Additive for an animal feed

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a combination of a protease and an inner salt of a quaternary amine carboxylic acid for the preparation of an agent for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of coccidiosis and bacterial infections such as necrotic enterities in animals. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise the inclusion of a xylanase and/or an α-amylase in the agent. A nutritional additive comprising a combination of an inner salt of a quaternary amine carboxylic acid protease and (optionally) a xylanase and an α-amylase is also disclosed. It can be used for improving the rate of weight gain of animals.

1 . A method for preventing  Eimeria  infection in an animal, the method comprising feeding the animal a mixture comprising a protease and betaine wherein the protease and the betaine are in amounts effective for treating or preventing an  Eimeria  infection in the animal.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises a xylanase.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises an α-amylase.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of the betaine and protease further comprises an animal feed to provide an animal feed blend.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the animal feed blend comprises from 0.01 to 20 grams of betaine per kg of animal feed blend.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the animal feed blend has a protease activity of 100 to 100,000 U per kg of animal feed blend.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein animal feed blend further comprises a xylanase in an amount effective for providing the animal feed blend with a xylanase activity of 100 to 1000,000 U per kg of animal feed blend.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the animal feed blend further comprises an α-amylase in amount effective for providing the animal feed blend with a α-amylase activity of 10 to 100,000 U per kg of animal feed blend.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the animal feed blend further comprises an α-amylase having an α-amylase activity of 10 to 100,000 U per kg of animal feed blend.  
   
   
       10 . A method for preventing  Eimeria  infection in a chicken, the method comprising feeding the chicken a mixture comprising a protease and betaine wherein the protease and the inner salt of the carboxylic acid are in amounts effective for treating or preventing an  Eimeria  infection in the chicken.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture further comprises a xylanase.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture further comprises an α-amylase.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture of betaine and protease further comprises an animal feed to provide an animal feed blend.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chicken feed blend comprises from 0.01 to 20 grams of betaine per kg of chicken feed blend.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chicken feed blend has a protease activity of 100 to 100,000 U per kg of chicken feed blend.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein chicken feed blend further comprises a xylanase in an amount effective for providing the chicken feed blend with a xylanase activity of 100 to 1000,000 U per kg of chicken feed blend.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the chicken feed blend further comprises an α-amylase in amount effective for providing the chicken feed blend with a α-amylase activity of 10 to 100,000 U per kg of chicken feed blend.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the chicken feed blend further comprises an α-amylase having an α-amylase activity of 10 to 100,000 U per kg of chicken feed blend.