Novel Composition to Improve Gut Health and Animal Performance and Methods of Making the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least about 8% β-glucans and/or at least about 8% α-fucans, which has a prebiotic effect and act as a replacement for in-feed antibiotics. The present invention also relates to extraction methods to obtain such extracts and various uses for the compositions comprising β-glucans and/or α-fucans.

1 . A composition comprising at least about 8% by weight β-glucans, or at least about 8% by weight α-fucans or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       2 . The composition as claimed in according to  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans comprise an amount between about 8% and about 30% by weight. 
   
   
       3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the α-fucans comprise an amount between about 8% and about 30% by weight. 
   
   
       4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans comprise β-(1,3)(1,6)-glucans. 
   
   
       5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans or the α-fucans are derived from a seaweed. 
   
   
       6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans comprise laminarin. 
   
   
       7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the α-fucans comprise fucoidan. 
   
   
       8 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the seaweed is one or more selected from  Laminariaceae, Fucaceae  and  Gigartinaceae, Ascophyllum, Laminaria, Durvillea, Macrocystis, Chondrus, Ecklonia  or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising mannitol, lactose or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the β-glucans or α-fucans are derived from seaweed by acid-extraction. 
   
   
       11 . The composition according to  claim 10  wherein the acid extraction uses one or more acids selected from lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid propionic acid, or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a powder form or a liquid form. 
   
   
       13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more probiotic cultures. 
   
   
       14 . The composition according to claim, wherein the composition is mixed with one or more probiotic cultures to form a tablet, or capsule. 
   
   
       15 . The composition according to  claim 13  wherein the one or more probiotic cultures are selected from  Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, leichmannii, L. plantarum, L. cellobiosius, B. adolescentis L. acidophilus , or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . A process for obtaining a composition from seaweed comprising;
 (i) maintaining a temperature of a seaweed solution between about 50° C. and about 80° C.;   (ii) maintaining a pH of the seaweed solution at an acidic pH;   (iii) decanting the seaweed solution; and   (iv) clarifying the seaweed solution, to yield a clarified liquid extract.   
   
   
       17 . The process according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of agitating the seaweed solution to create a slurry. 
   
   
       18 . The process according to  claim 17  wherein the step of agitating takes place for at least 3 hours. 
   
   
       19 . The process according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of mechanically pressing the seaweed solution. 
   
   
       20 . The process according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of filtering the seaweed solution through a nanofilter having a membrane pore size of between about 10 −3  to 10 −2  μm. 
   
   
       21 . The process according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of drying the clarified liquid extract to yield a powder. 
   
   
       22 . The process according to  claim 16  wherein the acidic pH is between pH 4 and pH 5. 
   
   
       23 . The process according to  claim 16  wherein the pH is maintained using one or more acids selected from inorganic acids comprising hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid; or organic acids comprising formic acid, lactic acid or propionic acid. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A composition prepared by the process according to  claim 16 . 
   
   
       26 . The composition according to  claim 25 , further comprising a feedstuff having food ingredients or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       27 . The feedstuff according to  claim 26 , wherein the composition comprises an amount in the range of about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of the feedstuff. 
   
   
       28 . A pharmaceutical preparation comprising the composition according to  claim 1  disposed in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. 
   
   
       29 . A method of treating or preventing infections in animals or humans comprising feeding the animals or humans the composition according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       30 . A method of promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in mammalian intestines comprising the step of feeding a mammals the composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in mammalian intestines. 
   
   
       31 . A method for improving the performance of farm animals comprising the step of feeding the farm animals the composition according to  claim 1  to improve performance, wherein the improved performance includes an increase in average daily gain, a reduction in scouring, an improvement in feed conversion ratio and daily intake, or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       32 . A method of improving nutrient digestibility from animals or humans comprising the step of feeding the animals or humans the composition according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       33 . A method of increasing mineral and micronutrient absorption in a mammal intestines comprising the step of feeding the mammals the composition according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       34 . A method of reducing the growth of harmful bacteria in mammalian intestines comprising feeding the mammals the composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the harmful bacteria comprises  E. coli, Salmonella  or both. 
   
   
       35 . A method for reducing amount of lactose required in a young mammal diets, comprising the step of feeding the young mammals the composition according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       36 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the β-glucans are derived from algae, seaweed, mushrooms, fungi, yeast, barley, cereal, oats, microorganisms or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       37 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein of the α-fucans are derived from algae or echinoderms. 
   
   
       38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A method for treating gut inflammation or gut infection in a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising β-glucans, α-fucans, or both to the subject thought to suffer from gut inflammation or gut infection. 
   
   
       40 . (canceled)