COMPOSITION AND ITS USE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a choline chloride composition and its use in animal feed. PRIOR ART

Choline is an essential building block for the structure of the cell membrane and other membrane structures. In addition, choline is also involved in the general development of an individual, as well as the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and the fat metabolism. Choline is a nutrient that can be either absorbed through the diet or produced in the body. However, there is often a risk of a shortage of choline. Choline chloride, also known as '(2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride', is a widely used additive in the compound feed industry as a source of choline or vitamin B4. Natural nutrients usually do not contain enough choline, so supplementation is important. Choline improves the health of the liver in poultry, among other things, by preventing liver enlargement in chickens, as well as the prevention of perosis, a condition that leads to bone and joint malformations. Choline is also necessary for the formation of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for maintaining a healthy central nervous system. In humans, choline has positive effects on liver health, heart conditions, cognitive development and sports performance. Choline is very hygroscopic and is therefore supplied as a basic raw material in concentrated liquid form. However, this concentrated, liquid choline chloride is highly corrosive, which makes specific storage material and a specific storage location crucial, and because of this feature, the use of this liquid form in the animal feed or human food industry is virtually excluded. In addition, liquid choline chloride cannot be used in concentrated vitamin mixtures. In addition, specifically for the compound feed industry it is more interesting to work with solids instead of liquids. This also makes transport easier and more economical.

As a result, other ways of supplying choline chloride were sought. Choline chloride on carriers is known in the market. Both vegetal carriers and mineral carriers are offered in this regard. It is important that the end product is cheap in production, and has as little moisture content as possible, with the highest possible choline chloride concentration. In addition, the product must not coagulate or smear.

Vegetal carriers have the advantage that they are relatively cheap, as they often concern waste or by-products from other industries. For example, corncob flour, wheat waste, rice husks, beet pulp or a mixture of the aforementioned are used as the vegetal carrier of choline chloride. The disadvantage of this approach is that the resulting product cannot be awarded a bio and / or non-GMO label, because it can often not be guaranteed that there is no contamination with, for example, herbicides, pesticides or GMO products. As a result, there is a reluctance in the market to purchase choline chloride on a vegetal carrier.

This problem is avoided by using a mineral or other non-vegetal carrier.

EP 0 158 120 describes choline chloride on a silica carrier, obtained by drying a silica and choline chloride mixture. A drawback of the use of silica as a carrier is the fact that silica as a carrier is very expensive. As a result, it is hardly used in the animal feed industry. In addition, silica has the disadvantage that it leads to dust formation. Those who are regularly exposed to silica and inhale the crystalline silica dust often suffer from silicosis.

DE 1 973 946 1 describes a choline chloride product with low moisture content on a perlite and silica carrier. Due to the use of silica, the production cost of the final product remains unacceptably high. In addition, perlite has an exceptionally low density, which means that the final volume of the product is large and the transport and storage costs skyrocket.

EP 0 537 402 describes a choline chloride composition with sepiolite as a carrier. The production of the composition requires a drying step, which makes the production of the composition expensive.

Accordingly, there is a need for a concentrated, choline chloride on a non-vegetable carrier with low moisture content with little to no risk of coagulation or smearing, which is inexpensive in production and transportation. There is also a need for a concentrated choline chloride on a non-vegetable carrier with a low moisture content, which is practically free from genetically modified material and toxic substances, such as, among others, mycotoxins, dioxins, pesticides and herbicides.

The present invention aims to find a solution for at least some of the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a composition according to claim 1 to this end. The composition is a powdered composition of at least 60% choline chloride, using vermiculite as carrier substance. The carrier is of non-vegetable origin and has a good absorption capacity. In addition, the moisture content in the final composition is low, which is also an advantage. The product is relatively cheap to produce and transport, and has excellent flow properties, making it easy to mix in feeds. Preferred embodiments of the composition are shown in claims 2 to 8.

The present invention also relates to an animal feed according to claim 9. The animal feed is provided with the composition according to the present invention. It is known that adding choline chloride to feed provides numerous benefits to animals. The present invention offers an excellent composition with a high choline chloride content and a low moisture content, which is excellently miscible with feed and which, due to the non vegetable nature of the carrier substance, is universally applicable. Preferred embodiments of the feed are set out in claims 10 and 11.

In a final aspect, the invention relates to the composition and animal feed according to the present invention for use according to claim 12. The use allows to maintain the general health of the animals and to prevent or suppress possible disorders and syndromes. Preferred embodiments are set out in claims 13 and 14.

FIGURES

Figure 1 shows the results of a comparative study with a composition according to the present invention and choline chloride on silica and corncob flour.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a powdered choline chloride composition with vermiculite as carrier.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

In this document, 'a' and 'the' refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, 'a segment' means one or more segments. When the term 'around' or 'about' is used in this document with a measurable quantity, a parameter, a duration or moment, and the like, then variations are meant of approx. 20% or less, preferably approx. 10% or less, more preferably approx. 5% or less, even more preferably approx. 1% or less, and even more preferably approx. 0.1% or less than and of the quoted value, insofar as such variations are applicable in the described invention. However, it must be understood that the value of a quantity used where the term 'about' or 'around' is used, is itself specifically disclosed.

The terms 'comprise', 'comprising', 'consist of', 'consisting of', 'provided with', 'have', 'having', 'include', 'including', 'contain', 'containing' are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from or disclosed in the prior art.

Quoting numerical intervals by endpoints comprises all integers, fractions and/or real numbers between the endpoints, these endpoints included.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a powdered composition in which the choline chloride concentration in the composition is at least 60% w/w, and in which vermiculite is used as absorbent carrier. Vermiculite belongs to the group of phylosilicate minerals and is a hydrated magnesium iron-aluminium silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe ²⁺ ,AI)3(AI,Si)40io(OH)2-4(H20)2. Within the clay minerals, this phylosilicate belongs to the smectite group.

The inventors of the present invention have found that vermiculite has excellent absorbent properties to act as a carrier for choline chloride. In addition, the use of vermiculite is permitted in animal feed and human food. Thanks to the properties of vermiculite it can also be mixed into the feed better. In addition, it is not expensive to purchase, which of course provides a cost advantage. Furthermore, the low hygroscopicity of choline chloride absorbed on vermiculite results in a longer storage duration, thus a longer shelf life.

All these reasons make vermiculite an excellent non-vegetable carrier substance for choline chloride. In addition, the inventors of the present invention have succeeded in producing a choline chloride powdered composition with high choline chloride content (at least 60%) absorbed on vermiculite, thus providing a product not known in the market to date.

In a further preferred embodiment, the choline chloride concentration in the composition will be between 60 and 95% w/w. A higher concentration of active ingredient choline chloride is more advantageous for use in animal feed. Preferably the choline chloride concentration in the composition is between 61 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 63 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 65 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 67 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 69 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 71 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 73 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 75 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 77 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 79 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 81 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 83 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 85 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 87 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 89 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 91 and 95% w/w, more preferably between 93 and 95% w/w.

In particular, the composition of the present invention will have a low moisture content, preferably less than 10% w/w. More preferably, this moisture content will be less than 8%, even more preferably it will be less than 7%, such as 6%, 5%, or 4%. In another embodiment, the moisture content of the choline chloride composition is between 1 and 9% w/w, more preferably between 1.5 and 8% w/w, more preferably between 2 and 7% w/w, more preferably between 2.5 and 6.5% w/w, even more preferably between 3 and 6% w/w.

Determination of the moisture content of such a composition is known to those skilled in the art as loss on drying (LOD). In this method, a sample is weighed in a heated oven for an appropriate period of time and cooled and finally weighed in the dry atmosphere of a desiccator. The LOD measuring technique indicates the measure of the moisture content. This method can be carried out manually, but it can also be done using automated moisture analysers.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention will have a free moisture absorption of between 5 and 15% over a period of 30 minutes, measured at a relative humidity of 65% and a temperature of 30°C. More preferably, the composition has a free moisture absorption of between 5 and 13%, more preferably between 5 and 10% over a period of 30 minutes. Even more preferably, the composition has a free moisture absorption of between 5 and 10% over a period of 20 minutes.

In a more preferred embodiment, a composition of the present invention will comprise between 60 and 95% w/w choline chloride, between 6 and 39% w/w vermiculite and between 1 and 9% moisture, together not exceeding 100%.

The composition according to the present invention is a granular, powdered composition. Preferably at least 80% of the choline chloride particles from the composition absorbed on vermiculite will have an average particle size between 0.05 and 2.2 mm. This has the advantage that the powder is easy to mix in feed. The powder also has a brown colour. Brown is a colour that often occurs in nature and lends itself visually to be mixed in feed. Preferably, the average particle size is comprised between 0.10 and 2.1 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.15 and 2 mm. Even more preferably, at least 90% of the choline chloride particles from the composition absorbed on vermiculite will have an average particle size between 0.05 and 2.2 mm. More preferably, the average particle size is comprised between 0.1 and 2.1 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.15 and 2 mm.

The vermiculite according to the present invention has an average particle size comprised between 0.05 and 1.6 mm. Preferably, the average particle size of vermiculite is comprised between 0.1 and 1.5 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.18 and 1.4 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.27 and 1.2 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.31 and 1.2 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.35 and 1 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.4 and 0.8 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.4 and 0.7 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. The advantage of such a particle size is that the particles do not form fine dust and can therefore be produced, transported and processed without additional facilities without being hindered by dust formation.

Preferably, the average particle size of vermiculite is at least 0.1 mm, 0.14 mm, 0.18 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.27 mm, 0.31 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.43 mm, 0.47 mm, 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the average particle size is preferably at most 2 mm, more preferably at most 1.9 mm, 1.85 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.75 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.65 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.45 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.35 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.15 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.05 mm, lmm, 0.95 mm, 0.9 mm, 0.85 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.65 mm, 0.6 mm.

Particle size determination is known to those skilled in the art. Particle size determination is preferably carried out by a sieve analysis. Preferably, sieves are used in the sieve analysis with a different sieve size comprised between 0 and 2000 pm.

In a preferred embodiment, the particle size distribution (d90) of vermiculite is comprised between 0.35 mm and 1.15 mm, more preferably between 0.4 and 1.1 mm, more preferably between 0.45 and 1.05 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm.

In a further or other embodiment, the composition of the present invention has an average density comprised between 0.5 and 0.9 g/cm ³ . Preferably, the average density of the composition is comprised between 0.52 and 0.88 g/cm ³ , more preferably comprised between 0.54 and 0.86 g/cm ³ , comprised between 0.56 and 0.84 g/cm ³ and 0.58 and 0.82 g/cm ³ , comprised between 0.59 and 0.81 g/cm ³ , comprised between 0.6 and 0.8 g/cm ³ .

The vermiculite of the present invention preferably has a density comprised between 0.06 and 0.15 g/cm ³ .

The average density of the composition and the vermiculite of the present invention was measured according to standard methods known to those skilled in the art, preferably at room temperature.

The method of manufacturing the powdered choline chloride composition is known to a person skilled in the art, and an example is described according to DE 19 739 461 and US 4 820 532.

The composition according to the present invention is extremely suitable as an additive in the feed industry, where, among other things, fodder, poultry feed, pet food and aqua feed are produced. The present invention also relates to an animal feed comprising a composition as described above. Preferably, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed will be between 50 and 3000 mg/kg. More in particular, the animal feed provided with this composition will be suitable for use in poultry, pigs, ruminants, horses, dogs, cats, fish and shrimps.

The term 'animal feed' or 'feed' as described according to the present invention is considered to be a feed for animals. The feed may be a fodder, a compound feed, a pet food, or a fish and shellfish feed, known as an aqua feed.

In a preferred embodiment, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is between 300 and 1800 mg/kg. Preferably, such an inclusion amount of choline chloride is provided in the feed, the feed being suitable for use in poultry. Non-limiting examples of poultry include, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, partridge, and quail. The diet in this case provides enough choline, which allows the chicks to develop better and prevent the frequently occurring development of perosis. With the hens a better growth rate and rate of lay are observed. The roosters show better mating activity and lower mortality.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is between 100 and 1200 mg/kg. Preferably, the latter inclusion amount is provided in animal feed suitable for pigs. Pigs that absorb enough choline in the body have good development and health. Piglets deficient in choline are prone to poor development, often resulting in poorly developed hind legs that are in a spread position. As a result, the piglets are not nimble and have less chance of taking in colostrum or are unable to do so. Without treatment, these piglets have a small chance of survival. In an embodiment, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is between 250 and 800 mg/cup/day. This inclusion amount is suitable for ruminants, such as cows, for example. Improved milk production and composition are determined. There is also an improved meat yield from the carcass.

In another embodiment, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is between 300 and 2000 mg/cup/day. This inclusion amount is suitable for horses. Horses are often used intensively as racehorses. A feed provided with a choline chloride composition according to the present invention with the stated inclusion amount ensures that the horse has a well-functioning metabolism, a well-developed nervous system and a well- developed musculoskeletal system.

In an embodiment, the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is between 1300 and 3800 mg/kg. Feed with such an inclusion amount is suitable as pet food. The feed comprising said inclusion amount of choline chloride is suitable for dogs and cats, so that they have an improved metabolism, more specifically fat metabolism. An improved metabolism in dogs and cats makes for a fit pet.

In another preferred embodiment, the feed comprises choline chloride with an inclusion amount of between 600 and 1500 mg/kg. Such feed is suitable as an aqua feed. Aqua feed is suitable for feeding fish, for example fish in an aquarium, in a pond or in an aquaculture. Non-limiting examples are cold, warm, fresh or saltwater fish.

In an embodiment, the feed comprises an inclusion amount comprised between 400- 850 mg/kg of choline chloride. The feed according to the present embodiment is suitable for feeding crustaceans and providing an optimal amount of choline. Non-limiting examples of crustaceans are crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. A deficiency of choline in crustaceans results in poor growth and increased mortality.

In a final aspect, the invention relates to the composition and the animal feed according to the present invention for improving fat metabolism when ingested. Improved fat metabolism results in less or no fat deposits in the organs, such as the liver. In a preferred embodiment, the use of the composition or animal feed enhances the development of organ systems upon ingestion, preferably the development of the nervous, bone, muscle, joint and/or organ system. This results in an improved growth rate, more specifically an improved growth rate without neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. Chicks deficient in choline have perosis. Piglets are also prone to a shortage of choline. This often manifests itself in splay-legged piglets. Preferably also less disorders that affect the organs by internal bleeding in, for example, the liver or intestines. In a further preferred embodiment, the use of the composition or animal feed leads to improved milk production and composition. The use of the composition and the animal feed comprising the composition according to the present invention results in animals of general good, even better health. As a result, mortality figures and the associated costs decrease.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 : Comparative study of the hygroscopicitv of several choline chloride carriers

The hygroscopic properties of several choline chloride carriers are compared in the present experiment. To begin with, the powdered choline chloride is mixed with the carriers to be compared, being vermiculite, silica and corncob flour. The compositions each contain 60% w/w choline chloride, 38% w/w carrier. Per mixture, amount (g) is weighed on a petri dish. The petri dishes are then placed in a climatic cabinet. The climatic cabinet guarantees conditioned conditions at a temperature of 30°C ±0.1°C and a relative humidity of 65% ±0.1%. The choline chloride carriers, which are each open on a petri dish, are exposed to the environment of the climatic cabinet and then absorb the moisture from the environment, which increases the weight of the choline chloride carriers. Consequently, the petri dishes are measured from 0 to 165 minutes at different times, under the conditioned conditions. The results are shown in Figure 1. The graph in Figure 1 shows the relative weight gain of the three different choline chloride carriers. This shows that vermiculite as a choline chloride carrier has better hygroscopic properties compared to corncob flour and silica.

Vermiculite also appears to have the best hygroscopic properties over corncob flour and silica when the compositions are supplied with 70% w/w choline chloride and 28% w/w carrier substance.

EXAMPLE 2: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in poultry

This example relates to an animal feed suitable for poultry comprising the powdered choline chloride composition according to the present invention. The animal feed, a feed with a balanced and nutritional composition, is supplemented with the powdered choline chloride composition, so that the inclusion amount of choline chloride in the feed is 300- 1800 mg/kg.

Chicks fed the above animal feed show faster and better growth than those fed the animal feed without the choline chloride composition. A significant difference in the incidence of perosis was noted, as 48% of the chicks fed the feed without the choline chloride composition showed clear perosis. On average, hens start laying at an average age of 5 to 6 months. Hens that have already been fed as chicks with feed with the choline chloride composition lay on average 10 days earlier. Broilers were also found to have minimal fat deposits in the liver.

Also, turkeys fed with the animal feed supplemented with the powdered choline chloride composition, as previously defined, showed a minimal incidence of perosis < 1%, a better growth rate, as well as an improved fat metabolism.

Anseriformes, such as ducks and geese, for example, showed significantly better fat metabolism if the feed consumed included the choline chloride composition and the feed included choline chloride with an inclusion amount of between 300 and 800 mg/kg.

The current example shows that it is recommended to provide the choline chloride composition according to the present invention in the animal feed to ensure better development and good health of the animal throughout the growing and breeding process.

EXAMPLE 3: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in Dias

The animal feed comprises the choline chloride composition according to the present invention with an inclusion amount comprised between 100 and 1200 mg/kg.

Just as with poultry, it appears that young piglets (from 5 weeks) fed with the feed containing choline chloride grow faster than the piglets fed with the feed without the composition. These piglets also have better health, due to a generally well-functioning metabolism, including their fat metabolism. In addition to feeding the piglets with such feed, it is also expedient to feed the sows with the feed, since milk production and milk composition improve. The suckling piglets absorb the necessary nutrients, including choline, via the colostrum milk, resulting in better health and a better chance of survival. In addition, a lower incidence (<2%) of splay-legged piglets in suckling piglets receiving colostrum from the sows fed with said feed is observed. Suckling piglets that receive colostrum from sows fed with a feed without the choline chloride composition according to the present invention have an incidence of 27% splay-legged piglets.

EXAMPLE 4: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in cows

The animal feed suitable for cows comprises the choline chloride composition according to the present invention with a choline chloride inclusion amount comprised between 100 and 750 mg/kg.

Cows that are fed with the animal feed comprising the composition show no fatty liver. These cows also appear to show a better milk production and composition compared to the same population of cows that are fed with the animal feed that does not contain the choline chloride composition. The latter often have poor metabolism, more specifically fat metabolism, which often includes mastitis, uterine inflammation, ovarian cysts or delayed afterbirths.

EXAMPLE 5: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in dogs and cats

The animal feed according to the present invention is furthermore also suitable for feeding small pets, such as for instance dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets.

Dogs and cats fed a nutritionally balanced diet supplemented with the choline chloride composition according to the present invention develop well and have a well-functioning metabolism. The diet comprises choline chloride with an inclusion amount comprised between 1800 mg/kg to 4000 mg/kg.

EXAMPLE 6: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in fish

A powdered choline chloride composition is provided in an aqua feed. The inclusion amount of choline chloride is, according to the present example, comprised between 600 and 1500 mg/kg. Salmon is a fish farmed in aquaculture. A good growth rate and control of general diseases is recommended here. Salmon fed with the aqua feed with the choline chloride composition have a significantly better growth rate compared to those fed with the aqua feed without the composition. Based on a sample of the aquaculture, it was also found that the salmon tested showed no bleeding in the gut. It was also found that the salmon were less susceptible to bacterial contamination, which meant that the use of antibiotics was only one-off.

Also, in trout, bream and perch in aquaculture, which are fed with the aqua feed containing 600 and 1500 mg/kg choline chloride, the fish showed a better growth rate and health.

EXAMPLE 7: The use of the powdered choline chloride composition in shrimp

An aqua feed for shrimp comprises the choline chloride composition with preferably an inclusion amount of comprised between 400 and 1000 mg/kg. Shrimp aquaculture is delicate and intensive. The use of the aqua feed as proposed ensures good growth and development of the shrimp. The shrimp have no internal bleeding in the organs. The shrimp exoskeleton is hard, and the adult shrimp have an average size larger than 70 mm. Shrimps of this size are highly sought after in the food market. The aqua feed also ensures less cannibalism with the shrimp, resulting in a greater yield. The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above and certain modifications or changes may be added to the examples described without having to re-evaluate the appended claims.