FEED ADDITIVE FOR RUMINANTS

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an economically advantageous rumen bypass formulation capable of containing a biologically-active substance at a high concentration by means of using a protective material composed of safe natural product to the ecosystem. The preparation of the rumen bypass formulation for ruminants according to the present invention can be accomplished by dispersing a biologically-active substance in an amount of from 50 to 90 % by weight relative to the weight of the formulation into a protective material comprising specific salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids and either of fatty acids or aliphatic alcohols at a ratio of the former to the later being in a range of from 30:70 to 10:90.

Description: Field of Invention The present invention relates to a feed additive and, more particularly to a matrix-type rumen bypass formulation of feed additives wherein a biologically-active substance nutritiously useful for ruminants is dispersed in a protective material for protecting said biologically-active substance. Background Art A rumen bypass formulation for ruminants is defined as a formulation of feed additives which comprises one or more amino acids, vitamins and/or other biologically-active substances and has a specific characteristic to allow elution and absorption of said biologically-active substance in digestive organs of ruminants from their forth stomach onward while restricting elution and microbial decomposition of said substance in their rumen. In breeding of ruminants, it is well accepted from dietetic and clinical point of view to feed them together with biologically-active substances contained in a rumen bypass formulation. In practice, the incorporation of a biologically-active substance at high concentration in a rumen bypass formulation is advantageous and economically favourable. Further, the hardness of the formulation is very important in view of durability to a mixing process with feeds and to chewing of cows. However, when increasing the concentration of a biologically-active substance in the formulation, it is required to reduce the content of the protective material in the formulation, which makes it difficult to maintain the rumen bypass property and hardness of the formulation. In order to solve this problem, a protective material having higher performance than the previous be inevitably required. Under the absence of such protective material, the concentration of a biologically-active substance in a matrix-type rumen bypass formulation is restricted to less than 50 %. The concept and many practical examples of the rumen bypass formulation has been already publicly known, however, there is no example for a matrix-type formulation which can contain a biologically-active substance at a high concentration of more than 50% (high concentrate formulation in the market). An example which uses salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids (fatty acids) as a protective material has been disclosed, however, no example which contains a biologically-active substance at a high concentration of more than 50% and providing a good rumen bypass property, has been disclosed. In the laid-open Japanese Patent No. Hei 2-163043, a concept for a matrix-type formulation which uses fatty acid salts and a fatty compound compatible to the salt as a protective material is disclosed, however, the concentration of a biologically-active substance contained therein is lower than 10%, and no concrete description on the formulation containing more than 50% of the biologically-active substance is given therein. EP0588346 discloses examples of feed additive compositions with more than 50% biologically active substance and a high release rate in the abomasum and small intestine. In these examples the coating layer consists of 90-97% hardened beef tallow and 3-10% capric or caprylic acid. On the other hand, an example wherein both fatty acid calcium and stearyl alcohol were used as a protective material at a combining rate of 58 : 2 (97 : 3) is disclosed in International Patent No. WO/12731, however, the concentration of the biologically-active substance is still lower than 50%. In the laid-open Japanese Patent No. Sho 56-154956, a matrix-type formulation which uses fatty protective material is disclosed, however, the content of the biologically-active substance is lower than 50% and the composition of the protective material is different from the one given in the present invention. In U.S. Patent No. 5,425,963, high purity fatty acid salt as a feed additive and the manufacturing method are disclosed, however, the object of that invention is different from that of the present invention and the content of the biologically-active substance is also very different from the one of the present invention. Considering such difficulty existing in the prior art, the present invention has an object to provide an economically advantageous rumen bypass formulation which can contain a biologically-active substance at a high concentration and is using safe natural materials to ecosystem, such as fats and oils, and waxes, as the protective material. Disclosure of the Invention The inventors of the present invention have previously disclosed a rumen bypass formulation comprising a biologically-active substance and using a protective material as the matrix composed of a fatty acid salt and a fatty compound compatible to the salt in WO/12731. Following thereto, the inventors of the present invention have now found that the composition of the protective material which can remain the concentration of a biologically-active substance in the formulation at a high value during its passage through rumen is quite different from the one capable of protecting the substance present in a low concentration and which is limited to a certain range, and that only a protective matrix comprising an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid salt and either of an aliphatic carboxylic acid or an aliphatic alcohol, which are combined at a specific composition rate, can allow the preparation of a rumen bypass formulation that can contain a biologically-active substance at a high concentration of more than 50%. Therefore, the present invention is directed to a rumen bypass formulation for ruminants wherein biologically-active substances are dispersed at a range of from 50 to 90 % by weight relative to the weight of the formulation in a protective material [I] as described below, which conetnt is ranging from 10 to 50 % by weight relative to the weight of the formulation. The protective material [I] is composed of both compounds 1) and 2), and their combination ratio by weight of the compounds 1) to 2) is in a range of from 30 : 70 to 10 : 90. Compound 1): the compounds are at a least one compound selected from a group consisting of a), b) and c) specified below. a) Saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 8-24 carbon atoms and having either a streight or a branched chain. b) Saturated or unsaturated aliphatic alcohols containing 8-24 carbon atoms and 1 hydroxy group, and having either a straight or a branched chain. c) Saturated or unsaturated di- or tri-carboxylic acids containing 2-8 carbon atoms having either a straight or a branched chain. Compound 2): the salts of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 12-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain. Further the term "% by weight", specified in the present invention means "% by dry weight", which is calculated based on a weight of a compound from which an amount of absorbed water, that is water to be eliminated from the compound by drying under ordinary temperature conditions at a range of from 80 to 120°C. is subtracted. The present invention is further described in detail in the following. The biologically-active substance used in the present invention is defined as a substance which gives any biological activity when it is applied to ruminants, and is directed to a substance that is hard to be digested and absorbed efficiently by ruminants due to its easy decomposition in their rumen when it is administrated orally, such as amino acids including methionine and lysine hydrochloride, amino acid derivatives including 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutyric acid and the salts thereof, vitamins including nicotinic acid, nicotinic acid amide, vitamin A and vitamin E, saccharides including grape sugar and fruit sugar, various veterinary drugs including antibiotics and anthelmintics. The biologically-active substance may be used either alone or in a combination of 2 or more of them for the rumen bypass formulation. The amount of total of the biologically-active substance to be contained is in a range of from 50 to 90% by weight and, preferably in a range of from 60 to 85% by weight. It is less economical if the amount of the substance be less than this range, while the rumen bypass property deteriorates and the manufacturing of the formulation becomes difficult when the amount of the substance be more than this range. The protective material used in the present invention substantially comprises a fatty acid salt and either an aliphatic (mono-, di- or tri-)carboxylic acid or an aliphatic alcohol. The amount of the protective material is subjected to both of the amount of the biologically-active substance and that of a reforming agent that may be added when appropriate, but an adequate amount could be determined within a range of from 10 to 50% by weight. The fatty acid salt is called as "bypass fats and oil" as well, which has a property not to be decomposed in the rumen but to be digested in the digestive organs from the fourth stomach onward and is the main component of the protective material in the formulation. The amount of the fatty acid salt to use is in a range of from 70 to 90% by weight relative to the weight of the protective material. Out of this range, it is not possible to get a rumen bypass formulation which can contain a biologically-active substance at a high concentration and can assure excellent rumen bypass property. The fatty acid salt used in the present invention is a salt of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid containing 12-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain. If the number of the carbon atoms is less than that range, the rumen bypass property of the formulation will be deteriorated, while digestion capability in digestive organs from the fourth stomach onward will decline when the number is more than that range. For the examples of said aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolic acid and linolenic acid are exemplified, and one or more of these aliphatic monocarboxylic acids can be used for the formulation. Particularly, a mixture of acids which are originated in animals or plants, such as fatty acids obtained from palm oil or beef tallow, are preferable in view of their commercial availability. For the examples of the fatty acid salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, aluminium salts and zinc salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing carbon atoms in a range described above are exemplified, however, it is preferable to use anyone of the calcium salts. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a highly purified fatty acid salt, of which purity in the solid component (hereinafter abbreviated as "the purity") be preferably more than 90%. The purity used here is defined as the proportion of insoluble residue obtained after an extraction of the fatty acid salt according to a customary analytical method for fats and oils with a solvent, such as ethers and ketones, which is calculated by subtracting the amount of absorbed water therefrom. In this extraction, however, it is necessary to use a solvent which does not dissolve the fatty acid salt but can dissolve fats and oils contained in the salt. It is preferable that the amount of a base, such as calcium, contained in the fatty acid salt can remain at a level approximately equivalent or in excess in view of physical properties, such as hardness. In case that the base is a calcium salt, it is preferable to contain the base at a rate of 7-12 % by weight as a content of calcium, and preferably 8-10 % by weight. For the quantitative analysis of calcium, a known analytical method can be employed, however, the quantity of calcium is normally determined by incinerating the fatty acid salt and consequently analysing the amount of calcium contained in the ash obtained. Fatty acids obtained from beef tallow and palm oil, which are usable as a raw material for the fatty acid salt, normally contain triglycerides at a rate ranging from 5 to 40%, and other compounds, such as reaction controlling agents and stabilizers, are further added thereto sometime. These compounds may remain in the reacted-product of fatty acid salt as unreacted components and those are impurities for the fatty acid salt. Some of the fatty acid salts commercially available contain more or less than 20% of impurities. In the highly concentrated formulation, such impurities work to deteriorate the rumen bypass property and the hardness of the formulation, and therefore, it is preferable to use highly purified fatty acid salts. Aliphatic carboxylic acids and aliphatic alcohols used as the protective material of the present invention together with said fatty acid salts are considered as a component to improve the compatibility between the biologically-active substance and the protective matrix as well as a component to reduce the degree of crystallization of the fatty acid salt, and it is preferable to use these carboxylic acids and alcohols at a rate compatible to the fatty acid salt. Concerning the melting point of these carboxylic acids and alcohols, there is a tendency that the melting point is preferably close to ruminant's body temperature. The amount range to incorporate these carboxylic acids or alcohols in the formulation is between 10 to 30 % by weight relative to the weight of the protective material. Out of this range, it is difficult to prepare the formulation while assuring good rumen bypass property. The number of carbon atoms contained in aliphatic monocarboxylic acids used in the present invention is in a range of from 8 to 24, and preferably from 12 to 18. By using an acid containing less carbons, the formulation becomes soft and it deteriorates the rumen bypass property, while the digestion capability in digestive organs from the fourth stomach onward deteriorate when using an acid containing more carbon atoms than in that range. For the examples of said aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, caprylic acid, capric acid lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolic acid, linolenic acid, behenic acid, hydrogen-added fatty acid of castor oil, and the mixture thereof, are exemplified. Most of the commercially available aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are saponificated and purified oil originated from animals or vegetables. The number of carbon atoms contained in the monovalent aliphatic alcohol having one hydroxy group used in the present invention is preferably in a range of from 8 to 24, and more preferably from 12 to 18, since the softening of the formulation and a decline in rumen bypass property are recognized when the alcohols having less carbon atoms than in that range, while deterioration in degree of digestion in digestive organs from the fourth stomach onward is observed when the alcohols having more carbon atoms than in that range. For the examples of the aliphatic alcohols used in the present invention, octanol, nonanol, decanol, undecanol, lauryl alcohol, myristic alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, eicosanol, docosanol, dodecenol, fiseteryl alcohol, zoomaryl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol and the isomers thereof, are exemplified. The number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic di- or tri-carboxylic acids used in the present invention is preferably in a range of from 2 to 8, and more preferably from 2 to 6, and it is difficult to prepare the formulation having good physical properties with an acid containing carbon atom out of that range. For the examples of the said aliphatic di- or tri-carboxylic acids, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and the like are exemplified. In the present invention, waxes, such as rice wax, carnauba wax and beeswax, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, polyethylene, chitosan and their derivatives, various polymers such as pH-sensitive polymers, powder of organic and inorganic materials, and various additives, such as stabilizers and perfumes, can be added to the formulation as an improving agent for any of the formulation-forming property, the mechanical strength and other properties when appropriate. In addition, it is also possible to improve the property of the formulation by coating it with such improving agents. For the manufacture of the rumen bypass formulation specified in the present invention, various known methods for granulation can be employed. However, it is preferable to employ the extruding granulation method, and further it is preferable to respectively subject the formulation to a quenching treatment immediately after both processes of evacuation and granulation by using either water or cool wind in order to obtain a formulation of less voids and less water content. Although there is no limitation in the shape of the formulated product to manufacture, it is preferable to make it into granules with less corners, namely, any of globular, elliptic, cannonball-shaped, and cylindrical shapes. Regarding the size of the formulated product, any size appropriate for the use as feeds can be selected, however, it is preferable to select a size in a range of 0.5 to 10 mm in both diameter and length, which are classified into a standard category of granules or pellets. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention is further described in detail with referring to the following embodiments and examples for comparison. However, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description given in the following embodiments. Example 1 28 parts by weight of calcium salt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 7 parts by weight of palmitic acid and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in a melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation.. Then the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature to thereby obtain a rumen bypass formulation in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example 2 28 parts by weight of calcium salt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 5 parts by weight of lauric acid and 70 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in a melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the extruded mixture was cut with a water-cooled cutter to obtain a formulated product in cannonball shape having an average maximum diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. After subjecting it to centrifuging, 100 parts by weight of the formulated product and 1 part by weight of talc powder were mixed, and the mixture was then placed in an oven maintained at 60°C to dry it for 16 hours, thereby a desired rumen bypass formulation was obtained. Example 3 23 parts by weight of calcium salt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 4 parts by weight of lauric acid, 71 parts by weight of methionine and 1 part by weight of ethyl cellulose were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in a melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.6 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the extruded mixture was cut with a water-cooled cutter to obtain a formulated product in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 1.6 mm and an average length of 1.6 mm. After subjecting it to centrifuging , the formulated product was dried at 40°C for 16 hours thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation. Example 4 32 parts by weight of calcium salt of palm fatty acid (purity: 97.1%), 5 parts by weight of myristic acid, 62.5 parts by weight of methionine and 0.5 parts by weight of vitamin E acetate were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter to obtain a formulated product in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. To the formulated product, 1 part by weight of bone meal was then added, and the mixture was slowly passed for 40 min. through a rotating kirn maintained at 50°C. The mixture was then cooled by blowing to room temperature, thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation. Example 5 20 parts by weight of calcium salt of palm fatty acid (purity: 94.0%), 4 parts by weight of lauric acid, 1 part by weight of glyceryl monostearate, 65 parts by weight of methionine and 10 parts by weight of lysine hydrochloride were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter to obtain a formulated product in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. The formulated product was then slowly passed for 50 min. through a rotating kirn maintained at 50°C, and was cooled by blowing to room temperature, thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation. Example 6 22 parts by weight of calcium salt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 6 parts by weight of stearyl alcohol, 1 part by weight of carnauba wax and 73 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter to obtain a formulated product in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. After subjecting it to centrifuging, the formulated product was dried in an oven maintained at 40°C for 16 hours thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation. Example 7 29 parts by weight of calcium salt of palm fatty acid (purity: 97.1%), 6 parts by weight of cetyl alcohol and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in cannonball shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example 8 29 parts by weight of calcium salt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 3 parts by weight of lauryl acid, 3 parts by weight of palmitic acid and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in cannonball shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example 9 29 parts by weight of calcium salt of palm fatty acid (purity: 97.1%), 4 parts by weight of myristic acid, 2 parts by weight of succine acid and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then, the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in cannonball shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example for Comparison 1 35 parts by weight of calcium walt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%) and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example for Comparison 2 20 parts by weight of calcium walt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 97.3%), 15 parts by weight of stearic acid and 65 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 2 mm and an average length of 2 mm. Example for Comparison 3 20 parts by weight of calcium walt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 94.0%), 5 parts by weight of glyceryl monostearate, 65 parts by weight of methionine and 10 parts by weight of lysine hydrochloride were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in approximately cylindrical shape having an average diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. Example for Comparison 4 28 parts by weight of calcium walt of beef tallow fatty acid (purity: 94.0%), 2 parts by weight of stearyl alcohol and 70 parts by weight of methionine were mixed. The mixture was placed in a hopper of a double-shaft extruding granulator and was extruded in melted state through a die with a diameter of 1.2 mm while subjecting it to evacuation. Then the mixture extruded was cut with a water-cooled cutter, dehydrated by using a centrifuge, and dried by blowing at room temperature thereby obtaining a desired rumen bypass formulation in cannonball shape having an average diameter of 1.2 mm and an average length of 1.2 mm. Evaluation on the Formulation . Purity of Fatty Acid Salt: The formulation was subjected to a reflux extraction with acetone for 8 hours by using a Soxhlet extractor. The purity of the fatty acid salt in the formulation was calculated from the difference in the dry weight measured before and after the reflux extraction. Concentration of Calcium contained in Fatty Acid Salt: After incinerating 1 g of fatty acid salt at 550°C, the ash obtained was dissolved in hydrochloric acid, diluting and quantitatively analyzed by using emission spectrochemical analyzer (ICP) to determine the calcium concentration in the fatty acid salt relative to the dry weight of said fatty acid salt. Hardness: The hardness of the formulation was measured by using a measurer for the hardness of tablets. The hardness was expressed with a value of loading pressure at which the formulation starts to destroy. The performance of the formulation was also evaluated based on its solubility in imitative solutions as described below maintained at 40°C by dipping the formulation into each of the solutions in turn. Eluting Ratio in the First Stomach: This ratio is to evaluate the eluting property of the formulation in the first stomach of cows, and which is a ratio of the amount of a biologically-active substance, that eluted into the imitative gastric juice of the first stomach when the formulation was dipped while shaking for 16 hours in the said gastric juice prepared at a pH value of 6.4, relative to the amount of the biologically-active substance originally contained in the formulation. Eluting Ratio in the Fourth Stomach: After measured the eluting ratio in the first stomach, the solid product obtained was separated and consequently dipped into imitative gastric juice of the fourth stomach of cows prepared at a pH value of 2.0. After 2 hours shaking, the ratio of the amount of the biologically-active substance eluted into the gastric juice relative to the amount of the biologically-active substance originally contained in the formulation was determined to evaluate the elution property of the formulation in the fourth stomach. Eluting Ratio in Gastric juice of Small Intestine: After measured the eluting ratio in the fourth stomach, the solid product obtained was separated and consequently dipped into imitative gastric juice of the small intestine of cows prepared at a pH value of 8.2. After 4 hours shaking, the ratio of the amount of the biologically-active substance eluted into the gastric juice relative to the amount of the biologically-active substance originally contained in the formulation was determined to evaluate the elution property of the formulation in small intestine. Imitative Gastric Juice of the First Stomach: This imitative solution is to substitute gastric juice of the first stomach of cows, which is prepared by dissolving 2.5 g of disodium hydrogenphosphate and 6.7 g of dipotassium hydrogenphosphate into water and then adjusting the volume with water to a final volume of 1 ℓ, and of which the pH value is 6.4. Imitative Gastric Juice of the Fourth Stomach: This imitative solution is to substitute gastric juice of the fourth stomach of cows, which is prepared by adding 50 ml of 0.2-N potassium chloride and 10 ml of 0.2-N hydrochloride acid to water and then adjusting the volume with water to a final volume of 200 ml, and of which the pH value is 2.0. Imitative Gastric Juice of Small Intestine: This imitative solution was prepared by dissolving 9.8 g of sodium hydrogencarbonate, 0.57 g of potassium chloride, 9.30 g of disodium phosphate 12H 2 O, 0.47 g of sodium chloride, 0.12 g of sodium sulfate heptahydrate, 0.05 g of cow bile powder and 0.05 g of lipase in water and consequently adjusting the volume with water to a final volume of 1 ℓ, and of which the pH value is 8.2. Application for Industrial Use As can be seen from the results shown in Table 1, the eluting ratio of the rumen bypass formulation each prepared in the examples from 1 to 9 was low in the imitative gastric juice of the first stomach, respectively, while the sum of the eluting ratio of the said formulation in both gastric juice of the fourth stomach and small intestine was high, respectively. The results show an excellent bypass property of these formulations in the first stomach and that the formulations can be easily digested in digestive organs from the fourth stomach onward. Whereas, in Table 2, the formulation prepared according to the referential example 1, for which only aliphatic monocarboxylic acid was used as a protective material, and all formulations prepared according to the Examples for Comparison 2, 3 and 4, for which a protective material out of the scope of the present invention was used, respectively, showed a high eluting ratio in gastric juice of the first stomach and are inferior in rumen bypass property, and it is demonstrated that those are less useful practically. As such, by using protective material comprising a fatty acid salt and either an aliphatic carboxylic acid or a monovalent aliphatic alcohol at certain specific composition ratio, a matrix-type rumen bypass formulation containing a biologically-active substance at a high concentration of more than 50% and having excellent rumen bypass property, can be prepared.

Claims: A rumen bypass formulation for ruminants, characterized in that biologically-active substances in an amount of from 50 to 90% by weight relative to the weight of the formulation is dispersed in a protective material [I] in an amount of from 10 to 50% by weight relative to the weight of the formulation, wherein the protective material [I] comprises compounds 1), which is at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a), b) and c), and compound 2) at a composition ratio of 1) to 2) being in a range of from 30:70 to 10:90, wherein the compounds a) are saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 8-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain, the compounds b) are saturated or unsaturated aliphatic alcohols containing one hydroxy group and 8-24 carbon atoms, and having either a straight or a branched chain, and, the compounds c) are saturated or unsaturated aliphatic di-or tri-carboxylic acids containing 2-8 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain, and the compounds 2) are salts of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 12-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 1, wherein the biologically-active substances are amino acids. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 2, wherein the biologically-active substance is at least one selected from a group consisting of methionine and lysine hydrochloride. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 1, wherein the biologically-active substance is at least one selected from a group consisting of 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutylic acid and the salts of 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutylic acid. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 1, wherein the saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid containing 8-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain present in the protective material, is at least one selected from a group consisting of lauric acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linolic acid. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 1, wherein the salts of the saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 12-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain are calcium salts thereof. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 6, wherein the concentration of calcium itself in the calcium salts of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid containing 12-24 carbon atoms is in a range of from 7 to 12 % by weight relative to the weight of the calcium salts. The rumen bypass formulation according to claim 1, wherein the salts of the saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 12-24 carbon atoms and having either a straight or a branched chain to be used for the protective material, are highly purified to a range more than 90 % by weight.

Inventors: MORIKAWA TAKAO, MUTOH KAORU, SAGAWARA MASATO, SAITOH SHIGERU, SASAOKA SEIJI, MORIKAWA, TAKAO, MUTOH, KAORU, SAGAWARA, MASATO, SAITOH, SHIGERU, SASAOKA, SEIJI, MORIKAWA, Takao, R+D Lab. Specialty Chemicals, MUTOH, Kaoru, R+D Lab. Specialty Chemicals, SAGAWARA, Masato, R+D Lab. Specialty Chemicals, SAITOH, Shigeru, R+D Lab. Specialty Chemicals, SASAOKA, Seiji, R+D Lab. Specialty Chemicals
Applicants: NIPPON SODA CO, NIPPON SODA CO., LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A23K1
IPC codes: A23K1