The present invention relates to the use of emulsifiers in association with vegetable oleins in an animal feed. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of emulsifiers E484 and/or E487 (Community Register of Feed Additives - EU Reg. No. 1831/2003), in association with vegetable oleins, as a technological additive to increase hourly output (tons/hour) in an animal feed production plant and/or improve the characteristics of an animal feed, preferably in the form of pellets, and/or to reduce the dustiness thereof.

Moreover, the present invention relates to an animal feed and a process for preparing the same in which said emulsifiers are used in association with said vegetable oleins with the function of technological additive.

In the sector of production of animal feeds, preferably in solid form, for example in the form of pellets, a need has long been felt to be able to produce large amounts per day at increasingly lower costs while maintaining high standards as regards the characteristics and chemical and/or physical properties of the feed itself.

In practice, animal feed manufacturers tend on the one hand to increase the output of their plants and on the other hand to contain production costs. Maximizing the output of their plants means that animal feed manufacturers do not have to design and build new plants, while saving on production costs means being increasingly competitive. Among the factors that most greatly impact the cost of producing an animal feed we may mention, for example, the cost of the electricity needed for the equipment and the downtimes that result every time the equipment is disabled due to the activation of the equipment safety systems, which are triggered every time there is an increase in temperature due to friction during the mixing, compression and/or pelletting steps, or an excessive demand of energy from the motors present in the plant. Practically speaking, depending on the type of feed being produced in a plant, for example a feed for chickens, turkeys, pigs, ruminants or fish, there is a considerable variation in the type of raw materials used and equipment parameters, so that "standardization of production cycles" is not always easy to achieve.

Furthermore, animal feed manufacturers have an interest in reducing the consumption of electricity and amount of dust allowed in workplaces.

Therefore, industry operators feel a need to be able to give an adequate response to the above-mentioned limits and disadvantages.

One of the objects of the present invention consists in being able to increase the hourly output (tons/hour) in plants that produce animal feeds in solid form, for example in the form of pellets, while maintaining high standards as regards the characteristics and chemical and/or physical properties of the feed itself, such as, for example, the pellet durability index (PDI).

Another object of the present invention consists in being able to contain production costs, which means reducing electricity consumption expressed as amperes/hour. Yet another object of the present invention consists in being able to reduce the amount of dust produced in an animal feed in solid form, for example in the form of pellets.

The Applicant has surprisingly found that the above objects, and yet other objects which will be apparent from the detailed description that follows, are achieved thanks to the use, as a technological additive, of vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein) in association with an emulsifier included in the list of animal feed additives authorized under EU regulation No. 1831/2003.

The present invention relates to the use of an ethoxylated castor oil in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention further relates to the use of polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention still further relates to the use of an ethoxylated castor oil, for example E484, and polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, for example E487, in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention still further relates to an animal feed containing or, alternatively, consisting of an ethoxylated castor oil in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention still further relates to an animal feed containing or, alternatively, consisting of polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention still further relates to an animal feed containing or, alternatively, consisting of an ethoxylated castor oil, for example E484, and polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, for example E487, in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention further relates to a process for preparing said animal feed, as set forth in the appended claim.

The present invention still further relates to the use of a mixture containing or, alternatively, consisting of an ethoxylated castor oil, for example E484, and/or polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, for example E487, in association with vegetable oleins (at least one vegetable olein), as a technological additive, as set forth in the appended claim.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated in the detailed description that follows.

Ethoxylated castor oil, also known by the name glyceryl polyethylene glycol ricinoleate or glycerol polyethylene glycol ricinoleate (additive E484 - EU Reg. 1831/2003) is a surfactant compound or emulsifier included in the list of authorized animal feed additives.

Ethoxylated castor oil contains from 8 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably from 10 to 150 ethyleneoxy groups; even more preferably from 15 to 100 ethyleneoxy groups. In a preferred embodiment, the ethoxylated castor oil contains from 20 to 80 ethyleneoxy groups.

In another preferred embodiment, ethoxylated castor oil contains from 25 to 60 ethyleneoxy groups.

In a preferred embodiment, ethoxylated castor oil contains 40 ethyleneoxy groups.

Advantageously, ethoxylated castor oil contains from 30 to 45 ethyleneoxy groups.

By ethoxylated castor oil containing, for example, 20 ethyleneoxy groups (an ethyleneoxy group derives from ethylene oxide), we mean a product obtained by reacting 1 mole of castor oil [by way of example, castor oil in general can contain ricinoleic acid in an amount by weight comprised from 85% to 95%, oleic acid in an amount by weight comprised from 2% to 6%, linoleic acid in an amount by weight comprised from 5 to 1 %, linolenic acid in an amount by weight comprised from 1 to 0.5%, stearic acid in an amount comprised from 1 to 0.5%, palmitic acid in an amount comprised from 1 to 0.5%, dihydroxystearic acid in an amount comprised from 1 to 0.5% and other compounds in an amount comprised from 0.5% to 0.2%] con 20 moles of ethylene oxide using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the person skilled in the art. In the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to "ethoxylated castor oil" to indicate one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments, having a variable number of ethyleneoxy groups, without any limitation, but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description.

Polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, (additive E487 - Reg. UE 831/2003) are surfactant compounds or emulsifiers included in the list of authorized animal feed additives.

Said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, (additive E487 - Reg. UE 1831/2003) are obtained using techniques and apparatus known to the person skilled in the art.

For example, said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil (additive E487 - EU Reg. 1831/2003) can be obtained from soybean oil, for example from soybean oil triglycerides, which are hydrolyzed, using techniques and apparatus known to the person skilled in the art, to yield saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids of soybean oil. Subsequently, said fatty acids are ethoxylated with ethylene oxide using known techniques and apparatus. Ethylene oxide binds to the carboxyl of the fatty acid to yield the fatty acid obtained from ethoxylated soybean oil.

For example, said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, (additive E487 - EU Reg. 1831/2003) can be obtained from the reaction between a polyethylene glycol - indicated as PEG for the sake of brevity [CAS number 25322-68-3; structural formula HOCH ₂ -(CH ₂ -0-CH ₂ )(n-i )- CH ₂ OH or H-(OCH ₂ -CH ₂ )n-OH; molecular weight comprised, for example, from 100 to 10000] with the fatty acids obtained from soybean oil or with soybean oil fats or triglycerides using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the person skilled in the art. By fatty acids obtained from soybean oil we mean one or more fatty acids obtained (for example by hydrolysis) using techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) has a molecular weight comprised from 200 to 5000.

Preferably, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight comprised from 300 to 4000; even more preferably from 400 to 3500.

In a preferred embodiment, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight comprised from 500 to 1500.

In another preferred embodiment, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight comprised from 600 to 1000, for example from 700 to 900.

Soybean oil (100 g) generally has the following composition: approximately 16 g of saturated fats, approximately 23 g of monounsaturated fats, approximately 58 g of polyunsaturated fats and approximately 3% of other compounds.

A soybean oil, preferably a refined soybean oil, from which, in general, the following fatty acids are obtained:

- alpha-linolenic acid (C-18:3) - CAS number 463-40-1 , approximately 5 to 10%;

- a linoleic acid (C-18.2) - CAS number 60-33-3, approximately 50 to 60%;

- oleic acid (C-18:1 ) - CAS number 1 12-80-1 , approximately 18 to 25%;

- stearic acid- CAS number 57-1 1 -4, approximately 3 to 6%;

- palmitic acid - CAS number 57-10-3, approximately 8 to 12%.

The polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from the soybean oil of the present invention (additive E487 - EU Reg. No. 1831/2003) can be in the form, for example, of monoesters or diesters or mixtures thereof.

For example, the PEG has been reacted with a fatty acid obtained from soybean oil in a molar ratio of 1 :1 , or with a mixture of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in a molar ratio of 1 : , to yield monoesters.

For example, the PEG has been reacted with a fatty acid obtained from soybean oil in a molar ratio of 1 :2, or with a mixture of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in a molar ratio of 1 :2, to yield diesters.

Alternatively, in the context of the present invention, the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil can be obtained by subjecting the soybean oil fatty acids and/or soybean oil fats or triglycerides to an ethoxylation process with ethylene oxide using the techniques, apparatus and operating conditions known to the person skilled in the art.

in the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to "polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil" to indicate one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments having a PEG with a variable molecular weight and a variable composition of soybean oil fatty acids, without any limitation, but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description.

In a preferred embodiment, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight comprised from 100 to 1000 and the soybean oil fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid (C-18:3) - CAS number 463-40-1 , or linoleic acid (C-18:2) - CAS number 60-33-3, or oleic acid (C-18:1 ) - CAS number 1 12-80-1 , or stearic acid - CAS number 57-1 1-4, or palmitic acid - CAS number 57-10-3 or mixtures thereof; in particular the soybean oil fatty acid selected can be a mixture of alpha-linolenic acid and/or linoleic acid and/or oleic acid in a ratio by weight of 1 :1 :1 or 1 :1 :2 or 1 :2:1 or 1 :2:2.

The vegetable olein or vegetable oleins are selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, a triglyceride of oleic acid (also known as triolein) and a vegetable oil or mixtures thereof.

The vegetable oil can be selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of olive oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil, palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil. Preferably it is olive oil. Advantageously, it is palm oil.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins comprise (amount by weight relative to the total weight of the vegetable olein) oleic acid (C18:1 ) in an amount comprised from 70 to 99% by weight and linoleic acid (C18:2) in an amount of less than 25% by weight.

In another preferred embodiment, said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins comprise (amount by weight relative to the total weight of the vegetable olein) oleic acid (C18:1 ) in an amount comprised from 75 to 90% by weight, preferably from 80 to 85% by weight and linoleic acid (C18.2) in an amount of less than 20% by weight, preferably from 10 to 15% by weight.

In a further preferred embodiment, said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins, as described above, can further comprise some saturated fatty acids with a number of carbon atoms equal to or less than 18 in an amount of less than 15% by weight, preferably in an amount comprised from 5 to 10% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins comprise or, alternatively, consist of a vegetable oil. The vegetable oil can be selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of olive oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil, palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil. Preferably, it is olive oil. Advantageously, it is palm oil.

In another preferred embodiment, said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins comprise or, alternatively, consist of a vegetable oil and oleic acid in a ratio by weight comprised from 1 :3 to 3:1 , preferably from 1 :2 to 2:1 , even more preferably in a 1 :1 ratio by weight. Preferably, the oleic acid is selected from among products having an oleic acid concentration in greater than 70% by weight, preferably greater than 90% by weight.

In one embodiment, a palm olein has a composition of the type: C12:0=2-3%, C14:0=0.5-1 %, C16:0=4-5%, C18:0=2-3%, C18:1 =70-80%, C18:2=10-15%, other substances approximately 1 %.

In one embodiment, a sunflower olein has a composition of the type: C16:0=5-

15%, C18:0=2-8%, C18:1 =20-35%, C18:2=45-70%, C18:3=0-7%.

In one embodiment, another vegetable olein can have the following composition: acids with a number of carbon atoms equal to or less than C 4=2-

3%, C16:0=4-5%, C18:0=1 -2%, C18: =75-80%, C18:2=10-1 1 %.

In one embodiment, another vegetable olein can have the following composition: C18:0=less than 15%, C18:1 =greater than 75%, C18:2=less than

15%, other substances less than 1 %. In the context of the present invention and hereinafter we shall make reference in general to "olein or oleins" to indicate one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments without any limitation, but solely for the purpose of simplifying the present description.

Advantageously (in the context of the present invention), the use refers to an association (mixture) comprising or, alternatively, consisting of an ethoxylated castor oil and at least one of said oleins.

Advantageously (in the context of the present invention), the use refers to an association (mixture) comprising or, alternatively, consisting of polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and at least one of said oleins.

Advantageously (in the context of the present invention), the use refers to an association (mixture) comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (i) an ethoxylated castor oil, (ii) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and (iii) at least one of said oleins.

The determination of the fatty acid composition by gas chromatography can be carried out using the method NGD C 42-76, whereas the determination of the triglycerides in the vegetable oils by high-resolution chromatography (HPLC) can be carried out using the method NGD C 45-91 :22024 (1992).

The Applicant has found that using an ethoxylated castor oil, as a technological additive, as described above, and/or polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, as described above, in association with said at least one vegetable olein or vegetable oleins selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, a triglyceride of oleic acid and a vegetable oil or mixtures thereof as a technological additive in a process for preparing an animal feed containing nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form makes it possible to obtain the following advantages:

(i) to increase the output in tons per hour in plants that produce feeds in solid form, for example in the form of cubes or pellets,

(ii) to improve the pellet durability index (PDI),

(iii) to reduce the consumption of electricity expressed in amperes per hour,

(iv) to reduce the amount of dust that is produced and found in the animal feed in solid form, for example in the form of cubes or pellets,

(v) to assure less wear on equipment and the possibility of better controlling the production T°C.

The present invention also relates to an animal feed, preferably a dry feed in the form of pellets.

In one embodiment, said feed contains nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form and further contains an ethoxylated castor oil as described above in association with the vegetable oleins as described above.

In another embodiment, said feed contains the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form and the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in association with the vegetable oleins as described above.

In the context of the present invention, animal feed means, by way of non- restrictive example, a feed for pigs, fish, poultry species, e.g. chickens and turkeys, ruminants, e.g. cattle and calves, at any stage of growth. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing said feed.

In the production of the feed, said ethoxylated castor oil, as described above, and said at least one vegetable olein, as described above, can be suitably mixed together to form a single product or, alternatively, they can be used in a separate manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the vegetable olein selected can be an oleic acid, said oleic acid preferably being present at a concentration greater than 70% by weight; or a mixture of oleic acid and linoleic acid, said mixture preferably comprising said oleic acid at a concentration equal to or greater than 75% by weight and said linoleic acid at a concentration equal to or less than 25% by weight; or a vegetable oil, said vegetable oil preferably being selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of olive oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil, palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil or mixtures thereof. Preferably, it is olive and/or palm oil. Advantageously, it is palm oil. If the ethoxylated castor oil and/or the vegetable oleins are in a solid state at room temperature due to their high molecular weight, a preliminary heating step is envisaged in order to turn the two compounds into a liquid state.

The ethoxylated castor oil and/or vegetable oleins (mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can be directly added to the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or with a mixture of two or more of these components.

Alternatively, the ethoxylated castor oil and/or the vegetable oleins (mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can optionally be dissolved or suspended in water and/or applied on a substrate or carrier or added to a liquid and/or solid vehicle, before being added to the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form, or with a mixture of two or more of these components. In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed can contain a hydrophobic component that is liquid or solid at room temperature, such as, for example, an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat.

In a first case, said hydrophobic component first has the ethoxylated castor oil and/or the vegetable oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) added to it and then the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or a mixture of two or more of these components.

In a second case, said hydrophobic component first has the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or with a mixture of two or more of these components added to it and then the ethoxylated castor oil and/or the oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate).

In another embodiment, the ethoxylated castor oil and/or the vegetable oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can be directly added to a hydrophobic component that is liquid or solid at room temperature, such as, for example, an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat.

In another preferred embodiment, said hydrophobic component in a liquid state (or, if solid, after a step of heating to render it liquid) can be added, for example, to said components in liquid or solid or granular or powder form, or part of them, in order to produce a solid powdery or granular mixture before adding the ethoxylated castor oil and/or vegetable oleins.

In the production of the feed of the present invention, said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, as described above, and said at least one vegetable olein (or vegetable oleins in general), as described above, can be suitably mixed together to form a single product or, alternatively, they can be used in a separate manner.

If said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or said vegetable oleins are in a solid state at room temperature due to their high molecular weight, a preliminary heating step is envisaged in order to turn the two compounds into a liquid state.

Said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or vegetable oleins (mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can be directly added to the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or with a mixture of two or more of these components.

Alternatively, said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or vegetable oleins (mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can optionally be dissolved or suspended in water and/or applied on a substrate or carrier or added to a liquid and/or solid vehicle, before being added to the nutritive substances in liquid, substances in liquid, powder or granular form, or other solid components of the animal feed or with a mixture of two or more of these components .

In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed can contain a hydrophobic component that is liquid or solid at room temperature, such as, for example, an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat

In a first case, said hydrophobic component first has said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or vegetable oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) added to it and then the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or a mixture of two or more of these components.

In a second case, said hydrophobic component first has the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or other solid components of the animal feed or a mixture of two or more of these components added to it and then said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or vegetable oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate). In another embodiment said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) can be directly added to a hydrophobic component that is liquid or solid at room temperature, such as, for example, an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat.

In another preferred embodiment, said hydrophobic component in a liquid state (or, if solid, after a step of heating to render it liquid) can be added, for example, to said components in liquid or solid or granular or powder form, or part of them, in order to produce a solid powdery or granular mixture before adding said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and/or vegetable oleins.

For example, if ethoxylated castor oil and said at least one olein are used (but the same thing also applies if said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said at least one olein are used), the industrial preparation of an animal feed entails preparing a premixture containing, for example, mineral salts, vitamins, flavourings and other substances commonly used by the person skilled in the art. Depending on the type of feed, other components can also be added to the premixture, namely, cereals, barley, corn, oats and rice, vegetable proteins, for example proteins obtained from soybeans or sunflowers, or other proteins commonly used by the person skilled in the art. The premixture subsequently has the ethoxylated castor oil and/or vegetable oleins (first mixed together or, alternatively, kept separate) added to it. For example, the ethoxylated castor oil and/or olein can be optionally dissolved or suspended in water and/or applied on a substrate or carrier or added to a liquid and/or solid vehicle, such as, for example cereals, starch or minerals. Subsequently, the hydrophobic component in a liquid state can be added to said premixture. If said hydrophobic component is in a solid state at room temperature, a heating step is envisaged.

The hydrophobic component which is liquid or solid at room temperature can be, for example, an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat. After complete mixing, a composition is obtained whose consistency will depend on the physical state and amounts used of the individual components.

In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed of the present invention can comprise said ethoxylated castor oil and said at least one olein in a ratio by weight comprised from 1 :4 to 4:1 , preferably from 1 :2 to 2:1 , even more preferably 1 :1.

In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed of the present invention can comprise said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said at least one olein in a ratio by weight comprised from 1 :4 to 4:1 , preferably from 1 :2 to 2:1 , even more preferably 1 :1 .

The animal feed of the present invention can comprise said ethoxylated castor oil in an amount comprised from 0.1 Kg to 1 Kg/ton of feed, preferably from 0.4 to 0.8 Kg/ton of feed. Advantageously, 0.5 Kg/ton of feed (0.05%).

The animal feed of the present invention can comprise said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil in an amount comprised from 0.1 Kg to 1 Kg/ton of feed, preferably from 0.4 to 0.8 Kg/ton of feed. Advantageously, 0.5 Kg/ton of feed.

The animal feed of the present invention can comprise said at least one olein in an amount comprised from 3 Kg to 10 Kg/ton of feed, preferably from 5 Kg to 8 Kg/ton of feed.

The animal feed of the present invention can comprise a hydrophobic component as described above in an amount comprised from 1 to 12 Kg/100 Kg of feed, preferably 10 Kg/100 Kg of feed. The animal feed of the present invention can comprise water in an amount comprised from 0.5 Kg to 1 Kg/100 Kg of feed.

The animal feed of the present invention can be subjected to a pelletting or extrusion step to yield a feed with variable dimensions typical of animal feeds in pellets.

In the context of the present invention, the use of only ethoxylated castor oil is not envisaged, since ethoxylated castor oil is not capable on its own of improving the production parameters taken into consideration in the present invention (see experimental part, tests 1 -4).

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, the use of only oleins, as defined above, is not envisaged, since said oleins are not capable on their own of improving the production parameters taken into consideration in the present invention (see experimental part, tests 1 -4).

The present invention relates to the use of a mixture comprising or, alternatively, consisting of:

(i) an ethoxylated castor oil containing from 8 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups, and/or

(ii) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, in association with at least one vegetable olein selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of an oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, a triglyceride of oleic acid and a vegetable oil or mixtures thereof in a process for preparing an animal feed containing nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form.

Preferably, said mixture comprises or, alternatively, consists of:

(i) an ethoxylated castor oil E484, and/or

(ii) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil E487, in association with said at least one vegetable olein.

Preferably, said ethoxylated castor oil contains from 10 to 150 ethyleneoxy groups; preferably, it contains from 20 to 80 ethyleneoxy groups.

Preferably, said vegetable olein is selected from among:

- an oleic acid; preferably, preferably said oleic acid has a concentration greater than 70% by weight;

- a mixture of oleic acid and linoleic acid, preferably said mixture comprises said oleic acid at a concentration equal to or greater than 75% by weight and said linoleic acid at a concentration equal to or less than 25% by weight; and

- a vegetable oil selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of olive oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil, palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil or mixtures thereof; preferably, it is olive and/or palm oil.

Preferably, said ethoxylated castor oil and said vegetable olein are used in a ratio by weight comprised from 1 :4 to 4:1 , preferably from 1 :2 to 2:1 , even more preferably 1 :1 .

Preferably, said ethoxylated castor oil is used in an amount comprised from 0.4 to 0.8 Kg/ton of feed, preferably in an amount of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed; and

- said vegetable olein is used in an amount comprised from 3 Kg to 10 Kg/ton of feed, preferably 5 Kg a 8 Kg/ton of feed.

The present invention relates to an animal feed containing nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form, characterized in that it comprises an ethoxylated castor oil containing from 8 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups and/or polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, in association with at least one vegetable olein selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, a triglyceride of oleic acid and a vegetable oil or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, in said feed said ethoxylated castor oil and/or said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said vegetable olein are selected in accordance with one of the above-described embodiments.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a feed, as described above, said process being characterized in that it comprises a step in which a mixture comprising or, alternatively, consisting of:

(i) an ethoxylated castor oil containing from 8 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups, and/or

(ii) polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil, in association with at least one vegetable olein selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of an oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, a triglyceride of oleic acid and a vegetable oil or mixtures thereof are added directly, or after being first dissolved in water or suspended in water or added to a carrier, into the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or optionally into other solid components of the animal feed.

Preferably, in said process said ethoxylated castor oil and/or said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said vegetable olein are selected in accordance with at least one of the above-described embodiments and can be added, separately from each other or after first being mixed, to the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form.

Preferably, in said process said ethoxylated castor oil (i) and said at least one vegetable olein (iii) can be added, after first being mixed to yield a mixture, to the nutritive substances in liquid, powder or granular form or optionally into other solid components of the animal feed.

Preferably, in said process said ethoxylated castor oil containing from 8 to 200 ethyleneoxy groups and/or said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said at least one vegetable olein can be added, separately from each other or after first being mixed, to a hydrophobic component that is liquid or solid at room temperature, selected from the group comprising an animal and/or vegetable lipid, an oil, preferably a vegetable oil, a liquid and/or solid fat, preferably an animal fat.

The present invention will now be described with the aid of several examples, which are given solely for illustrative purposes and therefore do not limit the scope of the present invention.

Examples

In a plant for preparing a chicken feed, the following feed was prepared. In a container provided with mixing means, heating means, water filling means and means for maintaining humidity, 50 Kg of corn, 18 Kg of soy, 12 Kg of sunflower and 10 Kg of barley, 4 Kg of sugar cane molasses and 6 Kg of a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, vitamins and minerals were added■ in sequence to yield a powder mixture. Afterwards, 10 Kg of a hydrophobic component consisting in an animal fat was added. Said mixture was maintained under stirring at room temperature. Subsequently, the liquid components, if present, and 0.5 Kg of water/100 Kg of feed were added and after stirring said ethoxylated castor oil and said at least one olein or said polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil and said at least one olein were then added, in accordance with one of the formulations F1 -F20, as set forth below. At the end of mixing, a powder or granular mixture was obtained and then subjected to a pelletting step to yield a pellet of dimensions known to the person skilled in the art.

List of the formulations tested (F):

Ethoxylated castor oil (F1 -F4)

- F1 : Ethoxylated castor oil E484 with 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

- F2: Ethoxylated castor oil E484 with 20 moles of ethylene oxide.

- F3: Ethoxylated castor oil E484 with 40 moles of ethylene oxide.

- F4: Ethoxylated castor oil E484 with 50 moles of ethylene oxide.

Vegetable oleins (F5-F6)

- F5: Oleic acid.

- F6: Oleic acid 80% + Linoleic acid 20%.

Polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil E487 (F7-F8)

- F7: Polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil E487, in a 1 :1 ratio by weight. The polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of approximately 300 and the soybean fatty acids are: palmitic acid, approximately 10%; stearic acid, approximately 5%; oleic acid, approximately 20%; linoleic acid, approximately 55% and alpha-linolenic acid, approximately 10%.

- F8: Polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids obtained from soybean oil E487, in a 1 :1 ratio by weight. The polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of approximately 800 and the soybean fatty acids are: palmitic acid, approximately 10%; stearic acid, approximately 5%; oleic acid, approximately 20%; linoleic acid, approximately 55% and alpha-linolenic acid, approximately 10%.

The Applicant tested the formulations specified in Table 1 in the preparation of an animal feed in pellets for chickens, turkeys, ruminants (dairy cows) and pigs.

Table 1

An example (A) of a feed for dairy cows is shown here:

INGREDIENTS KG %

CORN MEAL 50.00 50.00%

SOYBEAN 15.00 15.00%

SUNFLOWER 15.00 15.00% BARLEY 10.00 10.00%

SUGAR CANE MOLASSES 4.00 4.00%

CALCIUM CARBONATE 2.00 2.90%

SODIUM BICARBONATE 1.50 1 .50%

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.75 0.75%

DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 0.75 0.75%

VITAMINS 0.50 0.50%

MAGNESIUM OXIDE 0.50 0.50%

Totals 100.00 100.00%

88.00 SS (Humidity 12.00%)

An example (B) of a feed for pigs is shown here:

INGREDIENTS KG %

SOFT WHEAT 30.00 30.00%

COOKED WHEAT 20.00 20.00%

FLAKED BARLEY 16.00 16.00%

WHEY 9.00 9.00%

FLAKED CORN 9.00 9.00%

HERRINGS 7.00 7.00%

SOYBEAN OIL 3.90 3.90%

POTATO 2.50 2.50%

DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 0.50 0.50%

ACIDIFIER 0.50 0.50%

CALCIUM CARBONATE 0.50 0.50%

L-LYSINE HCL 0.50 0.50%

L-THREONINE 0.30 0.30%

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.20 0.20%

DL-METHIONINE 0.06 0.06%

L-TRYPTOPHAN 0.04 0.04%

Totals 100.00 100.00%

89.50 DM (Humidity 10.5%)

An example (C) of a feed for chickens (first period) is shown here:

INGREDIENTS Kg %

CORN 60.00 60.00

SOYBEAN 35.000 35.00

DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 2.00 2.00

SOYBEAN OIL 1.20 1.20

CALCIUM CARBONATE 0.80 0.80

TRACE ELEMENTS 0.30 0.30

VITAMINS 0.30 0.30

SODIUM BICARBONATE 0.20 0.20

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.20 0.20

Totals 100.00 Kg DM 87.30%

An example (D) of a feed for chickens (third period) is shown here: INGREDIENTS Kg % CORN 66.00 66.00

SOYBEAN 25.00 25.00

SOYBEAN OIL 3.50 3.50

DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 2.50 2.50

CALCIUM CARBONATE 1.20 1.20

TRACE ELEMENTS 0.80 0.80

VITAMINS 0.50 0.50

SODIUM BICARBONATE 0.20 0.20

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.30 0.30

Totals 100.00 Kg DM 87.50

An example (E) of a feed for turkeys (first period) is shown

INGREDIENTS Kg %

SOYBEAN 50.00 50.00

CORN 43.00 43.00

DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 2.50 2.50

CALCIUM CARBONATE 1.50 1.50

SOYBEAN OIL 1 .50 1.50

TRACE ELEMENTS 0.50 0,50

VITAMINS 0.50 0.50

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.50 0.50

Totals 100.00 Kg DM 87.50

During the production of the various animal feeds, the following parameters were monitored:

i) the temperature (T °C) of the pellet leaving the extruder.

ii) the consumption of energy (Amperes) per tons/hour of feed produced.

iii) the hourly output expressed in tons/hour.

iv) the final humidity value (% humidity) found in the pellet.

v) the pellet durability index (P.D.I.), which expresses the hardness/consistency of the pellet. The P.D.I, depends on the type of feed that is prepared. The person skilled in the art is aware of the minimum and maximum PDI which characterizes a feed in pellets for chickens, turkeys, pigs and calves.

Tests 1 -4 illustrated in Table 2 show only part of the experimentation conducted by the Applicant.

In particular, tests 1 and 3 and tests 2 and 4 were conducted separately under the same operating conditions in a plant for preparing a chicken feed having the ingredients specified above.

Practically speaking, in an industrial plant for the production of a chicken feed (C) and (D), as described above, the parameters specified above in items (i)-(v) were recorded.

The parameters in the "chicken feed" column shown for each of tests 1-4 (see second column from the left) were recorded without the use of any of the formulations of the present invention.

The parameters in the "formulation F2" column shown for each of tests 1 and 3 (see third column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F2 of the present invention. The formulation F2 was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed.

The parameters in the "formulation F2+F5" column shown for test 1 (see fourth column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F2+F5 of the present invention. The formulation F2+F5 (1 :1 ratio by weight) was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed. The same applies for the "formulation F2+F7" in test 3.

The parameters in the "formulation F2+F6" column shown for test 1 (see fifth column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F2+F6 of the present invention. The formulation F2+F6 (1 :1 ratio by weight) was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed. The same applies for the "formulation F2+F8" in test 3.

The parameters in the "oleins F5" and "oleins F6" column shown for each of tests 1 -4 (see sixth and seventh columns from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulations F5 and F6. The oleins F5 and F6 were used at a concentration of 5 Kg/ton of feed.

The parameters in the "formulation F4" column shown for each of tests 2 and 4 (see third column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F4 of the present invention. The formulation F4 was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed.

The parameters in the "formulation F4+F5" shown for test 2 (see fourth column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F4+F5 of the present invention. The formulation F4+F5 (1 :1 ratio by weight) was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed. The same applies for the "formulation F4+F7" in test 4.

The parameters in the "formulation F4+F6" column shown for test 2 (see fifth column from the left) were recorded with the use of the formulation F4+F6 of the present invention. The formulation F4+F6 (1 :1 ratio by weight) was used at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton of feed. The same applies for the "formulation F4+F8" in test 4.

For example, considering test 1 carried out without the use of a formulation of the present invention (second column from the left) the hourly output in tons/hour (briefly, tons/hour) is approximately 22-23 tons/hour, whereas the PDI is approximately 90-91. With the use of a formulation F2 containing only ethoxylated castor oil, the hourly output rises to 23-24 tons/hour and the PDI to 91 -92. Surprisingly, the formulation of the present invention F2+F5 brings the hourly output to 26-27 and the PDI to 93-94. Whereas the formulation F2+F6 provides an hourly output of 27-28 and a PDI of 93-94. The increase in the hourly output and PDI are considerable if compared with the values shown in the second and third columns from the left.

The same applies for tests 2, 3 and 4. Therefore, all of the tests 1 -4 carried out by the Applicant are in agreement in demonstrating that the formulations of the present invention are capable of:

(i) increasing the output in tons per hour in plants that produce feeds in solid form, for example in the form of pellets,

(ii) improving the pellet durability index (PDI),

(iii) reducing the consumption of electricity expressed in amperes/hour, (iv) reducing the amount of dust that is produced and remains in the animal feed in solid form, for example in the form of pellets.

(v) assuring less wear on equipment and the possibility of better controlling the production T °C.

The Applicant further verified the use of a formulation consisting only of oleins, for example the formulations F5 and F6 (without the presence of the ethoxylated castor oil or polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids derived from soybean).

In a first trial, the Applicant prepared a chicken feed using oleic acid in an amount of 0.05% (0.5 Kg/ton of feed), 0.10 and 0.15% by weight and, separately, a mixture of 80% oleic acid and 20% linoieic acid in an amount of 0.05 (0.5 Kg/ton of feed), 0. 0 and 0.15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture (4:1 ratio by weight). The results obtained, compared with those obtained in tests 1-4, did not show any effect on the parameters T °C, Amperes, tons/hour, % humidity or P.D.I, due to the presence of oleins and for this reason they have not been shown in Table 2 with tests 1-4.

However, the Applicant conducted a second trial using oleic acid in an amount of 0.5% by weight of (5 Kg/ton of feed) and a mixture of 80% oleic acid and 20% linoieic acid in an amount of 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture (5 Kg/ton of feed). The data regarding the parameters measured are shown in Table 2 (sixth and seventh column from the left). The results obtained show that the values of the parameters are comparable only to those obtained without the use of any formulation of the present invention (see second and third column from the left), notwithstanding that the concentration of oleins used was 10 times greater than concentrations of the tested formulations of the present invention.

Finally, the Applicant tested a mixture of organic acids comprising formic acid, calcium formate, sorbic acid and potassium sorbate (in a 1 :1 :1 :1 ratio by weight and at a concentration of 0.5 Kg/ton and 5 Kg/ton of feed) in order to assess the effect of said mixture of organic acids and salts thereof, used at a concentration of 0.05 and 0.5% by weight, on hourly output, energy consumption and the parameter PDI during the preparation of an animal feed, preferably in pellets. Practically speaking, under the same operating conditions, the Applicant compared the parameters T °C, Amperes, tons/hour, % humidity and P.D.I, (see tests 1 -4) obtained during the preparation of a chicken feed when a mixture of organic acids (and salts thereof) in an amount of 0.05% and 0.5% by weight is used in place of one of the formulations of the present invention. The results obtained with the mixture of organic acids, at the two concentrations used, were not satisfactory and not even comparable to those obtained thanks to the use of a formulation in accordance with the present invention. TABLE 2

Test-1

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* TABLE 2 CONTINUED*

Test 4