Yeast glycane containing animal fodder

The present invention relates to an animal feed composition that increases the rate of weight gain of the animals fed the same.

The rapid growth of the world's population means that the ever-increasing demand for conventional food-protein products is becoming increasingly difficult to meet.

The production of animal proteins, which contain amino acids and are essential in human nutrition, is particularly important. Therefore, there is a constant need to improve methods of producing this protein, and in particular there is a need to increase animal production efficiency. Means to improve this performance are new feed compositions that accelerate the weight gain of animals fed with it, feed additives containing medications, improving animal condition, enhancing appetite or improving food digestibility.

U.S. Patent No. 4,962,694 discloses the use of β-gllan-based fibrous bulking agents and as short-chain fatty acid additives for treating animal food disorders.

From US Patent No. 5,085,874 a food product for young animals is known, administered in the first weeks of life, similar in composition to breast milk. This product includes whey, dry yeast, sodium, fat, vegetable proteins, starch, wheat germ, citric acid, etc.

The animal feed composition according to the invention is characterized in that it contains yeast glycan in an amount of 0.025% to 0.125% and 0.001% to 30% fine oat flour, 0.001% to 30% oat groats, 0.001% to 70% ground corn, from 0.001 to 15% of fish meal, from 0.001% to 40% of soybean flour, from 0.001% to 8% of crushed soybeans, from 0.001% to 40% of dried whey, from 0.001% to 30% of a mixture of whey and fat, from 0.001% to 5% of dicalcium phosphate, from 0.001% to 4% calcium carbonate 177 628 go, from 0.001% to 4% fumaric acid, a mixture of antibiotics containing 0.011% chlorotetracycline (100 g / ton of composition) 0.011% sulfamethazine (100 g / ton of composition) and 0.0055% penicillin, (50g / ton of composition) from 0.001% to 1% of butter, from 0.001% to 1% of lysine hydrochloride and from 0.001% to 2% of a vitamin-mineral mixture containing substances selected preferably from the group consisting of copper sulfate, choline, selenium, vitamin E, biotin, folic acid, glycine and ethoxyquin, with% being a weight percent based on the total weight of the composition.

Preferably the composition according to the invention contains yeast glycan with a mixture of β (1-3) and β (1-6) glycans in an amount of 40% to 90% by weight, in particular yeast glycan derived from yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum, Candida utilis, Kluuweromyces fragilis, Pichia pastoris and mixtures thereof. Yeast glycan derived from the yeast group Saccharomyces cerevisiae is particularly preferred.

Animals fed with the composition of the invention unexpectedly show an increased growth rate, the length of time required for feeding an animal with the composition of the invention to increase growth can vary greatly depending on the type of animal. Warm-blooded animals, including chickens, pigs, turkeys and calves, react particularly favorably to its administration. The most beneficial effects are obtained when feeding her weaned animals, such as piglets freshly weaned, or feeding young birds shortly after hatching.

In the case of freshly weaned piglets, it is preferred to feed them with the composition according to the invention for a period of about 7 to 40 days.

Suitable starch substances are substances commonly used as feed ingredients in the composition according to the invention. They usually come from cereals selected from the group consisting of corn, soybean, wheat, millet, barley, oats and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable starch substances are corn flour, oat porridge, ground corn, soybean flour, wheat flour, fine oat flour, medium grade wheat flour, soybean meal, corn grits and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred are oat flour, ground corn, oat porridge, medium grade wheat flour, soybean meal and mixtures thereof. These starch substances are easily commercially available.

Proteinaceous substances that support animal growth are also used in the composition of the invention. The protein content of protein-bearing substances is from about 10% by weight to about 90%. Raw white matter, fishmeal, dried whey, soybean meal and mixtures thereof are used. Other suitable proteinaceous substances are: soybean protein concentrate, soy flour, blood meal, plasma protein, skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate, canola flour, corn flour, gluten wheat flour, yeast, sunflower flour and their mixture. Preferred proteinaceous substances used in animal feed are: fish meal, dried whey, blood meal, plasma protein and soybean meal. These proteinaceous substances are also easily commercially available.

Any fat-containing substance that supports animal growth can be used. Suitable fat-containing substances are, for example, lard, tallow, soybean oil, lecithin, coconut oil, a mixture of whey and fat, and mixtures thereof. Preferred fat-containing substances are soybean oil, coconut oil and lard.

The name "yeast glycan" refers to the insoluble yeast cell wall material, free from mannitol and phosphomannitol or mannitoprotein. This substance as an admixture to feed generally has no specific nutritional value. Yeast glycan mainly consists of a skeletal chain of glucose units with beta (1-3) bonds with a small proportion of intermolecular or intramolecular branches via β (1-6) bonds. The smaller component, which contains mainly highly branched glycan with a β (1-6) bond, is closely related to the main component and both make up the glycan fractions insoluble in alkali.

177 628

The yeast glycan used in the composition of the invention may contain glycan, [β (1-3) and β (1-6) bonds are measured as glucose] in an amount of about 40% to about 99%, a protein in an amount of about 0.01 % to about 50%, lipids in an amount from about 0.01% to about 50%, ash in an amount from about 0.01% to about 12%, and solids in an amount from about 10% to about 100%; preferably glycan in an amount from about 40% to about 90%, protein in an amount from about 0.05% to about 30%, lipids in an amount from about 0.05% to about 45%, ash in an amount from about 0.05% ) to about 10%) and solids in an amount from about 20% to about 99%; even more preferably a glycan in an amount from about 50% to about 90% by about 0.1% to about 10% protein, about 0.1% to about 40% lipids, about 0.5% to about 8% ash, and about 70% to about 98%; and most preferably glycan in an amount of about 60% to 85%, protein in an amount of 1% to 8%, lipids in an amount of 1% to 35%, ash in an amount of 1% to 5% and solids in an amount of 90% to 99%, the indication "%" means weight percent.

The yeast glycan suitable for use in the composition of the invention may be from any yeast variety. Preferably, however, yeast glycan derived from yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces warum, Candida utilis, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Pichia pastoris and combinations thereof is used. The preferred yeast varieties are Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis, because both varieties are well known and are used traditionally and still in food and feed additives.

Yeast glycan can be obtained from the aforementioned yeast by any method known in practice, e.g. by heat treatment, treatment with bases, acids, enzymes, solvents or combinations thereof. Choosing the right method usually belongs to specialists in the industry.

The preferred process for obtaining yeast glycan here is: (1) suspending yeast in an alkaline solution to form a mixture containing the insoluble fraction of the yeast cell walls; (2) isolating from this mixture the insoluble fraction of the yeast cell walls; (3) suspending the insoluble fraction of yeast cell walls in acid solution to form yeast glycan and (4) secreting yeast glycan.

The term "yeast suspension" as used refers to a suspension in the liquid of live yeast, inactive yeast and dried yeast, or a combination of these preparations.

Yeast glycan can be obtained from a live yeast culture that has been freshly grown, from a yeast culture containing a portion thereof which has lost its viability (i.e. inactive yeast), from dried yeast, or from a combination thereof. Crude yeast glycan can be obtained by any method, e.g., heat treatment, treatment with bases, acids, enzymes, solvents or a combination of two or more of them.

Typically, the yeast suspension mentioned above is obtained by adding water until a concentration of about 20 g / dm is obtained³ up to about 200 g / dm³, preferably from about 80 g / dm³ up to about 180 g / dm3 and most preferably from 100 g / dm3 to 160 g / dirf. A basic compound in solution is then added to this suspension. The suspension may be mixed in any suitable manner, e.g. by mechanical agitation of a stirrer, to ensure uniform distribution of the basic compound in the suspension. Alternatively, yeast suspension may be added to the basic compound.

The basic compound may be an organic base or an inorganic base and may be present in solutions. It is usually soluble in the above-mentioned suspension. Preferred basic compounds are inorganic bases. Examples of suitable basic compounds include (but are not limited to) tetramethylammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and mixtures two or more of them. Sodium hydroxide is the most preferred basic compound here due to its availability and ease of use.

The amount of basic compound needed can vary greatly depending on the type of yeast or raw yeast glycan used. Usually the basic compound is added to the above-mentioned suspension in such a way that the final concentration of the basic compound in the suspension

177 628 was from about 0.01 M to about 6 M, preferably from about 0.1 M to about 3 M and most preferably from 0.1 M to 2 M.

The mixture thus formed, containing the suspension and the basic compound, is then treated at a temperature from about 20 ° C to 120 ° C, preferably from about 20 ° C to about 100 ° C. The time required to carry out this operation is usually contained in limits from 1/4 hour to 24 hours, and most preferably from 1/2 hour to 20 hours. This operation according to the invention can be carried out over a wide pressure range, from about 1 x 10⁴Pa [0.1 atmosphere (atm)] to about 1 x 10⁶Pa (10 atm), preferably from about 5 x 104pa (0.5 atm) to about 5 χ 10⁵Pa (5 atm), and most preferably from 1 χ 10⁵ Pa (1 atm) up to 2 χ 10⁵ Pa (2 atm).

After the treatment described above, a mixture is formed containing the insoluble fraction of the yeast cell walls. This insoluble fraction is separated from the soluble fraction by separation methods known to those skilled in the art, such as by centrifugation followed by a water wash if necessary.

The insoluble cell wall fraction is then acidified with acid. Any acid can be used. A preferred acid here is a mild acid, e.g. acetic acid. The insoluble fraction of the cell walls can be suspended in water, followed by the addition of acid, or suspended directly in acid. The amount of acid needed is the amount needed to adjust the pH of the cell wall fraction to about pH 7 or lower. The acid treatment can be carried out under the same conditions as described above for the alkaline treatment. After acid treatment, yeast glycan is ready.

The yeast glycan may be secreted in any suitable conventional manner known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, centrifugation, filtration, decantation and combinations thereof. The separated yeast glycan can be further washed with a washing agent selected from the group consisting of water, acetone, methanol, ethanol, aqueous sodium chloride solution, dilute acetic acid solution, ether, hexane and combinations of two or more thereof. The separated yeast glycan can be suspended in water or dried for use. Any conventional drying methods can be used to dry the yeast glycan product, such as spray drying, in drying drums, in a freeze dryer, air drying or combinations thereof.

The composition of the invention may also contain water and fat soluble vitamins and trace minerals. Suitable vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, vitamin C and mixtures thereof. Suitable trace elements include copper, zinc, iodine, selenium, manganese, iron, cobalt, their compounds or mixtures thereof. The term "trace" as used herein means that the amounts of these ingredients used in this composition are much lower than those of the other ingredients.

According to the invention, the composition contains an antioxidant, e.g. ethoxyquin, BHT, BHA, vitamin E, ascorbic acid and mixtures thereof. This composition also contains a mixture of antibiotics: chlorotetracycline, sulfametazine, penicillin. The introduction of a very small amount of antioxidants or antibiotics is preferred.

Starch substances may be present in the composition in various concentrations, provided that the amount introduced can effectively support the growth of the animal, it is usually an amount in the range of from about 10% by weight to about 80% by weight, preferably from about 15% by weight to about 50% by weight, and most preferably from 20% to 40% by weight.

Also, the condition determining the concentration of the proteinaceous substance is that the concentration provides effective support for the animal's growth. Typically, the proteinaceous material is present in the composition in the range of from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, preferably from about 15% by weight to about 40% by weight, and most preferably from 18% by weight to 30% by weight. Suitably the concentration of the fat containing substance is from about 2% by weight to about 20% by weight, preferably from about 4% by weight to about 15% by weight, and most preferably from 6% by weight to 12% by weight.

The necessary amount of yeast glycan in the composition is the amount needed to increase the animal's growth rate by at least about 2%, preferably by about 4%, and most preferably by 6%. An effective amount of yeast glycan present in the composition is in

177 Therefore, within the range of from about 0.001% by weight to about 10% by weight, preferably from about 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight, and most preferably from 0.02% by weight to 2% by weight. The amount of the vitamin-mineral mix in the composition of the invention ranges from about 0.001% by weight to about 2% by weight, and preferably from 0.01% by weight to 2% by weight.

The composition according to the invention is prepared by mixing its components, e.g. by mechanical mixing, extrusion, tableting or spray drying. The order in which individual ingredients are added to the mixing usually does not change the physical properties or the feed efficiency of the composition. It is however preferred that the yeast glycan is mixed with carriers such as, for example, rice bran, cereals, wheat bran, calcium carbonate or mixtures thereof. Its particularly even mixing and distribution is then obtained. The composition can be used in any physical form, e.g. powder, tablets, cubes, semi-solid form and combinations thereof.

The invention is illustrated in detail by exemplary embodiments. Example 1 shows a method for producing yeast glycan. Example 2 shows the animal diet compositions that correspond to the composition of the invention and the effects of incorporating yeast glycan into the composition. Examples 3 and 4 illustrate the effect of glycan supplementation in additional experiments, and Comparative Example 5 documents that administration of compositions containing yeast glycan not isolated from yeast cells does not lead to an increase in animal growth rate.

Example 1

Dry yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (500 g) is suspended in 3 dm³6% aqueous NaOH. This suspension is stirred overnight at room temperature. This suspension is then centrifuged at 2000 xg for 25 minutes. The supernatant liquid is discarded, and the undissolved residue is resuspended in 3 dm³ 3% NaOH and incubated for 3 hours at 75 ° C and then cools this suspension overnight. This suspension is then centrifuged at 2000 xg for 25 minutes and the supernatant liquid is decanted.

The pH of the undissolved residue is then adjusted to 4.5 using acetic acid. This insoluble residue is then washed three times with 2 dm³ water and separated by centrifugation at 2000 xg for 25 minutes after each wash (the supernatant liquid is removed). The residue is then suspended in 3 dm3 of a 0.5 M aqueous acetic acid solution. This suspension is heated for 3 hours at 90 ° C. This suspension is then cooled to room temperature. The insoluble residue is then collected by centrifugation at 2000 xg for 25 minutes.

The insoluble residue is then suspended in 3 dm3 of distilled water and stirred for 30 minutes at 10 ° C, then cooled and centrifuged at 2 · 0 xg for 25 minutes. The supernatant liquid above is discarded. The insoluble residue is spray dried and used in the following examples.

Example II

This example illustrates the effect of yeast glycan (β, binding 1-3 and 1-6) on increasing the growth of piglets starting independent feeding. A randomized, full-scale experiment is planned for feeding piglets starting self feeding with the composition of the invention. The yeast glycan used in this example is obtained as described in Example 1 and contains about 60% by weight of glycan (measured as glucose unit), about 6% protein, about 14% lipids, about 9% ash and about 8% moisture . Grades 1 and 2 give six levels of yeast glycan (0.0, 0.235, 0.45, 0.675, 0.9 and 1.125 kg / ton; the level labeled 0.0 kg / ton is the control diet). Four or five piglets freshly weaned (aged 19-21 days) are placed in each pen and each diet administration represents six replicates. Diets are based on modern high-performance diet (HSP) standards (Table 1).

Grade 1 diets (Table 1) are given to piglets freshly weaned from day zero to 13 and based on 1.25% bioavailable lysine, 3300 kkal ME / kg food

177 628 and in the recipe contain 16% edible dried whey, 5% meal of selected American herring fish, 10% oat flour and 10 ° oat porridge.

Grade 2 diets are given from day 14 to the end of the experiment (33 days) and are based on 1.15% bioavailable lysine, 3200 kkal ME / kg food and in the recipe contain 6% edible dried whey, 3% meal of selected American herring and 10% oat flour. Comparison of nutrition results is determined using the least squares method, and linear, square and cubic comparisons are tested with statistical models. Piglets are weighed seven and thirteen days after the start of the experiment to better determine the effects of adding yeast glycan on stage 1 growth.

Diet recipes are given in Table 1.

Table 1

Composition of diets for piglets starting independent feeding

<td>Ingredient</td><td>HSP 121-126³</td><td>HSP 127-132^b</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 3</td>

<td>Ground corn</td><td> 27,86</td><td> 43,10</td>

<td>Oat flour</td><td> 10,00</td><td> 10,00</td>

<td>Porridge</td><td> 10,00</td><td> -</td>

<td>Edible dried whey</td><td> 11,33</td><td> 6,00</td>

<td>Soybean flour</td><td> 21,87</td><td> 21,99</td>

<td>A meal of selected herring American fish</td><td> 5,00</td><td> 3,00</td>

<td>Whey-fat mixture 7/40</td><td> 7,79</td><td> -</td>

<td>Soya bean shells</td><td> 1,68</td><td> -</td>

<td>Standard measures</td><td> -</td><td> 10,00</td>

<td>Selected white fat</td><td> -</td><td> 2,33</td>

<td>Dicalcium phosphate (18.5%)</td><td> 0,83</td><td> 1,08</td>

<td>Calcium carbonate</td><td> 0,63</td><td> 0,72</td>

<td>salt</td><td> -</td><td> 0,19</td>

<td>Fumaric acid</td><td> 1,25</td><td> -</td>

<td>L-lysine HCl</td><td> 0,11</td><td> 0,19</td>

<td>ASP-250 Premix^c</td><td> 0,50</td><td> 0,50</td>

<td>CS Butter</td><td> 0,30</td><td> 0,20</td>

<td>Corn dextrose</td><td> 0,25</td><td> 0,25</td>

<td>Other</td><td> 0,60</td><td> 0,45</td>

<td>Calculated nutrient composition</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Crude Protein,%</td><td> 21,00</td><td> 19,85</td>

<td>Fat,%</td><td> 6,00</td><td> 5,31</td>

<td>Fiber,%</td><td> 2,47</td><td> 2,96</td>

<td>Calcium,%</td><td> 0,88</td><td> 0,80</td>

<td>Phosphorus,%</td><td> 0,70</td><td> 0,70</td>

<td>ME, kcal / kg</td><td> 3300</td><td> 3200</td>

177 628

Table 1 - continued

<td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 3</td>

<td>Absorbable amino acids,% lysine</td><td> 1,25</td><td> 1,15</td>

<td>methionine</td><td> 0,37</td><td> 0,34</td>

<td>threonine</td><td> 0,78</td><td> 0,69</td>

<td>tryptophan</td><td> 0,25</td><td> 0,23</td>

AHSP 121-126 are grade 1 diets. The values ​​are% by weight of the total. ^bHSP 127-132 are grade 2 diets. The values ​​are% by weight of the total.

^cASP-250 Premix provides 100 g of chlorotetracycline, 100 g of sulfametazine and 50 g of penicillin per ton of feed. ^dCorn dextrose is replaced in the diet by 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100 and 0.125% glycan if yeast glycan is used as an ingredient in the diet composition.

'The micronutrients contain: vitamins for pigs and a mixture of trace minerals, which are selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, choline, selenium, vitamin E, biotin, folic acid, glycine, ethoxyquin and mixtures thereof.

The effects of yeast glycan are shown in Table 2. During the first seven days of grade 1, the increase in yeast glycan causes a change with a square (P &lt;0.05) of feed intake (Table 2). Piglets increase their intake in response to an increase in dietary yeast glycan (between 0 and 0.454 kg yeast glycan per ton), but a higher glycan supplement has little effect on this intake. Daily increase occurs in the same way as taking food. The greater addition of yeast glycan to the initial independent diet of piglets during the last six days of grade 1 causes a linear decrease in daily growth (P &lt;0.02) and feed intake (P &lt;0.05). Table 2 indicates that excellent optimal growth and food intake is obtained when piglets are fed with 0.225 and 0.45 kg yeast glycan per ton of feed, respectively. Table 2 further shows that piglets starting self-feeding fed 0.225 kg yeast glycan per ton grow 14.3% faster and consume 8.7% more feed than those who do not get yeast glycan. The results from Table 2 also show that over the last 20 days of the experiment, daily gain (P &lt;0.07) and food intake (P &lt;0.05) change with a square when more yeast glycan is added to the diets. Optimal levels of growth and feed intake in the last growing period are observed in piglets fed 0.225 kg of yeast glycan per ton of feed. Overall, piglet growth performance changes with a square when more yeast glycan is added to the diet. Table 2 indicates that this yield is highest at the lowest level of yeast glycan addition (0.225 kg / tonne) and decreases with increasing glycan in the diet. The results of this experiment show that yeast glycan increases the growth rate and food intake when administered at low levels.

177 628

Table 2

Effect of yeast glycan addition to animal feed on piglet growth efficiency when starting self-feeding

<td>Glycan, kg / ton^and</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,225</td><td> 0,45</td><td> 0,675</td><td> 0,9</td><td> 1,125</td>

<td>Glycan intake (mg / day) b</td><td> 0</td><td> 135</td><td> 270</td><td> 398</td><td> 500</td><td> 588</td>

<td>Mass, kg</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Initial</td><td> 6,82</td><td> 6,82</td><td> 6,78</td><td> 6,80</td><td> 6,78</td><td> 6,82</td>

<td>After 7 days</td><td> 7,62</td><td> 7,70</td><td> 7,85</td><td> 7,58</td><td> 7,58</td><td> 7,52</td>

<td>After 13 days</td><td> 9,07</td><td> 9,35</td><td> 9,22</td><td> 8,95</td><td> 8,85</td><td> 8,63</td>

<td>The final</td><td> 19,05</td><td> 20,28</td><td> 19,78</td><td> 19,73</td><td> 19,00</td><td> 18,53</td>

<td>Daily increase, kg / day</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>0-7 days</td><td> 0,113</td><td> 0,128</td><td> 0,145</td><td> 0,113</td><td> 0,112</td><td> 0,098</td>

<td>8-13 days^c</td><td> 0,238</td><td> 0,272</td><td> 0,232</td><td> 0,223</td><td> 0,212</td><td> 0,175</td>

<td>14-33 days</td><td> 0,498</td><td> 0,548</td><td> 0,528</td><td> 0,538</td><td> 0,507</td><td> 0,495</td>

<td>total '</td><td> 0,368</td><td> 0,408</td><td> 0,393</td><td> 0,383</td><td> 0,368</td><td> 0,345</td>

<td>Daily feed, kg / day</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>0-7 days^f</td><td> 0,142</td><td> 0,145</td><td> 0,167</td><td> 0,150</td><td> 0,140</td><td> 0,128</td>

<td>8-13 days⁸</td><td> 0,323</td><td> 0,333</td><td> 0,343</td><td> 0,313</td><td> 0,318</td><td> 0,272</td>

<td>14-33 days^f</td><td> 0,687</td><td> 0,740</td><td> 0,725</td><td> 0,725</td><td> 0,678</td><td> 0,667</td>

<td>total '</td><td> 0,505</td><td> 0,538</td><td> 0,537</td><td> 0,527</td><td> 0,498</td><td> 0,472</td>

<td>Feed: increment</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>0-7 days</td><td> 1,280</td><td> 1,398</td><td> 1,247</td><td> 1,625</td><td> 1,367</td><td> 0,990</td>

<td>8-13 days</td><td> 1,367</td><td> 1,248</td><td> 2,137</td><td> 1,515</td><td> 1,545</td><td> 1,735</td>

<td>M-33 days</td><td> 1,378</td><td> 1,353</td><td> 1,372</td><td> 1,343</td><td> 1,335</td><td> 1,353</td>

<td>altogether</td><td> 1,367</td><td> 1,322</td><td> 1,367</td><td> 1,350</td><td> 1,348</td><td> 1,370</td>

Yeast glycan obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used as the glycan product. ^bGlycan cleansing is calculated by multiplying the proportion of yeast glycan addition (kg / ton) by the general intake of feed.

'Linear glycan effect (P &lt;0.2). ^dThe effect of square glycan (P &lt;0.07).

'Square glycan effect (P &lt;0.01). f Impact of square glycan (P &lt;0.05).

⁸Linear glycan effect (P &lt;0.05).

Example III

The effect of the addition of yeast glycan to animal feed is also tested in six additional randomized full set experiments as described above. Animal feed compositions are used the same as grades 1 and 2 (Table 1) containing 0.05% by weight of yeast glycan. The results presented in Table 3 prove that the addition of yeast glycan to animal feed significantly improves the growth of piglets freshly weaned (p &lt;0.05). The average results of six trials indicate that yeast glycan increases daily gain by 10.5% and piglets are 1.3 kg heavier at the end of trials than piglets that do not

177 628 were fed feedingstuffs containing yeast glycan. It is particularly important that there are no differences in the feed utilization efficiency for weight gain (see also Table 2), which indicates that growth enhancement is only due to the presence of yeast glycan in the feed composition.

Table 3

Effect of yeast glycan on growth efficiency of piglets freshly weaned

<td>No piglet trial</td><td> 92108</td><td> 92128</td><td> 92137</td><td> 93108</td><td> 19132</td><td> 94104</td><td>The average of six attempts</td>

<td>Initial weight, kg</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Checklist³</td><td> 6,7</td><td> 6,8</td><td> 6,4</td><td> 6,2</td><td> 6,2</td><td> 7,2</td><td> 6,6</td>

<td>Yeast glycan</td><td> 6,7</td><td> 6,8</td><td> 6,4</td><td> 6,2</td><td> 6,2</td><td> 7,2</td><td> 6,6</td>

<td>Final weight, kg</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Checklist</td><td> 18,5</td><td> 19,1</td><td> 19,7</td><td> 19,7</td><td> 19,1</td><td> 18,4</td><td> 19,1</td>

<td>Yeast glycan</td><td> 20,9</td><td> 20,4</td><td> 20,5</td><td> 20,5</td><td> 20,3</td><td> 19,6</td><td> 20,4</td>

<td>Advantage</td><td> 2,4</td><td> 1,3</td><td> 0,8</td><td> 0,8</td><td> 1,2</td><td> 1,2</td><td> 1,3</td>

<td>Daily increase, kg / day</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Checklist</td><td> 0,36</td><td> 0,37</td><td> 0,40</td><td> 0,41</td><td> 0,39</td><td> 0,34</td><td> 0,38</td>

<td>Yeast glycan</td><td> 0,42</td><td> 0,41</td><td> 0,43</td><td> 0,43</td><td> 0,43</td><td> 0,38</td><td> 0,42</td>

<td>Advantage over control,%</td><td> 17,4</td><td> 10,8</td><td> 7,5</td><td> 4,9</td><td> 10,3</td><td> 11,8</td><td> 10,5</td>

"Control - the feed composition does not contain yeast glycan.

^bYeast glycan - the feed composition contains 0.05% by weight of yeast glycan.

Example IV

This example demonstrates that the increase in growth of piglets starting self-feeding fed on animal feed compositions containing yeast glycan is not due to the antibacterial or antifungal activity of yeast glycan.

The test is carried out in the same manner as described in Example 2, except that the antibiotics were removed as given in Table 4.

Table 4

Effect of the addition of yeast glycan to animal feed containing the drug in the diet of piglets starting independent feeding³

<td>Yeast glycan,% in diet</td><td> 0</td><td> 0,10</td><td> 0,10</td>

<td>Lekb</td><td>added</td><td>Lack</td><td>added</td>

<td>Final mass, kgc</td><td> 18,42</td><td> 17,83</td><td> 19,23</td>

<td>Growth, kg / day</td><td> 0,34</td><td> 0,33</td><td> 0,37</td>

<td>Feed intake, kg / day</td><td> 0,48</td><td> 0,46</td><td> 0,52</td>

<td>Feed: increment</td><td> 1,39</td><td> 1,40</td><td> 1,38</td>

^and6 bLek test pens contain 110 ppm sulfamethazine, 110 ppm chlorotetracycline and 55 ppm penicillin (by weight). ^cP &lt;0.05

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Table 4 shows that in the absence of the drug, weight gain decreases slightly from 0.34 kg / day to 0.33 kg / day, which proves that the drug plays an important role in antibacterial and antifungal activity. If both ingredients, yeast glycan and the drug are included in the feed composition, then the weight increase increases significantly from 0.34 kg / day to 0.37 kg / day, which proves that yeast glycan improves animal growth rate. Table 4 again shows that yeast glycan does not improve feed efficiency, as demonstrated in Examples 2 and 3.

Example V

This is a comparative example illustrating that a feed composition containing either autolyzed yeast or whole cell yeast does not improve piglet growth.

The experiments are carried out as described in Example 1 with the exception that yeast products are added to the feed compositions given in Table 1, as given in Tables 5 and 6.

Table 5

Comparison of yeast glycan with alternative yeast products as additives to animal feed

<td rowspan="2">Addition³</td><td rowspan="2">Lack</td><td colspan="2">Yeast glycan</td><td colspan="2">Yeast cell walls^b</td><td>cells yeast '</td>

<td> (0,05)</td><td> (0,10)</td><td> (0,10)</td><td> (0,20)</td><td> (0,75)</td>

<td>Final weight, kg ^4e</td><td> 19,1</td><td> 20,0</td><td> 20,3</td><td> 19,1</td><td> 18,9</td><td> 18,7</td>

<td>Growth, g / day '</td><td> 391</td><td> 418</td><td> 427</td><td> 390</td><td> 386</td><td> 379</td>

<td>Reception, g / day</td><td> 530</td><td> 561</td><td> 563</td><td> 508</td><td> 515</td><td> 516</td>

<td>Feed: increment</td><td> 1,35</td><td> 1,34</td><td> 1,32</td><td> 1,30</td><td> 1,33</td><td> 1,36</td>

"Values ​​in brackets represent the weight of additives in the whole feed composition.

^bThe yeast cell walls are the insoluble cell wall fraction before the yeast glycan was obtained.

"Commercial Baker Yeast. ^dThe initial weight of the piglet is 6.2 kg.

'&lt;0,05

Table 5 shows that simple administration of yeast cell walls or yeast cells does not increase animal growth rate. Not wanting to go into theory, it can be assumed that the upper digestive tract of animals (i.e. stomach and small intestine) is not able to remove protein, fat and other components of the yeast cell walls or yeast cells to expose the yeast glycan, and therefore the animals are not able to obtain the same benefits of yeast cell walls or yeast cells as glycan yeast.

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Table 6

Effect of the addition of yeast products on the growth efficiency of piglets freshly weaned

Percentage of increase or loss in relation to the control sample³

<td></td><td>Macro Gard Vb 0.025%</td><td>Mackro Gard V^c 0,05%</td><td>Polar Star¹* 0,05%</td><td>Yeast autolizo- important ' 2.50%</td><td>Yeast autolizo- important ' 5.00%</td><td>Yeast in whole cells^f 5,00%</td>

<td>weight</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Initial</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 0,0</td>

<td>After 13 days</td><td> 3,1</td><td> 3,0</td><td> 2,5</td><td> -4,2</td><td> -6,1</td><td> 0,0</td>

<td>The final</td><td> 6,5</td><td> 3,8</td><td> 12,3</td><td> -5,5</td><td> 2,1</td><td> 4,5</td>

<td>Daily increment</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Degree</td><td> 14,3</td><td> 9,8</td><td> 9,5</td><td> -14,6</td><td> -18,1</td><td> 1,5</td>

<td>Grade 2</td><td> 10,0</td><td> 6,0</td><td> 21,0</td><td> -6,5</td><td> 6,9</td><td> 8,3</td>

<td>altogether</td><td> 10,9</td><td> 6,8</td><td> 18,2</td><td> -7,7</td><td> -2,6</td><td> 6,4</td>

<td>Daily feed</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Grade 1</td><td> 3,1</td><td> 6,2</td><td> 5,3</td><td> -17,4</td><td> -22,6</td><td> -9,5</td>

<td>Grade 2</td><td> 7,7</td><td> 5,5</td><td> 14,9</td><td> -10,4</td><td> -5,0</td><td> -3,3</td>

<td>altogether</td><td> 6,5</td><td> 6,3</td><td> 11,9</td><td> -11,8</td><td> -13,4</td><td> -4,8</td>

<td>Feed: increment</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Grade 1</td><td> 8,7</td><td> 20,2</td><td> 3,1</td><td> 2,6</td><td> -1,3</td><td> 9,7</td>

<td>Grade 2</td><td> 1,8</td><td> 0,4</td><td> 5,6</td><td> 4,0</td><td> 11,4</td><td> 10,3</td>

<td>altogether</td><td> 3,3</td><td> 0,0</td><td> 5,0</td><td> 3,7</td><td> 8,8</td><td> 10,3</td>

"Control piglets are fed according to diets (Table 1) containing no yeast glycan or yeast products.

^bMacroGard V is a commercial yeast glycan with both β (1-3) and β (1-6) bonds, used at an additive level of 0.025% by weight to feed.

'The addition of MacroGard V yeast glycan to the feed is 0.05% by weight.

^dPolarStar is an experimental yeast glycan with both β (1-3) and β (1-6) bonds, used at an additive level of 0.05% by weight.

'Autolyzed yeast is a commercial product, obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an additive of 5.0% by weight.

"Whole cell yeast is commercial Baker's yeast as a 5% by weight additive.

From Table 6 it can be seen that the daily increase, daily intake of feed and efficiency of feed utilization at 1 stage decrease after adding autolyzed yeast products or in whole cells. In addition, daily growth and intake of feed are less effective when adding autolyzed or whole-cell yeast products at stage 2 and piglets starting self-feeding fed either 5.0% whole-cell yeast or 5.0% autolized yeast are more efficient than in in the case of 2.50% autolyzed yeast due to a nutrient that contributes to these levels of feed additives. Table 6 also shows that the addition of glycan to the diet increases daily growth and feed efficiency compared to control piglets.

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The results presented in the above examples clearly demonstrate that the present invention is well suited to meeting the intentions and the purpose and benefits of both those inherent and inherent in it. While modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, such modifications are within the spirit of the present invention as defined in the detailed description and in the claims.

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