AU2014393411B2 - Selecting, producing, and feeding whole algae as a feed supplement for cattle and bison to produce meat high in Omega 3's for human health - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for creating and using algae as a food supplement for cattle and buffalo thereby providing a desirable food supplement for cattle and buffalo wherein the meat and fat produced has increased specific Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for a product, which imparts a healthier cardiovascular or healthier central nervous system.

Description

SELECTING, PRODUCING, AND FEEDING WHOLE ALGAE AS A FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR CATTLE AND BISON TO PRODUCE MEAT HIGH IN OMEGA 3’S FOR HUMAN HEALTH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention is a composition, system and method of creating and using whole algae as a food supplement for animals. The algae are high in omega 3s DHS and or EPA (and other constituents) in relation to total fats, and are suitable for cattle and bison’s digestive system. The resulting meat with high DHA and EPA provides a superior beef with heart healthy properties and other healthy properties for the consumer.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

There is a current recognition of the diverse benefits of algae as a nutritional supplement, a potential biofuel, and with some technologies for growing as a means to capture excess or unwanted CO2. The field of algae growth, harvesting and processing is burgeoning and hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested into this industry, mostly aimed at identifying the most promising strains of algae for biofuel and developing prototype cultivation facilities for their growth. Additionally, more recently, algae growers are focusing on growing algae high in Omega 3’s and to process the algae into its constituents, with the Omega 3’s being of very high value and then producing biofuel with the remaining fats, and having a residual for other constituents including a byproduct animal feed high in protein. Algae may someday achieve the game changing ability to convert renewable sunlight into transportation fuel. Sustainable transportation fuel was the hope underlying corn based ethanol but the reality is that

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PCT/US2014/037300 energy yields from cow are too low; white iho use of prime cropland to grow ethanol feedstock has crowded our agricultural system.

Algae is nature’s most basic photosynthesis organism. Some algae consume wafer, sunlight and earbon dioxide (CO?) to produce sugars. Those sugars and reduced high-energy

Compdumla eventually produce the lipids,; which can be readily processed into biofuel that can be used in place of diesel fuel. Com grown.on America's her· fenniand can. yield less tlum 200 gallons .per-acre of bioethanol. Experts agree, that algae can yield more than 25 times the energy density of cont -derived biofuel; algae grown on an acre of waste I and {requiring only decent, sunlight) can yield anywhere between 2,000 and 7,000 gallons of biofuel per year. Algae may be a biofofr competiti ve with diesel oil priced at $2,00 to $3.00 per gallon if algae can be ibund or made to grow faster, or the algae can be modified gewetieahy to refine fuel such as gasoline, which is then exertoed through the cell wall of the algae so it does not have to be processed, 'however, algae, Which is hetero trophic, can use organic carbon, sources. in the water, stteh as sugar under fennentatipn, or glucose, as a substitute lor sunlight, or in addition to sunlight. This patent focusses on the growth of such heterotrophic algae for use a<i an auimai feed supplement, because there arc now available techniques for growing such algae that are much less expensive than former methods·. While this growing. technique doeg not directly use CO2 from power plant ami ethanol pkm·· emissions, there is CO2 removed from the afamphere by the plant, sugar cane, which uses the CQ2 (fam power plant or ethanol plant emissions) in the photosynthetic process.

The heterothophie algae also commonly have silica cell walls making less likely to break.in the rumen, and leave the omega 3’s intect when released in the small intestine.

There are two groups of essential fotty acids, Omcga-3 tatty acids and Omega-6 laity adds. Omega-? fatty acids are -ftumd .naturally in the oil of cold-water-Esh, such as mackerel,

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PCT/US2014/037300 salmon, sardines. anchovies and nma, or as extracted oil 'from-piants. such as flaxseed, canola (rapeseed), or soybean. Examples of Ojncga-3 forty acids Include docosahcwnoic acid (DMA), dcosape-atenok acid (ΕΡΛ) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Of.kcy-importance. the Omega 3^sa ERA and DMA are found:in large amounts only In cul'd-xwater fish, and not in laud animals or seeds, Hen.ce. to obtain large amounts of ERA and DHA, .tomans .need cat oily fish or take oil supplements, which aw made from fish or from the algae that ibrm the base of the food chain .for fish. ALA. in conhast, is found abundantly 1« seeds such as flax. Omega-3 fatty acids-are linked to a wide variety of beneficial health effects in documented intervention studies as essential c-onstituems of cells,, especially brain ceils, nerve ceils, retina, adrenal glands, and reproductive. cells. Long chain Omega-3 polyunsaturates (PUFA’s) such as DHA&EPA are thought to have health benefits for the heart, skin, and immune system and help regulate inflammatory diseases. attention delimit disorders and infent development. There are also-a number of new studies underway that suggest .benefits m preventing Alzheimer's, dementia, colorectal cancers, and reducing deaths due ro heart disease.

There have been a number of patents granted outlining the benefits from specific Omega fatty acids present in food and/or supplements. Several patents have also been granted for the enrichment of fowls that are normally low or delleienl in Omcga-3/6 and PUh'A's. For example, ILS. Pat, No, 5,932,257 (Alright et al.) relates to DMA being.produced in cow’s milk through'thefcedteg of cold-water fishmeal to cows, using a feather meal based teed supplement. The feather meal -used according to this .prim art reference is-used as an inhibitor of uficrobfid degradation of DBA in the ramen of the dairy cattle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4.91.1.944 and 5.290,573 afeu disclose the use of feed siippteiiients containing fishmeal combined with animal by-produtes e.g. feather

2014393411 21 Nov 2018 meal, bone meal and the like. A number of patents have also been granted for the elevation of Omega-3 in eggs using flax meal or algae/DHA feed supplements in chickens.

In terms of algae, (DHA fermented concentrates), these feed and food mixes are produced via genetic recombination technology, which has limited consumer favor in most markets. Prior art feed formulas have a number of deficiencies on a practical basis. For example, fish mcal/fcathcr meal feed supplements are very unpalatable and can be a feeding deterrent to livestock such as cows, and only limited amounts of DHA can be achieved in the milk. Also, the use of animal by-products, ie. blood meal/feather meal, have been banned in most countries to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

There is a need in the art for feed supplements capable of elevating the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in beef. The above discussed limitations in the prior art is not intended to be exhaustive. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of algae food supplements the present invention relates to a new and improved effective algae based food supplement for beef cattle and or buffalo where the prior art fails. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved method of creating an algae based food supplement and means to reduce CO2 which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption which comprises feeding to cattle, an effective amount, for increasing the level of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef, of a whole algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen of the cattle wherein the amount of algae fed to the cattle is selected to avoid suppressing the remainder of feed intake to said cattle.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a methodforincreasingomega-3

2014393411 21 Nov 2018 unsaturatedfattyacidcontentinbeeffor human consumption which comprises feeding to a beef animal, an effective amount, for increasing the level of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid content inthe beef of the animal, of an algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen ofthe cattle, and at least one ofcom, wheat andbarley, wherei nthe effective amount is between0.36kgto 0.45 kgperday, and wherein the amount of algae fed to the cattle is selected to avoid suppressing the remainder of feed intake to said cattle.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption which comprises feeding to cattle, an effective amount for increasing the level of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef of a whole algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen of the cattle and at least one grain selected from the group consisting of wheat and barley.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides beef for human consumption when prepared according to the method of any one of the first to third aspects

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a system and method for taking commonly available carbohydrates such as sugar, which consume CO2 in the atmosphere, and feeding it to algae. The invention also cultivates algae for a specific use, and feeds it to cattle improving the cardiovascular health ofthe beef consumer by increasing specific Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the muscle tissue of beef.

It is further contemplated the invention may be utilized for the general feeding of other animals, such as but not limited to buffalo. It is contemplated that buffalo may be used a livestock for meat.

There has thus been entitled, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. These are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction, arrangement or the components, and amounts thereof set forth in the following description. The

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PCT/US2014/037300 itwemion is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced tmd carried out in various ways. Also, k is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose. of description and should not be regarded as Hmidng. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception Upon which this disclosure is bused may readily be utilized 5 as a basis for the designing .of other compositions, methods, and systems for cartying out the sevcmf purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that (he claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do nm depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark 0 Office and the public generally, and especially the engineers and practitioners in the art who are not Ikmfoar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to duwitmne· quickly from a cursory •inspection the nature and essence of the teehn i cal diselosnre of foe applfoation. The abstract is ockher intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

U is an object of the present inven lion to provide a new and improved method and system to create and .use an algae based food supplement for but not. limited to beef cattle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved algae food supplement‘which provides all of the advantages of the prior art. white simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method and sysiem for new and impreved. algae and algae food supplement that is commercially available such that public awareness is garnered and environmental improvement is created. h> regards to reduction.

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Au even further object of tiro present invention is to provide -a new und unproved food supplement that provides the benefit of Omega-3 to the consumer with the ability to eat mi meat which is far healthier than conventional red meat having a moderate or high degree of marbling, because heart healthy omega 3’s counteract the negative 'health cotisequenees of saturated tats 5 present in the meat.

Sts 11' aq. even further object of the present invention is to provide an optimal yield rate of algae growth. approximately· 25% or more of Omega-3 .OHA and or El?A composition in har vested algae, approx imately 50% of total tats in the algae, a consistent feedfoi weight gain of 3 Ibs/day per animal meeting, industry standards, an. increase of '0 to 20 times the healthy

Omega-3 DHA and ERA in beef ready for market, and a possibly decrease of saturated fats in beef soady for niarkot.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a new aid Improved -method and system to create and use an algae based food, supplement for oatiio and buffalo for producing a better heart healthy food product from the cattle and buffalo or to generally feed and nourroli 15 cattle and bufihlo.

It is further contemplated .the invention may be ndlizcd for the general feeding of other animals, -such as but not limited to buffalo. It is contemplated. that 'buffalo may be used s livestock for meat st Is a further invention of this produce- to modify the traditional modern foediot cctmposiikm sifostamially by reducing rolled corn and substituting wheat or barley will’s much lower fat content to then allow touch higher amounts of algae to be fed the cattle 'without suppressing the total feed intake of the call!© due to too much fat. In. addition, reducing corn

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PCT/US2014/037300 lowers Oaigga 6, which is believed to be loo high to the red meat diet resulitog in arterial iidlannualion and illness.

These, together with other objects of the ittverifion, along with the various features of novelty» which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and Fonnihg a pan of litis disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages. and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had. to the accompanying descriptive .matter in which there are illustrated preferred emboditoeuts of the invention.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL TLLTSTRATTONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, .AND APPENDICES rhe iiiveiiti0.ii will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will beemrie apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such deaeription makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations., graphs., drawings, and appendices.

Figure 1 is generally a graphical representation of concentration of fatty acids per gram tissue.

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DETAILED DESCRimON

In a preferred embodiment, the composition generally comprises algae as a .food supplement .tor animals such as but not limited to beef caitfe. It .is a further obyecl of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and system to create and use anulgac based food supplement for animals such as but pot Hmi t&d to buftolo^cattk. and other meat sources tor human consumption that is more heart heaBhy as further described below.

It is understood that the following description of said components Is not limited to exact percentages, quantities, or ingredients and that it is understood equivalent ingredients known in the uri nmv be substituted or added. The current invention contemplates a unique algae-based 10 cable feed production system that will result in the commercial production of cattle .feet! with healthier fat content that may also include the capture sod disposable of CO·; from power gepmtion.

There are mors than vO.OvO cultivars identified and catalogued to date. The current hivenikm may utilize some specific culti ears of algae that readily produce high levels of UH A 15 lipids, Dpcosahexaconic Acid (DMA) a n-3 polyunsamrated Fatly Acid {TUFA} has been associated with decreasing levels of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis» inSammatiou, arhyihmra, and circulating triglyceride levels while increasing neural development and visual acuity {National Academy of Sciences. 2002; Knapp ci al.. 2003). These 'lipids can be ehher extracted from the harvested algae, er the harvested algae can be condensed info a slurry, or can 20 be dried and van be tod whole, directly io cattle. The specific. algae ctoiivar chosen becomes an ingredient in. the total feeding process for the cattle and it will result in the development of increased DFIA and elcosapentaenpic acid, ERA, polyunsaturated this in. the finished beef.

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The-curreut invention may utilize (1) a cultivar that produces high levels of DBA and or FP.A; and (2) a growing environment (algae ferm4sio.rviimor) that includes feeding the algae. with a carbon source as carbohydrate (such as sugar) This -algae growth system maximizes algae growth and the production of the omega 3’s-m the maximum amounts, and grows it at relatively 5 low ebst.

'This invention does not include the technology for growing the· algae itself. That technology is developed and patented by others, This invention choses the algae to be grown in the algae growing system, especially for its ability both to produce high omega 3N and also to have a tough, cell wall which will allow the algae to protect the omega 3’s as the algae transits the rumen into the small intestine. Also this inv«mi.o.n employs the whole. algae in a feeding protocol which maximizes the intake of omega-o’s. whi le it does not suppress the total feed tniake< and does not -reduce the commerc.tally ideal average drily gain of the cattle la the feed yard.

It is contemplated that it is desirable to -achieve not oriy sufficient growth rales and high 15 levels offecoveraBle fat content in the algae crop,'’, but relatively high percentages of polyunsaturated fats in relation to total this. The saturated Pits arc· not ysefta! in producing Omega’s in cattle, but reduce the total feed’intake if total this reach approximately 8% of the total feed.intake. A goal is to feed large amounts of algae containing large amounts off) HA and or ,EPA without reducing food intake to maintain industry standards of dally weight gain in 20 the cattle of about 3..5 Ibs/dsy These· success ibetors depend in turn upon the selection of the best algae of which there are thousands of existing candidates and more being genetically engineered and·die performance of the algal growth with a bioreaetor environment

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PCT/US2014/037300 h is contemplated foal the current invention may utilize algae strains found in the current «rr. If is also contemplated that the cnrrent invention may utilize new and non-prior art algae strains with the desired characteristics. It is still further contemplated the. current invention may «sc whole, net processed, algae as a feed for caltte and bisen, as feeding Omega- 3^!s directly, that is without -the protection of the. Omega- 3's by the cell wall wfiilcin the rumen, is hot sxtitabte for the digestive system of cattle which otherwise destroys the polyunsaturated fats, rendering th<m un-useful lor absorption in foe small intestine ’and depositing Omega 3-’s in the marbling of the meat.

One embodiment may dewater the algae to about 18% and deliver the whole unprocessed

W algae immediately to a nearby feed yard tor mixing with fop .modified traditional feed ration. Whole algae may also be· dried and fed directly w cattle for a-source of protein, carbohydrate, and lipids.

It-is also contemplated growing a very particular kind of algae with appropriate environmental growing conditions including nutrition, and stress protocols that enhance-foe cxlsti ng but oudcrutifoed genetic proclivity of foe algae strain io nraxitnizp high value TU P A y (polyunsaturated fatty acids) containing foe Omega~3 fatty acids DHA and. EPA. These PUFA aigas can be used wbole/dried and or wet and mixed directly with (he cattle teed. Feed with such shows foe ability of cattle-to ingest and incorporate the DHA and EPA into the marbling fot of foe meat, or into the muscle cell wails, or into the interior of foe muscle cells. txsnsfetrming foe beef into a new form of ‘-healthy beef'⁵, which may improve the heart, health and central nervous system of foe consumer. ft is contemplated the current invention may utilize different dosages, timing of feed, duration, deposition rams and depositiou position.

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PCT/US2014/037300 h is contemplated to utilize an algae having a cultivar wjth .high On.icga-3''s and appropriate cell wall. Hie cell walls-of micro al.gae.cah Rihwaliy be compasM of very di.tfereni materials and having very different degrees of digestibility in the normal rumen of catt ie, which is highly acidic, and the small intestine, which is highly basic. It is contemplated to utilize on algae which produces a ceil wfel that is not digestible in the rumen, where the Omega- 3’s inside are protected from hydrogenation during digeshoiu but the cell wall dees break in die small intestine, releasing the Omega- 3's. hi effect, the appropriate cell -wall behaves like a time release capsule.

Now referring, generally to the figures and more in particular io .Figure I. -he graph gsmirahy shows the increase of EP A aid Dl l A with three alternate feed rations of n<> algae, •modest aigae, and rich algae. 'The data was obtained with feed demonstrations at Oklahoma State University. The demonstrations used a commercially available product, Mariefc. GO1.J). which -is particularly' high in DI 1A and not high i« EPA._: The demonstrations generally utilized a mix of dry algae tn modified mixtures of typical cattle feed rations and provided a successful «occlusion of ihc high depositions of EPA and DMA into the m Use I e and fat within the muscle of beef eat de, it is also contemplated that the current invention may provide algae feed rations without compromising the average daily weight gain of the cattle, as the daily gain of cattle must be as good as with non-algae rations, io produce the desired outeome of not significantly increasing 20 the total cost of the fully fcd steer.

h is known. in the industry to provide algae for some other .end products. High' value algae particularly ccmaining'high amounts oi'DHA algae have been commcrcializedby Martek Bioseieuces based in Baltimore, M.D. The Martek algae coplahi the right cell wall Otd the right

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PCT/US2014/037300 animmis of DBA but. are heterotrophic, meaning they « fed sugar, and the· growing and containment system is expensive, making the product very expensive. Their products-are marketed to egg production and infant baby formulas and many other products. It is contemplate the current invention may be utilized with heterotrophic production systems which are much lower in cost than Mattel A system

While the current price of heterotrophic Martek algae is $19,000 per ton, it is expected that 'other systems may produce the-requisite algae .for $3,000 to $4000 pertou. The value of algae for beef is much greater than for biodiesel rendering, this use of algae more economical in ths near term.

Docosahexaeonic Acid (DMA). an ,u-3 Ifoiy unsaturated Fatly Acid (PUPA) has 'been associated with deercasiirg levels of cxtrdiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, inflammation, arrhythmia, and circulating triglyceride levels while increasing neural de veiopme-m and visual acuity (National Academy of Sciences, 2002; Knapp et afo 2003). Until now, DHA has been sourced from'.fish oil. fishmeal, fresh fish and algae. It is contemplated that. the current invention

5 may use various foods for-cattle to increase the proportion of healthy to unhealthy iat in their '‘marbling.'’· Increased levels of DHA in cattle feeds has been shows to additionally .increase the levels of 'conjugated linoleic and vaceenic ac.ids in ruminant fat; unsaturated forty acids are also implicated in enhanced human .health benefits

The .market for algae as cattle feed is also potentially huge, ft-would Aide the daily .20 production, of 200,000 pounds to supply the teedktt cattle for the natural Beer’ market (whhran hormonal or antibiotic· chemicals), Another 4 OO.OOO pounds .per day w<mld wpply algae to cattle destined for tire white tablecloth market. And 20,000,000 pounds per day would be needed to supply the more fom10,000.000 cattle .in U.S. -food yards in the Cum Beit from the

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Texas Panhandle to South Dakota.

The current .invention contemplates the utilization of a system, wherein the ‘location of algae growth facility, and or cattle are optimized with a preferred embodiment locating the algaegrowth fee?lily, and feediof· for the cattle in such a manner that no piucesamg or drying is needed.

and no or li ttle transportation is sweded between same.

ft is contemplated to produce Qmega.-3 rich algae teed for beef cattle which .in turn results in a potentially healthier meat product containmg higher levels .of protective fate and lower levels- of urfhcaUliy saturated fats than the market standard.

In a preferred embodiment., an array of algae growing facilities will be located citxte to the feedlots. The close location will both minimize transportation expenses and allow for the algal slurry, containing a 20:80 algac-water mixture. to be delivered directly I» feed cattle without drying it first. T his arrangement may servo as an efficient design model, for the commercial algae-fed cattle whistcy, It is also contemplated the algae will be dewatered to a ratio of 18% algae by weight for easy pumping and cost-effective: trucking to a feed yard for the cattle. ft.is contempiafed that avoiding the cost of drying the algae wl 11 reduce <xfos and. processing time. The algae/water mixture may be sprayed on fee primary cattle feed in fee '‘'btiok'' as a top dressing, or k may be mixed, as is customary, in the feed truck Itself to provide a uniform algae/feed mixture.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, whole algae may be added immediately to typical but adjusted cattle feed ratio??* to optimize the. average dully gain- of the cattie at about 3 pounds per day. The concept of feeding algae to cattie only fur its caloric .food value to the cattle itself or to-improve the health of the cattle itself is not unique. However, the concept of feeding algae ·ο caple to shift the marbling, fat from, saturated tat to polyunsaturated fats or to

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PCT/US2014/037300 produce more polyunsaturated fats in the muscle- tissue- is unique.

Presentl y food-grade algae, high in Omega-3 DI IA, is expensive ($ 19,0()0 per ion) and thus not practical to feed animals in large quantities. Tte currem invention eontomplates producing algae containing DHA and EPA Omega-'S’s atSfeOfiO per ton. This will allow a unique cattle-feeding program resulting in substantially reduced saturated fats and an increase in healthy polyunsaturated Ihts.

With algae fed beef. the current invention contemplates ten times or more-of Omega-3’s and a. substantial reduction of saturated ibis, If is. further contemplated the health benefits of reducing saturated fats and increasing uusatwaied lata with Omega-3’a, wdl attract consumers ιοί 0 the ptod-i'ivt who will pay a premium, which is not expected ip be more than 10 percent above standard beef and is less expensive than beef with no antibiotics and no hormonal implants, or Ihart organic beef the price of existing niohe beef, which is sold as •‘healthy beef', is as mue-h as twice the ptice of regular commercial beef This very high price is likely due to the very low sales volumes and Inefficiencies of the producers. At this time, the price of beef free of chemical 15 residuals from Uiitibiotie-s. or hormonal implants is $5.00 higher than comparable beef. The cost of algae supplement, is predicted to add about 3.40 to the wholesale cost of .beef.

Λ cattle feeding de-monstra'tmn has proven The doncept that algae can be fed to cattle and the meat can contain high amounts of Omega-3 DHA and ΓΤΆ, such as are available otherwise in salt-water white fish. Algae- was -utilized -from -the Mafiek. Curpomtion that-had high Omega-3.

The Om.e-ga-.3 of hfartek is about 56% lipids ffet) of which about half or 24% of the algae weight is DMA. and 0% is EP A.

It i s noteworthy that Omcga-fes cannot be fed to-cattle direc-dy, such as from fish oil in high quantities, but can be fed the Omega-3 fe in algae, in previous feodmg trials by others. H was

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PCT/US2014/037300 determined that feeding cattle fish ail euntainmg Omegu-Ts. depressed mtnen 'foneticn. Microorganisms. in the cattle’s .ramen hydrogenate the Omega-3's polyunsaturated fatty acids into saturated fats so that the fish oil could not supply unsaturated fats in the small intestine where they could be absorbed. In contrast, the current invention utilizes algae that have a cell 5 wall that has a natural advantage. 'Hie cell wall is not as readily and as rapidly broken down in. the rumen. More of the algae· ceil is transmitted to the duodenum intact where foe pH change and digestive enzymes break ilown rhe algae releasing the Omega-3’s-to be absorbed in.the small intestine. The valuable Omega-3.’s need to be microencapsulated In order to be absorbed intact.

The algal c-uhivaiS of the current embodiment svj.ll feed to cattle have the Omega-3‘s microencapsulated. naturally. Hence, the algae provide a natural food supplement to improve the teal’Wess of beef.

h Is also wnterapteted to utilize different types, of Cultivar selection program^ to develop mote efiicienl and effective ’ seeds for use in .feeding caiilc. A variety of species from multiple algal divisions, classes, order, families;, getera and species may be utilized. Optimal culture patterns may use a variety of potential cultivars pfeked for their growth rates, nutrition prof 1 ies, or production of unique secondary' metabolites. Initial lab efforts by a DOE funded project, in Arizona resulted in the down-selection of a few potential cultivars 'that.’were subsequently grown in large outdoor cullivators, A summary of those strains rm estigated. and potenthd for use are illustrated in below.

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Algae Species		/227	>Sxs;cyew?j/'.iS//Ay ·
Cstorlng Period <«}-	2όϋ	40	2:0
gi ro win
RiiwfgOi :2/(1)
Average	1 :	17	··>·>
(hrwih
haie(W2/d)
Miixinrai	!g	26	29
Trssi. Voiunu*
HarvestedOver
Period (L)	122,,W	i 8,700	15.900
Gttttwe Temp ic)	10-25	7<	w-

It is conteinplated to utilize-algal cultivar based on selection criteria that extend beyond biological parameters and may include its-ability to be harvested, trunsportedj and processed, .Although these characteristics may be secondary to milizmg a -cultivar that grows rapidly, producing algae that can be filtered easily or settle naturally may greatly reduce harvesting operational expenses, which can have a significant effect on the cultivar selection process.

Potential cultivar candidates characteristics may include high production. rates, accumulates significant amounts- of oil under the correct conditions and can partially settle without any energy or chemical input and arc not genetically modified or enhanced. In. a preferred embodiment spcviosmay consist of 2-8% lipids with, the understanding other

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PCT/US2014/037300 cukaring conditions-in the large-scale culturing systems may accumulate up to at least 40% of the biomass as extractable lipid. A preferred embodiment may grow nannodiioropsis with 39% lipids of which 9% was EFA. Other preferred embodiment may be Ko/tarrtarfica a euryhaline (0-3 5 ppt) and eitrydiennid (0-60° oP) alga, which thrive in low-light conditions.

Additfenally (Wortd/a Mecharyphiki represents another potential winter species. Although a global genus, many ChtareHa are found in waters of 40° F (night) to 65⁰ F (day ). Some Chktrefia varieties have a high Dmega-3 bitty ucids and astaxanthin (pigment) content.

The current invention contemplates utilizing an algae such as a particular schizochyTrium with -similar constituents to DMA GOLD TM from. MARTEK also known as MART.EK GOLD.

Generally, the total fat may be 56% and the percentage offal feat is DHA and EP A may generally be’44%, It is understood that DMA (KILD TM is a fermentation product. and due tn the uharacimstics of rhe producing organism, some variability in. the nutritional values will be observed .from-lot to lot. The basic components (§7100) .may be but is-not limited to moisture 2,03, protein 6.66» crude fiber 4.5, ash 8.81, crude ihl 55,57, and carbohydrates (by subbup

12.43. The minerals in rhe algae (g/100) may be but is not-.limited to calcium 0.03. sodium 2.%., potassium 0.5 1,, magnesium 0.11, and phosphorus .0.13.

'The fatty acid profile (%'F.FA) may be but is not limited to:

12:0 - Lauric	0.3
14:0- Myristic	S.,5
15:0 - -Pen tadecanole	0.3
16:0.....Pabniiic	23.2
18:0 --Stearic	0.8
24:0 --Lignoceric	0.9

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1T3n6-~ Lignolenic

18>4n,3 - Ocudecstetrsnoaie

20:and - Homogahlma'Hm>ie.ic

20-:4n7 Elqpsaleiranoic

20:3n3 - EPA

22:5u6 - OBA

2.2:6n3 - DHA

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The .amino acid profile (g/i OOg) may be but is not

	Tryptophan Aspartic Acid	0.16 1.2S
A	Threonine	0.46
	Serine:	0.49
	Glutamic Acid	3-.86
	Proline	0,50
	vdyci.ue	it 60
	Alanine	0.70
	Cystine	V-· Λ , '
	Valine	>A /’4
		.-, .-X.·'·
	!!.<<. *.l ill IC	5.)./1 /
	I so leucine	0,3 ?
5		0.66
	Tyrosine.	0.29
	Phenylalanine	0 <30
	Histidine	0.22
	Lysine (total)	0.42
0	.Arginine	1.48

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The vittimin content may be bm i§ not lirmted to:

Biotin	0.38	mg/WOg
Chonins	2.20	mg/lQOg.
Folic A.c.id	1.28	mg-IOOg
Niacin	5.756	mg.--1.00g
Vitamin Λ true retinol	+440	lU/WOg
Beta carotene	6,446	i.U/l(Dg
Vitamin BI thiamine- HC1	2.81	mg/100g
Vitamin B2 riboflavin	3.1.5	mg/lOOg.
Vitamin 86 pyridoxine	1.90	mg/l.00g
Vitamin C ascorbic acid	14.1	mg/1 OOg
Vitamin I.·'alpha tocopherol	< 0.7	i'D/lOOg
Vitamin Bl 2 cyanocob&lsmm 93,6	ug/100g
Pantothenic acid	5.33	mg-lOOg

It is understood that feedR-ns. for such,animals as cattle attempt to maximize the meat on an animal while balancing the time spent on the feedlot with food intake and costs associated thereof; ills typical that cattle would need approximately about 5,5 m 6.5 pounds of diet lor an animal to gain I pound assuming normal finishing diet. Alas, it is understood· th»l the animals do not enter the Iced lot until they already weigh 600 to 906 pounds. During that time, they consume mostly forage-prior to entering the feedlot·. Most producers use fotagu because it is cheaper and a good use -of fiber that would otherwise not be harvested.

Cattle are normally kept on the feodlot until for between 150 and 24(i days, During this time period, they may gain 560 m 600 pounds. It is not unusual for anhuak to arrive a· 7 to 9

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PCT/US2014/037300 months of age and receive 100% grass feed io help mamtafo rume.n heahh for the first four days. Di iferent feedlots use difiereni. types of food whereas some rations may be comprised of seven ingredients, including corn. soy; alfalfa, straw, and wet grain distillers that are by-products ofthe ethanol industry. These feeds range front 0% com to 75% cow.

The typical steer arrives at the feedlut weighfog approximately 8(X) pounds and on average, leaves 6 mouths· later, having eaten 5,000 pounds of feed to gain '600 pounds in weight. Cattle are normally fed 25 pounds of grain and small amounts of other constituents. For commercial vfohjlity in the feed yard, the average eow must consume cnou^t feed for a weight gain of approximately 3.5 pounds a day.

; ϋ The current invention contemplates providing a maximum amount of algae, which, a cow could consume without suppressing the remainder of foe feed intake fotd without reducing the daily gain as measured by pounds of body weight per day. In a preferred embodiment. a daily intake of algae may Contain· approximately 24% Omsgcfe's, DHA and HP A in order to maximize foe deposition of Omega-3’s in the marbling, it is also conleniphted 'that an

I5 optimum die! may eliminate one of the norma! constituents of pig iat and or reduced com and increase of algae, such as but not limited to MAR'l'EK GQ1'..’D, to obtain the oorroet choleric value of die total feed. It is contemplated that feeding too much aigae may suppress the diet of the afomal. By example, 2 pounds of Martek algae combined with the other ingredient and Ingested as above with a high smoura of oii in- the corn resulted in foe cow eating half its total feed for the day and, resulted in foe cow not gaining, sufficient weight, per day.

Λ preferred embodiment provides .8 to 1.0 pounds of .Maitek algae-per day. It is contemplated foe suppression of daily intake may be caused by an excess amount of fet in the diet Beef cattle reduce food intake by themselves when the fiu composition of foe feed exceeds

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PCT/US2014/037300 '8%. Corn, the main ingredient in a fed lot ration. Is 5..6% tai from com oil and therefore left a small window of approximately 2¾ fat, which equid be added by the algae without suppressing the diet Onepound of algae. which contained 50% fat, half saturated 1 at and half pcdyuimiurated fat, would contain approximately 2% tat by weight in the fefelot ration. The 2% La in the algae plus the nearly 6% .fat in the corn totaled approximately 8% which is the daily limit for beef cattle.

It is vxmtemplaled to utilize anew feedlot ration ..substituting wheal and/or barley for corn. Wheat or bariey contain approximately 2% fat and can substitute for com -for the high calorie carbohydrate in the ration. This leaves approximately 6% fat that Could be added by the algae. Ibis would allow an additional ; .5 pounds of.fat, which would be present in 3 pounds of uhtae from Martek, or 6 pounds, of other possible algae. It is contemplated to substitute wheat or barley for corn ami provides 4 pounds of algae rather than 1 pound. Therefore, another preferred embodiment' may include utilizing barley instead, of and or with corn. A is contemplated to utilize 2 to 3 pounds of algae, such as but not limited.'to MA.RTEK GOLD and, reducing the barley or wheat ration, slightly to maintain total caloric intake.

A preferred embodiment'may include the use of algae without whole corn. It is contemplated to utilize wheat and corn gluten wherein the total fat content is-under 8% and around 6%, and ’wherein the algae content is higher than with whole-com, which has more fat ton corn oil. A preferred embodiment' may contain wheat 56.5 %, com gluten, feed 20.0 %, alfahh hay fair 4,75 %» prairie hay S.V %, algae 7.5 %. whealmidds 1.0 %, urea 0,32 %₅ potassium chloride 0.3 %, limestone at 38% 1.65 %, salt 0.25 %, manganous oxide 0 002 %, zinc sfelbre 0.015 magnesium oxide 0.10 %. vitamin a-3Q.00Q 0.004 vitamin e>50% 0.0022%, com dent No. 2 2.5767%, rumcnsm 90 0.0188%, and tyiarHO 0.0113%. It Is

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PCT/US2014/037300 understood that the amount may be approximate and the mvmmou may or may not include all the sains elements.

ft is them lore contemplated to provide a method for .inbreasmg. the. omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of meat for human consumption comprising feeding algae to cattle and or bofthk; Without suppressing the remainder of the iced intake of said-cattle· and. without reducing the daily gam as measured by pounds of body weight per-day of said cattle and or buffalo wherein said algae comprises an omega-3 unsaturated laity acid content of about 25% percent of total weight in an effective amount to increase the content of omcga-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in. said beef.

Furthermore, it is contemplated the method may utilize an omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid content of about 24 percent DMA, and or about 2 percent EP A, or with higher ratios of EPA to DMA. The effective amount is about 0.8 to 1.0 pounds of said algae per day.

A. number of .implementations have been described herein. Nevertheless, ii will be understood-that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. Changes may be made in ’be combinations, operations, smi arrangernems oflhe various steps, elements, and amounts described herein without departing from the spirit mid scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A method for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption which comprises feeding to cattle, an effective amount, for increasing the level of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef, of a whole algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen of the cattle wherein the amount of algae fed to the cattle is selected to avoid suppressing the remainder of feed intake to said cattle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedingdoesnotreducethe daily gain ofsaid cattle measured by pounds of body weight per day.

3. The method of claim lor claim 2 wherein the algae is Schizochytrium.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the effective amount is between 0.36 kg to 0.45 kg per day.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising feeding to cattle at least one member selected from the group consisting of corn, wheat and barley.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the algae is a member selected from the group consisting of Chiarella saccharaphila, Kalie/la antartica and Schizochytrium.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the algae has a cell wall that is not digestible in the rumen of cattle.

8. The method of claim 3 consisting essentially of feeding to cattle, without suppressing the remainder of feed intake of said cattle and without reducing daily gain of said cattle measured by pounds of body weight per day, an effective amount for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef of a Schizochytrium; corn; and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of soy, alfalfa, straw and wet grain distillers.

9. The method of claim 3 for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption wherein the effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 036 kg to 0.45 kg per day.

2014393411 21 Nov 2018

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the Schizochytrium comprises about 25% by weight of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein said method consists essentially of feeding to cattle, without suppressing the remainder of feed intake of said cattle and without reducing daily gain of said cattle measured by pounds of body weight per day, an effective amount of:

a Schizochytrium and corn, and whereinthe effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.36 kg to 0.45 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein said method consists essentially of feeding to cattle, without suppressing the remainder of feed intake of said cattle and without reducing daily gain of said cattle measured by pounds of body weight per day, an effective amount of:

a Schizochytrium and at bast one grain selected from the group consisting of wheat and barley, and wherein the effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.91kg to 1.40 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein the effective amount of the algae is between

0.91 kg to 1.40 kg per day.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.36 kg to 0.45 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.91 kg kg to 1.40 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

16. A method for increasing omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption which comprises feeding to a beef animal, an effective amount, for increasing the level of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef of the animal, of an algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen of the cattle, and at least one ofcom,

2014393411 21 Nov 2018 wheat and barley, whereinthe effective amount isbetween 0.36kg to 0.45 kg per day, and wherein the amount of algae fed to the cattle is selected to avoid suppressing the remainder of feed intake to said cattle.

17. A method for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in beef for human consumption which comprises feeding to cattle, an effective amount for increasing the level of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in the beef of a whole algae having a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids and a cell wall that allows the algae to protect the omega-3 fatty acids as the algae transits the rumen of the cattle and at least one grain selected from the group consisting of wheat and barley.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the algae comprises Schizochytrium.

19. The method of claim 18 whereinthe effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.36kg to 0.45 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

20. The method of claim 18 or claim 19 further comprising feeding at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of soy, alfalfa, straw and wet grain distillers.

21. The method of claim 18 whereinthe effective amount of the Schizochytrium is between 0.91kg to 1.40 kg per day and omega 3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content is increased in the beef of said cattle.

22. Beef for human consumption when prepared according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.