Pigmentation supplements for animal feed compositions
AssigneeMicrobio Resources, Inc.
InventorKenneth G. Spencer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pigment compositions useful for supplementing marine animal feeds comprise comminuted Haematococcus cells treated to degradation of carotenoids, typically by coating or by combination with an anti-oxidant. Encysted Haematococcus cells are ground at cryogenic temperatures, typically by combining the cells with liquid nitrogen in a suitable impact mill. The resulting powder has an average particle size below about 5 .mu.m. Usually, the Haematococcus will be grown in large-scale culture ponds under controlled conditions.
Claims27
A pigmentation supplement composition consisting essentially of comminuted Haematococcus alga having an average particle size below about 10 .mu.m, wherein the Haematococcus was comminuted while in the dried encysted state said composition also containing a degradation inhibiting material.
A method for preparing a carotenoid composition, said method comprising:
- chilling dried encysted Haematococcus cells to a cryogenic temperature below about -50.degree. C.;
- and
- comminuting the chilled cells at said cryogenic temperature to obtain particles having an average size below about 10 .mu.m.
A method for enhancing the pigmentation of animals having yellow, orange or red pigmentation, said method comprising:
- feeding the animal a composition comprising comminuted Haematococcus alga having an average particle size below about 10 .mu.m, wherein the Haeomatococcus was comminuted at a cryogenic temperature while in the dried encysted state.
A process for extracting carotenoids from Haematococcus alga, said process comprising
- contacting dried encysted Haematococcus cells comminuted at a cryogenic temperature with an organic solvent to form a solid phase and a liquid phase;
- and
- separating the liquid phase which contains the solubilized carotenoids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.