Storage and delivery of micro-organisms
OwnerSusan McGrath, Anthony Patrick McHaleinventors
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Abstract
We describe a method of delivering a micro-organism to an animal, the method comprising providing a formulation comprising a micro-organism suspended in or on a matrix; providing a feed stream for the animal; detaching micro-organisms from the matrix; and entraining detached micro-organisms into the feed stream. An apparatus for delivering a micro-organism to an animal is also described.
Claims30
A method of delivering a micro-organism to an animal, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a formulation comprising a micro-organism suspended in or on a matrix;
- (b) providing a feed stream for the animal;
- (c) detaching micro-organisms from the matrix;
- and
- (d) entraining detached micro-organisms into the feed stream.
An apparatus for delivering a micro-organism to an animal, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a formulation comprising a micro-organism suspended in or on a matrix;
- (b) a feed stream for the animal;
- (c) means for detaching micro-organisms from the matrix;
- and
- (d) means for entraining detached micro-organisms into the feed stream.
A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the micro-organisms are detached from the matrix in a pulsed or a substantially continuous manner.
A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the feed stream comprises drinking water for the animal.
A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the feed stream is delivered continuously or semi-continuously.
A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the micro-organism is a probiotic organism, including a recombinant probiotic organism.
A formulation comprising a source of probiotic micro-organisms suspended in or on a matrix, the formulation being capable of allowing micro-organisms to be detached therefrom in a substantially continuous or semi-continuous manner.
A method of delivering a micro-organism to an animal, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a formulation comprising a micro-organism suspended in or on a matrix;
- and
- (b) allowing the formulation to be ingested by the animal.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the micro-organism is a Lactobacillus or an Enterococcus.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-107 (ATCC no. 53545), Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-101 (ATCC no. 4356) and Enterococcus faecium EF-101 (ATCC no. 19434).
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the formulation comprises more than one strain or species of micro-organism.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the matrix comprises a water porous material.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the matrix comprises alginate, preferably calcium alginate or barium alginate.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the formulation is substantially free of water.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the matrix has been subjected to freeze drying, spray drying or lyophilisation.
A method, apparatus or formulation according to any preceding claim, in which the matrix comprises a preservative or cryopreservant to maintain the viability of the micro-organisms.
A method of preserving a micro-organism, the method comprising removing water from a preparation of micro-organisms in the presence of lactose.
A substantially dry preparation comprising a micro-organism and lactose.
A method of increasing the ability of a micro-organism to adhere to a surface, the method comprising immobilising the micro-organism in or on a matrix.
A substantially dry preparation comprising a micro-organism, an alginate, and whey or whey permeate, or both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.