Feed additive composition

Abstract

A feed additive composition comprising a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase, and a method for improving the performance of a subject or for improving digestibility of a raw material in a feed (e.g. nutrient digestibility, such as amino acid digestibility), or for improving nitrogen retention, or for avoiding the negative effects of necrotic enteritis or for improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) or for improving weight gain in a subject or for improving feed efficiency in a subject or for modulating (e.g. improving) the immune response of the subject or for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, which method comprising administering to a subject a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase.

1 . A feed additive composition comprising a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase. 
     
     
         2 . A feed additive composition according to  claim 1  wherein the direct fed microbial is an antipathogen direct fed microbial. 
     
     
         3 . A feed additive composition according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the direct fed microbial is a viable bacterium. 
     
     
         4 . A feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  3  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following genera:  Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium  and  Megasphaera  and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following species:  Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Enterococcus, Enterococcus  spp, and  Pediococcus  spp,  Lactobacillus  spp,  Bifidobacterium  spp,  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pediococsus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Propionibacterium thoenii, Lactobacillus farciminus, lactobacillus rhamnosus, Clostridium butyricum, Bifidobacterium animalis  ssp.  animalis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus salivarius  ssp.  salivarius, Megasphaera elsdenii, Propionibacteria  sp and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the direct fed microbial is one or more of the following strains:  Bacillus subtilis  strains 3A-P4 (PTA-6506); 15A-P4 (PTA-6507); 22C-P1 (PTA-6508); 2084 (NRRL B-500130); LSSA01 (NRRL-B-50104); BS27 (NRRL B-50105); BS 18 (NRRL B-50633); and BS 278 (NRRL B-50634). 
     
     
         7 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the direct fed microbial is in the form of an endospore. 
     
     
         8 . A feed additive composition according any one of the preceding claims wherein the xylanase is an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase or a 1,4 β-xylosidase preferably an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase. 
     
     
         9 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the xylanase is from  Bacillus, Trichoderma, Thermomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillium  and  Humicola.    
     
     
         10 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the protease is a subtilisin, a bacillolysin, an alkaline serine protease, a keratinase or a  Nocardiopsis  protease. 
     
     
         11 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase or a 3-phytase. 
     
     
         12 . A feed additive composition according to  claim 11  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase. 
     
     
         13 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the phytase is an  E. coli  phytase or a  Buttiauxella  phytase or  Hafnia  phytase or a  Citrobacter  phytase or a  Aspergillus  phytase or a  Penicillium  phytase or a  Trichoderma  phytase or a  Hansenula  phytase. 
     
     
         14 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the amylase is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: an α-amylase, a G4-forming amylase, a β-amylase and a γ-amylases. 
     
     
         15 . A feed additive composition according to  claim 14  wherein the amylase is an α-amylase. 
     
     
         16 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the amylase is from  Bacillus licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma  spp. or  Aspergillus  spp. 
     
     
         17 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the phytase is present at a dosage of between 200 FTU/g feed additive composition and 10000 FTU/g feed additive composition. 
     
     
         18 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the amylase is present at a dosage of between 50 AU/g feed additive composition and 20000 AU/g feed additive composition. 
     
     
         19 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the xylanase is present at a dosage of between 500 XU/g feed additive composition and 40000 XU/g feed additive composition. 
     
     
         20 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the protease is present at a dosage of 1000 PU/g feed additive composition and 60000 PU/g feed additive composition. 
     
     
         21 . A feed additive composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the DFM is present at a dosage of 3.75×10 7  CFU/g feed additive composition and 1×10 11  CFU/g feed additive composition. 
     
     
         22 . A method for improving the performance of a subject or for improving digestibility of a raw material in a feed (e.g. nutrient digestibility, such as amino acid digestibility), or for improving nitrogen retention, or for improving the subjects resistance to necrotic enteritis or for improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) or for improving body weight gain in a subject or for improving feed efficiency in a subject or for modulating (e.g. improving) the immune response of the subject, or for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject or for reducing populations of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, or for reducing nutrient excretion in manure, which method comprising administering to a subject a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22  comprising administering the feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21 . 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22  or  23  wherein the direct fed microbial is an antipathogen direct fed microbial. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 24  wherein the direct fed microbial is a viable bacteria. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to any one of  claims 22  to  25  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following genera:  Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium  and  Megasphaera  and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 26  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following species:  Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Enterococcus, Enterococcus  spp, and  Pediococcus  spp,  Lactobacillus  spp,  Bifidobacterium  spp,  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pediococsus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Propionibacterium thoenii, Lactobacillus farciminus, lactobacillus rhamnosus, Clostridium butyricum, Bifidobacterium animalis  ssp.  animalis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus salivarius  ssp.  salivarius, Megasphaera elsdenii, Propionibacteria  sp and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 27  wherein the direct fed microbial is one or more of the following strains:  Bacillus subtilis  strains 3A-P4 (PTA-6506); 15A-P4 (PTA-6507); 22C-P1 (PTA-6508); 2084 (NRRL B-500130); LSSA01 (NRRL-B-50104); BS27 (NRRL B-50105); BS 18 (NRRL B-50633); and BS 278 (NRRL B-50634). 
     
     
         29 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 28  wherein the direct fed microbial is in the form of an endospore. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 29  wherein the xylanase is an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase or a 1,4 β-xylosidase preferably an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 30  wherein the xylanase is from  Bacillus, Trichoderma, Thermomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillium  and  Humicola.    
     
     
         32 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 31  wherein the protease is a subtilisin, a bacillolysin, an alkaline serine protease or a keratinase or a  Nocardiopsis  protease. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 32  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase or a 3-phytase. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 34  wherein the phytase is an  E. coli  phytase or a  Buttiauxella  phytase or  Hafnia  phytase or  Citrobacter  phytase or a  Aspergillus  phytase or a  Penicillium  phytase or a  Trichoderma  phytase or a  Hansenula  phytase. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 35  wherein the amylase is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: an α-amylase, a G4-forming amylase, a β-amylase and a 7-amylases. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 36  wherein the amylase is an α-amylase. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to any one of  claims 22 - 37  wherein the amylase is from  Bacillus licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma  spp. or  Aspergillus  spp. 
     
     
         39 . Use of a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase for improving the performance of a subject or for improving digestibility of a raw material in a feed (e.g. nutrient digestibility, such as amino acid digestibility) or for improving nitrogen retention) or for improving the subject's resistance to of necrotic enteritis or for improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) or for improving weight gain in a subject or for improving feed efficiency in a subject or for modulating (e.g. improving) the immune response of the subject or for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject or for reducing populations of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, or for reducing nutrient excretion in manure. 
     
     
         40 . Use according to  claim 39  wherein the feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21  is used. 
     
     
         41 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 40  wherein the direct fed microbial is an antipathogen direct fed microbial. 
     
     
         42 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 41  wherein the direct fed microbial is a viable bacterium. 
     
     
         43 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 42  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following genera:  Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium  and  Megasphaera  and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         44 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 43  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following species:  Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Enterococcus, Enterococcus  spp, and  Pediococcus spp, Lactobacillus  spp,  Bifidobacterium  spp,  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pediococsus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Propionibacterium thoenii, Lactobacillus farciminus, lactobacillus rhamnosus, Clostridium butyricum, Bifidobacterium animalis  ssp.  animalis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus salivarius  ssp.  salivarius, Megasphaera elsdenii, Propionibacteria  sp and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         45 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 44  wherein the direct fed microbial is one or more of the following strains:  Bacillus subtilis  strains 3A-P4 (PTA-6506); 15A-P4 (PTA-6507); 22C-P1 (PTA-6508); 2084 (NRRL B-500130); LSSA01 (NRRL-B-50104); BS27 (NRRL B-50105); BS 18 (NRRL B-50633); and BS 278 (NRRL B-50634). 
     
     
         46 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 45  wherein the direct fed microbial is in the form of an endospore. 
     
     
         47 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 46  wherein the xylanase is an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase or a 1,4 β-xylosidase preferably an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase. 
     
     
         48 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 47  wherein the xylanase is from  Bacillus, Trichoderma, Thermomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillium  and  Humicola.    
     
     
         49 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 48  wherein the protease is a subtilisin, a bacillolysin, an alkaline serine protease or a keratinase or a  Nocardiopsis  protease. 
     
     
         50 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 49  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase or a 3-phytase. 
     
     
         51 . Use according to  claim 50  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase. 
     
     
         52 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 51  wherein the phytase is an  E. coli  phytase or a  Buttiauxella  phytase or  Hafnia  phytase or  Citrobacter  phytase or a  Aspergillus  phytase or a  Penicillium  phytase or a  Trichoderma  phytase or a  Hansenula  phytase. 
     
     
         53 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 52  wherein the amylase is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: an α-amylase, a G4-forming amylase, a β-amylase and a γ-amylases. 
     
     
         54 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 53  wherein the amylase is an α-amylase. 
     
     
         55 . Use according to any one of  claims 39 - 54  wherein the amylase is from  Bacillus licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma  spp. or  Aspergillus  spp. 
     
     
         56 . A kit comprising a direct fed microbial, a protease, a xylanase, an amylase, a phytase and instructions for administration. 
     
     
         57 . A kit according to  claim 56  wherein said kit comprises the feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21 . 
     
     
         58 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 57  wherein the direct fed microbial is an antipathogen direct fed microbial. 
     
     
         59 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 58  wherein the direct fed microbial is a viable bacterium. 
     
     
         60 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 59  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following genera:  Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium  and  Megasphaera  and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         61 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 60  wherein the direct fed microbial comprises a bacterium from one or more of the following species:  Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Enterococcus, Enterococcus  spp, and  Pediococcus  spp,  Lactobacillus  spp,  Bifidobacterium  spp,  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pediococsus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Propionibacterium thoenii, Lactobacillus farciminus, lactobacillus rhamnosus, Clostridium butyricum, Bifidobacterium animalis  ssp.  animalis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus salivarius  ssp.  salivarius, Megasphaera elsdenii, Propionibacteria  sp and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         62 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 61  wherein the direct fed microbial is one or more of the following strains:  Bacillus subtilis  strains 3A-P4 (PTA-6506); 15A-P4 (PTA-6507); 22C-P1 (PTA-6508); 2084 (NRRL B-500130); LSSA01 (NRRL-B-50104); BS27 (NRRL B-50105); BS 18 (NRRL B-50633); and BS 278 (NRRL B-50634). 
     
     
         63 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 62  wherein the direct fed microbial is in the form of an endospore. 
     
     
         64 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 63  wherein the xylanase is an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase or a 1,4 β-xylosidase preferably an endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase. 
     
     
         65 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 64  wherein the xylanase is from  Bacillus, Trichoderma, Thermomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillium  and  Humicola.    
     
     
         66 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 65  wherein the protease is a subtilisin, a bacillolysin, an alkaline serine protease or a keratinase or a  Nocardiopsis  protease. 
     
     
         67 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 66  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase or a 3-phytase. 
     
     
         68 . A kit according to  claim 67  wherein the phytase is a 6-phytase. 
     
     
         69 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 68  wherein the phytase is an  E. coli  phytase or a  Buttiauxella  phytase or  Hafnia  phytase or  Citrobacter  phytase or an  Aspergillus  phytase or a  Penicillium  phytase or a  Trichoderma  phytase or a  Hansenula  phytase. 
     
     
         70 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 69  wherein the amylase is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: an α-amylase, a G4-forming amylase, a β-amylase and a γ-amylases. 
     
     
         71 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 70  wherein the amylase is an α-amylase. 
     
     
         72 . A kit according to any one of  claims 56 - 71  wherein the amylase is from  Bacillus licheniformis  or,  B. amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma  spp. or  Aspergillus  spp. 
     
     
         73 . A method of preparing a feed additive composition, comprising admixing a direct fed microbial with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase and (optionally) packaging. 
     
     
         74 . A feed comprising a feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21 . 
     
     
         75 . A feed according to  claim 74  wherein the phytase is present at a dosage of between 400 FTU/kg feed and 1000 FTU/kg feed. 
     
     
         76 . A feed according to  claim 74  or  claim 75 , wherein the amylase is present at a dosage of between 100 AU/kg feed and 2000 AU/kg feed. 
     
     
         77 . A feed according to any one of  claims 74 - 76  wherein the xylanase is present at a dosage of between 1000 XU/kg feed and 4000 XU/kg feed. 
     
     
         78 . A feed according to any one of  claims 74 - 77  wherein the protease is present at a dosage of between 2000 PU/kg feed to 6000 PU/kg feed. 
     
     
         79 . A feed according to any one of  claims 74 - 77  wherein the DFM is present at a dosage of 7.5×10 4  CFU/kg feed and 1×10 7  CFU/kg feed. 
     
     
         80 . A method of preparing a feedstuff comprising admixing a feed component with a feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21 . 
     
     
         81 . A premix comprising a feed additive composition comprising a direct fed microbial in combination with a protease, a xylanase, an amylase and a phytase, and at least one mineral and/or at least one vitamin. 
     
     
         82 . A premix comprising a feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21  in combination with at least one mineral and/or at least one vitamin. 
     
     
         83 . A feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21  for preventing and/or treating coccidiosis and/or necrotic enteritis in a subject. 
     
     
         84 . A method of preventing and/or treating necrotic enteritis and/or coccidiosis wherein an effective amount of a feed additive composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 21  is administered to a subject. 
     
     
         85 . A feed additive composition or feed or kit or method or use or premix as defined generally herein with reference to the Figures and the Examples.