Composition for controlled release of physiologically active substances and process for its preparation

#The present invention relates to a controlled release composition of physiologically active substances for zootechnical use. In particular, the subject of the present invention is a composition comprising microgranules capable of releasing in a controlled way the physiologically active substances they contain, a process for the production of such microgranules and their use in zootechnics.

#It is known that physiologically active substances can be used to supplement or add additives to the diet of farm animals, in order to improve their health conditions, increase their productive longevity and increase their zootechnical performance.

#The physiologically active substances thus used include for example amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates, probiotic microorganisms, prebiotic foods, mineral salts, choline and its derivatives.

#For the following examples, the following analysis and inspection tools were used: Sieves, arranged at the end of each single production step, for the microgranule dimension line check; Microscope for visual checks; Melting point gauge for thermal resistance check; Penetrometer for hardness and mechanical resistance check; Automatic titrator or HPLC for the quantitative determination of the active ingredients (concentration); Pharmaceutical dissolver for determining the degree of ruminal bypass. The experimental conditions of use were 39° C., 15 rpm, 8 hours presence in the solution with “ruminal” pH of about 6.8. DaisyII ANKOM: commercially available laboratory artificial rumen, for determining the degree of ruminal bypass. The experimental conditions of use were 39° C., 8 hours presence in ruminal conditions, buffer solution at “ruminal” pH with insertion of “ruminal inoculum” and re-creation of ruminal anaerobiosis according to a university procedure known to those skilled in the art. The pH normally tested in the quality control phase is 6.8. Pharmaceutical dissolver for determining the degree of post-ruminal digestibility. The experimental conditions of use followed the procedure known to experts in the field as “Boisen Test” and, in particular, they were: 39° C., 30 rpm, 2 h, buffer solution with “gastric” pH (2.0)+pepsin inoculum. 39° C., 30 rpm, 4 h, buffer solution with “intestinal” pH (6.8)+pancreatine inoculum. 39° C., 30 rpm, 18 h, buffer solution with “intestinal” pH (6.8)+lipase and bile extract inoculum.

#425 kg of choline chlorine with a purity of 99% were mixed with 10 kg of spray rice wax, 15 kg of zinc stearate, 10 kg of soy lecithin and 40 kg of silica. The mixture was extruded using an extruder with sectors at different temperature gradients according to the following program:

#Sector 1 Sector 2 Sector 3 Sector 4 Sector 5 Sector 6 85° C. 85° C. 50° C. 50° C. 45° C. 65° C.