifier of the present invention) ;

(iv) to reduce the amount of dust that is produced and found in the animal feed in solid form, for example in the form of cubes or pellets;

(v) to assure less wear on the equipment and the possibility of better controlling the production temperature (°C); preferably, the reduction in temperature is comprised from 2 to 6°C^" (compared to the same type of feed prepared, under the same operating conditions, without the emulsifying composition of the present invention) .

The emulsifying composition of the present invention has valid application as a technological and/or nutritional additive for preparing an animal feed. In the context of the present invention, animal feed means, by way of non- restrictive example, a feed for pigs, aquaculture, fish, poultry species, e.g. chickens and turkeys, ruminants, e.g. cattle and calves, sheep, goats and rabbits at any stage of growth .

The present invention also relates to an animal feed, preferably a dry feed in the form of flakes or granules or pellets. Dry feed means a feed which, at the end of its preparation, contains a water content comprised from 5 to 20%, preferably from 10 to 15%, more preferably from 11 to 13%, and even more preferably 12% (at a temperature of 25°C and pressure of 1 atmosphere) . The feed of the present invention contains the emulsifying composition as described above .

An animal feed comprises nutritive substances which are in a liquid and/or solid state and/or in a suspension. Said nutritive substances are present in a feed in the form of a premixture of micro components and a mixture of macro components .

The animal feed of the present invention comprises said nutritive substances (a premixture of micro components and a mixture of macro components) , water, possibly a hydrophobic substance, and the emulsifying composition of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the feed comprises from 0.05 to 0.5 % by weight of the soy derivative (a) relative to the total weight of the feed.

The micro components can comprise vitamins, for example vitamins in a solid or liquid state, dietary minerals, mineral salts, trace elements, flavouring substances, enzymes, organic or inorganic acids, essential oils and probiotic microorganisms.

The macro components can comprise dry components consisting of cereals. The cereals are, for example, selected from among wheat flour, oats, bran, barley, maize, rice and rye. The cereals can be, for example, crushed or ground or used as such. The macro components can further comprise protein of vegetable origin, derived, for example, from peanuts, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, palm, olive, cotton and linseed. The macro components can further comprise animal protein, blood meal, fish meal, molasses and products derived from milk, such as, for example, milk powder or whey powder .

The hydrophobic substance is selected from the group comprising oils, for example, an animal oil such as chicken oil or whale oil; fats, for example, a beef fat (tallow) or a pig fat (lard); lipids; triglycerides; saturated fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids, all the above of vegetable or animal origin. The lipids are, for example, slaughterhouse fats or vegetable fats, liquefied by heating if necessary.

The feed of the present invention can contain an amount of hydrophobic substance which depends on the animal species it is intended for.

For example, an amount of a hydrophobic substance, such as, for example, animal oil or vegetable oil or animal fat (tallow or lard) , comprised from 3-12% by weight is added to prepare a feed intended for poultry. For example, an amount of a hydrophobic substance, such as, for example, animal oil or vegetable oil or animal fat (tallow or lard) , comprised from 1-5% by weight is added to prepare a feed intended for pigs. For example, an amount of a hydrophobic substance, such as, for example, animal oil or vegetable oil or animal fat (tallow or lard) , comprised from 1-3% by weight is added to prepare a feed intended for cattle.

The present invention also relates to a process for preparing said feed.

The sequence for adding the individual components/ingredients together and the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the individual components/ingredients used to prepare the feed of the present invention can vary, for example, depending on the type of production equipment that is used, depending on the animal species the feed is intended for (for example, a feed for cattle contains less added fat than a feed for poultry or pigs), and depending on the nutritional characteristics of the feed or the physical characteristics of the feed (for example, the PDI) .

The premixture of micro components can be mixed with the mixture of macro components to yield an intermediate mixture. All or part of the emulsifying composition of the present invention can be added directly to this intermediate mixture. The emulsifying composition is added in a liquid state. If the emulsifying composition is in a solid state at room temperature (25°C, 1 atmosphere), then a heating step is envisaged to turn it into a liquid state. Alternatively, .all or part of the emulsifying composition can be added directly to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components. Or else, a first part of the emulsifying composition can be added to the premixture of the micro components and a second part of the emulsifying composition can be added to the mixture of macro components and, subsequently, the premixture of micro components and the mixture of macro components can be mixed together to yield an intermediate mixture containing the final amount of emulsifying composition.

The emulsifying composition can also be added to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture in an indirect manner. In an indirect manner means that the emulsifying composition can first (i) have water added to it to yield a solution or (ii) can first be emulsified in water using a surfactant or else (iii) can first be absorbed or adsorbed on a solid substrate or else (iv) can first have a hydrophobic substance added to it and, then, subsequently, all or part of said emulsifying composition, in one of the forms from (i) to (iv) , is added to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture (premixture of micro components and mixture of macro components) .

The substrate can be, for example, selected from among ground cereals or starch or inorganic substrates such as, for example, silicates, silica and minerals. The hydrophobic substance is selected from the group comprising oils, for example an animal oil such as chicken oil or whale oil; fats, for example a beef fat (tallow) or a pig fat (lard); lipids; triglycerides; saturated fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids, all the above of vegetable or animal origin. The lipids are, for example, slaughterhouse fats or vegetable fats, liquefied by heating if necessary.

At this point, irrespective of the method (direct method or indirect method) adopted to add the emulsifying composition of the present invention to the premixture or mixture of macro components or intermediate mixture (premixture + mixture of macro components) , one proceeds to add the hydrophobic substance, if envisaged, or if it has not already been added earlier. The hydrophobic substance is added in a liquid state, after a heating step if necessary, to yield a final composition in a floury or particulate state depending on the degree to which the various components/ingredients have been ground, the amount of water used, the amount of hydrophobic substance used and the amount of emulsifying composition used.

Alternatively, the premixture of micro components can be mixed with the mixture of macro components to yield an intermediate mixture. All or part of the hydrophobic substance can be added directly to this intermediate mixture. The hydrophobic substance is added in a liquid state. If the hydrophobic substance is in a solid state at room temperature (25°C, 1 atmosphere) , there is envisaged a heating step to turn it into a liquid state. Alternatively, all or part of the hydrophobic substance can also be added directly to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components. Or else, a first part of the hydrophobic substance can be added to the premixture and a second part of the hydrophobic substance can be added to the mixture of the macro components and the premixture and the mixture of macro components can subsequently be mixed together to yield an intermediate mixture containing the desired amount of hydrophobic substance.

The hydrophobic substance can also be added to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture (premixture of micro components + mixture of macro components) in an indirect manner. In an indirect manner means that the hydrophobic substance can first have water added to it to yield an emulsion in water (hydrophobic substance + water) , if necessary using a surfactant or using the emulsifying composition of the present invention, or else it can be first absorbed or adsorbed on a solid substrate, or else it can first have an emulsifying composition added to it and then, subsequently, all or part of said hydrophobic substance in one of these forms will be added to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture.

The substrate can be selected, for example, from among ground cereals or starch or inorganic substrates such as, for example, silicates, silica and minerals. The hydrophobic substance is selected from the group comprising oils, for example an animal oil such as chicken oil or whale oil; animal fats, for example a beef fat (tallow) or a pig fat (lard); lipids; triglycerides; saturated fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids, all the above of vegetable or animal origin. The lipids are, for example, slaughterhouse fats or vegetable fats, liquefied by heating if necessary.

At this point, irrespective of the method (direct method or indirect method) adopted to add the hydrophobic substance to the premixture or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture (premixture + mixture of macro components) , one proceeds to add the emulsifying composition of the present invention, if this has not already been done. The emulsifying composition is added in a liquid state, after a heating step if necessary, to yield a final composition having a floury or particulate state depending on depending on the degree of grinding, the amount of hydrophobic substance used and the amount of emulsifying composition used. According to the present invention, the amount of emulsifying composition present in the feed is comprised from 10-2000 ppm, preferably from 50 to 1500 ppm, based on the total weight of the animal feed. The emulsifying composition is added in an amount comprised from 200 to 800 grams per ton of feed, preferably from 400 to 600 g/ton, for example 500 g/ton (0.05% by weight).

If the hydrophobic substance is added to the feed, it is added before or after part or all of the emulsifying composition has been mixed with the premixture of micro components or with the mixture of macro components or with the intermediate mixture .

The animal feed in accordance with the invention comprises (relative to the final weight of feed) from 0 to 90% by weight, preferably from 10 to 70% by weight, of macro components such as cereals; from 0 to 40% by weight; preferably from 5 to 15% by weight of a hydrophobic substance, such as vegetable oil or animal oil or animal fat (tallow or lard); from 0 to 90% by weight, preferably 10-50% by weight, of nutritive substances containing proteins other than cereals; and 0-15% by weight; preferably 1-10% by weight, of micro components such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, flavourings, antibiotics, probiotics and possibly other additives commonly used in animal feeds .

The feed of the present invention is rendered in a solid state, in the form of pellets, granules or flakes, using apparatus and techniques known to the persons skilled in the art. If the water content is not sufficient, an addition is made or, if excess water is present, it is removed by means of a thermal treatment.

The emulsifying composition of the present invention has valid application as a technological and/or nutritional additive for the preparation of an animal feed. In the context of the present invention, animal feed means, by way of non-restrictive example, a feed for pigs, aquaculture, fish, poultry species, e.g. chickens and turkeys, ruminants, e.g. cattle and calves, sheep, goats and rabbits at any stage of growth.

The feed of the present invention is a dry feed in the sense that it is in any case a feed which, at the end of preparation thereof, contains a water content comprised from 5 to 20%, preferably from 10 to 15%, even more preferably from 11 to 13 %, and even more preferably about 12% (at a temperature of 25 °C and pressure of 1 atmosphere) . The feed of the present invention contains the emulsifying composition as described above.

The present invention relates to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising a soy derivative consisting of (aO) to prepare a dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder or granular or pellet form, by mixing said emulsifying composition with the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or granular form or with other solid components present in said feed.

The present invention relates to the use of an emulsifying composition comprising a soy derivative selected from the group consisting of (al), (a2), (a3), (a4) or (a5) to prepare a dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder or granular or pellet form, by mixing said emulsifying composition with the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or granular form or with other solid components present in said feed.

Moreover, said soy derivative (a) comprises from 5 to 200 units of ethylene oxide; preferably from 10 to 100 units of ethylene oxide; more preferably from 20 to 60 units of ethylene oxide, even more preferably from 30 to 45 units of ethylene oxide, and even more preferably it comprises 40 units of ethylene oxide.

Preferably, said soy derivative is selected from the group consisting of (a0), (a2), or (a5). Moreover, said soy derivative comprises from 5 to 200 units of ethylene oxide; preferably from 10 to 100 units of ethylene oxide; even more preferably from 20 to 60 units of ethylene oxide. The values of the units of ethylene oxide are to be understood as average values .

In the context of the present invention said soy derivative (a) has a degree of ethoxylation, understood as the content by weight of ethyleneoxy units or units of ethylene oxide, of less than 70% by weight; preferably the degree of ethoxylation is less than 65%; even more preferably it is less than 50%, relative to the average molecular weight of said derivative. In one embodiment, said degree of ethoxylation is comprised from 2 to 45%; preferably from 5 to 35%; even more preferably from 8 to 25%, relative to the average molecular weight of said derivative. The present invention relates to a dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder, or granular or pellet form, containing nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form, wherein said feed comprises an emulsifying composition as described above.

Preferably, at the end of the preparation thereof said dry animal feed has a water content comprised from 5 to 20%, preferably from 10. to 15%, even more preferably from 11 to 13 %, and even more preferably it is 12% by weight relative to the total weight of the feed, and wherein said nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form comprise:

micro components selected from the group comprising vitamins, dietary minerals, mineral salts, trace elements, flavouring substances, enzymes, organic and/or inorganic acids, essential oils and probiotic microorganisms,

macro components selected from the group comprising cereals, wheat flour, oats, bran, barley, maize, rice and rye; protein of vegetable origin, derived from peanuts, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, palm, olive, cotton and linseed; animal protein, blood meal, fish meal, molasses and products derived from milk. Preferably, said feed comprises moreover a hydrophobic substance; said hydrophobic substance is preferably selected from the group comprising oils, fats, lipids, saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids, triglycerides or mixtures thereof, all of which being of vegetable or animal origin. Preferably, said hydrophobic substance has a melting point of at least 5°C, preferably comprised from 30°C to 80°C,

The present invention relates to a process for preparing said feed, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, as described above, is added directly to the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form or, optionally, to other solid components present in the animal feed.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing said feed, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, as described above, is added directly to an intermediate _. mixture obtained by mixing together said micro components with said macro components .

The present invention relates to a process for preparing said feed, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, as described above, is added to:

- water, to yield a mixture (i),

- a solution comprising water and a surfactant, to yield a suspension (ii) ,

a solid carrier, to yield a carrier comprising the emulsifying composition (iii),

a hydrophobic substance selected from the group comprising oils, fats, lipids, saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids, triglycerides or mixtures thereof, all the above being of vegetable or animal origin, and having a melting point of at least 5°C, preferably comprised from 30°C to 80°C, to yield a mixture (iv) . Preferably, said process further comprises a step in which said mixture (i) or said suspension (ii) or said carrier (iii) or said mixture (iv) is added to the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form and/or other solid components present in the animal feed; or alternatively, said mixture (i) or said suspension (ii) or said carrier (iii) or said mixture (iv) is added to an intermediate mixture obtained by mixing together said micro components with said macro components.

Experimental part

The Applicant carried out some comparative tests. A first group of comparative tests demonstrated that adding the .emulsifying composition directly to the liquid hydrophobic substance, after a heating step if necessary, and subsequently adding the same (emulsifying composition + hydrophobic substance) to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture results in the production of an animal feed (for chickens) having a nutritive value that is higher (by about 1.5% after 15 days and 3% after 35 days) than the nutritive value of an animal feed prepared without adding said emulsifying composition. In this case a slightly improved growth of the animals is obtained, as well as a slightly lower mortality.

However, a second group of comparative tests demonstrated that adding the emulsifying composition in a liquid state, after a heating step if necessary, directly to the premixture of micro components or to the mixture of macro components or to the intermediate mixture and subsequently adding the hydrophobic substance results in the production of an animal feed having a nutritive value that is higher than the nutritive value both of an animal feed prepared without adding said emulsifying composition and the feed of the first group of comparative tests above. The same trend is also reflected as concerns the animals' growth and mortality. The former (growth) is significantly improved, whereas the latter (mortality) is much lower.

Example 1: Polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil - additive E487 (aO)

A chicken feed (Feed (1) and Feed (2)) was prepared as shown in Table 1 (the amounts are expressed in parts by weight pbw) . The water content of the feed was determined to be equal to 12.2%.

Table 1

In practical terms, the nutritive substances (premixture of micro components and mixture of macro components) were loaded into a container equipped with heating and stirring means to yield a homogeneous intermediate mixture in a granular state. Subsequently, for feed (1), fat (tallow) was added, whereas for feed (2) 0.5 parts by weight of (aO) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil -additive E487 (Reg. (EC) N. 1831/2003) were added to the bran and only after the whole ( (aO) + bran) had been homogenized was the fat (tallow) subsequently added. Therefore, feed (2) was prepared by adding in succession ((aO) + bran + tallow), in accordance with the present invention. Then 120 chickens were distributed in equal number among 10 cages. The following parameters were taken into consideration. (i) The weight gain after 15 days. Feed (2) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 7.5% higher than with feed (1) .

(ii) The weight gain after 35 days. Feed (2) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 8.2% higher than with feed (1) .

(iii) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 15 days. Feed (2) showed a 6% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (1) .

(iv) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 35 days. Feed (2) showed an 8% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (1) .

The results obtained show that the chickens fed feed (2), prepared in accordance with the present invention, have better growth than the chickens fed feed (1) . Moreover, the feed ratio is lower. Practically speaking, the chickens need to ingest less feed by weight despite gaining more weight .

Example 2: Ethoxylated soybean oil (a2)

Example 2 (feed (3) and (4)) was conducted like example 1. The only difference is given by the fact that feed (4) was prepared using a soybean oil (a2 - ethoxylated soybean oil) obtained by ethoxylating a soybean oil. The profile of the fatty acids present in the soybean oil, following hydrolysis, is: C16:0 (palmitic acid) 9%; C18 : 0 (stearic acid) 4%; C18:l (oleic acid) 25%; C18:2 (linoleic acid) 54; C18:3 (linolenic acid) 7.5%; C20:0 (arachidonic acid) 0.5%. The average degree of ethoxylation of the soybean oil was about 20 moles of ethylene oxide/mole of fatty acid. The following parameters were taken into consideration,

i) The weight gain after 15 days. Feed (4) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 7.0% higher than with feed (3) .

(ii) The weight gain after 35 days. Feed (4) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 8.5% higher than with feed (3) . (iii) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 15 days. Feed (4) showed a 5.5% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (3) .

(iv) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 35 days. Feed (4) showed a 9% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (3) .

Example 3: Ethoxylated soybean (a2)

Example 3 (feeds (5) and (6)) was conducted like example 1. The only difference is given by the fact that feed (6) was prepared using a mixture of fatty acids (al - ethoxylated soybean oil) obtained by hydrolysis of a soybean oil. Before ethoxylation, the mixture contained: C16:0 (palmitic acid) 7%; C18:0 (stearic acid) 5%; C18:l (oleic acid) 22%; C18:2 (linoleic acid) 58; C18:3 (linolenic acid) 8. The mixture of fatty acids was subsequently ethoxylated to yield an ethoxylated soybean having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 30 moles of ethylene oxide/mole of fatty acid. The following parameters were taken into consideration .

(i) The weight gain after 15 days. Feed (6) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 7.5% higher than with feed (5) .

(ii) The weight gain after 35 days. Feed (6) contributed to a growth of the chickens that was 9.5% higher than with feed (5) .

(iii) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 15 days. Feed (6) showed a 5.5% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (5) .

(iv) The feed ratio (amount of feed ingested by animals relative to weight gain) after 35 days. Feed (6) showed a 7% reduction in the feed ratio compared to feed (5) .

Claims

1. A use of an emulsifying composition comprising a soy derivative consisting of (aO) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil - additive E487, Reg. (EC) N. 1831/2003, and having an average molecular weight less than 12000 and a content of ethyleneoxy units of less than 70% by weight, relative to the molecular weight of said derivative, to prepare a dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder or granular or pellet form, by mixing said emulsifying composition with the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or granular form or with other solid components present in said feed.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein said soy derivative comprises from 5 to 200 units of ethylene oxide; preferably from 10 to 100 units of ethylene oxide; more preferably from 20 to 60 units of ethylene oxide, even more preferably from 30 to 45 units of ethylene oxide.

3. A dry animal feed, in particular a feed in powder or granular or pellet form, containing nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form, wherein said feed comprises an emulsifying composition in accordance with either of claims 1-2.

4. The feed according to claim 3 , wherein said dry animal feed has a water content at the end of preparation thereof comprised from 5 to 20%, preferably from 10 to 15%, more preferably comprised from 11 to 13% by weight and even more preferably it is 12% by weight, and wherein said nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form comprise:

macro components selected from the group comprising cereals, wheat flour, oats, bran, barley, maize, rice and rye; protein of vegetable origin derived from peanuts, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, palm, olive, cotton and linseed; animal protein, blood meal, fish meal, molasses and products derived from milk.

5. The feed according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said feed further comprises a hydrophobic substance; said hydrophobic substance is preferably selected from the group comprising oils, fats, lipids or triglycerides, all of which being of vegetable or animal origin.

6. A process for preparing a feed according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, according to any one of claims 1-3, is added directly to the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form or, optionally, to other solid components present in the animal feed.

7. The process for preparing a feed according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, according to any one of claims 1-3, is added directly to an intermediate mixture obtained by mixing together said micro components with said macro components.

8. A process for preparing a feed according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein said process comprises a step in which all or part of said emulsifying composition, according to any one of claims 1-3, is added to:

- water, to yield a mixture (i) , - a solution comprising water and a surfactant, to yield a suspension (ii),

a hydrophobic substance selected from the group comprising oils, fats, lipids, saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids, triglycerides or mixtures thereof, all the above of animal or vegetable origin, having a melting point of at least 5°C, preferably comprised from 30°C to 80°C, to yield a mixture (iv) .

9. The process according to claim 8, wherein said process further comprises a step in which said mixture (i) or said suspension (ii) or said carrier (iii) or said mixture (iv) is added to the nutritive substances in liquid and/or in powder and/or in granular form and/or other solid components present in the animal feed; or, alternatively, said mixture (i) or said suspension (ii) or said carrier (iii) or said mixture (iv) is added to an intermediate mixture obtained by mixing together said micro components with said macro components.