MILK-BASED POWDER FOR PETS

Abstract: A pet milk powder which, when reconstituted and fed to pets as a nutritional milk, results in reduced gastrointestinal intolerance. The powder contains a cows milk powder which contains lactose and a lactase.

Description: Milk-based Powder For Pets This invention relates to a milk-based powder which may be reconstituted to provide a milk-based nutritional composition for pets; especially young pets. Many pet owners, especially owners of young pets, feed cows milk or milk- based compositions to their pets since cows milk is an excellent source of nutrition for pets. Further, in cases where very young pets are unable to obtain milk from their mothers, cows milk or compositions based upon cows milk may be the only source of nutrition for the young animal. Unfortunately, the feeding of cows milk to pet mammals may result in gastrointestinal intolerance. This manifests itself in a variety of intestinal symptoms which include bloating, distension, cramp, flatulence, lower faecal consistency and, in severe cases, diarrhoea. Lower faecal consistency and diarrhoea are particularly well known symptoms (Mundt, H-C. and Meyer, H.; 1989, Waltham Symposium 7: Nutrition of the Dog and Cat, Cambridge University Press, pages 267-274). The cause of the gastrointestinal intolerance is attributed to the lactose in cows milk. Removal of lactose from cows milk for human applications is well known. This is usually done by micro- or ultra- filtration or enzymatic treatment, or both, of liquid milk or whey solutions. Further, milk or whey powders which are low in lactose, or lactose free, are commercially available and may be fed to pets. However, these powders are generally too expensive for commercial use in pet products. For pets, a possible solution to the problem is described in European patent 0259713. Here the lactose in the composition is reduced by reducing the content of milk powder in the composition to below about 60% by weight. In order to make up for the reduction in protein, lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk proteins are then added to the composition. In this way, the lactose content of the composition may be reduced below about 30% by weight. However, this requires the addition of large amounts of lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk proteins which increases the cost. Mundt and Meyer (supra) suggest that another solution is to hydrolyse the lactose using enzymes prior to producing the pet milk powder. This is an acceptable solution when milk is freely and inexpensively available in liquid form. However, it is not a feasible solution when the milk ingredient is available in powdered form; which is commonly the case. COMFiRMATiON COF Therefore there is still a need for a cows milk-based powder which may be reconstituted to provide a milk-based nutritional composition, which is relatively simple to prepare and relatively inexpensive. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides a pet milk powder, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, and a lactase. It is surprisingly found that the simple addition of lactase to milk powder is able to avoid or significantly reduce the gastrointestinal problems associated with the consumption of lactose. This is despite the fact that the milk composition produced by reconstituting the milk powder may be consumed immediately after reconstitution; that is before the lactase has had the time to degrade the lactose in the milk powder. Preferably, the lactase is a β-galactosidase; more preferably from microorganism origin. A β-galactosidase which is active at acidic pH's is particularly preferred. The milk powder may further comprise any of a lipid source, protein source, vitamins and minerals. In another aspect, this invention provides a milk powder for cats, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, a lactase, taurine, arginine and choline. In a yet further aspect, this invention provides a milk powder for dogs, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, a lactase, and choline. In a further aspect, this invention provides a method for reducing the symptoms of gastrointestinal tolerance in a mammalian pet after consumption of a nutritional composition based on cows milk, the method comprising administering to the pet an effective amount of a lactase in combination with the nutritional composition. Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only. The invention concerns a milk-based powder which may be reconstituted with water to provide a nutritional milk for pets which has reduced gastrointestinal intolerance. The milk-based powder contains cows milk powder and a lactase. The cows milk powder may be any suitable milk powder which is based upon cows milk; for example skimmed milk powder and whole milk powder. Further, milk powders produced from standardised milk-based solutions may be used. If desired, the cows milk powder may contain additives such as vitamins, minerals, protein, lipids, and the like. The lactose content of the milk powder is not critical to the invention. Of course, if cows milk powders which have low lactose contents are readily and inexpensively available, they may be advantageously used. The lactase may be any suitable lactase which is generally recognised as safe, β-galactosidases are preferred; especially β-galactosidases of microbial origin. Since conditions in the gastrointestinal tract are acidic, a lactase which remains active under acidic conditions is preferred. However, lactases which are active under neutral or basic conditions may also be used. In these cases, it may be useful to include an alkali in the milk-based powder which slows the pH drop in the gastrointestinal tract. An enzyme which is particularly suitable is a β-galactosidase which may be obtained from Amano Enzyme USA Co Ltd of Lombard, Illinois, USA. The enzyme is available under the name "Lactase Amano". The enzyme is obtained from Aspergillus oryzae and has an optimum pH of about 4.8 when lactose is the substrate. The enzyme has an activity of more than 50000 units/g at optimum pH. The enzyme is generally recognised as safe and is food grade. The amount of the lactase to be added will depend upon various factors such as the lactose content of the cows milk powder and the activity of the enzyme. However, the amount may be readily determined by a skilled person. Ordinarily, the lactase may be added to provide about 25 Ul/lOOg to about 200 Ul/lOOg powder; for example about 50 Ul/lOOg to about 125 Ul/lOOg powder. The unit, UI, indicates the amount of enzyme which produces 1 micromole of o- Nitrophenol per minute at 30°C when 3.0 ml of a solution which contains 200mg of o-Nitrophenol-β-galactopyranoside per 100 ml of 0. IM Mcllvaine buffer, pH 4.5; is added to 1.0 ml of diluted enzyme solution. The reaction is stopped after 10 minutes. For an enzyme which has an activity of about 50 Ul/lOOg to about 125 Ul/lOOg powder, the lactase may comprise about 0.05% to about 0.4% by weight of the milk-based powder; for example about 0.15% to about 0.25% by weight. If it is desired to make the milk-based powder more nutritionally complete, other nutritional components may be added to the powder. For example, a lipid source may be added to the milk-based powder. Any suitable lipid source may be used; for example vegetable oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, peanut oil, and rapeseed oil, or animal fats such as milk fats and tallow. In general, the lipid source used will be selected on the basis of nutritional value, cost and palatability considerations. It is also possible to add further protein and amino acids sources. For example, whey protein powders may be added to the milk-based powder. Similarly, the milk-based powder may be supplemented with free amino acids which are required by the mammal for complete nutrition. For example, for milk-based powder intended for kittens, the powder may be supplemented with taurine or arginine, or both. The milk-based powder may also contain vitamins and minerals. It is particularly preferred to include a source of calcium; for example dicalcium phosphate. The milk-based powder may also include a probiotic micro-organism. A probiotic micro-organism is a micro-organism which beneficially affects a host by improving its intestinal microbial balance (Fuller, R; 1989; J. Applied Bacteriology. 66: 365-378). In general, probiotic micro-organisms produce organic acids such as lactic acid and acetic acid which inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Examples of suitable probiotic micro-organisms include yeasts such as Saccharomyces, Debaromyces, Candida, Pichia and Torulopsis, moulds such as Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, and Penicillium and Torulopsis and bacteria such as the genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacte ium, Melissococcus, Propionibacterium, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Staphylococcus , Peptostrepococcus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Micrococcus, Leuconostoc, Weissella, Aerococcus, Oenococcus and Lactobacillus. Specific examples of suitable probiotic micro-organisms are: Saccharomyces cereviseae, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus alimentarius, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus delbruckii subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus farciminus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lactobacillus GG), Lactobacillus sake, Lactococcus lactis, Micrococcus varians, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus halophilus, Streptococcus faecalis , Streptococcus thermophilus, Staphylococcus carnosus, and Staphylococcus xylosus. The probiotic micro-organisms are preferably in powdered, dried form; especially in spore form for micro-organisms which form spores. Further, if desired, the probiotic micro-organism may be encapsulated to further increase the probability of survival; for example in a sugar matrix, fat matrix or polysaccharide matrix. Further, the milk-based powder may also include a source of a fermentable soluble fibre, for example, chicory fibres, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and the like. Preferably the fermentable soluble fibre selected is a substrate for the probiotic micro-organism selected, or such that the fermentable soluble fibre and probiotic micro-organism form a symbiotic relationship for promoting beneficial effects. It is of course possible that vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a lipid source may have been used in the preparation of the cows milk powder. In this case, less or none of these ingredients need be added. The milk-based powder may be manufactured by dry mixing the cows milk powder, the lactase, and any other ingredients. If a lipid source is added, it is preferably mixed in last. Any suitable mixing apparatus may be used. The milk- based powder is then packed into suitable packages. The amount of the nutritional composition to be fed to a mammal each day will depend upon factors such as the mammal's age, the type of mammal, and other sources of nutrition. However, the nutritional composition may be used in much the same way and in the same amounts as milk is used. For example, for medium and large dogs, up to about 250 ml of the nutritional composition per day may be fed to the dog. For smaller dogs, up to about 125 ml of the nutritional composition per day may be fed to the dog. Similar values may be readily determined for cats and other mammals. By way of illustration, specific examples of the invention are now described. Example 1 A milk-based powder for dogs is prepared by dry mixing together whole milk powder, β-galactosidase ("Lactase Amano"), vitamins, minerals and soybean oil. The composition of the powder is as follows: -6- The milk-based powder has a lactose content of about 33% by weight. The milk powder is added to tap water and is rapidly reconstituted to provide a milk- based nutritional composition. The nutritional composition is highly palatable to puppies and dogs. Example 2 A milk-based powder for cats is prepared by dry mixing together whole milk powder, β-galactosidase, arginine, taurine, vitamins, minerals and soybean oil. The composition of the powder is as follows: The milk-based powder has a lactose content of about 33% by weight. The milk powder is added to tap water and is rapidly reconstituted to provide a milk- based nutritional composition. The nutritional composition is highly palatable to kittens and cats. Example 3 Seven beagle dogs 5 to 12 years are used in a trial. Each dog is separately housed in a cage. The dogs have access to a dry diet ad libitum. In the first part of the trial, the dogs are fed a milk reconstituted from a full fat milk powder for a period of 7 days. The milk contains vitamins and minerals. The milk is reconstituted immediately before serving by adding cold tap water to the full fat milk powder. Food consumption, liquid consumption and faecal consistency are monitored. In the second part of the trial, the dogs are fed a nutrition composition reconstituted from the milk-based powder or example 1 for a period of 7 days. The nutrition composition is reconstituted immediately before serving by adding cold tap water to the milk-based powder. Food consumption, liquid consumption and faecal consistency are monitored. In both parts of the trial, each dog is fed 900 g per day of the milk or nutritional composition. The milk or nutritional composition is available from 9 am to 3 p.m. and is the only liquid source during this period. In general, the entire amount of liquid is consumed rapidly. From 3 p.m. to 9 am, the dogs have free access to water. The nutritional composition offers a significant improvement even at this high level of consumption. Example 4 Seven cats aged 5 to 12 years are used in a trial. Each cat is separately housed in a cage. The cats have access to a fish-based dry diet ad libitum. In the first part of the trial, the cats are fed a milk reconstituted from a full fat milk powder for a period of 7 days. The milk contains vitamins and minerals. The milk is reconstituted immediately before serving by adding cold tap water to the full fat milk powder. Food consumption, liquid consumption and faecal consistency are monitored. In the second part of the trial, the cats are fed a nutrition composition reconstituted from the milk-based powder or example 2 for a period of 7 days. The nutrition composition is reconstituted immediately before serving by adding cold tap water to the milk-based powder. Food consumption, liquid consumption and faecal consistency are monitored. In both parts of the trial, each cat is presented with 180 g per day of the milk or nutritional composition. The milk or nutritional composition is available from 3.00 p.m. to 9 am and is the only liquid source during this period. From 9 am to 3 p.m., the cats have free access to water. The nutritional composition offers a very significant improvement. No significant change in consumption between the milk and nutritional composition is noticed. Hence palatability is unaffected by the addition of the enzyme. Example 5 A milk-based powder is prepared using a β-galactosidase enzyme obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S of Bagsvaerd, Denmark and sold under the name Lactozym. The powder is substantially identical to the powder of example 1 except that a different enzyme is used. The enzyme is optimally active under basic conditions. When fed to beagle dogs, the milk-based powder has substantially the same properties as the powder of example 1.

Claims: Claims 1. A pet milk powder, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, and a lactase. 2. A powder according to claim 1 in which the lactase has optimum activity under acidic conditions. 3. A powder according to claim 1 in which the lactase is a β-galactosidase. 4. A powder according to claim 3 in which the β-galactosidase is of microbial origin. 5. A powder according to claim 1 in which the lactase comprises about 0.05% to about 0.4% by weight of the powder. 6. A powder according to claim 1 in which the lactase provides about 75 Ul/lOOg to about 125 Ul/lOOg of powder. 7. A powder according to claim 1 which further comprises a calcium source. 8. A pet milk powder for cats, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, a lactase, taurine, and choline. 9. A pet milk powder for dogs, the powder comprising a cows milk powder which contains lactose, a lactase, and choline. 10. The use for reducing the symptoms of gastrointestinal tolerance in pets of a lactase in a pet milk powder which includes a cows milk powder which contains lactose.

Inventors: COUZY FRANCOIS, LEUBA JEAN-LOUIS, COUZY, FRANCOIS, LEUBA, JEAN-LOUIS
Applicants: COUZY FRANCOIS, LEUBA JEAN LOUIS, NESTLE SA, COUZY, FRANCOIS, LEUBA, JEAN-LOUIS, SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A23K1
IPC codes: A23C9, A23K1