# US 11,304,427 B2 · Process for the production of a bacterially enriched animal feed composition

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- Number: US 11,304,427 B2
- Document ID: US11304427B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/072,900
- Filed: 2017-01-25
- Published: 2019-03-21
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-27
- Applicants: Ebbe Busch Larsen
- Inventors: Ebbe Busch Larsen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304427B2

## CPC

- A23K 10/18: of live microorganisms
- A23K 10/16: Addition of microorganisms or extracts thereof, e.g. single-cell proteins, to feeding-stuff compositions (A23K10/12 takes precedence)
- A23K 50/10: for ruminants
- C12N 1/20: Bacteria; Culture media therefor
- Y02P 60/22: Methane [CH4], e.g. from rice paddies
- A23K: FODDER
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a bacterially enriched animal feed composition. The process comprises the steps of a) providing a proteinaceous feed material to be fermented; b) providing an inoculum comprising bacteria, and wherein the concentration of bacteria in the inoculum of step b) is sufficient to outgrow any bacteria, yeast or moulds present in the proteinaceous feed material of step a); c) combining the materials of steps a) and b) and fermenting the proteinaceous feed material of step a) using the inoculums of step b), thereby providing a fermented proteinaceous feed material; and d) adding methanotrophic bacteria to the fermented proteinaceous feed material to provide a bacterially enriched animal feed composition.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for the production of a bacterially enriched animal feed composition comprising the steps of:
a) providing a proteinaceous feed material to be fermented;
b) providing an inoculum comprising lactic acid producing bacteria, and wherein the concentration of bacteria in the inoculum of step b) is sufficient to outgrow any bacteria, yeast or moulds present in the proteinaceous feed material of step a);
c) combining the materials of steps a) and b) and fermenting the proteinaceous feed material of step a) using the inoculums of step b), thereby providing a fermented proteinaceous feed material; and
d) adding methanotrophic bacteria to the fermented proteinaceous feed material to provide a bacterially enriched animal feed composition, wherein the methanotrophic bacteria is added to within a range of 1-55 vol-%.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of added methanotrophic bacteria in the bacterially enriched animal feed composition is sufficient to reduce amount of methane emanating from the digestive tract of ruminants or livestock.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the bacteria in the inoculum consist essentially of lactic acid-producing bacteria, and where the fermentation process is performed under anaerobic conditions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the methanotrophic bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Methylomonas, Methylobacter, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the methanotrophic bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Methylococcus Capsulatus.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the fermented proteinaceous feed material is transferred to a gas separator prior to step d) to enable volatile material to evaporate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the fermented proteinaceous feed material is transferred to a liquid separator, prior to step d).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the fermented proteinaceous feed material is transferred to a sterilization unit prior to step d).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the fermented process in step c) is performed at a temperature within the range of 15-45° C.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the fermented process in step c) is performed for a period within the range of 1-10 days.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1, wherein the methanotrophic bacteria is added to the bacterially enriched animal feed composition within a range of 1-5 vol-%.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The process according to claim 6, wherein the gas separator is a flash tank.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The process according to claim 7, wherein the liquid separator is a centrifuge.