# US 12,108,776 B2 · Enzyme granules for animal feed

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- Number: US 12,108,776 B2
- Document ID: US12108776B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/556,874
- Filed: 2021-12-20
- Published: 2022-04-14
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-07
- Assignees: Novozymes A/S
- Applicants: Novozymes A/S
- Inventors: Erik Marcussen; Poul Erik Jensen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108776B2

## CPC

- A23K 20/30: {Oligoelements}
- A23K 20/189: Enzymes
- A23K 20/20: Inorganic substances, e.g. oligoelements
- A23K 40/20: by moulding, e.g. making cakes or briquettes
- A23K 40/25: by extrusion
- A23K 40/30: by encapsulating; by coating
- A23K: FODDER

## Abstract

The present invention is related to feed granules comprising a feed enzyme and a zinc salt of an organic acid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A granule suitable for feed comprising a core and a layer surrounding the core, wherein the core comprises an enzyme and a zinc salt of an organic acid, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is not a chelate of zinc, and wherein the amount of zinc salt of an organic acid is between 0.01-15% w/w based on the core.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the granule is steam treated.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the amount of zinc salt of an organic acid added is between 0.05-10% w/w based on the enzyme core.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the amount of zinc salt of an organic acid added is between 0.1-7% w/w based on the enzyme core.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the amount of zinc salt of an organic acid added is between 0.5-3.5% w/w based on the enzyme core.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of zinc lactate, zinc formate, zinc acetate, zinc butyrate, zinc propionate, zinc benzoate, zinc ascorbate, and zinc gluconate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The granule of claim 6, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is zinc acetate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of amylases, cellulases, esterases, galatosidases, β-glucanases, glucose oxidases, hemicellulases, lipases, pectinases, peptidases, phosphotases, phytases, proteases, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is food grade.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is food grade.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the granule has a particle size below 700 μm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the size of the granule is between 210 and 390 μm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is thermolabile.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a salt coating.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a polymer coating.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a wax coating.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The granule of claim 1, wherein the granule further comprises a lactic acid source.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

A process of preparing the granule of claim 1, comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a core comprising a zinc salt of an organic acid and an enzyme; and
(b) coating the core with a coating material.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The process of claim 18, wherein the granule is prepared in a mixer, a fluid bed, a fluidized spray dryer, a spray fluidizer, a spray dryer or an extruder.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The process of claim 18, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is a liquid.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The process of claim 18, wherein the zinc salt of an organic acid is a powder.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The process of claim 18, wherein the core comprises an inert particle.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

A feed composition comprising feed components and the granule of claim 1.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The feed composition of claim 23, wherein the feed components are selected from the group consisting of vegetable proteins, fat-soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, trace minerals, macro minerals and combinations thereof.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

A pelletized feed composition comprising the granule of claim 1.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

A steam treated feed composition comprising the granule of claim 1.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

A method for feeding an animal, comprising administering the feed composition of claim 24 to the animal.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

A method for manufacturing a feed composition comprising the steps of:
(a) mixing feed components with the granule of claim 1 to form a mixture,
(b) steam treating the mixture to form a steam-treated mixture, and
(c) pelleting the steam-treated mixture.