US010674746B2

( 12 ) United States Patent ( 10 ) Patent No.: US 10,674,746 B2 Wozniak (45 ) Date of Patent : Jun . 9 , 2020

(54 ) ANIMAL NUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND 6,475,530 B1 11/2002 Kuhrts RELATED METHODS 6,479,069 B1 11/2002 Hamilton 6,506,402 B1 1/2003 Winstrom 6,525,027 B2 2/2003 Vazquez et al. (71 ) Applicant: CYTOZYME ANIMAL NUTRITION , 6,602,512 B1 8/2003 Cavazza INC . , Salt Lake City , UT (US ) 6,620,425 B1 9/2003 Gardiner 6,682,762 B2 1/2004 Register (72 ) Inventor : Elizabeth Wozniak , Sandy , UT (US ) 6,767,924 B2 7/2004 Yu et al . 6,784,209 B1 8/2004 Gardiner et al. 6,903,136 B2 6/2005 Miller et al. (73 ) Assignee: Cytozyme Animal Nutrition , Inc. , Salt 6,932,999 B2 8/2005 Cavazza Lake City , UT (US ) 7,452,545 B2 11/2008 Yu et al. 7,597,916 B2 10/2009 Castillo ( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 7,608,641 B2 10/2009 Miller et al. patent is extended or adjusted under 35 7,645,742 B2 1/2010 Stohs 7,674,484 B2 3/2010 Romero U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days . 7,749,547 B2 7/2010 Heuer et al . 7,772,428 B2 8/2010 Heuer et al. ( 21) Appl. No.: 15 /958,817 ( Continued ) Filed : ( 22 ) Apr. 20 , 2018 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS (65 ) Prior Publication Data CN 102548568 B 4/2014 US 2018/0235257 A1 EP 1 330 957 A1 7/2003 Aug. 23 , 2018 EP 1 207 885 B1 9/2005 EP 2 081 564 B1 1/2014 Related U.S. Application Data EP 2 735 340 A1 5/2014 EP 2 875 736 A2 5/2015 (63 ) Continuation of application No. RU 2 432 774 C2 11/2011 PCT/ US2016 /059227 , filed on Oct. 27 , 2016 , and a WO 1984/00668 A1 3/1984 continuation - in -part of application No. WO 1988/04930 A1 7/1988 PCT/ US2018 /015546 , filed on Jan. 26 , 2018 . WO 1998/04930 A1 2/1998 (60 ) Provisional application No. 62/ 246,938 , filed on Oct. (Continued ) 27, 2015 , provisional application No. 62/ 451,543 , filed on Jan. 27 , 2017 . OTHER PUBLICATIONS ( 51 ) Int . Cl. KR - 2015-026464 - English Abstract ( Year: 2015) .* A23K 10/18 (2016.01 ) ( Continued ) A23K 20/22 ( 2016.01 ) A23K 20/28 ( 2016.01 ) A23K 30/00 (2016.01 ) Primary Examiner Hamid R Badr ( 52 ) U.S. Cl. (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Workman Nydegger CPC A23K 10/18 (2016.05 ) ; A23K 20/22 (2016.05 ) ; A23K 20/28 ( 2016.05 ) ; A23K 30/00 (2016.05 ) ; A23Y 2220/03 (2013.01 ) (57 ) ABSTRACT (58 ) Field of Classification Search Animal nutrition compositions include a carrier and a fer CPC A23K 10/18 ; A23K 20/22 , A23K 20/28 mentation product applied to the carrier . Liquid fermentation USPC 426/61 products are fluidly applied to dry carriers , such as phyllo See application file for complete search history. silicates or other earthen components , while mixing and applying air flow , under appropriate temperature and pH (56 ) References Cited conditions, to bind the fermentation product to the carrier U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS and dry the reaction product to appropriate moisture content. 4,468,865 A 9/1984 Inagaki Fermentation products are also mixed with liquid carriers , 4,888,185 A 12/1989 Miller such as water . Fermentation products include components of 5,549,728 A 8/1996 Wozniak a microbial fermentation culture , such as liquid medium , 5,767,159 A 6/1998 Hultman et al . microbial cellular components , and fermentation metabo 5,817,329 A 10/1998 Gardiner lites produced by microorganisms. Some compositions 5,886,027 A 3/1999 Khambay et al . 5,925,378 A 7/1999 Carnazzo include a pH buffering agent and /or additional components 5,968,900 A 10/1999 Greenhaff et al. to further enhance beneficial effects of the composition , such 5,973,004 A 10/1999 Howard as improved weight gain and feed conversion , reduced gut 6,113,974 A 9/2000 Winowiski et al. lesions , harmful gut bacteria count, and decreased mortality . 6,221,836 B1 4/2001 Beale et al. 6,224,873 B1 5/2001 Jones Compositions can be mixed with animal feeds or otherwise 6,245,378 B1 6/2001 Cavazza administered . Compositions can inhibit fungal growth on 6,316,499 B1 11/2001 Jones animal feeds . 6,340,481 B1 1/2002 Jones 6,340,482 B1 1/2002 Jones 6,429,198 B1 8/2002 St. Cyr et al . 34 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet US 10,674,746 B2 Page 2

( 56 ) References Cited 2011/0142991 A1 6/2011 Binder et al. 2011/0144393 A1 6/2011 Simpson et al . U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2011/0189147 Al 8/2011 Garner et al. 2012/0045426 A1 2/2012 St. Cyr et al. 7,777,074 B2 8/2010 Kramer et al. 2012/0141448 A1 6/2012 De Ferra et al. 7,790,688 B2 9/2010 Wolfe et al . 2012/0177623 Al 7/2012 Naghavi et al. 7,807,716 B2 10/2010 Farber 2012/0178672 A1 7/2012 Wolfe et al . 7,897,192 B2 3/2011 Sherwood et al. 2012/0183521 Al 7/2012 Sinatra et al. 7,939,113 B2 5/2011 Heuer 2013/0011886 A1 1/2013 Tolan et al . 7,968,125 B2 6/2011 Henderson et al. 2013/0018102 Al 1/2013 Dente , III et al. 7,977,378 B1 7/2011 Villalobos 2013/0052278 Al 2/2013 Rich et al. 7,989,007 B2 8/2011 Giuliano et al . 2013/02 10780 A1 8/2013 Jourdan et al. 8,003,141 B2 8/2011 Miller et al. 2014/0037604 Al 2/2014 Greenberg et al. 8,013,014 B2 9/2011 Powers et al. 2014/0105875 A1 4/2014 Bolster et al. 8,048,413 B2 11/2011 Huguet et al. 2014/0186472 Al 7/2014 Sherman 8,168,241 B2 5/2012 Hastings et al . 2014/0205710 A1 7/2014 Janow 8,207,109 B2 6/2012 Gaetani 2014/0234449 A1 8/2014 Nielsen et al . 8,211,628 B2 7/2012 Thatte et al . 2014/0255524 Al 9/2014 Quintana 8,247,440 B2 8/2012 Phillips 2014/0271594 A1 9/2014 Sinatra et al. 8,252,309 B2 8/2012 Gaetani 2014/0343147 Al 11/2014 Dente , III et al . 8,283,327 B2 10/2012 Kneller 2014/0357568 A1 12/2014 Clarke et al. 8,354,450 B2 1/2013 Miller et al. 2015/0017203 A1 1/2015 Morio - Liondore et al. 8,435,963 B2 5/2013 Owoc 2015/0105462 A1 4/2015 Singer et al. 8,496,979 B1 7/2013 Hastings 2015/0132280 A1 5/2015 Lopez et al . 8,557,999 B2 10/2013 Puthiaparampil et al . 2015/0133394 Al 5/2015 Mograbi 8,563,053 B2 10/2013 Mousa et al. 2015/0150285 A1 6/2015 Mann et al. 8,642,095 B2 2/2014 Sommerfeld et al. 2015/0196579 Al 7/2015 Ferrante et al. 8,691,295 B2 4/2014 Richards et al . 8,703,209 B2 4/2014 McCleary FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 8,747,906 B2 6/2014 Pietro 8,759,402 B2 6/2014 Gottlieb et al. WO 2007/086846 Al 8/2007 8,968,791 B2 3/2015 Moore et al. WO 2009/147229 Al 12/2009 8,975,236 B2 3/2015 Stohs et al. WO 2010/054470 A1 5/2010 8,975,282 B2 3/2015 Xi et al . WO 2010/112861 Al 10/2010 8,993,599 B2 3/2015 Hall et al. WO 2013/175386 Al 11/2013 9,012,471 B2 4/2015 Harris et al. WO 2014/028122 A1 2/2014 9,044,424 B2 6/2015 Bachovchin et al. WO 2014/106083 Al 3/2014 9,096,836 B2 8/2015 Wood et al. WO 2014/055905 Al 4/2014 2003/0099739 Al 5/2003 Clark et al. WO 2014/056007 A1 4/2014 2004/0005311 Al 1/2004 Pitman WO 2014/099904 Al 6/2014 2004/0022860 Al 2/2004 Johson et al . WO 2014/176222 A1 10/2014 2006/0257373 A1 11/2006 Tzeng WO 2015/027565 A1 3/2015 2006/0276333 A1 * 12/2006 Sohling B01J 20/12 WO 2015/061860 A1 5/2015 502/407 WO 2015/071534 Al 5/2015 2007/0015686 Al 1/2007 Heuer et al. 2007/0140945 A1 * 6/2007 Copenhafer CO1D 7/12 423/421 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 2008/0038228 Al 2/2008 Rautonen et al. 2008/0193531 A1 8/2008 Hermelin et al . International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 3 , 2017 , 2009/0297640 A1 2/2009 Gardiner et issued in PCT Application No. PCT/ US2016 /059227 , filed Oct. 27 , 2010/0178300 A1 7/2010 Yiannikouris et al . 2016 . 2010/0298437 A1 11/2010 Moinard et al. 2011/0142766 A1 6/2011 Rafanelli * cited by examiner U.S. Patent Jun . 9 , 2020 US 10,674,746 B2

10 Provide Liquid Fermentation Product 12a

Add Additional

--- Ingredients

Apply Fermentation Product To Dry Carrier 126

Add Additional Ingredients 22 Mix Fermentation Product- Bound Carrier Mix Fermentation With Animal Feed 12e Product- Bound Carrier 12c With Buffering Agent Add Additional Ingredients 24 . ! Add Additional . Ingredients Administer * 18 www Supplemented ------Mix Buffered Animal Feed Fermentation To Animal 12d Product- Bound Carrier With Animal Feed 26 Add Additional Ingredients Administer 11 20 Fermentation *** Product- Bound Administer Supplemented Carrier To Animal Animal Feed To Animal 28 Administer Buffered Fermentation Product- Bound Carrier To Animal US 10,674,746 B2 1 2 ANIMAL NUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND ating the highly acidic environment of the gut can reduce RELATED METHODS (premature ) acidic degradation of beneficial nutrients , com pounds, etc. that may be included in feed or supplements . CROSS -REFERENCE TO RELATED Accordingly , a larger portion of these beneficial nutrients , APPLICATIONS 5 compounds, etc. can be available for absorption and nutri tional support . Moreover , live , beneficial bacteria adminis The present application is a continuation - in -part of Inter tered in the form of probiotics may not survive or grow in national PCT Application No. PCT/ US2016 /059227 filed harsh , acidic environments , like the animal gut. Thus, buff Oct. 27 , 2016 , entitled “ ANIMAL NUTRITION COMPO ering agents often seek to increase gastric pH levels to SITIONS AND RELATED METHODS, ” which claims the 10 facilitate probiotic survival and increase food conversion benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application ratios . However, some buffers or feeds with high buffer No. 62 /246,938 filed Oct. 27 , 2015 , entitled “ ANIMAL capacity have been shown to increase mortality rates and FEED ADDITIVES AND METHODS . The present appli cause other harmful effects in animal. Low gastric pH in the cation is also a continuation - in -part of International PCT stomach is known to control the bacterial populations, Application No. PCT/ US2018 /015546 filed Jan. 26 , 2018 , 15 especially pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. entitled “ ANIMAL NUTRITION COMPOSITIONS AND coli . Thus, diminishing the acid level ( i.e. , raising the pH ) in RELATED METHODS ,” which claims the benefit of and the gut can also be harmful to the animals . priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/451 , Without being bound to any theory , fungal contamination 543 filed Jan. 27 , 2017 , entitled “ ANIMAL NUTRITION and growth on animal feed products is also an issue in the COMPOSITIONS AND RELATED METHODS. The 20 current state of the art. For instance, fungal contamination of entirety of each of the foregoing is incorporated herein by feed ingredients and finished feed products, including feed reference . additives, reduces the feed value of the products and leads to economic loss for individual producers and the industry as BACKGROUND a whole . In addition , fungal contamination creates a risk to 25 the health and reduces performance in animals that consume 1. Technical Field contaminated products . Accordingly , humans who consume such animals or products produced therefrom may be The present disclosure relates to animal nutritional effected thereby , such as with decreased nutritional value . supplementation , and more particularly to various animal Accordingly , there are a number of disadvantages in the nutrition compositions and to methods ofmanufacturing and 30 field of animal feed that can be addressed . In one aspect, for using the same. instance , what is needed are sustainable , organic , non - GM animal feed products and methods that enhances certain 2. Related Technology animal health indicators and /or support animal well -being . In another aspect, animal feed products and methods with Recent trends in animal nutrition , health , and well- being 35 enhanced antifungal or fungal growth - inhibiting activity are have focused on sustainable , organic , non - genetically modi needed . fied (non -GM ) alternatives for animal feeds and feed supple ments . Such “ all -natural ” feeding programs may be benefi BRIEF SUMMARY cial to the long - term health and well -being of the animals . However , the removal of antibiotics and ( synthetic ) chemi- 40 Embodiments of the present disclosure solve one or more cals may lead to disease and increased mortality of the of the foregoing or other problems in the art with nutritional animals in some cases . For instance , feeds that do not products and methods of manufacturing and / or using the include preservative , organic feeds that include material same ( e.g. , to enhance the health of an animal) . Specifically , from plants that were not treated with pesticides , and /or embodiments of the present disclosure include animal nutri feeds that include products from animals that were not 45 tion compositions , such as animal feed additives or supple treated with antibiotics or synthetic chemicals may carry or ments , and methods of manufacturing and /or using the same be contaminated with microbes , including pathogens , or ( e.g., to enhance the health of an animal) . Some embodi other disease -causing agents that can be harmful to the ments relate to a composition that includes an animal feed animals and to consumers of animal by -products . mixed with an animal feed additive or supplement compo A variety of naturally -occurring and other feed additives 50 sition , and to methods of manufacturing and / or using the have been used to improve the health and well -being of the same ( e.g., to enhance the health of an animal) . The animal animals . For instance , probiotics (or direct- fed microbials feed additive (or feed supplement) composition can include (DFM ) as termed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration a carrier and a fermentation product bound to the carrier . The (FDA ) , have grown in popularity in response to research composition can also include a buffering agent mixed with surrounding the balance between beneficial and potentially 55 the fermentation product -bound carrier . In some embodi pathogenic microorganisms in the digestive system . The ments , the composition can include one or more additional research determined that the coexistence of beneficial and ingredients . The animal feed (or feed component) can com potentially pathogenic gut flora ( e.g., bacteria ) is an impor prise any suitable animal ingestible material , whether solid , tant factor in the general health of an animal. If this balance liquid or other ( e.g., mixture ). is upset, the number of beneficial bacteria could decline 60 An exemplary embodiment includes a composition ( e.g., while the number of potentially pathogenic bacteria could an animal nutrition composition ) comprising ( i) a carrier , increase , compromising the animal's health and growth and ( ii ) a fermentation product applied or bound to or mixed potential. Thus, feeding DFMs containing live, beneficial with the carrier . bacteria can help to maintain proper balance , which may In some embodiments , the composition , carrier , and / or help optimize animal health and growth performance . 65 fermentation product can be in a substantially dry and /or Buffering agents have also been used to improve the solid form . The composition can have a moisture content health and well -being of the animals . For instance , moder between about 0.25 % and about 20 % . The composition can US 10,674,746 B2 3 4 have an average particle size between about 20-297 um . In chelated to at least one of the metabolites , preferably such some embodiments , the composition , carrier , and/ or fermen that the bioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites tation product can be in a fluid and /or liquid form . For is increased thereby. instance, the composition can comprise a solution , colloid , Some embodiments can be substantially and / or entirely suspension , or other fluid and / or liquid mixture . 5 devoid of probiotic . Some embodiments can be substantially The carrier preferably comprising a naturally occurring and /or entirely devoid of living microorganism of one or earth component. The earth component can comprise one or more variety . Some embodiments can be substantially and / more phyllosilicates. Preferably , the one or more phyllosili or entirely devoid of probiotic and living microorganism of cates are of the 1: 1 or 2 :1 clay mineral variety . Preferably , one or more variety . the one or more phyllosilicates are selected from the group 10 Embodiments can also comprise a buffering agent mixed consisting of aliettite , attapulgite , bentonite , chlorite , with the fermentation product -bound carrier. The buffering dickite , halloysite , hectorite , illite , kaolinite , montmorillo agent is preferably mixed with the fermentation product nite , nacrite , nontronite , palygorskite , saponite , sauconite , bound carrier at a ratio between about 1 : 1 and about 1:20 , sepiolite , serpentine , talc , and vermiculite . The earth com fermentation product- bound carrier to buffering agent, or ponent can be in a substantially dry form and / or solid state . 15 vice versa . The buffering agent can comprise one or more The earth component preferably has an average particle size granular or powdered electrolytic substances. The buffering between about 20-297 um . The earth component preferably agent can preferably be selected from the group consisting has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about 20 % of sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , and sodium by weight. bicarbonate . The buffering agent can comprise sodium ses The carrier can alternatively comprise or be a fluid and /or 20 quicarbonate . The buffering agent can comprise ( a mixture liquid , or in a fluid and /or liquid form . The carrier can of) sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate . comprise water . The carrier can comprise liquid feed . The In some embodiments , the composition and /or fermenta carrier can comprise a medicament. tion product can comprise one or more components of a The fermentation product preferably comprises one or growth medium in which the one or more microorganisms more anaerobic metabolite products or metabolites . The 25 were grown . The composition and/ or fermentation product metabolites or metabolite products preferably having been can comprise one or more components of a growth medium produced by said one or more microorganisms. The fermen in which the one or more anaerobic metabolites were tation product preferably comprising cellular material of the produced ( e.g. , by the one or more microorganisms) . In one or more microorganisms. The cellular material can some embodiments , the composition and/ or fermentation comprise cellular components of lysed microorganisms. The 30 product can comprise one or more aerobic metabolites cellular material can comprise cellular structural compo produced by the one or more microorganisms. nents of or produced by the one or more microorganisms. At least one embodiment comprises a nutrient enhanced The cellular structural components can include cell wall, or animal feed product, comprising an animal feed component fragments thereof, of or produced by the one or more and a feed additive composition mixed with the feed com microorganisms. The cellular structural components can 35 ponent. The feed additive composition can be the above include organelle or fragments thereof, of or produced by the described composition . The feed additive composition can one or more microorganisms. The cellular material can comprise an ( earthen ) carrier and a fermentation product comprise genetic material of or produced by the one ormore derived from one ormore microorganisms, the fermentation microorganisms. The cellular material can comprise macro product being bound to the carrier. The nutrient enhanced molecules of or produced by the one or more microorgan- 40 animal feed product, feed additive composition , and/ or the isms. feed component can have a moisture content between about Preferably the one or more microorganisms comprise 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight. The feed additive com prokaryotic bacteria . The prokaryotic bacteria can be of position can be mixed with the feed component at a ratio of Lactobacillus acidophilus . The one or more microorganisms approximately 0.05-50 kg of the feed additive composition can include one or more microorganisms other than Lacto- 45 per metric ton (or tonne ) of the feed component. bacillus acidophilus. The one or more microorganisms can Some embodiments include a method of manufacturing include Lactobacillus acidophilus and one or more addi an animal feed supplement. The method can include apply tionalmicrobial ( e.g., bacterial) species and / or strains. Alter ing a fermentation product to a carrier to form a combination natively , or in addition , the cellular material can comprise product. In some embodiments , the fermentation product cellular components of one or more yeast, fungus, and / or 50 can bind to the carrier forming a fermentation product algae species or strains . bound carrier. The method can also include mixing the Embodiments can comprise one or more additional com combination product with a buffering agent to form a ponents . Embodiments can comprise a mixture of additional buffered combination product. In some embodiments , the components . The one or more additional components can method can include mixing one or more additional ingredi comprise ( residual) supplement components . The one or 55 ents with the fermentation product, the combination product , more additional components can be selected , independently , and / or the buffered combination product. Some embodi from the group consisting of one or more vitamins , minerals , ments include a method of manufacturing a supplemented trace minerals , amino acids , health supplements , pharma animal feed product. The method can include mixing an ceuticals , plant extracts ( e.g., seaweed extracts ) , phytonu animal feed supplement with an animal feed component. trients , carotenoids , enzymes , probiotics , lignosulfonates , 60 Certain embodiments can also include packaging the com and organic acids ( e.g. , humic acids ). Each of the foregoing bination product, buffered combination product , and /or ingredients can be added alone or in combination with one supplemented animal feed product , such as in a sealed or more other of the additional components without limita and / or air - tight container. tion . The one or more vitamins can be bound or chelated to An exemplary embodiment can comprise a method of at least one of the metabolites, preferably such that the 65 manufacturing a composition , comprising (i ) providing a bioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites is fermentation product and a carrier, as described above, and increased thereby. one or more minerals can be bound or ( ii ) forming a combination product by applying the fermen US 10,674,746 B2 5 6 tation product to the carrier , preferably at a ratio of approxi Some embodiments include packaging the combination mately 1: 1 by weight, more preferably such that the fermen product, fermentation product -bound carrier, and / or buffered tation product binds to the carrier. The fermentation product combination product, preferably so as to inhibit substantial preferably comprises a liquid suspension medium having absorption or loss ofmoisture by the packaged combination cellular material of one ormore ( single -celled ) microorgan- 5 productAn exemplary . method of manufacturing a composition isms and /or one or more anaerobic and /or optional aerobic comprises (i ) fluidly applying a substantially liquid fermen metabolites of or produced by the one or more microorgan tation product to a substantially solid earthen carrier , pref isms disposed therein . In some embodiments , applying the erably at a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 by weight, such that fermentation product to the carrier comprises fluidly apply 10 the fermentation product binds to the carrier, preferably by ing the fermentation product in a substantially liquid (sus adsorption to a surface of the carrier and /or absorption pension ) form to the carrier in a substantially dry , solid form , below the surface of the carrier , the carrier preferably preferably at a ratio of approximately 1: 1 by weight. comprising one or more phyllosilicate materials , preferably Certain embodiments can further comprise one or more of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay mineral variety , the fermentation product steps selected from the group consisting of ( i) mixing the 15 preferably comprising a mixture of (i ) one or more non carrier , preferably at a speed between about 10-200 rpm , living and / or non - viable microorganisms, ( ii ) anaerobic and / while applying the fermentation product, ( ii ) applying a flow or aerobic metabolites produced by said one or more micro of air to the combination product or fermentation product organisms, and (iii ) a liquid suspension medium in which the bound carrier , preferably over a period of time between metabolites were produced by said one or more microor about 12-120 hours and /or until the combination producthas 20 ganisms, ( ii ) mixing the carrier , preferably at a speed a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about 20 % by between about 10-200 rpm , while applying the fermentation weight, ( iii )mixing the combination product or fermentation product , ( iii ) applying a flow of air to the fermentation product- bound carrier , preferably at a speed between about product- bound carrier , preferably over a period of time 10-200 rpm , while applying the flow of air , ( iv )maintaining between about 12-120 hours and / or until the combination the combination product or fermentation product - bound 25 product a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about carrier at a temperature below about 60 ° C., more preferably 20 % , ( iv ) mixing the fermentation product- bound carrier, below about 55 ° C., still more preferably below about 50 ° preferably at a speed between about 10-200 rpm , while C., still more preferably below about 45 ° C., still more applying the flow of air , (v ) maintaining the fermentation preferably below about 40 ° C., still more preferably below product - bound carrier at a temperature below about 60 ° C., about 38 ° C., and (v ) maintaining the combination product 30 more preferably below about 55 ° C., still more preferably or fermentation product- bound carrier at a pH between about below about 50 ° C., still more preferably below about 45 ° 2-10 , preferably between about 2-8 , more preferably C., still more preferably below about 40 ° C., still more between about 2-6 , still more preferably between about 2-5 , preferably below about 38 ° C., (vi ) maintaining the fermen still more preferably between about 2-4 , still more prefer tation product -bound carrier at a pH between about 2-10 , ably between about 2-3 , still more preferably between about 35 preferably between about 2-8 , more preferably between 3-10 , still more preferably between about 3-8 , still more about 2-6 , still more preferably between about 2-5 , stillmore preferably between about 3-6 , still more preferably between preferably between about 2-4 , still more preferably between about 3-5 , still more preferably between about 3-4 , still more about 2-3 , still more preferably between about 3-10 , still preferably between about 4-10 , still more preferably more preferably between about 3-8, still more preferably between about 4-8 , still more preferably between about 4-6 , 40 between about 3-6 , stillmore preferably between about 3-5 , still more preferably between about 4-5 . still more preferably between about 3-4 , still more prefer In some embodiments , at least a portion of the fermen ably between about 4-10 , still more preferably between tation product physically and / or chemically reacts with about 4-8 , still more preferably between about 4-6 , still more and / or binds to the carrier, preferably by adsorption to a preferably between about 4-5 , and ( vii ) mixing the fermen surface of the carrier and / or absorption below the surface of 45 tation product -bound carrier with a buffering agent to form the carrier. Embodiments can further comprises mixing the a buffered combination product, the buffered combination combination product with a buffering agent, as described product preferably having a moisture content between about above, preferably at a ratio between about 1 : 1 and about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight, the buffering agent com 1:20 , fermentation product- bound carrier to buffering agent, prising one or more granular or powdered electrolytic sub or vice versa , to form a buffered combination product, the 50 stances , preferably selected from the group consisting of buffered combination product preferably having a moisture sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , and sodium content between about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight bicarbonate . The method can further comprise packaging the and / or having one or more properties described above . Some composition , preferably so as to inhibit substantial absorp embodiments comprise mixing one or more additional ingre tion or loss of moisture . dients or supplement components with one or more of the 55 At least one embodiment includes a method of producing fermentation product, fermentation product -bound carrier, a nutrient enhanced animal feed product , the method com combination product , and / or buffered combination product . prising providing an animal feed component and mixing the The one or more additional supplement components can be animal feed component with the feed additive composition , selected , independently , from the group consisting, indepen as described above . The method can include forming the dently , of vitamin (s ), mineral( s ) or trace mineral (s ) , amino 60 feed additive composition , as described above , and /or mix acid (s ), health supplement( s ) , pharmaceutical( s ), nutraceu ing the feed component with the feed additive composition tical (s ), plant (s ) or plant part (s ), plant product( s ) or at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the feed additive extract ( s ) , herb ( s ) , phytonutrient( s ), carotenoid ( s ), composition per metric ton of the feed component . The enzyme( s ) , probiotic( s ), lignosulfonate ( s) , and organic nutrient enhanced animal feed product, feed component , acid (s ). Certain embodiments can be substantially and /or 65 and /or feed additive composition can be in a substantially entirely devoid of probiotic and /or living microorganism of solid state , preferably having a moisture content between one or more variety . about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight. Embodiments can US 10,674,746 B2 7 8 also include packaging the nutrient enhanced animal feed ( e.g. , E. coli, Salmonella , etc.) , improving nitrogen reten product , preferably so as to inhibit substantial absorption or tion , increasing milk production in mammals , improving loss of moisture . milk quality ( increased fat and /or protein content, etc. ) in An exemplary method of producing a nutrient enhanced mammals , improving metabolizable energy levels , improv animal feed product comprises combining a substantially 5 ing digestion , improving overall health and appearance , and liquid fermentation product with a substantially dry and /or so forth . solid earthen carrier such that the fermentation product binds An exemplary method of enhancing the health of an to the carrier , preferably by adsorption to a surface of the animal comprises administering an effective amount of an carrier and / or absorption below the surface of the carrier, the animal feed additive composition to the animal so as to carrier preferably having an average particle size between 10 improve one or more health indicators of the animal or about 20-297 um and /or a moisture content between about animal population . The composition and one ormore health 0.25 % and about 20 % , the carrier preferably comprising one indicators can be as described above . The step of adminis or more phyllosilicate materials , preferably of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay tering can comprise feeding the feed additive composition to mineral variety , the fermentation product preferably com the animal such that the animal ingests the effective amount prising a mixture of (i ) one or more non -living and /or 15 of the animal feed additive composition . For instance, the non - viable microorganisms, (ii ) anaerobic and optionally administering step can comprise mixing the feed additive aerobic metabolites produced by said one or more microor composition with an animal feed component , preferably at a ganisms, and ( iii ) a liquid suspension medium in which the ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the composition per metabolites were produced by said one or more microor metric ton of the feed component and feeding the animal ganisms. In some embodiments , the combining step is as 20 with the mixture of the feed additive composition and feed described above . component such that the animal ingests the effective amount The method can further comprise optionally mixing the of the animal feed additive composition . fermentation product- bound carrier with a buffering agent, In some embodiments , the animal comprises a broiler preferably at a ratio of between about 1 : 1 to about 1:20 , chicken . The feed component can comprise one or more fermentation product -bound carrier to buffering agent, to 25 chicken feeds selected from the group consisting of a starter form a buffered combination product , the buffering agent feed , a grower feed , and a finishing feed . The chicken can be comprises one or more granular or powdered electrolytic subjected to biotic or abiotic stress conditions. The method substances, preferably selected from the group consisting of can include reducing gut lesion formation in the animal by sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , and sodium a statistically significant amount, preferably by at least ( or a bicarbonate , optionally mixing one or more additional 30 minimum of) 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , 40 % , supplement components with one or more of the fermenta 45 % , or 50 % as compared to a control. The method can tion product , the fermentation product- bound carrier , and the include reducing gut bacteria ( e.g. , gut E. coli or Salmo buffered combination product, the one or more additional nella ) count in the animal by a statistically significant supplement components selected from the group consisting amount, preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 5 % , 10 % , of vitamins, minerals , trace minerals , amino acids, health 35 15 % , 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , 40 % , 45 % , or 50 % , as com supplements , pharmaceuticals , plant extracts ( e.g., seaweed pared to a control. The method can include increasing body extract ), phytonutrients , carotenoids, enzymes , probiotics , weight of the animal by a statistically significant amount, lignosulfonates , and organic acids ( e.g., humic acids ), and preferably by at least ( or a minimum of) 0.75 % , 1 % , 1.25 % , mixing an animal feed component with one or more of the 1.5 % , or 2 % , as compared to a control. The method can fermentation product -bound carrier, preferably at a ratio of 40 include decreasing feed conversion ( or consumed feed - to approximately 0.05-50 kg of the fermentation product body weight) ratio or mortality -adjusted feed conversion bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component and the ratio in the animal by a statistically significant amount, buffered combination product, preferably at a ratio of preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 3.5 % , 3.75 % , 4 % , approximately 0.05-50 kg of the buffered combination prod 5 % , 6 % , 7 % , 8 % , 9 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % , as compared to uct per metric ton of the feed component. 45 a control. The method can include increasing life span (or Additional embodiments include a method of enhancing decreasing mortality ) of the animal by a statistically signifi the health of an animal. The method can include adminis cant amount, preferably by at least (or a minimum of) 5 % , tering an effective amount of an animal feed supplement 10 % , 15 % , 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , 40 % , 45 % , or 50 % , as composition to the animal so as to improve one or more compared to a control. health indicators of the animal or animal population (e.g. , as 50 Some embodiments of the present disclosure have compared to a control ) . The one or more health indicators enhanced , surprising, and / or unexpected antifungal and / or can be selected from the group consisting of gut lesion count fungal growth - inhibiting activity or effects . For instance , in and / or size , gut bacteria count, plate count , and / or size , certain embodiments , the microbial fermentation product animal weight and/ or body mass , feed consumption , feed bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent) resists , conversion and / or feed conversion ratio (consumed feed - to- 55 inhibits , and / or reduces fungal growth on animal feed com body weight (or body weight gain ) ratio or feed /gain ratio ), ponents with which it is mixed or combined . Accordingly , life span and /or mortality ,metabolism and /or metabolic rate , some embodiments include an antifungal or fungal growth digestion , nitrogen retention ,milk production (in mammals ) , inhibiting composition ( e.g., feed additive composition hav milk quality (as measured by milk fat and/ or protein content, ing antifungal and / or fungal growth - inhibiting properties) . etc.) , overall health and appearance, and so forth . In par- 60 The antifungal or fungal growth -inhibiting composition can ticular embodiments , the method can comprise enhancing , comprise a microbial fermentation product- bound carrier improving, or increasing body weight or weight gain , reduc (with or without the buffering agent) , as described herein . ing feed consumption and /or improving feed conversion The antifungal or fungus- resistant composition can include ratios ( especially under biotic and abiotic stress conditions) , or be added to an animal feed component or product . The reducing mortality (and /or mortality rates in a population ), 65 antifungal or fungal growth -inhibiting composition can reducing incidence and /or size of gut lesions, reducing reduce the growth of fungus on the animal feed component counts , plate counts, size , and /or other incidents of bacteria or product. US 10,674,746 B2 9 10 Some embodiments can include a method of reducing or Optionally, wherein the one or more microorganisms inhibiting fungal growth on animal feed or animal feed comprise one or more single - celled microorganisms, pref products . The method can comprise combining a microbial erably prokaryotic bacteria . fermentation product - bound carrier (with or without the Optionally , wherein the one or more single -celled micro buffering agent) to the animal feed or animal feed product . 5 organisms, preferably prokaryotic bacteria , are of Lactoba The microbial fermentation product -bound carrier (with or cillus acidophilus and optionally one or more additional without the buffering agent) can reduce or inhibit fungal microbial species or strain , the one or more additional growth on the animal feed or animal feed product (e.g. , by microbial species or strain preferably comprising one or at least, greater than , between , and /or about 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , more additional bacterial species or strain . 10 Optionally , wherein the one or more microorganisms 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , 40 % , 45 % , 50 % , 55 % , 60 % , 65 % , comprise yeast and /or fungi , the cellular structural compo 70 % , 75 % , 80 % , 85 % , 90 % , 95 % , 98 % , or 99 % , for or nents comprising lysed cellular structural components of the within a period of time, as compared to a control and /or the yeast and /or fungi, and the one ormore anaerobic metabolite animal feed or animal feed product alone ( i.e., without the products comprising one or more anaerobic metabolite prod microbial fermentation product- bound carrier mixed there 15 ucts of the yeast and /or fungi. with ) ). In at least one embodiment, the microbial fermen Optionally, wherein the fermentation product- bound car tation product -bound carrier (with or without the buffering rier has an average particle size between about 20-297 um . agent) can protect against and /or inhibit ( e.g., reduce , Optionally , wherein the fermentation product- bound car decrease , attenuate , prevent, etc. ) fungal contamination , rier has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about infection , and / or growth on the animal feed or animal feed 20 5 % by weight. product for or within a period of time. The period of time can Optionally , wherein the cellular material comprises cel be by at least , greater than , between , and / or about 1-52 lular structural components of the one or more one or more weeks , or any amount of time or range of time therebetween . microorganisms, the cellular structural components prefer The method can include producing the microbial fermen ably comprising cell wall or fragments thereof and /or organ tation product -bound carrier (with or without the buffering 25 elle or fragments thereof. agent ), such as by applying ( e.g. , dry -binding ) the microbial Optionally , wherein the cellular structural components fermentation product to the carrier and optionally adding the comprise cellular structural components of lysed microor buffering agent thereto . The method can include adminis ganisms. tering a mixture of the microbial fermentation product Optionally , wherein less than about 50 % , or less than bound carrier (with or without the buffering agent) and the 30 aboutor less 40than % , orabout less 20 than % , orabout less 30than % , orabout less 15than % , orabout less 25than % , animal feed or animal feed product to an animal . In some about 10 % , or less than about 5 % , or less than about 1 % , or embodiments , the method can reduce rates of fungal infec less than about 0.5 % , or less than about 0.25 % , or less than tion , disease , and / or mortality in animals to which the about 0.1 % , or less than about 0.05 % , or less than about product is administered , as compared to a control or animal 35 0.01 % , of the one or more microorganisms are living or (or population ) to which the product is not administered . viable . Some embodiments can include : Optionally , further comprising one or more additional A composition , preferably an antifungal composition , components selected from the group consisting of vitamins , comprising : minerals or trace minerals , amino acids, health supplements , a carrier; and 40 pharmaceuticals , nutraceuticals , plants or plant parts , plant a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier, the products or extracts , herbs, phytonutrients , carotenoids, fermentation product comprising components of a microbial enzymes , probiotics, lignosulfonates , and organic acids . fermentation culture , including : Optionally , wherein one or more of the vitamins and /or cellular material of one or more microorganisms; and minerals are bound or chelated to at least one of the one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or 45 metabolites such that the bioavailability of the at least one of more microorganisms. the metabolites is increased thereby . Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises one or more Optionally , further comprising a buffering agent mixed phyllosilicates. with the fermentation product - bound carrier . Optionally , wherein the one or more phyllosilicates are of Optionally , wherein the buffering agent is mixed with the the 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay mineral variety , preferably selected from 50 fermentation product bound -carrier at a ratio between about the group consisting of aliettite , attapulgite , bentonite , chlo 1 : 1 and about 1:20 , fermentation product -bound carrier to rite , dickite , halloysite , hectorite , illite , kaolinite , mont buffering agent, or vice versa . morillonite , nacrite , nontronite , palygorskite , saponite , sau Optionally , wherein the buffering agent comprises one or conite , sepiolite , serpentine , talc , and vermiculite . more granular or powdered electrolytic substances compris Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises a substantially 55 ing one or more of sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbon dry, solid carrier, the fermentation product being adsorbed to ate , and sodium bicarbonate . a surface of the carrier and / or absorbed below the surface of Optionally , wherein the buffering agent has a moisture the carrier. content between about 0.25 % and about 5 % by weight. Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises a liquid carrier , Optionally , wherein the composition is mixed with an preferably selected from the group consisting of water, 60 animal feed component, the feed component comprising molasses, liquid feed , oil , or liquid medicaments . solid feed and /or liquid feed , the liquid feed preferably Optionally , wherein the fermentation product further comprising water . comprises one or more components of a suspension culture Optionally , wherein the feed component has a moisture medium . content between about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight. Optionally , wherein the fermentation product further 65 Optionally , wherein the composition is mixed with the comprises one or more aerobic metabolites of the one or feed component at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the more microorganisms. composition per metric ton of the feed component. US 10,674,746 B2 11 12 Optionally , wherein the feed component comprises a wherein applying the fermentation product to the carrier drinking -water . comprises fluidly applying the fermentation product to the Optionally , wherein the fermentation product- bound car carrier . rier is mixed with the drinking - water at a ratio of approxi Optionally , wherein the fermentation product further mately 5-5000 milliliters of fermentation product- bound 5 comprises one or more aerobic metabolites of the one or carrier per 1000 liters of drinking -water . more microorganisms. A composition , preferably an antifungal composition , Optionally , wherein the fermentation product- bound car comprising : rier has an average particle size between about 20-297 um . a substantially dry , earthen carrier comprising one or more Optionally , wherein the fermentation product -bound car phyllosilicates; and 10 rier has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier , the 20 % by weight. fermentation product being adsorbed to a surface of the Optionally , wherein the one or more microorganisms carrier and /or absorbed below the surface of the carrier , the comprise prokaryotic bacteria , the cellular material compris fermentation product comprising components of a microbial ing cellular structural components of the prokaryotic bacte suspension culture , including : 15 ria , the one or more anaerobic metabolite products compris one or more components of a suspension culturemedium ; ing one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the cellular structural components of one or more microor prokaryotic bacteria. ganisms; and Optionally , wherein the prokaryotic bacteria are of Lac one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or 20 tobacillus acidophilus and preferably one or more additional more microorganisms, microbial species or strain , the one or more additional the composition comprising less than about 50 % living microbial species or strain preferably comprising one or microorganisms. more additional bacterial species or strain . Optionally , further comprising a buffering agent mixed Optionally , wherein the one or more microorganisms with the fermentation product- bound carrier, the buffering 25 comprise yeast and / or fungi , the cellular structural compo agent comprising one or more granular or powdered elec nents comprising lysed cellular structural components of the trolytic substances selected from the group consisting of yeast and /or fungi, the one or more anaerobic metabolite sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , sodium bicar products comprising one or more anaerobic metabolite prod bonate , and combinations thereof . ucts of the yeast and / or fungi . 30 Optionally , wherein the cellular material comprises cel Optionally , wherein the composition has a moisture con lular structural components of the one or more microorgan tent between about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight. isms. A method of manufacturing a composition , preferably an Optionally, wherein the cellular structural components antifungal composition , comprising applying a microbial comprise cellular structural components of lysed microor fermentation product to a carrier such that the fermentation 35 ganisms. product binds to the carrier , the fermentation product com Optionally , wherein the fermentation product is applied to prising : the carrier at a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 by weight. cellular material of one or more microorganisms, the one Optionally , further comprising cultivating a microbial or more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more fermentation suspension culture for a first period of time, the single -celled microorganisms; and 40 microbial fermentation suspension culture comprising a one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one or liquid fermentation culture medium and the one or more more microorganisms. microorganisms, the one or more microorganisms undergo Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises one or more ing anaerobic metabolism or cellular respiration during the phyllosilicates . first period of time. Optionally , wherein the one or more phyllosilicates are 45 Optionally , further comprising killing or inactivating the selected from the group consisting of 1 : 1 clay mineral one or more microorganisms such that less than about 50 % , phyllosilicates , 2 : 1 clay mineral phyllosilicates , aliettite , or less than about 40 % , or less than about 30 % , or less than attapulgite , bentonite , chlorite , dickite , halloysite , hectorite , about 25 % , or less than about 20 % , or less than about 15 % , illite , kaolinite , montmorillonite , nacrite , nontronite , or less than about 10 % , or less than about 5 % , or less than palygorskite , saponite , sauconite , sepiolite , serpentine , talc , 50 about 1 % , or less than about 0.5 % , or less than about 0.25 % , vermiculite , and combinations thereof. or less than about 0.1 % , or less than about 0.05 % , or less Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises a substantially than about 0.01 % , of the one or more microorganisms are dry and /or solid carrier, the fermentation product being living or viable . adsorbed to a surface of the carrier and / or absorbed below Optionally , further comprising one ormore steps selected the surface of the carrier. 55 from the group consisting of: Optionally , wherein the fermentation product is applied to mixing the carrier while applying the fermentation prod the carrier at a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 by weight to uct thereto ; approximately 1:20 by weight, fermentation product to applying a flow of air to the carrier while applying the carrier, or vice versa . fermentation product thereto and /or after applying the fer Optionally , wherein the carrier comprises a liquid carrier , 60 mentation product thereto , preferably over a period of time wherein applying the fermentation product to the carrier between about 12-120 hours and / or until the fermentation comprises dissolving, suspending , dispersing , or otherwise product- bound carrier has a moisture content between about disposing the fermentation product in the liquid carrier . 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight; Optionally , wherein the fermentation product further mixing the carrier with the fermentation product applied comprises a liquid suspension culture medium , the cellular 65 thereto while applying a flow of air, material and one or more anaerobic metabolite products maintaining the carrier with the fermentation product being disposed in the liquid suspension culture medium , and applied thereto at a temperature below about 60 ° C. for a first US 10,674,746 B2 13 14 period of time ; and maintaining the carrier with the fermen bial fermentation product in liquid form to the carrier such tation product applied thereto at a pH between about 2-10 . that the fermentation product binds to the carrier . Optionally , wherein applying the fermentation product to A method ofmanufacturing a composition , preferably an the carrier comprises physically or chemically reacting at antifungal composition , comprising: least a portion of the fermentation product with the carrier. 5 cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture , Optionally , further comprising packaging the fermenta the culture comprising a liquid fermentation culture tion product- bound carrier so as to inhibit substantial medium , one or more microorganisms, and anaerobic absorption or loss ofmoisture by the packaged fermentation metabolites of the one or more microorganisms, the one or product -bound carrier . more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more Optionally , further comprising mixing a buffering agent 10 single - celled microorganisms; with the fermentation product- bound carrier to form a buff killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in ered combination product . the culture to produce a fermentation product, the fermen Optionally, wherein the buffering agent is mixed with the tation product comprising the liquid fermentation culture fermentation product -bound carrier at a ratio between about medium , the killed or inactivated one or more microorgan 1: 1 and about 1:20 , fermentation product- bound carrier to 15 isms, and the anaerobic metabolites , preferably wherein less buffering agent , or vice versa . than about 50 % of the one or more microorganisms are Optionally , wherein the buffering agent comprises one or living or viable in the fermentation product ; and more granular or powdered electrolytic substances selected fluidly applying the fermentation product to a solid carrier from the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate , such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier . sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate . 20 A method ofmanufacturing a composition , preferably an Optionally , wherein the buffering agent has a moisture antifungal composition , comprising: content between about 0.25 % and about 5 % by weight. cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture Optionally , further comprising packaging the buffered for a first period of time, the microbial fermentation sus combination product so as to inhibit substantial absorption pension culture comprising a liquid fermentation culture or loss of moisture by the packaged buffered combination 25 medium ; one or more microorganisms; and anaerobic product. metabolites of the one or more microorganisms, the one or Optionally , further comprising mixing the buffered com more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more bination product with an animal feed component, the feed single -celled microorganisms; component comprising solid feed and /or liquid feed , the killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in liquid feed preferably comprising water . 30 the suspension culture such that less than about 50 % of the Optionally , wherein the feed component is mixed with the one or more microorganisms are living or viable , thereby buffered combination product at a ratio of approximately producing a fermentation product, the fermentation product 0.05-50 kg of the buffered combination product per metric comprising the liquid fermentation culture m um , the ton of the feed component. killed or inactivated one or more microorganisms, and the Optionally , further comprising packaging the buffered 35 anaerobic metabolites ; and combination product mixed with the feed component so as fluidly applying the fermentation product to a solid car to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture by the rier , preferably at a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 by weight , packaged buffered combination product. such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier , Optionally , further comprising mixing the fermentation preferably by adsorption to a surface of the carrier and /or product -bound carrier with an animal feed component, the 40 absorption below the surface of the carrier , the carrier feed component comprising solid feed and / or liquid feed , preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicate materials , the liquid feed preferably comprising water . preferably of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay mineral variety . Optionally , wherein the fermentation product- bound car Optionally, further comprising one or more steps selected rier is mixed with the feed component at a ratio of approxi from the group consisting of: mately 0.05-50 kg of the fermentation product- bound carrier 45 mixing the carrier, preferably at a speed between about per metric ton of the feed component. 10-200 rpm , while applying the fermentation product Optionally , further comprising packaging the fermenta thereto ; tion product -bound carrier mixed with the feed component applying a flow of air to the fermentation product- bound so as to inhibit substantial absorption or loss of moisture by carrier, preferably over a period of time between about the packaged buffered combination product. 50 12-120 hours and / or until the fermentation product - bound Optionally , wherein the feed component has a moisture carrier a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about content between about 1 % and about 20 % by weight. 20 % by weight; Optionally , further comprising mixing one or more addi mixing the fermentation product -bound carrier , preferably tional components with the fermentation product and /or at a speed between about 10-200 rpm , while applying the fermentation product- bound carrier, the one or more addi- 55 flow of air ; tional components selected from the group consisting of maintaining the fermentation product -bound carrier at a vitamins, minerals or trace minerals , amino acids, health temperature below about 60 ° C .; and supplements, pharmaceuticals , nutraceuticals , plants or maintaining the fermentation product -bound carrier at a plant parts , plant products or extracts , herbs, phytonutrients , pH between about 2-10 , preferably about 3-8 , more prefer carotenoids, enzymes , probiotics, lignosulfonates , and 60 ably between about 3-6 , still more preferably between about organic acids. 4-5 . Optionally , wherein one or more of the vitamins and /or Optionally , further comprising mixing the fermentation minerals are bound or chelated to at least one of the product- bound carrier with a buffering agent to form a metabolites such that the bioavailability of the at least one of buffered combination product, the buffered combination the metabolites is increased thereby . 65 product preferably having a moisture content between about A method of manufacturing any of the described compo 1 % and about 20 % by weight, the buffering agent compris sitions, the method comprising fluidly applying the micro ing one or more granular or powdered electrolytic sub US 10,674,746 B2 15 16 stances, preferably selected from the group consisting of component comprising solid feed and /or liquid feed , sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , and sodium the liquid feed preferably comprising water . bicarbonate . A nutrient enhanced animal feed product , comprising : A method of producing a nutrient enhanced animal feed an animal feed component , the feed component compris product, comprising : 5 ing solid feed ; and combining a substantially liquid fermentation product a feed additive composition mixed with the feed compo with a substantially dry and / or solid earthen carrier such that nent, the feed additive composition comprising : the fermentation product binds to the carrier , preferably by an earthen carrier ; and adsorption to a surface of the carrier and /or absorption a fermentation product derived from one or more micro 10 organisms, the one or more microorganisms preferably below the surface of the carrier, the carrier preferably having comprising one or more single -celled microorganisms, an average particle size between about 20-297 um and / or a the fermentation product being bound to the carrier. moisture content between about 1 % and about 20 % by A method of enhancing the health of an animal, compris weight, the carrier preferably comprising one or more phyl ing administering an effective amount of any of the losilicate materials , preferably of 1: 1 or 2: 1 clay mineral 15 described compositions to an animal so as to improve one or variety , the fermentation product preferably comprising a more health indicators of the animal . mixture of (i ) non - living and /or non - viable microorganisms, A method of supplementing the diet of an animal, com the non - living and/ or non - viable microorganisms preferably prising administering an effective amount of an animal comprising lysed microorganisms, themicroorganisms pref nutrient composition to the animal , the composition , com erably comprising one or more single - celled microorgan- 20 prising: isms, ( ii ) anaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolites pro a carrier ; and duced by said microorganisms, and ( iii ) a liquid suspension a fermentation product bound to the carrier . medium in which the metabolites were produced by said A method of enhancing the health of an animal , compris microorganisms, the fermentation product preferably com ing: prising less than about 50 % living and /or viable microor- 25 administering an effective amount of an animal nutrient ganisms, wherein the combining step comprises : composition to the animal so as to improve one or more fluidly applying the fermentation product to the earthen health indicators of the animal, the composition , comprising : carrier , preferably at a ratio of approximately 1: 1 by a carrier ; and weight; a fermentation product derived from one or more micro mixing the carrier, preferably at a speed between about 30 organisms, the one or more microorganismspreferably 10-200 rpm ; comprising one or more single - celled microorganisms, applying a flow of air to the carrier , preferably (i ) while the fermentation product being bound to the carrier , mixing the rier, ( ii) over a period of time between the one or more health indicators being selected from the about 12-120 hours , and / or ( iii ) until the fermentation group consisting of: product- bound carrier has a moisture content between 35 gut lesion formation ; about 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight; gut bacteria count; maintaining the fermentation product- bound carrier at a weight gain ; temperature below about 60 ° C., preferably below feed conversion ratio ; and about 38 ° C., and life span . maintaining the fermentation product- bound carrier at a 40 Optionally , wherein the composition is in substantially pH between about 2-10 , preferably about 3-8 , more dry and / or solid state , preferably having a moisture content preferably between about 3-6 , still more preferably between about 1 % and about 20 % . between about 4-5 ; Optionally , wherein the fermentation product comprises : optionally mixing the fermentation product -bound carrier one or more metabolites produced by one or more micro with a buffering agent, preferably at a ratio of between about 45 organisms; and 1 :4 to about 1 : 8 , fermentation product -bound carrier to cellular material of the one or more microorganisms, the buffering agent, to form a buffered combination product, the cellular material preferably comprising cellular com buffering agent comprises one or more granular or powdered ponents of lysed prokaryotic bacteria , preferably of electrolytic substances , preferably selected from the group Lactobacillus acidophilus and optionally one or more consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium carbonate , 50 additional microbial species or strain , the one or more and sodium bicarbonate ; additional microbial species or strain preferably com optionally mixing one or more additional supplement prising one or more additional bacterial species or components with one or more of the fermentation product, strain . the fermentation product- bound carrier , and the buffered Optionally , wherein the fermentation product further combination product, the one or more additional supplement 55 comprises components of a growth medium in which the components selected from the group consisting of vitamins , metabolites were produced by the one or more microorgan minerals , trace minerals , amino acids, health supplements , isms. pharmaceuticals , plant extracts , phytonutrients , carotenoids , Optionally, wherein the carrier comprises an earthen enzymes , probiotics , lignosulfonates, and organic acids; and carrier , preferably comprising one or more phyllosilicates , mixing an animal feed component with one or more of: 60 preferably of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay mineral variety ,more preferably the fermentation product -bound carrier , preferably at a selected from the group consisting of aliettite , attapulgite , ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the fermentation bentonite , chlorite , dickite , halloysite , hectorite , illite , kao product- bound carrier per metric ton of the feed com linite , montmorillonite , nacrite , nontronite , palygorskite , ponent; and saponite , sauconite , sepiolite , serpentine, talc , and vermicu the buffered combination product , preferably at a ratio of 65 lite , the earthen carrier preferably being in a substantially approximately 0.05-50 kg of the buffered combination solid state , more preferably having a particle size between product per metric ton of the feed component , the feed about 20-297 um . US 10,674,746 B2 17 18 Optionally , wherein the composition further comprises a A method of administering a nutrient supplement to an mixture of vitamins and minerals , one or more of the animal, the method comprising : vitamins and minerals being preferably bound or chelated to cultivating a microbial fermentation suspension culture, at least one of the cellular metabolites such the bioavail the culture comprising a liquid fermentation culture ability of at least one of the cellular metabolites is increased 5 medium , one or more microorganisms, and anaerobic thereby metabolites of the one or more microorganisms, the one or more microorganisms preferably comprising one or more Optionally , wherein the composition further comprises a single - celled microorganisms; buffering agent mixed with the fermentation product - bound killing or inactivating the one or more microorganisms in carrier, preferably at a ratio of between about 1: 4 to about 10 the culture to produce a fermentation product, the fermen 1 :8 , fermentation product- bound carrier to buffering agent, tation product comprising the liquid fermentation culture the buffering agent preferably comprising one or more medium , the killed or inactivated one or more microorgan granular or powdered electrolytic substances, more prefer isms, and the anaerobic metabolites , preferably wherein less ably selected from the group consisting of sodium sesqui than about 50 % of the one or more microorganisms are carbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate . 15 living and / or viable in the fermentation product ; and Optionally , wherein administering an effective amount of fluidly applying the fermentation product to a carrier ; and the composition to the animal comprises feeding the com administering the fermentation product - applied carrier to position to the animal such that the animal ingests the an animal. effective amount of the composition . A nutrient enhanced animal feed product, comprising : Optionally , wherein administering an effective amount of 20 an animal feed component, the feed component compris the composition to the animal further comprises: ing liquid feed, the liquid feed preferably comprising drink mixing the composition with an animal feed component, ing- water ; and preferably at a ratio of approximately 0.05-50 kg of the a feed additive composition mixed with the feed compo composition per metric ton of a solid feed component or nent, the feed additive composition comprising a fermenta approximately 5-5000 milliliters of composition per 1000 25 tion product derived from one or more microorganisms, the liters of a liquid feed component, the liquid feed component one or more microorganisms preferably comprising one or preferably comprising drinking -water ; and more single - celled microorganisms, the fermentation prod feeding the animal with the mixture of the composition uct being bound to or mixed with the carrier. and feed component such that the animal ingests the effec A method of inhibiting fungal growth on an animal feed tive amount of the animal feed additive composition . 30 product , comprising: Optionally , wherein the mixture of the feed additive mixing the animal feed component with an antifungal composition and feed component is in substantially dry composition , the antifungal composition comprising : and / or solid state , preferably having a moisture content a carrier; and between about 1 % and about 20 % . a microbial fermentation product bound to the carrier, the Optionally , wherein the animal comprises a chicken , 35 fermentation product comprising components of a preferably a broiler chicken, the feed component comprising microbial fermentation culture , including : one or more chicken feeds selected from the group consist cellular material of one or more microorganisms, the ing of a starter feed , a grower feed , and a finishing feed . one or more microorganisms preferably comprising Optionally , further comprising reducing gut lesion forma one or more single -celled microorganisms; and tion in the animal by a statistically significant amount , 40 one or more anaerobic metabolite products of the one preferably by at least 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , or more microorganisms . 40 % , 45 % , or 50 % , as compared to a control. Optionally , wherein the antifungal composition further Optionally , further comprising reducing gut bacteria comprises a buffering agent. count, preferably gut E. coli or Salmonella count, in the Optionally , wherein the antifungal composition further animal by a statistically significant amount, preferably by at 45 comprises one or more additional supplement components least 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , 20 % , 25 % , 30 % , 35 % , 40 % , 45 % , or selected from the group consisting of vitamins , minerals , 50 % , as compared to a control. trace minerals , amino acids , health supplements , pharma Optionally , further comprising increasing body weight of ceuticals , plant extracts , phytonutrients , carotenoids, the animal by a statistically significant amount, preferably enzymes , probiotics , lignosulfonates , and organic acids. by at least 0.75 % , more preferably by at least 1 % , stillmore 50 Optionally, further comprising manufacturing the antifun preferably by at least 1.25 % , stillmore preferably by at least gal composition , wherein manufacturing the antifungal com 1.5 % , still more preferably by at least 2 % , as compared to position comprises combining a substantially liquid micro a control. bial fermentation product with a substantially dry and /or Optionally , further comprising decreasing feed conver solid earthen carrier such that the fermentation product binds sion ratio in the animal by a statistically significant amount, 55 to the carrier , preferably by adsorption to a surface of the preferably by at least 3.5 % , more preferably by at least carrier and / or absorption below the surface of the carrier, the 3.75 % , still more preferably by at least 4 % , still more carrier preferably having an average particle size between preferably by at least 5 % , still more preferably by at least about 20-297 um and /or a moisture content between about 6 % , still more preferably by at least 7 % , still more prefer 1 % and about 20 % by weight, the carrier preferably com ably by at least 8 % , still more preferably by at least 9 % , still 60 prising one or more phyllosilicate materials , preferably of more preferably by at least 10 % , as compared to a control. 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 clay mineral variety , the fermentation product Optionally , further comprising increasing life span of the preferably comprising a mixture of (i ) non - living and / or animal by a statistically significant amount, preferably by at non -viable microorganisms, the non - living and / or non -vi least 5 % , or by at least 10 % , or by at least 15 % , or by at least able microorganisms preferably comprising lysed microor 20 % , or by at least 25 % , or by at least 30 % , or by at least 65 ganisms, the microorganisms preferably comprising one or 35 % , or by at least 40 % , or by at least 45 % , or by at least more single - celled microorganisms, ( ii ) anaerobic and 50 % , as compared to a control. optionally aerobic metabolites produced by said microor US 10,674,746 B2 19 20 ganisms, and (iii ) a liquid suspension medium in which the members , combinations , configurations, parameters , prop metabolites were produced by said microorganisms, the erties , steps, etc. ), the descriptions are illustrative and are not fermentation product preferably comprising less than about to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclo 50 % living and /or viable microorganisms. sure and /or the claimed invention . It is also to be understood Any one of the foregoing, wherein the fermentation 5 that much , if not all of the terminology used herein is only product is substantially and /or entirely devoid of probiotic for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the and / or living microorganism of one or more variety . present disclosure , and is not necessarily intended to limit Acomposition or method substantially as described in the the scope of the disclosure in any particular manner . application . Unless defined otherwise , all technical and scientific Some embodiments may include any of the features, 10 terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly options , and /or possibilities set out elsewhere in the present understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure , including in other aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure pertains. present disclosure . It is also noted that each of the foregoing , Various aspects of the present disclosure , including sys following , and /or other features described herein represent a tems, methods, and /or products may be illustrated with distinct embodiment of the present disclosure . Moreover, 15 reference to one or more embodiments or implementations, combinations of any two or more of such features represent which are exemplary in nature . As used herein , the terms distinct embodiments of the present disclosure. Such fea “ embodiment” and “ implementation " mean “ serving as an tures or embodiments can also be combined in any suitable example , instance , or illustration , " and should not necessar combination and /or order without departing from the scope ily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other of this disclosure . Thus, each of the features described herein 20 aspects disclosed herein . In addition , reference to an “ imple can be combinable with any one or more other features mentation " of the present disclosure or invention includes a described herein in any suitable combination and /or order . specific reference to one or more embodiments thereof, and Accordingly , the present disclosure is not limited to the vice versa, and is intended to provide illustrative examples specific combinations of exemplary embodiments described without limiting the scope of the invention , which is indi in detail herein . 25 cated by the appended claims rather than by the description Additional features and advantages of exemplary embodi thereof. ments of the present disclosure will be set forth in the As used throughout this disclosure , the words " can ” and description which follows, and in part will be obvious from “may ” are used in a permissive sense ( i.e., meaning having the description , or may be learned by the practice of such the potential to ) , rather than the mandatory sense ( i.e., exemplary embodiments . The features and advantages of 30 meaning must) . Additionally , the terms " including , " " hav such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means ing, ” “ involving, ” “ containing, " " characterized by, ” variants of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out thereof (e.g. , " includes, " " has, " and " involves, " " contains, " in the appended claims. These and other features will etc.) , and similar terms as used herein , including the claims, become more fully apparent from the following description shall be inclusive and / or open - ended , shall have the same and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of 35 meaning as the word “ comprising ” and variants thereof such exemplary embodiments as set forth hereinafter. ( e.g., " comprise ” and “ comprises” ) , and do not exclude additional, un - recited elements or method steps, illustra BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS tively. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the In order to describe the manner in which the above - recited 40 singular forms “ a ,” “ an ” and “ the” each contemplate , and other advantages and features of the present disclosure include, and specifically disclose both the singular and can be obtained, a more particular description of the embodi plural referents , unless the context clearly dictates other ments briefly described above will be rendered by reference wise. For example , reference to a “ carrier ” contemplates and to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the specifically discloses one , as well as two or more nucleic appended drawings . For better understanding, the like ele- 45 acids. Similarly , use of a plural referent does not necessarily ments have been designated by like reference numbers require a plurality of such referents , but contemplates , throughout the FIGURE ( S ). Understanding that these draw includes , and specifically discloses one, as well as two or ings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and more of such referents , unless the context clearly dictates are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope , otherwise . the invention will be described and explained with addi- 50 It will also be appreciated that where two or more values , tional specificity and detail through the use of the accom or a range of values ( e.g., less than , greater than , at least , panying drawing (s ) in which : and / or up to a certain value , and / or between two recited FIG . 1 depicts a diagrammatic flow chart illustrating a values ) is disclosed or recited , any specific value or range of method of manufacturing and administering an animal feed values falling within the disclosed values or range of values supplement according to an embodiment of the present 55 is likewise specifically disclosed and contemplated herein . disclosure . Thus , disclosure of an illustrative measurement (e.g. , length , width , thickness , etc.) that is less than or equal to about 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION units or between 0 and 10 units includes , illustratively , a specific disclosure of: (i ) a measurement of 9 units , 5 units , Before describing various embodiments of the present 60 1 units , or any other value between 0 and 10 units , including disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure O units and /or 10 units ; and /or ( ii ) a measurement between is not limited to the specific features of the particularly 9 units and 1 units , between 8 units and 2 units , between 6 exemplified systems, methods, and /or products described units and 4 units, and/ or any other range of values between herein that may vary from one embodiment to the next. O and 10 units . Thus, while certain embodiments of the present disclosure 65 Various aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to specific features can be illustrated by describing components that are bound , ( e.g. , components , ingredients, parts , portions, elements , coupled , attached , connected , and /or joined together. As US 10,674,746 B2 21 22 used herein , the terms “ bound, " " coupled ” , “ attached” , Some embodiments include a method of manufacturing " connected ,” and /or “ joined ” are used to indicate either a an animal feed supplement. The method can include apply direct association between two components or, where appro ing a fermentation product to a carrier to form a combination priate , an indirect association with one another through product. In some embodiments , the fermentation product intervening or intermediate components . In contrast, when a 5 can bind to the carrier to form a fermentation product- bound component is referred to as being “ directly bound ,” “ directly carrier. In some embodiments , the fermentation product can coupled ” , " directly attached ” , “ directly connected ,” and /or react with the carrier. The method can also include mixing " directly joined ” to another component, no intervening the combination product with a buffering agent to form a elements are presentor contemplated . Furthermore , binding , buffered combination product . In some embodiments, the coupling, attaching, connecting , and / or joining can comprise 10 method can include mixing one or more additional ingredi mechanical, physical, and /or chemical association . ents with the fermentation product, combination product , In addition , various aspects or embodiments of the present and /or buffered combination product . Some embodiments disclosure can be illustrated by describing components that include a method of manufacturing a supplemented animal are mixed together. As used herein , “mixed ,” “mixing ,” and feed product. Themethod can includemixing an animal feed similar terms indicate a physical combining or combination 15 supplement with an animal feed component. The animal of two or more components . In some embodiments , the feed component can be in solid form ( e.g., animal food ) , physical combining or combination results in a ( chemical liquid form ( e.g., water) , or other form ( e.g., mixture ) . and /or physical) reaction . Such chemical reactions can be Certain embodiments can also include packaging the com evidenced by a change in the chemical composition , pH , or bination product, buffered combination product, and /or other indicator relative to the components prior to being 20 supplemented animal feed product , such as in a sealed , mixed ( or as expected after being mixed absent the reaction ) . air- tight container. Thus, mixing and / or mixed components can include reacting Additional embodiments include a method of enhancing and /or reacted components in certain embodiments . Accord the health of an animal. The method can include adminis ingly , reference to mixing or mixed components includes a tering an effective amount of an animal feed supplement reference to reacting or reacted components . 25 composition to the animal so as to improve one or more To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have health indicators of the animal or animal population ( e.g., as been used , where possible , to designate like elements com compared to a control) . For instance, the animal feed supple mon to the FIGURES . Specifically , in the exemplary ment composition can be administered to the animal by embodiments illustrated in the FIGURES , like structures mixing the animal feed supplement ( in granular , powdered , will be provided with similar reference designations, where 30 pellet , tablet, or other form ) with an animal feed or feed possible . Specific language will be used herein to describe component, such as food or water , or any other suitable the exemplary embodiments . Nevertheless it will be under method . The one or more health indicators can be selected stood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is from the group consisting of (decreased ) gut lesion count thereby intended . Rather , it is to be understood that the and / or size, (decreased ) gut bacteria count and / or size , language used to describe the exemplary embodiments is 35 ( increased ) weight gain , ( enhanced ) feed conversion ratio illustrative only and is not to be construed as limiting the ( i.e., the measure of an animal's efficiency in converting scope of the disclosure ( unless such language is expressly feed mass into body mass or weight) , ( decreased ) mortality , described herein as essential) . and (decreased ) mortality - adjusted feed/ gain ratio . While the detailed description is separated into sections, Each of the foregoing and other embodiments , including the section headers and contents within each section are for 40 specific components , characteristics , and / or features thereof, organizational purposes only and are not intended to be will now be discussed in further detail . self -contained descriptions and embodiments or to limit the Exemplary Carriers scope of the description or the claims. Rather , the contents As used herein , " carrier” and similar terms refer to a of each section within the detailed description are intended component adapted for conveying a substance . For instance , to be read and understood as a collective whole , where 45 the carrier component can comprise a solid , dry, and / or elements of one section may pertain to and /or inform other substantially dry carrier. In at least one embodiment, the sections. Accordingly , embodiments specifically disclosed carrier can comprise an organic and / or earthen carrier, within one section may also relate to and / or serve as comprising one or more organic and /or earth components or additional and /or alternative embodiments in another section materials . Earthen carriers , components , and / or materials having the same and / or similar products , methods, and /or 50 can include, for example , phyllosilicate ( s ) ( e.g., of potas terminology sium (K ), sodium (Na ), calcium (Ca ), and /or aluminum Embodiments of the present disclosure include animal ( Al) ) . The phyllosilicate can be of the chlorite , clay, mica , or feed products compositions, and kits , and methods and /or serpentine variety . In at least one embodiment, the carrier processes for making and using the same. In particular , can comprise one or more 1 :1 or 2 :1 clay mineral phyllo embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an animal 55 silicates . feed additive or a composition that includes an animal feed Exemplary carriers can comprise , without limitation , ali mixed with an animal feed additive, and to methods of ettite , attapulgite , beidellite , bentonite , biotite , calcium sili manufacturing and / or using the same ( e.g., to enhance the cate , calcium stearate , chlorite ( e.g. , clinochlore, chamosite , health of an animal) . The animal feed additive ( or feed nimite , pennantite , and / or zinc , lithium , and /or calcium supplement) can include a carrier and a fermentation product 60 species thereof) , cookeite , diatomite and /or other diatoma bound to the carrier. The additive can also include a buff ceous earth products , dickite , glauconite , halloysite , hecto ering agent mixed with the fermentation product- bound rite , hydrophobic silica , illite , kaolin , kaolinite , montmoril carrier . In some embodiments , the supplement can include lonite, muscovite , nacrite , nontronite , palygorskite , phyllite , one or more additional ingredients . Other embodiments saponite , sauconite , sepiolite , sericite , serpentine, smectite , include a supplemented animal feed product that includes an 65 talc , tonstein , and vermiculite . Certain carriers can be or animal feed componentmixed with an animal feed supple comprise a naturally -occurring material or component. ment. Other carriers can be or comprise an artificial and /or syn US 10,674,746 B2 23 24 thesized material or component. Carriers can also include or more ( fermentation , anaerobic , aerobic , and / or other ) ( dried ) plant materials and /or extracts , e.g., meal, flour, metabolites (produced by the microorganisms, and other protein powders , seaweed , and so forth . components as known in the art. In some embodiments , the carrier can have a moisture The microbial fermentation product can be processed content of less than about 20 % by weight, less than about 5 (e.g. , purified , filtered , isolated , separated , etc. ) or crude 15 % by weight, less than about 10 % by weight, less than ( e.g. , unprocessed ). In some embodiments , the fermentation about 5 % by weight, less than about 3 % by weight, less than product can comprise the substantially unpurified resultant about 2 % by weight, or less than about 1 % by weight. In at ofmicrobial anaerobic (and optionally aerobic ) metabolism , least one embodiment , the carrier can have a moisture including one or more ( fermentation )metabolites , a (liquid ) content between about 0.25 % and about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 10 fermentation medium ( e.g. , remaining after a fermentation 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, between about 0.5 % and process ) , and / or microbial cellular and / or structural compo about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, nents ( e.g. , whole cell lysate ) . between about 1 % and about 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , In at least one embodiment , the fermentation product or 20 % by weight, or between about 2 % and about 3 % , 4 % , includes one or more microorganisms and /or cellular mate 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight . As used herein , the term 15 rial, such as cellular structural components , including cell “ substantially dry carrier ” refers to a carrier having one or wall or fragments thereof, organelle or fragments thereof , more of the foregoing moisture contents . Such substantially and so forth , genetic material, macromolecules, or other dry carriers can be understood generally to be solid , dry component thereof. As used herein , the terms“ microorgan substances, while still having at least some moisture asso ism ," " microbial organism ,” “microbe , " and the like refer to ciated therewith . 20 a species or strain of bacteria , archaea, certain protozoa , In some embodiments , the carrier can be in powdered , fungi , such as yeast , mold , etc. , and algae, whether single granular , and / or particulate form or have an average particle celled or multicellular organism , whether prokaryotic or size between about 20-297 um ( e.g., corresponding to eukaryotic , as understood by those skilled in the art. In some approximately 625-50 mesh ). In at least one preferred embodiments , the fermentation product includes (whole embodiment , the carrier can have an average particle size of 25 cell) lysed microorganisms. The one or more microorgan about 74 um ( or about 200 mesh ) +/- 20 % , 15 % , 10 % , 8 % , isms may include any number ofmicroorganism species or or 5 % . In certain embodiments , the solid carrier can be sized strains, including , without limitation , one, two , three , four, ( e.g., by milling , crushing , grinding , etc. ) to a suitable five , six , seven , eight, nine, ten , or any other number of average particle size. Accordingly , in some embodiments , discrete ( e.g. , separately identifiable ) microorganism strains the solid carrier can be a mined and milled earth component 30 or species . having a suitable average particle size . Exemplary bacteria can include , without limitation : a The carrier component can also or alternatively comprise species or strain of Acetobacter, including species aceti, a liquid or liquid composition (e.g. , solution , suspension , xylinum , suboxydans , and so forth ; a species or strain of colloid , mixture , etc. ) . Exemplary liquid carriers include , Bacillus, including species apiaries, azotofixans, brevis , without limitation , water , a water source , a water supply , a 35 cereus , circulans , coagulans, laterosporus, lentus, licheni liquid feed , an oil, medicaments , or any suitable liquid formis , macerans, marinus, megaterium , pasteurii, poly composition or carrier, such as a solvent (of a solution ), a myxa , pulvifaciens, pumilus, schlegelii, sphaericus, stearo continuous phase ( of a colloid ) , an external phase (of a thermophilus subtilis , thiaminolyticus, thuringiensis , suspension ) , etc. tusciae , and so forth ; a species or strain of Bacteroides, Thus, the carrier can comprise any suitable material 40 including species amylophilus , copillosus, ruminocola , suis , adapted for or capable of conveying a substance . In addition , and so forth ; a species or strain of Bifidobacterium , includ the carrier can be ingested by an animal. For instance , the ing species adolescentis , animalis , bifidum , infantis , longum , carrier can be edible and adapted be consumed by the thermophilum , and so forth ; a species or strain of Entero animal. For instance , the carrier can be known to be con coccus, including species cremoris, diacetylactis, faecium , sumed by the animal 45 intermedius, lactis, thermophilus, and so forth ; a species or Exemplary Fermentation Products strain of Lactobacillus, including species acidophilus, bre As used herein , a (microbial , bacterial, yeast, fungal , etc.) vis , buchneri , bulgaricus, casei, cellobiosus, curvatus, del “ fermentation product” or similar term refers to a resultant bruekii, farciminis, fermentum , helveticus, lactis , plantarum , of at least a period of anaerobic metabolism or cellular reuteri , and so forth ; a species or strain of Leuconostoc , respiration ( e.g., by one or more microorganisms ), as under- 50 including species citovorum , dextranicum , mesenteroides, stood by those skilled in the art, and notmerely bulk or other and so forth ; a species or strain ofMegasphaera , including growth ( e.g. , of such microorganism ( s ) on or in a growth species elsdenii , and so forth ; a species or strain of Pedio medium ). In some embodiment, the fermentation product coccus, including species acidilactici, cerevisiae (damno can also result from (one or more periods of) aerobic sus ), pentosaceus , and so forth ; a species or strain of metabolism . The fermentation product can comprise a con- 55 Propionibacterium , including species freudenreichii, sher densed and /or extracted fermentation product , a presscake , manii, and so forth ; a species or strain of Rhodopseudomo fermentation solubles, a fermentation extract, dried fermen nas, including species palustris , and so forth ; and /or a tation solubles, liquid fermentation product, dried fermen species or strain of Streptococcus , including species crem tation biomass , or a combination thereof. As used herein , a oirs, diacetilactis , faecium , intermedius, lactis , salivarius, “ liquid fermentation product or similar term refers to a 60 thermophilus, and so forth . Other embodiments include , for fermentation product in liquid form . For instance, the liquid example, a species or strain of Streptomyces , including fermentation product can be or comprise components of a species natalensis , chattanoogensis , griseus, and so forth ; a liquid fermentation culture ( e.g., a whole or complete micro species or strain of Xanthomonas , including species camp bial fermentation suspension culture ), including a (at least estris , and so forth ; a species or strain of Rhizopus, including partially spent or post - fermentation ) liquid culture medium 65 species niveus, and so forth ; a species or strain of Micro or component( s ) thereof, one or more microorganisms and / coccus, including species lysodeikticus, and so forth ; a or cellular material ( e.g., structural components ) thereof, one species or strain of Bacillus, including species cereus , and so US 10,674,746 B2 25 26 forth ; and /or a species or strain of Leuconostoc , including Clostridium , Pseudomonas, Shigella , etc., and /or cellular or species citovorum , dextranicum , and so forth . structural components thereof. Some embodiments can also In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can or alternatively include one or more non -GRAS microbes, include Lactobacillus acidophilus and / or cellular or struc including without limitation one or more of the non -GRAS tural components thereof, and one or more additionalmicro- 5 microbes disclosed herein . bial ( e.g. , bacterial , fungal , yeast , mold , algae ) species or In at least one embodiment, the one or more microorgan strains (such as one or more of those listed herein ) and /or isms of the fermentation product can be in a spore form , a cellular or structural components thereof. vegetative form , a metabolic form , or a combination thereof. In some embodiments , the one or more microorganisms In some embodiments, however , the one or more microor do not include a bacteria or bacterial species or strain or are 10 ganisms of the fermentation product can be non - living , substantially devoid of bacteria and / or cellular or structural non -viable , non -metabolic , and /or lysed. Accordingly , the components thereof. For instance , in some embodiments , the fermentation product can comprise one or more non - living , fermentation product can be a fungal ( e.g., yeast and /or non -viable , non -metabolic , and /or lysed microorganism , or mold ) fermentation product that is substantially devoid of cellular material ( e.g. , cell structural components ) thereof . In bacteria and / or cellular or structural components thereof. 15 addition , the fermentation product can be substantially Exemplary fungi can include, without limitation , yeast of devoid of one or more or any living ( e.g. , metabolic , phyla Ascomycota , such as Saccharomycotina and /or Taph dormant, sporulated , etc. )microorganisms . For instance , the rinomycotina ( e.g., Schizosaccharomycetes ), and / or phyla fermentation product can comprise or be comprised of less Basidiomycota , such as Agaricomycotina ( e.g. , Tremellomy than about 50 % , less than about 40 % , less than about 30 % , cetes ) and/ or Pucciniomycotina (e.g. , Microbotryomycetes ). 20 less than about 25% , less than about 20 % , less than about Exemplary yeast can include a species or strain of Candida 15 % , less than about 10 % , less than about 5 % , less than (previously known as Torulopsis ) including species utilis , about 1 % , less than about 0.5 % , less than about 0.25 % , less glabrata , guilliermondii, lipolytica, pseudotropicalis , and so than about 0.1 % , less than about 0.05 % , less than about forth ; a species or strain of Kluyveromyces including species 0.01 % , or less living or viable microorganisms. Accordingly , lactis , and so forth ; and /or a species or strain of Saccharo- 25 whereas probiotic products or direct- fed microorganism myces , including species cerevisiae, boulardii, fragilis, and (DFM ) -containing products may comprise live cultures , a so forth . Exemplary fungi can further include a species or source of live or viable , naturally occurring microorganisms, strain of Aspergillus, including species niger, orizae (or etc., some embodiments of the present disclosure can oryzae ), and so forth ; a species or strain of Penicillium include a microbial fermentation product that is substantially including specise roquefortii, and so forth ; a species or strain 30 or entirely devoid of live or viable microorganisms (of one of Mucor, including species miehei , pusillus, and so forth ; a or more varieties) . In particular , the microorganisms can be species or strain of Morteirella , including species vinaceae , intentionally killed and / or inactivated (e.g. , by lysing, such and so forth ; a species or strain of Endothia , including as by sonicatio vigorous mixing or blending, heat inacti species parasitica , and so forth ; and / or a species or strain of vation , pH inactivation , and so forth ), as known in the art . Rhizomucor, including species miehei , and so forth . 35 As indicated above , the fermentation product can also Some embodiments can be substantially devoid of fungi, include a liquid ( fermentation ) medium ( e.g. , remaining yeast, mold , and/ or cellular or structural components of any after a fermentation process ) . Accordingly , the fermentation one or more of the foregoing. For instance , in some embodi product can comprise a resultant of microbial liquid suspen ments , the fermentation product can be a bacterial fermen sion culture grown in anaerobic (and optionally aerobic ) tation product that is substantially devoid of fungi, yeast, 40 conditions. The medium can include a liquid base compo mold , and /or cellular or structural components of any one or nent , such as water or a nutrient broth ( e.g., Lysogeny Broth more of the foregoing . Some embodiments can be substan (LB ) , M9, fluid thioglycollate medium (FTM ) , NZ, NZY , or tially devoid of mold and /or cellular or structural compo NZYM broths, SOB , SuperBroth , 2X YT, MOPS , SOC , TB , nents thereof. For instance , in some embodiments , the and so forth ). The medium can also include one or more fermentation product can be a bacterial and / or yeast fermen- 45 nutrient, growth , and /or other components ( e.g. , remaining tation product that is substantially devoid of mold and /or after the fermentation process ), such as (i ) a carbon source cellular or structural components thereof. Some embodi (e.g. , carbohydrate , such as glucose , sucrose , fructose, lac ments can be substantially devoid of algae and/ or cellular or tose , galactose, etc.) , ( ii ) ( inorganic ) nitrogen source (e.g. , structural components thereof. Certain embodiments can ammonium , urea , etc.) , ( iii) protein or amino acid source include at least one bacterial species or strain , at least one 50 (e.g. , synthetic proteins or amino acids , natural, plant fungal (or yeast, or mold ) species or strain , and /or at least and /or animal- derived proteins or amino acids, such as one algae species or strain . whey, milk , or milk -based product , etc.) , (iv ) vitamin (e.g. , In some embodiments , the one or more microorganisms thiamine (Vitamin B2) , riboflavin (Vitamin B2) , niacin ( Vita may be beneficial, as understood by those skilled in the art, min B3) , choline (Vitamin B4) , pantothenic acid (Vitamin and / or may be generally recognized as safe (GRAS — an 55 Bs) , pyridoxal (Vitamin B.) , biotin (Vitamin B , ), inositol American Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) designa ( e.g., myo - inositol, Vitamin Bg, etc.) , folic acid (Vitamin tion , which indicates that a substance added to a food is B , ) , benzoic acid ( e.g., para amino benzoic acid (PABA ) , considered safe by experts , and so is exempted from the Vitamin B10 , etc. ) , salicylic acid ( Vitamin Bu ), cobalamin usual Federal Food , Drug , and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA ) food (Vitamin B12 ), Vitamin E , Vitamin D , Vitamin K , Vitamin A , additive tolerance requirements ) , as understood by those 60 Vitamin C , Vitamin H , etc.) or coenzyme thereof ( e.g., skilled in the art. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the ascorbate , retinol, etc. ), ( v ) mineral (e.g. , sodium , potas fermentation product can be substantially devoid of harmful sium , calcium , magnesium , etc.) , ( vi) trace element ( e.g. and / or non -GRAS microorganisms, such as E. coli, Salmo copper , iron , manganese , zinc, molybdenum , chromium , nella , Listeria , and / or Campylobacter, and / or cellular or selenium , etc.) , (vii ) essential element ( e.g., magnesium , structural components thereof. In some embodiments , the 65 nitrogen , phosphorus, sulfur) , ( viii) salt( s ) thereof ( e.g. , fermentation product can also be substantially devoid of molybdate , cellulite , sulfate , chloride, propionate , etc.) , ( ix ) certain (harmful ) species or strains of Mycobacterium , salt ( e.g., potassium phosphate , sodium phosphate , sodium US 10,674,746 B2 27 28 chloride, ammonium chloride , magnesium sulfate , calcium medium , as known in the art. The microbial culture can be chloride , etc.) , ( x ) plant, including a component, part, or grown in natural and /or ambient conditions in some embodi extract thereof ( e.g., seaweed , such as kelp ( e.g., brown ments . In other embodiments , the culture can be grown in algae (Phaeophyceae ) , such as Ascophyllum nodosum , artificial and /or optimized conditions. The microbial cul optionally in meal form ( e.g., dried and ground ) , ( xi) yeast 5 tures can be grown at a biologically -suitable temperature or extract thereof, (xii ) enzyme, and /or (xiii ) any other ( e.g., between about 20-50 degrees Celsius (° C .) or between suitable ( fermentation ) culture component, as known to about 30-40 ° C.) , acidity ( pH ) ( e.g. , about 3.0-8.0 ) , etc. those skilled in the art . In addition , certain fermentation Moreover , the growth medium can include one or more of products can specifically exclude one or more of the fore the above - described or other medium components , includ going or other known culture components ( e.g., serum , 10 ing, without limitation , a ( substantially solid ) base compo growth factor, hormone , enzyme, antibiotic , beef extract, nent ( e.g., agar or other suitable base component) , nutrient, whole blood , heat- treated blood , etc. ). It will be appreciated growth , and /or other components ( e.g. , carbon and /or ( inor that one or more components found in the medium can be ganic ) nitrogen source, vitamin , mineral , trace element, added to the medium before , during , and / or after one or essential element, amino acid , amino acid source, salt , yeast more growth phases of the culture . Alternatively , or in 15 extract , and /or any other culture component, as known to addition , it will be appreciated that one or more components those skilled in the art . In at least one embodiment, the found in the medium can be produced by the microbes microbial culture can be grown in aerobic and / or anaerobic growing in the fermentation culture ( e.g. , as ( fermentation ) conditions . metabolites ). In some embodiments , the fermentation process can also The fermentation product can include one or more 20 include inoculating one ormore of the ) viable microorgan metabolites. In at least one embodiment, the one or more isms or microbial lines (or colonies thereof) into a liquid metabolites comprise fermentation or other metabolites pro growth medium ( e.g., to form a starter suspension culture) , duced by the microorganisms ( e.g. , during anaerobic and as known in the art . Liquid ( suspension ) cultures can also be optionally aerobic metabolism ) . Microbial fermentation grown in natural and /or ambient or artificial and /or opti metabolites can include , without limitation , one or more 25 mized conditions, as described above . The liquid growth organic acids (e.g. , lactic acid , humic acid , carboxylic acid medium can include one or more of the above - described or ( e.g. , carbonic acid , acetic acid , formic acid , propionic acid , other medium components . butyric acid , valeric acid , caproic acid , etc.) , citric acid , In at least one embodiment, the viable starter culture (or salicylic acid , ascorbic acid , and so forth ) amino acids, a suitable portion thereof, including a whole fraction , carbohydrates , fats , fatty -acids , enzymes , vitamins, and /or 30 extract, cell pellet , etc. thereof) can be transferred into liquid any other microbial metabolite component , as known to fermentation medium ( e.g., to form a liquid fermentation those skilled in the art. Themetabolite (s ) can be nutritionally culture ). The liquid fermentation medium and / or culture can beneficial one or more animals ( e.g. , birds, mammals , be disposed in a bioreactor, flask , or other suitable growth etc.) . In some embodiments , the fermentation product can container. Moreover, the liquid fermentation medium and /or include one or more microorganism waste products . In some 35 culture can include one or more of the above -described or embodiments , the metabolite ( s ) can be or comprise one or other medium components . Similarly , the liquid fermenta more microorganism waste products . In at least one embodi tion culture can also be grown in natural and / or ambient or ment, the fermentation product can be substantially devoid artificial and /or optimized conditions, as described above. In of antimicrobials (e.g. , bacteriocins, antibiotics, hydrogen at least one alternative embodiment, the one or more viable peroxide, and so forth ); certain enzymes ( e.g., proteases , 40 microorganisms or microbial lines (or colonies thereof) can amylases , lipases, glycosidases , DNA and / or RNA poly be inoculated directly into a liquid fermentation medium . merases ), and so forth . The fermentation culture can be grown under anaerobic In some embodiments , the metabolites can be at least and / or aerobic conditions for a first period of time and /or partially purified ( e.g., away from undesirable matter, such under first fermentation conditions , as known in the art and as waste products , fermentation medium , microbial cellular 45 described herein . For instance , the fermentation culture can and /or structural material , etc.) . Alternatively , the metabo be grown for between about 0.5 days and about 5 days, at a lites can be substantially unpurified in one or more embodi temperature between about 10-50 ° C., and /or at a pH ments . The substantially unpurified metabolites can be dis between about 2-10 . After the first period of time, the posed in the microbial organisms and / or the ( liquid ) fermentation culture can be grown under anaerobic and /or fermentation medium ( e.g., outside of the microbial organ- 50 aerobic conditions for a second period of time and /or under isms) . In some embodiments , the microorganisms can be second fermentation conditions, as known in the art and lysed (e.g. , such that substantially all of themetabolites are described herein . For instance, the second period of time can free in solution ( i.e. , not contained within the microorgan be between 0.5 days and about 5 days. The second fermen isms) ). Accordingly , in some embodiments , the fermentation tation conditions can include a temperature between about product can comprise a mixture ( e.g., solution , colloid , 55 10-50 ° C., a pH between about 2 and about 10 , etc. In some suspension , colloidal suspension , emulsion , etc. ) of post embodiments , the second period of time and /or second fermentation liquid medium , one or more microbial fermen fermentation conditions can be different than the first period tation metabolites ( e.g., anaerobic and /or aerobic metabolic of time and/ or first fermentation conditions . For instance , the products ), and microbial cellular and / or structural compo fermentation culture (or suitable portion thereof) can be nents ( e.g., whole cell lysate ). In at least one embodiment, 60 transferred into the second fermentation conditions and /or a the mixture can be crude, raw , and/ or substantially unpuri second fermentation medium . The second fermentation fied . medium can be disposed in a bioreactor, flask , or other Exemplary fermentation methods, parameters , etc. suitable growth container and / or can include one or more of include those known to those skilled in the art . The fermen the above - described or other medium components . tation product can be prepared by one or more fermentation 65 It will be appreciated that the fermentation process can processes, including growing of one or more microbial ( e.g., also include additional period ( s ) of time, fermentation con bacterial) species or strains or cell lines on a solid growth dition ( s) , fermentation media , etc., as known in the art and US 10,674,746 B2 29 30 described herein . At the completion of the fermentation potassium sulfate , sodium bentonite , sodium carbonate , process , the fermentation culture can be or comprise a sodium bicarbonate , sodium sesquicarbonate , and combina microbial fermentation product and /or can be optionally tions thereof. In some embodiments , the buffering agents and / or additionally processed to form a microbial fermen can be naturally -occurring (e.g. , mined and /or otherwise tation product. For instance , in certain embodiments , the 5 collected , etc. ) , synthetic , or a mixture thereof. For instance, ( anaerobically and / or aerobically metabolic ) microorgan a sodium sesquicarbonate component can comprise natu isms of the fermentation culture can be intentionally killed rally -occurring sodium sesquicarbonate , or a mixture of and /or inactivated ( e.g., by lysing, such as by sonication , sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, in certain vigorous mixing, or blending , heat inactivation , pH inacti embodiments . vation or killing , and so forth ) , as known in the art . In at least 10 The buffering agent can be in a substantially liquid ( e.g. , some embodiments , fermentation metabolites disposed dissolved or otherwise disposed in a liquid ) or in substan within the microbial cells or organisms of the fermentation tially solid and /or dry (e.g. , particulate, granular, powdered , culture can thereby be released into the medium ( e.g., such etc. ) form . In at least one embodiment, the solid buffering that the metabolites are free in solution or other liquid agent can have a moisture content of less than about 20 % by medium type ). The non - living, non - viable, non -metabolic , 15 weight, less than about 19 % by weight, less than about 15 % and /or lysed microorganism , or cellular material ( cell struc by weight, less than about 10 % by weight, less than about tural components ) thereof, can be retained in the liquid 5 % by weight, less than about 3 % by weight, less than about fermentation medium or at least partially (e.g. , substantially 2 % by weight, or less than about 1 % by weight. In at least and /or completely ) removed therefrom ( e.g. , via (ultra ) one embodiment, the buffering agent can have a moisture centrifugation , filtration , etc. ). In certain embodiments , the 20 content between about 0.25 % and about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , fermentation product comprises a whole - cell and/ or whole 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, between about 0.5 % and culture lysate of the fermentation culture (e.g. , without about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, substantial removal , purification , isolation , etc. of one or between about 1 % and about 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , more ( e.g., any ) component( s ) of the fermentation culture ) . or 20 % by weight , or between about 2 % and about 3 % , 4 % , In alternative embodiments , however, one or more compo- 25 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight. Accordingly , the solid nents of the fermentation culture can be at least partially buffering agent can be substantially dry . The buffering agent and /or substantially removed , purified , isolated , etc. can also be in particulate , granular , powdered , or other form Accordingly , the fermentation product can be in a sub in some embodiments . stantially liquid ( suspension , solution , colloid , gel, slurry , Exemplary Animal Feed Components etc.) form and /or can include one or more components of a 30 As used herein , “ feed ,” “ animal feed ,” “ feed component, " microbial fermentation culture (e.g. , prepared as described “ animal feed component, ” and similar terms refer to a herein and /or as known in the art ). In at least one exemplary product adapted for animal consumption . For instance, in embodiment, the fermentation product can comprise a liquid some embodin ats , the feed or feed component can com suspension comprising the substantially unpurified resultant prise an edible food that includes one or more essential of microbial anaerobic and optionally aerobic metabolism , 35 nutrients ( e.g. , vitamins , minerals , proteins, carbohydrates , including (i ) substantially all of the (fermentation ) metabo fats , fatty - acids, etc.) or other components necessary and / or lites produced by the fermentation culture, ( ii ) the liquid sufficient for the growth and /or maintenance of live animals . fermentation medium in which the fermentation culture was In at least some embodiments , the feed or feed component grown ( e.g., remaining after a fermentation process ), and is or comprises a complete , final , or finished feed product, as ( iii ) a whole - cell lysate the microorganisms or culture, 40 known in the art . In some embodiments , the feed or feed including all of the microbial cellular and /or structural component is or comprises a pre -mix , grain , filler , or other components of the microorganisms grown in the fermenta components as known in the art . The feed or feed component tion culture . Alternatively, the fermentation product can be can also or alternatively comprise water ,molasses , or other in substantially solid form ( e.g., dried , freeze -dried , consumable liquid or fluid . vacuum -dried , heat- dried , dehydrated , extracted , etc. ), com- 45 Furthermore, such feed or feed component can be both prising one or more of the foregoing components of the edible and adapted to be consumed by the animal. For fermentation culture . instance , the feed can be known to be consumed by the A further description of microbial fermentation products , animal. As used herein , " animal” and similar terms refer to process , ingredients , and the like can be found in U.S. Pat. a multicellular , eukaryotic organism , including vertebrates No. 5,549,728, the entirety of which is incorporated by 50 such as birds , mammals , amphibians, reptiles , and fish , as reference herein . well as invertebrates , including shellfish , such as mollusks , Exemplary Buffering Agents ( e.g., squid , cuttlefish , octopus , etc. ), crustaceans ( e.g. , As used herein , the terms “ buffer, ” “ buffering agent” and crabs , lobsters , crayfish , shrimp, etc. ), echinoderms ( e.g. the like refer to a substance adapted for adjusting the acidity starfish , sea urchins, sea cucumbers , etc. ), worms, etc. ( as measured by pH ) of a material or environment to which 55 Illustrative animals include husbandry animals , cattle , it is added and /or inhibiting ( e.g. , preventing , dampening , (dairy ) ruminants , domestic animals , farm animals , compan attenuating, etc.) a rapid change in the pH of the material or ion animals , pets , performance animals , etc. It is noted that environment ( e.g., when an acid or base is added ). The humans are also animals , as understood by those skilled in buffering agent can be a weak acid or a weak base used to the art . It will be appreciated , however, that in some embodi maintain the pH of a solution near a chosen value after the 60 ments , an animal feed is adapted for consumption by one or addition of another acid or base. In some embodiments , the more non -human animals . buffering agent can comprise an electrolyte or electrolyte Certain embodiments can comprise a feed component mixture . adapted for consumption by a specific animal or animal type. Exemplary buffering agents can include, without limita For instance , some embodiments can comprise poultry feed tion , calcium carbonate , fumaric acid , glucono -delta - lac- 65 ( e.g. , mash , pellets , crumbles , scratch , grain , etc. ) as under tone, magnesium oxide , magnesium sulfate, potassium car stood by those skilled in the art . Other embodiments can bonate , potassium bicarbonate , potassium chloride , include feed adapted for ruminants or ruminating mammals US 10,674,746 B2 31 32 ( e.g., cattle (dairy , livestock , draft, etc. ), goats , sheep , gelatin gum , guar gum , lecithin , locust bean gum , stearic giraffes , yaks , deer, antelope , etc.) , swine (e.g. , pigs, hogs, acid , sodiumcarboxy -methyl - cellulose, sodium silico -alumi boars , etc.) , camelids (e.g. , camels , alpacas , lamas, etc. ) , nate , tara gum , etc.) , dust control agents (e.g. , mineral oil, domestic house pets ( e.g., cats , dogs, rabbits , etc.) , rodents paraffin , etc. , or a combination of two or more of the ( e.g., hamsters , gerbils , guinea pigs , etc.) , and so forth . 5 foregoing ), preservatives ( e.g. , calcium propionate , sodium In some embodiments , the feed can be substantially dry . benzoate , etc.) and /or other beneficial animal feed ingredi For instance , the feed can have a moisture content of less than about 20 % by weight, less than about 19 % by weight, ents , or combination thereof. less than about 15 % by weight, less than about 10 % by Some embodiments can also include one or more diluting weight, less than about 5 % by weight, less than about 3 % by 10 agentsdiluents or can diluents dilute one . The or moreone orof themore product diluting or supplement agents or weight, less than about 2 % by weight, or less than about 1 % components into the feed component of the mixture. The one by weight. In at least one embodiment , the feed can have a or more diluting agents or diluents can also or alternatively moisture content between about 0.25 % and about 1 % , 2 % , enhance uniform distribution of the product or supplement 30.5 % ,% 4 and% , 5 about% , 10 %1 %, ,15 2 %% ,, or3 % 20 , 4% % by, 5 weight% , 10 %, ,between 15 % , or about 20 % 15 component( s ) into the feed component of the mixture . by weight, between about 1 % and about 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , Exemplary diluting agents or diluents can include , without 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, or between about 2 % and limitation , a vegetable or grain , an oil ( e.g. , corn , canola , about 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight. In other olive , etc. ), a pre- mix , a vitamin and /or mineral mix , an embodiments , the feed can comprise a wet feed , having a initial portion of the animal feed component, an earthen moisture content greater than about 20 % by weight. 20 carrier, or any other suitable product or supplement compo Exemplary Additional Components nent - diluting or distributing element. In certain embodi Some embodiments of the present disclosure can include ments that include a buffering agent, the one or more one or more additional (health supplementing ) components diluting agents or diluents can comprise the buffering agent. and / or ingredients . For instance , embodiments can include Exemplary Combination Products one or more vitamins ( e.g., optionally selected , indepen- 25 As used herein , “ combination product ” and similar terms dently , from the group consisting of Vitamin A , Vitamin B refer to a composition , mixture, or other combination ( e.g. , complex ( e.g., Vitamin B1 , Vitamin B2 , Vitamin B3 , Vita reaction product) that includes at least a fermentation prod min B4, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 , Vitamin B7 , Vitamin B8, uct and a carrier of the present disclosure. For instance , the Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 , Choline ), Vitamin C , Vitamin D , combination product can be, comprise , or include the fer Vitamin E , and /or Vitamin K , etc.) . An illustrative embodi- 30 mentation product applied to the carrier , the fermentation ment can include one or more minerals or trace minerals (or product bound to the carrier (also termed the fermentation elements ) ( e.g. , optionally selected , independently , from the product- bound carrier ) , and /or the fermentation product group consisting ofmagnesium , calcium , phosphorus, potas bound to the carrier and mixed with one or more additional sium , sodium , boron , cobalt , chloride , chromium , copper, components , such as a buffering agent ( also termed buffered fluoride, iodine, iron , manganese , molybdenum , selenium , 35 combination product, buffered fermentation product- bound zinc, nickel, vanadium , silicon , and / or tin , etc.) . Certain carrier, etc. ) and / or additional ingredient ( e.g., vitamin (s ), embodiments can include, for example , one or more of mineral( s ) or trace mineral( s ) , amino acid ( s ) , health supple copper, manganese , and/ or boron . Some embodiments can ment( s ), pharmaceutical( s ) , nutraceutical( s ) , plant( s ) or include one or more additional components selected from plant part ( s ) , plant product( s ) or extract( s ) , herb ( s ) , phyto one or more: amino acids ( e.g., essential and / or non - essen- 40 nutrient (s ) , carotenoid ( s ) , enzyme( s ) , probiotic ( s ), lignosul tial) , health supplements (e.g. , glucosamine , chondroitin , fonate (s ), organic acid ( s) , and /or any other suitable additive etc. ), pharmaceuticals ( e.g. , chemical additive, medicated or other component, as described above . Certain embodi animal feed component, etc. ) , nutraceuticals , plants or plant ments can be substantially and / or entirely devoid of probi parts ( e.g. , berries , leaves, stems, roots , shoots , seedling , otic and /or living microorganism of one or more variety . cotyledon , etc. ), plant products or extracts ( e.g., seaweed 45 In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can extracts ), herbs, phytonutrients , carotenoids, enzymes (e.g. , be bound to the carrier to form a combination product (or amylase , xylanase , proteases, phytase, glucanase ) , probiot fermentation product -bound carrier ). For instance , the fer ics , lignosulfonates , organic acids ( e.g., humic acids ) , etc. mentation product can be physically and / or chemically Certain embodiments can be substantially and /or entirely bound to the carrier ( e.g., by chemical reaction or means) . In devoid of probiotic and /or living microorganism of one or 50 some embodiments , the fermentation product can be bound more variety . to the carrier by static electricity or by a force other than Certain embodiments can include one or more surfactants , (general ormacro ) static electricity . In certain embodiments , such as a binding and /or emulsifying agent ( e.g., diacetyl binding of the fermentation to the carrier can increase tartaric acid esters ofmono and diglucerides , edible fats and bioavailability of at least one of the metabolites ( e.g. , oils, edible fat - forming fatty acids, ethoxylated mono and 55 relative to being free in solution or extracted , purified , diglycerides ,methyl glucoside coconut oil ester, mineral oil , and / or isolated from solution or cell ). Accordingly , the mono and diglycerides of edible fats or oils or edible fermentation product can be applied to the carrier, bound to fat - forming acids , monosodium phosphate derivatives of the outer surface of the carrier , and /or bound to a portion of mono and diglycerides of edible fats or oils or edible the carrier adjacent to or below the surface . For instance , in fat - forming fatty acids, polyoxyethylene glycol 400 (mono 60 some embodiments, at least a portion of the liquid fermen and dioleates) , polysorbate 80 , polysorbate 60 (polyoxy tation product can be ( i ) adsorbed to the surface of the carrier ethylene (20 ) sorbitan monostearate , propylene glycol, and /or ( ii ) absorbed below the surface of the carrier. The sodium stearoyl lactylate , sorbitan mono -stearate with or liquid fermentation product can also be bound to the carrier without polysorbate 60 , Tween 80 ( T - 80 ) , etc. , or combina by drying thereon and / or therein after being applied thereto . tion thereof. 65 Thus, in certain embodiments , the liquid fermentation prod Some embodiments can include one or more stabilizing , uct can be at least partially dry -bound to the carrier. As used anti- caking , and /or processing agents ( e.g., carrageenan , herein , “ dry -bound ," and similar terms refers to the persis US 10,674,746 B2 33 34 tent and /or sustained physical association of two or more fermentation product and /or one or more components substances by physical and / or chemical forces established thereof is maintained at the suitable pH or pH range , or in during a drying process . a ( carrier ) environment having the suitable pH or pH range . In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product can In at least one embodiment, the fermentation product and /or substantially or at least partially coat the carrier . For 5 one or more components thereof can react ( chemically ) with instance , the fermentation product can be applied to the the carrier and /or one or more components thereof to form carrier ( e.g., such that the liquid portion of the fermentation a combination product having a suitable pH . Thus, in at least product does not dissolve the carrier and /or such that the one embodiment, the carrier (or reacted carrier and fermen applied portion of the fermentation product substantially or tation product) can provide and /or have the suitable pH or at least partially coat surrounds the carrier) . In some embodi- 10 pH range , or an environment having the suitable pH or pH ments , at least a portion of the fermentation product can be range . chemically bound to the carrier . For instance, the fermen In some embodiments , the addition of a buffering agent tation product can be reacted with the carrier ( e.g. , such that ( e.g., as described herein ) to the fermentation product - bound a physical and /or chemical binding reaction occurs ) . The carrier can provide the suitable pH or pH range , or envi reaction can be endothermic or exothermic . In addition , the 15 ronment having the suitable pH or pH range. For instance , reaction can be facilitated and /or accelerated by one or more in one or more embodiments , the buffering agent and / or the enzymes or other reaction components or parameters ( e.g. , fermentation product- bound carrier plus buffering agent heat, air ( flow ), mixing , etc.) . The enzyme or other compo combination (i.e. , buffered fermentation product -bound car nent can be a metabolic reaction product , a fermentation rier ) can provide and /or have a pH between about 2-10 , culture component, and /or a separate component added prior 20 preferably between about 2-8 , more preferably between to or during application of the fermentation product to the about 2-6 , stillmore preferably between about 2-5, still more carrier . preferably between about 2-4 , still more preferably between In some embodiments , the fermentation product- bound about 2-3 , still more preferably between about 3-10 , still carrier can be in a solid form . For instance , the fermentation more preferably between about 3-8, still more preferably product -bound carrier can have a moisture content of less 25 between about 3-6 , still more preferably between about 3-5 , than about 20 % by weight, less than about 15 % by weight, still more preferably between about 3-4 , still more prefer less than about 10 % by weight, less than about 5 % by ably between about 4-10 , still more preferably between weight, less than about 3 % by weight, less than about 2 % by about 4-8 , stillmore preferably between about 4-6 , stillmore weight, or less than about 1 % by weight. In at least one preferably between about 4-5 . In at least one embodiment, embodiment, the fermentation product -bound carrier can 30 the fermentation product -bound carrier can be mixed and / or have a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about 1 % , reacted with the buffering agent at a ratio of less than, up to , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, between at least, and /or between approximately 1:20 , approximately about 0.5 % and about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 1:15, approximately 1:10 , approximately 1 : 9 , approximately 20 % by weight, between about 1 % and about 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 1 : 8 , approximately 1 : 7 , approximately 1 : 6 , approximately 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, or between about 2 % and 35 1: 5 , approximately 1: 4 , approximately 1 : 3, approximately about 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight. Accord 1 : 2 , approximately 1 : 1 , or approximately 1: 0.5 , fermenta ingly , the fermentation product- bound carrier can be sub tion product -bound carrier to buffering agent , or vice versa . stantially dry . In other embodiments , the fermentation prod The fermentation product- bound carrier and buffering uct - bound carrier can be in a substantially liquid agent can both be in substantially dry and / or solid form . ( suspension , solution , colloid , gel, slurry , etc.) form . 40 Thus, in some embodiments , the buffered fermentation In one or more embodiments , the fermentation product product -bound carrier can also be in a solid form . For can be bound to the carrier such that the fermentation instance , the buffered fermentation product- bound carrier product and / or one or more components thereof is main can have a moisture content of less than about 20 % by tained at a suitable pH or pH range , or in an environment weight, less than about 15 % by weight, less than about 10 % having a suitable pH or pH range. For instance, in some 45 by weight, less than about 5 % by weight, less than about 3 % embodiments , the carrier and /or the fermentation product by weight, less than about 2 % by weight, or less than about bound carrier can provide and /or have a pH between about 1 % by weight. In at least one embodiment, the fermentation 2-10 , preferably between about 2-8 , more preferably product- bound carrier can have a moisture content between between about 2-6 , still more preferably between about 2-5 , about 0.25 % and about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or still more preferably between about 2-4 , still more prefer- 50 20 % by weight, between about 0.5 % and about 1 % , 2 % , 3 % , ably between about 2-3 , still more preferably between about 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, between about 1 % 3-10 , still more preferably between about 3-8 , still more and about 2 % , 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or 20 % by weight, preferably between about 3-6 , still more preferably between or between about 2 % and about 3 % , 4 % , 5 % , 10 % , 15 % , or about 3-5 , stillmore preferably between about 3-4 , still more 20 % by weight. Accordingly , the buffered fermentation preferably between about 4-10 , still more preferably 55 product -bound carrier can be substantially dry . Alterna between about 4-8 , still more preferably between about 4-6 , tively , one or more of the fermentation product- bound still more preferably between about 4-5 . carrier and buffering agent can be in wet , fluid , and / or liquid Some embodiments can include one or more methods form ( e.g., suspension , solution , colloid , gel , slurry, etc. ) . and / or materials for maintaining the fermentation product In at least one embodiment, the addition of the fermen and /or one or more components thereof, the fermentation 60 tation product- bound carrier or buffered fermentation prod product -bound carrier , and /or other product or composition uct- bound carrier to an animal feed component ( e.g. , as described herein at the suitable pH or pH range , or in an described herein ) can provide the suitable pH or pH range , environment having a suitable pH or pH range . For instance , or environment having the suitable pH or pH range , for the in one or more embodiments , the fermentation product animal feed , and vice versa . For instance , in one or more and/ or one or more components thereof can be reacted with 65 embodiments , the mixture of animal feed and fermentation the carrier, adsorbed to the surface of the carrier, and /or product- bound carrier or buffered fermentation product absorbed below the surface of the carrier such that the bound carrier can provide and /or have a pH between about US 10,674,746 B2 35 36 2-10 , preferably between about 2-8 , more preferably kg, approximately 1-4 kg, approximately 1-2 kg , approxi between about 2-6 , still more preferably between about 2-5 , mately 1.5-10 kg , approximately 1.5-8 kg , approximately still more preferably between about 2-4 , still more prefer 1.5-5 kg , approximately 1.5-4 kg, approximately 1.5-2 kg , ably between about 2-3 , still more preferably between about approximately 2-10 kg, approximately 2-8 kg, approxi 3-10 , still more preferably between about 3-8 , still more 5 mately 2-5 kg , approximately 2-4 kg , approximately 4-10 preferably between about 3-6 , still more preferably between kg, approximately 4-5 kg, approximately 1 kg , approxi about 3-5 , still more preferably between about 3-4 , still more mately 1.5 kg , approximately 2 kg , approximately 4 kg , preferably between about 4-10 , still more preferably approximately 5 kg, approximately 8 kg, approximately 10 between about 4-8 , still more preferably between about 4-6 , kg, approximately 25 kg, or approximately 50 kg ofbuffered still more preferably between about 4-5 . 10 fermentation product -bound carrier per metric ton of the In some embodiments , the fermentation product- bound feed component, or any range therebetween . carrier or buffered fermentation product -bound carrier can In some embodiments , the buffered fermentation product bemixed (or reacted ) with the animal feed componentat any bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feed component suitable ratio . In one or more embodiments , for example , the at a ratio of less than about 50 kg , less than about 25 kg, less fermentation product- bound carrier can be mixed with the 15 than about 10 kg, less than about 8 kg, less than about 5 kg , animal feed component at a ratio of up to , at least, and /or less than about 5 kg , less than about 4 kg, less than about 3 between approximately 0.05-50 kg, approximately 0.1-25 kg, less than about 2 kg , less than about 1 kg , or less than kg, approximately 0.25-10 kg , approximately 0.25-8 kg , about 0.5 kg of buffered fermentation product- bound carrier approximately 0.25-5 kg, approximately 0.25-4 kg, approxi per metric ton of the feed component, or any range therebe mately 0.25-2 kg, approximately 0.25-1 kg, approximately 20 tween . In certain embodiments , the buffered fermentation 0.5-10 kg, approximately 0.5-8 kg, approximately 0.5-5 kg , product- bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feed approximately 0.5-4 kg , approximately 0.5-2 kg , approxi component at a ratio of greater than about 0.25 kg, greater mately 0.5-1 kg , approximately 1-10 kg , approximately 1-8 than about 0.5 kg , greater than about 0.75 kg, greater than kg, approximately 1-5 kg , approximately 1-4 kg , approxi about 1 kg , greater than about 2 kg, greater than about 3 kg , mately 1-2 kg , approximately 1.5-10 kg, approximately 25 greater than about 4 kg, greater than about 5 kg, greater than 1.5-8 kg , approximately 1.5-5 kg , approximately 1.5-4 kg , about 6 kg , greater than about 8 kg, greater than about 10 kg , approximately 1.5-2 kg , approximately 2-10 kg, approxi greater than about 15 kg , or more of buffered fermentation mately 2-8 kg, approximately 2-5 kg , approximately 2-4 kg, product- bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component, approximately 4-10 kg , approximately 4-5 kg , approxi or any range therebetween . In at least one embodiment, the mately 1 kg , approximately 1.5 kg, approximately 2 kg, 30 buffered fermentation product -bound carrier can be mixed approximately 4 kg , approximately 5 kg, approximately 8 with the animal feed component at a ratio of about 100 g , kg, approximately 10 kg , approximately 25 kg, or approxi 200 g , 250 g , 300 g , 400 g , 500 g , 750 g , 1000 g , 2500 g , mately 50 kg of fermentation product- bound carrier per 2000 g , 2500 g , 5000 g , or more of buffered fermentation metric ton of the feed component, or any range therebe product -bound carrier per 1000 kg of feed component, or tween . In some embodiments , the fermentation product- 35 any range therebetween, or ratio corresponding thereto . bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feed component Thus, in some embodiments , the fermentation product at a ratio of less than about 50 kg, less than about 25 kg, less bound carrier or buffered fermentation product- bound car than about 10 kg , less than about 5 kg, less than about 4 kg , rier can be mixed with the animal feed component at any less than about 3 kg , less than about 2 kg , less than about 1 suitable ratio . kg , or less than about 0.5 kg of fermentation product -bound 40 In some embodiments , the fermentation product- bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component, or any range carrier or buffered fermentation product -bound carrier can therebetween . In certain embodiments , the fermentation be packaged ( e.g., with or without an animal feed compo product -bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feed nent as described herein ) . In at least one embodiment, the component at a ratio of greater than about 0.25 kg, greater packaging can reduce, inhibit , and / or ( substantially ) prevent than about 0.5 kg, greater than about 0.75 kg , greater than 45 substantial absorption or loss of moisture (e.g. , outside a about 1 kg, greater than about 2 kg, greater than about 3 kg , suitable range , as described herein ) by the packaged product . greater than about 4 kg, greater than about 5 kg , greater than It will be appreciated that a moisture content above a certain about 6 kg , greater than about 8 kg , greater than about 10 kg , threshold can increase the risk or occurrence of one or more greater than about 15 kg , or more of fermentation product undesirable effects . For instance , in at least one embodiment, bound carrier per metric ton of the feed component, or any 50 a moisture content of greater than about 20 % by weight, range therebetween . In at least one embodiment, the fer greater than about 15 % by weight, greater than about 10 % mentation product- bound carrier can be mixed with the by weight, or greater than about 5 % by weight can permit, animal feed component at a ratio of about 100 g , 200 g 250 enhance, improve, and / or augmentmicrobial growth on or in g , 300 g , 400 g , 500 g , 750 g , 1000 g , 1500 g , 2000 g , 2500 ( or contamination of) the packaged product, reduce the g, 5000 g, or more of fermentation product- bound carrier per 55 stability of the packaged product or one ormore components 1000 kg of feed or feed component, or any range therebe thereof, etc. tween , or ratio corresponding thereto . On the other hand , in some embodiments , a moisture In other embodiments , the buffered fermentation product content below a certain threshold can increase the risk or bound carrier can be mixed with the animal feed component occurrence of one or more other undesirable effects . For at a ratio of up to , at least, and /or between approximately 60 instance, a moisture content of less than about 0.25 % by 0.05-50 kg, approximately 0.1-25 kg, approximately 0.25-10 weight, less than about 0.5 % by weight , less than about kg , approximately 0.25-8 kg, approximately 0.25-5 kg, 0.75 % by weight, less than about 1 % by weight, less than approximately 0.25-4 kg, approximately 0.25-2 kg , approxi about 1.5 % by weight, less than about 2 % by weight, less mately 0.25-1 kg , approximately 0.5-10 kg, approximately than about 3 % by weight, less than about 4 % by weight, or 0.5-8 kg , approximately 0.5-5 kg, approximately 0.5-4 kg , 65 less than about 5 % by weight , can reduce the effectiveness approximately 0.5-2 kg, approximately 0.5-1 kg , approxi of the packaged product or one or more components thereof mately 1-10 kg, approximately 1-8 kg, approximately 1-5 ( e.g., in enhancing one or more health indicators in an US 10,674,746 B2 37 38 administered animal or animal population ), enhance, The fermentation product can be applied to the carrier at improve, and / or augment the decomposition of the packaged a ratio of up to , at least, and /or between approximately 1: 1 product or one or more components thereof, etc. by weight, approximately 1: 1.5 by weight , approximately In one or more alternative embodiments , the combination 1 : 2 by weight, approximately 1 : 2.5 by weight, approxi product can comprise the liquid fermentation product com 5 mately 1 : 3 by weight, approximately 1 : 3.5 by weight, bined and / or mixed with a liquid carrier. For instance, the approximately 1 : 4 by weight, approximately 1 : 5 by weight , liquid fermentation product can be combined and /or mixed approximately 1 : 6 by weight, approximately 1 : 7 by weight, with water ( e.g., an animal's water supply ) to form a approximately 1: 8 by weight, approximately 1 :9 by weight, combination product. The liquid fermentation product can or approximately 1:10 by weight, fermentation product to be dissolved , suspended , dispersed , or otherwise disposed in 10 carrier, or vice versa . At least a portion of the fermentation the liquid carrier. As used herein , combining and /or mixing product can physically and/ or chemically react or mix with a liquid fermentation product with a liquid carrier such that and / or bind to the carrier. For instance, at least a portion of the liquid fermentation product becomes dissolved , sus the fermentation product can be adsorbed to a surface of the pendedcomprises , dispersed applying , or the otherwise fermentation disposed product in the to liquid the carriercarrier 15 carrier and/ or absorbed below the surface of the carrier. such that the fermentation product binds to the carrier . The At least one embodiment can include mixing the carrier pH of the liquid composition /combination product can be and /or fermentation product- bound carrier ( e.g., before , adjusted , as necessary , by a buffering agent, as described after , and /or while applying the fermentation product to the herein . Additional ingredient( s ), as described above, can carrier ). The carrier and / or fermentation product- bound car also be added to ( e.g., dissolved , suspended , dispersed , or 20 rier can bemixed in any suitable container or on any suitable otherwise disposed in ) the liquid carrier . surface . For instance, the carrier can be mixed by rotation Methods ( e.g., in a drum or barrel) , by shaking ( e.g. , on or in a tray Some embodiments of the present disclosure can include or receptacle ), by stirring (e.g. , on or in a tray or receptacle ), methods ofmanufacturing an animal feed supplement and / or and so forth . In addition , the carrier can be mixed at any a supplemented animal feed . An illustrative method can 25 suitable speed . Regardless of the specific type of mixing , optionally include producing a microbial fermentation prod container, surface , etc., mixing can be measured in terms of uct ( e.g. , as known in the art and /or described herein ) . For revolutions, rotations , and /or reciprocations per minute instance , the method of producing a microbial fermentation ( rpm ) . For instance , the carrier can be mixed at a speed of product can include culturing one or more live and / or viable between about 1-500 rpm , between about 5-300 rpm , microorganisms (or microbial species or strains or lines 30 between about 10-200 rpm , between about 15-100 rpm , thereof ) under anaerobic (and optionally aerobic ) conditions between about 20-60 rpm , between about 30-50 rpm , or any ( e.g. , in a fermentation medium , etc., as known in the art range therebetween . In some embodiments , suitable mixing and /or described herein ) and / or such that the microorgan speed can ensure that the carrier , fermentation product isms produce at least one fermentation metabolite . Some bound carrier , and /or other combination product is appro embodiments can also include (intentionally ) killing and / or 35 priately and/ or optimally processed . For instance, a mixing inactivated ( e.g. , by lysing, such as by sonication , vigorous speed above a certain threshold can reduce the size and /or mixing, or blending, heat inactivation , pH inactivation or uniformity of product particles below an appropriate and /or killing , and so forth ) such that the fermentation product is optimal level . Similarly , a mixing speed below a certain substantially devoid of the live and /or viable microorgan threshold can inhibit sufficient or successful application or isms (e.g. , substantially devoid of one or more or any living 40 coating of the fermentation product around or about the microorganisms) . The fermentation product can , however, carrier and / or can lead to clumping of the product , causing include one or more ( e.g., substantially all ) cellular and /or the size and /or uniformity of product particles to be inap structural components of the microorganisms. The fermen propriate and /or suboptimal. Regardless , the effects of tation product can also include at least one fermentation improper mixing can include reduced stability and /or activ metabolite and /or the fermentation culture medium (or com- 45 ity of the product . ponent( s ) thereof) . Certain embodiments can include applying air or a flow of Some embodiments include mixing ( or reacting ) one or air. The air or flow of air can be applied (i ) while mixing the more vitamins and /or minerals with the fermentation prod carrier and /or fermentation product -bound carrier ( e.g. , uct . In particular, one or more of the vitamins and /or before , after , and /or while applying the fermentation product minerals can be bound or chelated to at least one of the 50 to the carrier ), ( ii ) over a specific , predetermined , or defined metabolites of the fermentation product ( e.g., such that the period of time ( e.g., between about 6-120 hours , between bioavailability of the at least one of the metabolites is about 12-96 hours, between about 12-120 hours, between increased thereby ) . about 48-60 hours , etc. ) and /or ( iii ) until the fermentation Illustrative methods can also include forming a combina product -bound carrier achieves a suitable moisture content, tion product by at least applying the fermentation product to 55 as described herein . Moreover , the air flow can be applied at a carrier . For instance, the fermentation product ( in substan a rate of greater than or equal to about 25 m®/ minute , up to tially liquid form ) can be fluidly applied to the carrier , such about 200 m3/ minute , between about 25 m /minute and as by spraying , pouring , dripping , etc. and /or such that the about 200 m3/ minute , between about 40 m3/ minute and fermentation product binds to the carrier. The carrier can be about 150 m3/ minute , between about 50 m3/ minute and or comprise a solid and / or substantial dry carrier , such as an 60 about 100 m3/ minute , or between about 60 m3/ minute and earthen carrier , as described herein , optionally comprising about 75 mº/ minute , in certain embodiments . Preferably , the one or more phyllosilicates. The carrier can also or alterna air or air flow can be applied at a rate of about 68 m3/ minute . tively be or comprise a liquid carrier , such as water or a In some embodiments , suitable temperature can ensure that water source or supply , as described herein . The fermenta the mixture dries to a suitable moisture content in a suitable tion product can be applied to or combined or mixed with the 65 amount of time, thereby reducing, inhibiting, and / or sub carrier, such that fermentation product becomes dispersed stantially preventing and / or avoiding product caking or within or throughout the carrier . clumping , microbial contamination and / or growth , etc. US 10,674,746 B2 39 40 In at least one embodiment, the method includes main between about 4-5 , etc. ) after or near completion of the taining the carrier , mixed fermentation product and carrier , reaction and /or binding process . In some embodiments , the and /or fermentation product- bound carrier at a suitable suitable maintenance pH can improve, enhance, and / or reaction temperature (e.g. , below about 60 ° C., below about maintain the stability , longevity , and / or composition ( i.e., 58 ° C., below about 56 ° C., below about 55 ° C. , below about 5 avoiding , reducing, and /or inhibiting decomposition ) of the 52 ° C., below about 50 ° C., below about 48 ° C., below about reaction product and/ or fermentation product- bound carrier . 45 ° C., below about 42 ° C., below about 40 ° C., below about In addition , the suitable maintenance pH can inhibit micro 39 ° C., below about 38 ° C., below about 37 ° C., below about bial contamination and / or growth on or in the product ( e.g., 35 ° C., below about 32 ° C., below about 30 ° C., below about especially at lower pH ) . In at least one embodiment, the 25 ° C., below about 20 ° C., etc. and /or above about 5 ° C., 10 reaction can have a pH lowering effect (e.g. , on the carrier above about 10 ° C., above about 15 ° C., or above about 20 ° and /or mixture of carrier and fermentation product ). C.) during the reaction and /or binding process . In some Some embodiments include mixing ( e.g. , as described embodiments , suitable reaction temperature can ensure that above or otherwise mixing ) one or more vitamins and / or the reaction occurs at an optimal speed / rate , the reaction minerals with the fermentation product- bound carrier ( or product is dried (at a suitable rate ) to a suitable moisture 15 fermentation product- applied carrier) . As indicated above, content, etc. In addition , the method can include maintaining one or more of the vitamins and /or minerals can be bound or the reaction product and /or fermentation product- bound chelated to at least one of the metabolites of the fermentation carrier at a suitable maintenance and/ or storage temperature product ( e.g. , such that the bioavailability of the at least one ( e.g. , below about 42 ° C., below about 40 ° C., below about of the metabolites is increased thereby ). Vitamins and / or 39 ° C., below about 38 ° C., below about 37 ° C., below about 20 minerals can also enhance the nutritional value of the 35 ° C., below about 32 ° C., below about 30 ° C., below about product . Embodiments can also include mixing ( e.g., as 28 ° C., below about 25 ° C., below about 20 ° C., below about described above or otherwise mixing) the fermentation 15 ° C., or below about 10 ° C., below about 5 ° C., below product- bound carrier with one or more additional compo about 2 ° C., etc. and /or above about 0 ° C., above about 2 ° nents ( e.g. , one ormore humic acids, plant extracts , such as C., above about 5 ° C., above about 10 ° C., or above about 25 a seaweed extract , lignosulfonate , etc.) , as described herein . 15 ° C., etc.) after or near completion of the reaction and / or Some embodiments include mixing ( e.g. , as described binding process. In some embodiments , a suitable mainte above or otherwise mixing ) the fermentation product -bound nance temperature can improve , enhance, and /or maintain carrier with an animal feed component (e.g. , to form a the stability , longevity , and /or composition ( i.e., avoiding, nutrient enhanced or supplemented animal feed product ). reducing , and /or inhibiting decomposition ) of the reaction 30 The fermentation product -bound carrier can be mixed with product and / or fermentation product- bound carrier. the animal feed component at any suitable ratio ( e.g., as In addition , in one or more embodiments , the aforemen described herein ). It will be appreciated that the mixture can tioned parameters ( e.g. , mixing, applying , air , temperature , comprise a consistent, heterogeneous mixture of fermenta etc.) can cause and /or enhance binding of the fermentation tion product- bound carrier and animal feed component. In product to the carrier. For instance , the parameters can cause 35 some embodiments , suitable ratio of fermentation product and /or enhance adsorption of the fermentation product to the bound carrier to feed component can ensure proper nutri surface of the carrier , absorption of the fermentation product tional supplementation and /or nutrient delivery to the below the surface of the carrier , and /or drying of the administered animals . For instance , if too little of the fermentation product on or in the carrier. Thus, the fermen fermentation product- bound carrier is added , the animal may tation product can be or become dry -bound to the carrier in 40 not receive adequate nutrition . However, if too much of the some embodiments. fermentation product -bound carrier is added , the perfor In at least one embodiment, the method can also include mance of the product may be reduced and / or the health maintaining the fermentation product -bound carrier at a benefits to the animal( s ) may be reduced . suitable reaction pH between about 2-10 , preferably Some embodiments include mixing ( e.g., as described between about 2-8 ,more preferably between about 2-6 , still 45 above or otherwise mixing ) the fermentation product- bound more preferably between about 2-5 , still more preferably carrier with a buffering agent to form a buffered combination between about 2-4 , still more preferably between about 2-3 , product. The buffering agent can be mixed with the fermen still more preferably between about 3-10 , still more prefer tation product -bound carrier at any suitable ratio ( e.g. up to , ably between about 3-8 , still more preferably between about at least, and /or between approximately 1:20 , approximately 3-6 , still more preferably between about 3-5 , still more 50 1:15, approximately 1:10 , approximately 1: 9, approximately preferably between about 3-4 , still more preferably between 1 : 8 , approximately 1 : 7 , approximately 1 : 6 , approximately about 4-10 , still more preferably between about 4-8 , still 1: 5 , approximately 1: 4 , approximately 1: 3 , approximately more preferably between about 4-6 , still more preferably 1 : 2 , approximately 1 : 1 , or approximately 1 :0.5 , fermenta between about 4-5 , etc. ) during the reaction and /or binding tion product -bound carrier to buffering agent ) . In some process . In some embodiments, the suitable pH can ensure 55 embodiments , suitable ratio of fermentation product- bound and / or enhance the chemical reaction . The method can also carrier to buffering agent can ensure optimal performance, include maintaining the fermentation product- bound carrier activity , stability , and / or longevity of the product. In some at a suitable maintenance pH between about 2-10 , preferably embodiments , suitable ratio of fermentation product- bound between about 2-8, more preferably between about 2-6 , still carrier to buffering agent can ensure proper nutritional more preferably between about 2-5 , still more preferably 60 supplementation and / or nutrient delivery to the administered between about 2-4 , still more preferably between about 2-3 , animals . still more preferably between about 3-10 , still more prefer Some embodiments include mixing (e.g. , as described ably between about 3-8 , still more preferably between about above or otherwise mixing ) the fermentation product , com 3-6 , still more preferably between about 3-5 , still more bination product , or buffered combination product with a preferably between about 3-4 , still more preferably between 65 feed component to form a supplemented feed composition . about 4-10 , still more preferably between about 4-8 , still The fermentation product , combination product, or buffered more preferably between about 4-6 , still more preferably combination product can be mixed with a feed component at US 10,674,746 B2 41 42 a ratio of at least , up to , between , and / or about 1 : 100 , mentation product - applied carrier , or fermentation product 1 : 150 : 1 : 200 , 1 : 250 , 1 :300 , 1 : 350 , 1 :400 , 1 : 450 , 1 :500 , bound carrier and / or any other process step described herein 1 :600 , 1 : 700 , 1 : 750 , 1 : 800 , 1 : 900 , 1 : 1000 , 1 : 1250 , 1 : 1500 , and /or known in the art. Some embodiments can include an 1 : 1750 , 1 :2000 , 1: 2500 , 1: 3000 , 1 :3500 , 1: 4000 , 1: 4500 , optional step 12b of adding one or more additional ingre 1: 5000 , etc. , by weight or by volume ( fermentation product , 5 dients to the fermentation product- applied carrier . combination product , or buffered combination product -to As illustrated in FIG . 1, the liquid fermentation product feed component) . It will be appreciated that the feed com can be applied to a dry carrier to form a fermentation ponent can be or comprise solid , liquid , or other form of product- bound carrier. As indicated above, however, in one food or drink (e.g. , water ) . or more alternative embodiments, the carrier can be or Thus, completed formulations of certain embodiments of 10 comprise a liquid or non -dry carrier , such as water. Accord the present disclosure can include a fermentation product ingly , the liquid fermentation product can be applied to the bound carrier or a buffered fermentation product- bound liquid carrier, such as by mixing , stirring, etc. The fermen carrier (with or without an animal feed component and /or tation product can also be in solid or non - liquid form and one or more additional components ) , as described herein . In applied to a dry or liquid carrier in certain embodiments . For at least one embodiment, the completed formulation ( s ) can 15 instance, a non - liquid fermentation product can be dis be sized ( e.g., milled , crushed , grinded , and / or screened ) to solved , suspended , or otherwise applied to a liquid carrier, or obtain a substantially uniform particle size ( e.g. , on average , mixed , combined , or otherwise applied to a solid carrier between about 20-297 um (or approximately 625-50 mesh ), without necessarily departing from the scope of the present preferably about 74 um (or approximately 200 mesh ) +/ disclosure . 20 % , 15 % , 10 % , 8 % , or 5 % ) . The formulations can option- 20 At least one embodiment can include a step 16 of mixing ally be manufactured in granule , powder , pellet, bolus, the fermentation product- bound carrier with at least one tablet, or other suitable form . In some embodiments , the buffering agent, as described herein , to form a second completed formulation can be packaged ( e.g. , so as to product ( e.g., a buffered fermentation product- bound car reduce, inhibit and/ or substantially prevent loss ( e.g., yield rier ). Some embodiments can include an optional step 12c of reduction ), contamination ( e.g. , with live and /or viable 25 adding one or more additional ingredients , as described microorganisms, fungus , parasite , etc.) , and /or substantial above, to the buffered fermentation product- bound carrier . absorption or loss of moisture by the packaged product . One or more embodiments can also include a step 18 of Thus, the method can also include packaging the composi mixing the buffered fermentation product - bound carrier with tion , such as by vacuum or other sealing in an air- tight an animal feed product to form a third product (e.g. , a container. 30 ( buffered ) supplemented animal feed product . Some An exemplary method of implementing an embodiment of embodiments can include an optional step 12d of adding one the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG . 1. FIG . 1 depicts or more additional ingredients , as described above , to the a diagrammatic flow chart illustrating a method of manu ( buffered ) supplemented animal feed product . In addition , facturing and optionally administering an animal feed some of such embodiments can include a step 20 of admin supplement according to various embodiments of the present 35 istering the ( buffered ) supplemented animal feed product to disclosure . It will be appreciated , however , that portions of one or more animals . the illustrated method can comprise separate embodiments As further illustrated in FIG . 1 , certain embodiments can of the present disclosure ( e.g. , methods of manufacturing a include a step 22 ofmixing the fermentation product- bound composition , producing a nutrient enhanced animal feed carrier with an animal feed product (without a buffering product, enhancing the health of an animal , etc. ). As illus- 40 agent) to form a fourth product ( e.g. , a ( un -buffered ) supple trated in FIG . 1 , an embodiment of the present disclosure can mented animal feed product) . Some embodiments can include a step 10 of providing a liquid fermentation product include an optional step 12e of adding one or more addi as described herein . In an alternative embodiment, the tional ingredients , as described above, to the (un -buffered ) fermentation product can be in a solid or non -liquid form . supplemented animal feed product . In addition , some Some embodiments can include an optional step 12a of 45 embodiments can include a step 24 of administering the adding one or more additional ingredients , such as ( un -buffered ) supplemented animal feed product to one or vitamin ( s ), mineral( s ) or trace mineral( s ) , amino acid ( s ), more animals . Alternative embodiments can include a step health supplement( s) , pharmaceutical( s ), nutraceutical (s ) , 26 of administering the fermentation product- bound carrier plant( s ) or plant part( s ) , plant product ( s ) or extract ( s ) , to one or more animals or a step 28 of administering the herb ( s ), phytonutrient (s ), carotenoid ( s) , enzyme (s ), probiot- 50 buffered fermentation product- bound carrier to one or more ic ( s ) , lignosulfonate ( s ) , organic acid ( s ), etc., to the liquid animals . fermentation product. It will be appreciated that such addi It will be appreciated that some embodiments of the tional ingredients can also or alternatively be added to the present disclosure provide one or more advantages over medium before , during , and /or after one or more growth existing products and methods . For instance, as indicated phases of the fermentation culture . Certain embodiments can 55 above , the fermentation product- bound carrier, buffering be substantially and /or entirely devoid of probiotic and /or agent, and feed component can each be in substantially dry living microorganism of one or more variety . and /or solid form ( e.g., having moisture content( s ) as Certain embodiments can include a step 14 of applying described herein ), in certain embodiments . Such substan the fermentation product to a dry carrier as described herein tially dry and / or solid compositions can be ideal and / or to form a first product ( e.g. , a fermentation product - applied 60 uniquely suited for various types of animal feeds. For carrier ). For example , the applying step 14 can include one instance, certain animals may prefer substantially dry and/ or or more of spraying, pouring, dripping , etc. the fermentation solid feeds. In addition , certain feed compositions ( e.g., feed product onto the carrier, binding or dry -binding the fermen supplements , supplemented feeds , etc. ) may be easier, faster, tation product to the carrier, reacting the fermentation prod more economical, and /or safer ( for animals and /or users ) to uct with the carrier , and / or drying the fermentation product 65 handle , store , move , mix , distribute , test , and / or eat in a on or in the carrier . The applying step 14 can also or substantially dry and /or solid form . Thus, substantially dry alternatively include drying the combination product, fer and / or solid compositions can provide a significant advan US 10,674,746 B2 43 44 tage over substantially wet and/ or liquid compositions, in a substantially wet or at least partially liquid animal food some situations, application , or embodiments . For instance, feed product. For instance , in at least one embodiment , the mixing a liquid fermentation product with a powdered dry fermentation product -bound carrier can be at least buffering agent can be messy, expensive , and time- consum partially dissolved in the water supply ( e.g. , such that ing , etc. 5 consumption (drinking ) of the water constitutes administra Moreover, in at least some embodiments , the liquid fer tion of an effective amount of the animal feed supplement to mentation product and dry buffering agent can be incom the animal) . In other embodiments , the fermentation prod patible ( for direct mixing) . For instance , the liquid fermen uct , carrier , fermentation product- applied carrier can be in tation product can have a low pH ( e.g., less than or equal to liquid form and /or can be introduced into the animal's water about 5 , 4 , 3 , or 2 , in some embodiments ) , while the dry 10 supply . Furthermore , the buffering agent and / or additional buffering agent ( such as carbonate- based buffering agent ) component( s) can also be administered through the animals can have a higher pH ( e.g., greater than or equal to about 8 , water supply , the at least partially liquid animal feed prod 9 , 10 , or 11 , for instance , about 8.4 (sodium bicarbonate ), uct , etc. about 9.8 (sodium sesquicarbonate ) , or about 11.4 ( sodium Furthermore, rather than a probiotic / direct -fed microor carbonate )) . Accordingly , the application of an acidic liquid 15 ganism (DFM ) -containing products comprising live cul fermentation product to a basic , dry , carbonate - based buff tures, a source of live ( viable ), microorganisms, etc., some ering agent to , or vice versa, at a suitable ratio , may cause embodiments of the present disclosure can include a micro a violent reaction . Similarly , such mixing can induce the bial fermentation product that is substantially devoid of live rapid formation of carbon dioxide and /or result in the loss of and /or viable microorganisms. Thus, certain embodiments the carbonate buffering agent. 20 of the present disclosure do not provide a significant source Thus, by first reacting or binding the liquid fermentation of live and / or viable microorganisms. As such , rather than culture with or to a dry carrier , and then combining the dry introducing probiotic microorganisms into the subject ani combination product with the dry buffering agent , some mal, certain embodiments of the present disclosure intro embodiments can provide or produce a dry , buffered fer duce components adapted to support , increase , and /or main mentation product in dry form without requiring that the 25 tain a healthy and / or desirable population of beneficial gut liquid fermentation culture be dried out ( via filtering, evapo flora in the subject animal, and /or control, reduce , and /or ration , dehydrating , vacuum , heat, air, etc. ) . The dry , buff maintain an acceptable and / or suitable population of non ered fermentation product can be made without substantial pathogenic , pathogenic , and /or potentially pathogenic gut loss of the buffering agent or molecular component thereof flora in the subject animal. and without mixing, reacting, and/ or combining a complete , 30 It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present liquid microbial fermentation suspension culture , as disclosure can enhance , support , aid , boost , bolster , aug described herein , with a dry buffering agent. In addition , the ment, and /or assist the health and /or well -being of an animal dry, buffered fermentation product can be made without when an effective am thereof is administered to the substantial loss of the one or more component of the animal. Thus , some embodiments can include enhancing , fermentation culture . For instance , the liquid medium of the 35 supporting , aiding, boosting, bolstering, augmenting , and/ or culture , include soluble or other components thereof, need assisting the health of an animal by administering an effec not be removed in order to combine the fermentation prod tive amount of an animal feed supplement composition of uct with the buffering agent. Thus , embodiments of the the present disclosure to the animal so as to improve one or present disclosure enable the use of a complete fermentation more of the aforementioned health indicators of the animal suspension culture in the production of animal feed supple- 40 or animal population. As used herein , administering can ments and supplemented animal feeds. comprise feeding the feed supplement composition to the Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present disclo animal such that the animal ingests the effective amount of sure provide a fermentation product comprising whole - cell the animal feed supplement composition . For instance , the or whole -culture lysate , instead of a culture extract or feed supplement composition can be mixed with a feed isolate . For instance , the fermentation product can comprise 45 component that the animal is known to eat . a liquid suspension comprising the substantially unpurified Alternatively , the animal feed supplement composition resultant of microbial anaerobic metabolism , including (i ) ( e.g. , fermentation product -applied carrier or buffered fer substantially all of the ( soluble and/ or fermentation ) metabo mentation product -applied carrier , with or without addi lites produced by the fermentation culture, ( ii ) the liquid tional ingredient( s ) ) can be administered directly to the fermentation medium in which the fermentation culture was 50 animal (e.g. , without mixing the product into the animal's grown ( e.g., remaining after a fermentation process ), and feed or water ) . For instance , in some embodiments , the ( iii ) whole -cell lysate , including all of the microbial cellular animal feed supplement composition can be processed into and /or structural components of the microorganisms grown a pellet or tablet and /or fed directly to the animal. Pelleted in the fermentation culture , rather than a partial purification embodiments may require a suitable amount of heat, pres or isolate of certain fermentation culture metabolites or 55 sure , moisture, or other parameter , but have been found to microorganisms. Spraying and / or dry - binding the liquid deliver similar beneficial results when administered to ani fermentation product ( e.g. , as a crude, raw , whole and / or mals (see below ) . complete fermentation culture ) to the substantially dry and / The one or more health indicators can include gut lesion or solid carrier can provide (substantially all of the ) com count, gut bacteria count and /or plate count, animal weight ponents of a whole and /or substantially complete microbial 60 and / or body mass , feed consumption, feed conversion ratio , fermentation culture in a substantially dry and / or solid form mortality , metabolism and / or metabolic rate , digestion , ( e.g. , without dehydrating and / or otherwise drying the whole nitrogen retention , milk production ( in mammals ) , milk suspension culture ). quality (as measured by milk fat and /or protein content, It will be appreciated , however , that certain embodiments etc. ) , overall health and appearance , and so forth . In par of the present disclosure can be administered to the animal 65 ticular embodiments, the method can comprise enhancing ( s ) through the animal's water supply ( e.g. , disposed in a weight gain , reducing feed consumption and /or improving trough , bowl, pond , puddle , dispenser, etc. ) and /or through feed conversion ratios ( especially under biotic and abiotic US 10,674,746 B2 45 46 stress conditions) , reducing mortality (and /or mortality rates 85-90 ° F. ( about 29-32 ° C.) for days 0-7 , 100 ° F. ( about in a population ) , reducing incidence of gut lesions, reducing 37-38 ° C.) for days 8-14 , and 105 ° F. (about 40-41 ° C.) for counts , plate counts , and / or other incidents of bacteria ( e.g., days 15-49 . Measured health indicators included gut lesion E. coli, Salmonella , etc. ) , improving nitrogen retention , score / formation , Escherichia coli gut count, incidence of increasing milk production in mammals , improving milk 5 Salmonella infection , weight gain , feed conversion ratio , quality ( increased fat and /or protein content, etc.) in mam and death /mortality . mals , improving metabolizable energy levels, improving digestion , improving overall health and appearance, and so The gut lesion scores included both coccidiosis signs and forth . Such health indicators can be measured in an indi necrotic enteritis signs and were performed on ten birds per vidual animal and / or in a population ( e.g. , as an average ). 10 replicate (or 100 birds per treatment ) using a scale from 0-4 : Exemplary Experimental Results O = no lesion found , 1 = slight redness but no cell sluffing Broiler chickens were obtained from a single source and (mucus ), 2 = moderate redness and /or slight cell sluffing , randomly assigned to the treatments outlined below . The 3 = severe redness and /or severe cell sluffing , 4 = actual bleed birds were fed commercial feed formulated to meet mini ing observed . Testing for Escherichia coli was performed on mum nutrient requirements of a typical commercial broiler 15 ten birds per replicate ( or 100 birds per treatment ) using chicken diet using the NRC Nutrient Requirements for USDA / FSIS MLG 3.02 , section 3.7 procedure and are Poultry in a mash form for starters (0-21 days ), growers presented as ( log 10 ) bacterial plate count. Salmonella ( 22-42 days) , and finishers (43-49 days ), with or without one incidence was tested following USDA / FSIS MLG 4.03 of the feed supplement additives. The additives included , in procedure and are present as number of birds with measur the alternative: ( i ) fermentation product -bound carrier com- 20 able bacterial infection . position (" combo " ) — added to the feed at a final ratio of about 1 :4000 (" combo ( 1 ) ” — or about 250 gramsof additive Weight gain was measured as the difference between bird per 1000 kg feed ) , about 1 : 2000 (" combo ( 2 ) ” — or about weight at day ( and day 21 for the entire flock of each 500 grams of additive per 1000 kg feed ) , or about 1 : 1000 treatment (or 560 birds) , and is presented as the average (" combo (3 ) ” — or about 1000 grams of additive per 1000 kg 25 increase ( in pounds ) for each treatment. Feed conversion feed ) by weight ( the fermentation product being mixed / ratios were calculated and presented as the treatment aver reacted with the carrier at a ratio of about 1: 1 by weight) ; (ii ) age ratio of ration weight (over the 21 day treatment) to the buffering agent (“ buffer ” ) — added to the feed at a final ratio bird weight ( at the end of each treatment) for the entire flock of about 1 : 250 or about 4 kg buffering agent per 1000 kg of each treatment ( or 560 birds ). Mortality was measured as feed, or ( iii ) fermentation product- bound carrier with buff- 30 the raw number of deaths (by the end of day 21 and day 49 ering agent (" combo + buffer ” ) — with the buffering agent and of the treatment) for the entire flock ( or 560 birds per fermentation product- bound carrier added to the feed , treatment ) under abiotic ( severe heat ) stress conditions and respectively , at the final ratios described above ( such that the is expressed as the number of deaths per 100 birds . The fermentation product -bound carrier is combined with the percent change of each health indicator for each feed ration buffering agent at a ratio of about 1:16 (about 250 grams of 35 formulation as compared to a control population of birds fed additive per 4 kg buffering agent) , about 1 : 8 (about 500 with finished feed alone (“ control” ) or finished feed with grams of additive per 4 kg buffering agent) , or about 1 : 4 buffering agent at a ratio of about 4 kg buffering agent per ( about 1000 grams of additive per 4 kg buffering agent) . The additives were added to each ration of finished feed 1000 kg of finished feed ( “ control + buffer ” ) is also presented . by premixing an appropriate , pre -determined amount of the 40 Statistical significance of the results is indicated by a additive in a small plastic bag with the addition of about 100 letter (or letter combination ) indicator following each data grams of corn oil ( e.g., to enhance uniform distribution of number . Numbers within a row that that do not share at least the additive ) and about 454 grams of feed ( e.g. , to dilute the one letter indicator have a statistically signi difference . additive into an initial portion of feed and enhance uniform In other words, the difference between any two numbers in distribution of the additive in the feed ). The initial dilution 45 the same row is statistically significant; ( P < 0.05 ) as deter (or premix ) was then mixed with the remainder of the full mined by Least Significant Difference , if the two numbers ration until thorough distribution of the additive in the feed do not have at least one letter indicator in common . was achieved . All diets and fresh well water were offered ad libitum . Each floor pen study included 10 replicates per TABLE 1 treatment, 56 birds per replicate , mixed - sex (50 % male and 50 50 % female ) broilers , for a total of 560 birds per treatment. Gut lesion score under biotic stress conditions (Eimeria acervulina Other ratios, amounts , combinations , etc. were tested with and Escherichia coli contamination ) . out being reported in the present disclosure . Accordingly , Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) other ratios, amounts , combinations, etc. are also contem plated herein . 55 1.59 a 1.23 b 1.18 b 1.03 b The results were obtained from feed studies conducted 22.64 % decrease 25.79 % decrease 35.22 % decrease under mild biotic stress and normal grow -out conditions Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + with moderate environmental temperature conditions or Control buffer buffer buffer under abiotic high heat stress. Two different mild biotic 1.59 a 1.14 b 1.03 b 0.76 b stress conditions were tested . A first condition included 60 28.30 % decrease 35.22 % decrease 52.20 % decrease Eimeria acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination of the litter conditions to induce contamination of the chicken Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + intestinal system (21 day trial) . A second condition included buffer buffer buffer buffer Clostridium perfringens (Necrotic Enteritis -causing bacte 1.18 a 1.14 a 1.03 a 0.76 a ria ) contamination of the litter conditions to induce contami- 65 3.39 % decrease 12.71 % decrease 35.59 % decrease nation of the chicken intestinal system (21 day trial) . Tem perature regime for the heat stress conditions was as follows : US 10,674,746 B2 47 48 TABLE 2 Gut lesion score under biotic stress conditions ( Clostridium perfringens contamination ). Control Combo ( 1) Combo (2 ) Combo (3 ) 5 1.75 a 1.43 b 1.19 bc 0.97 C 18.29 % decrease 32.00 % decrease 44.57 % decrease Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Control buffer buffer buffer 10 1.75 a 1.20 b 0.86 C 0.92 bc 31.43 % decrease 50.86 % decrease 47.43 % decrease Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + buffer buffer buffer buffer 15 1.08 ab 1.20 b 0.86 a 0.92 ab 11.11 % increase 20.37 % decrease 14.81 % decrease

TABLE 3 Gut lesion score under abiotic ( severe heat) stress conditions. Day of the trial Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) Day 21 2.10 a 1.92 a 1.03 b 1.11 b 8.57 % decrease 50.95 % decrease 47.14 % decrease Day 49 2.03 a 1.67 b 1.33 c 1.10 c 17.73 % decrease 34.48 % decrease 45.81 % decrease Day of the trial Control Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 21 2.10 a 1.53 b 0.97 C 0.87 C 27.14 % decrease 53.81 % decrease 47.43 % decrease Day 49 2.03 a 1.49 b 1.06c 0.68 d 26.60 % decrease 47.78 % decrease 66.50 % decrease Day of the trial Control + buffer Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo (2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 21 1.51 a 1.53 a 0.97 b 0.87 b 1.32 % increase 35.76 % decrease 42.38 % decrease Day 49 1.40 a 1.49 b 1.06c 0.68 d 6.43 % increase 24.29 % decrease 51.43 % decrease

TABLE 4 Gut bacteria count under biotic stress conditions (Eimeria acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination ) Bacteria Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2) Combo ( 3 ) E. coli 6.7413 a 6.5526 a 5.5551 b 5.0367 b ( log10 ) 2.80 % decrease 17.60 % decrease 25.29 % decrease Salmonella 40.0 a 32.0 ab 25.0 b 30.0 ab incidence 20.00 % decrease 37.50 % decrease 25.00 % decrease Bacteria Control Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo (2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer E. coli 6.7413 a 6.0324 b 5.7032 b 4.7189 c ( log10 ) 10.52 % decrease 15.40 % decrease 30.00 % decrease Salmonella 40.0 a 38.0 a 23.0 b 18.0 b incidence 5.00 % decrease 42.50 % decrease 55.00 % decrease Bacteria Control + buffer Combo( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer E. coli 6.2003 a 6.0324 a 5.7032 a 4.7189 b ( log10 ) 2.71 % decrease 8.02 % decrease 23.89 % decrease Salmonella 38.0 a 38.0 a 23.0 b 18.0 b incidence 0.00 % decrease 39.47 % decrease 52.63 % decrease US 10,674,746 B2 49 50 TABLE 5 Gut bacteria count under biotic stress conditions (Clostridium perfringens contamination ). Bacteria Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) E. coli 6.4502 a 6.3789 a 5.5998 b 5.1405 b ( log10 ) 1.11 % decrease 13.18 % decrease 20.30 % decrease Salmonella 43.0 a 34.0 a 31.0 a 30.0 a incidence 20.93 % decrease 27.91 % decrease 30.23 % decrease

Bacteria Control Combo( 1 ) + buffer Combo (2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer

E. coli 6.4502 a 6.2689 a 5.2937 b 4.5652 c ( log10 ) 2.81 % decrease 17.93 % decrease 29.22 % decrease Salmonella 43.0 a 32.0 ab 29.0 bc 17.0 c incidence 25.58 % decrease 32.56 % decrease 60.47 % decrease

Bacteria Control + buffer Combo (l ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3) + buffer

E. coli 6.1123 a 6.2689 a 5.2937 b 4.5652 c ( log10 ) 2.56 % increase 13.39 % decrease 25.31 % decrease Salmonella 31.0 a 32.0 a 29.0 ab 17.0 b incidence 3.23 % increase 6.45 % decrease 45.16 % decrease

TABLE 6 Gut bacteria count under abiotic (severe heat ) stress conditions. Bacteria Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) Day 21 of the trial E. coli 6.3346 a 6.1792 a 5.3677 b 4.9623 b ( log10 ) 2.45 % decrease 15.26 % decrease 21.66 % decrease Salmonella 42.0 a 34.0 ab 26.0 6 25.0 b incidence 19.05 % decrease 38.10 % decrease 40.48 % decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli 6.5378 a 6.0500 b 5.5158 c 5.1571 c ( log10 ) 7.46 % decrease 15.63 % decrease 21.12 % decrease Salmonella 53.0 a 40.0 b 26.0 c 26.0 c incidence 24.53 % decrease 50.94 % decrease 50.94 % decrease Bacteria Control Combo( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo (3 ) + buffer Day 21 of the trial E. coli 6.3346 a 5.7606 b 5.2173c 4.5824 d ( log10 ) 9.06 % decrease 17.64 % decrease 27.66 % decrease Salmonella 42.0 a 35.0 a 21.0 b 13.0 b incidence 16.67 % decrease 50.00 % decrease 69.05 % decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli 6.5378 a 5.8796 b 5.1981 c 4.5609 d ( log10 ) 10.07 % decrease 20.49 % decrease 30.24 % decrease Salmonella 53.0 a 40.0 b 23.0 c 16.0 c incidence 24.53 % decrease 56.60 % decrease 69.81 % decrease Bacteria Control + buffer Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo (2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3) + buffer US 10,674,746 B2 51 52 TABLE 6 - continued Gut bacteria count under abiotic (severe heat ) stress conditions. Day 21 of the trial E. coli 5.6282 ab 5.7606 a 5.2173 b 4.5824 c ( log10 ) 2.35 % increase 7.30 % decrease 18.58 % decrease Salmonella 37.0 a 35.0 a 21.0 b 13.0 b incidence 5.41 % decrease 43.24 % decrease 64.86 % decrease Day 49 of the trial E. coli 5.7932 a 5.8796 a 5.1981 b 4.5609c ( log10 ) 1.49 % increase 10.27 % decrease 21.27 % decrease Salmonella 38.0 a 40.0 a 23.0 b 16.0 b incidence 5.26 % increase 39.47 % decrease 57.89 % decrease

TABLE 7 20 TABLE 8 Average body weight gain ( lbs ) under biotic stress conditions Average body weight gain ( lbs ) under biotic stress conditions ( Eimeria acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination ). ( Clostridium perfringens contamination ) . Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) Control Combo ( 1) Combo (2 ) Combo ( 3 ) 1.5145 a 1.5192 ab 1.5250 ab 1.5324 c 25 1.5195 a 1.5257 ab 1.5308 bc 1.5406 C 0.31 % increase 0.69 % increase 1.18 % increase 0.41 % increase 0.74 % increase 1.39 % increase Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Control buffer buffer buffer Control buffer buffer buffer 1.5145 a 1.5264 b 1.5382 c 1.5463 c 30 1.5195 a 1.5317 b 1.5439 C 1.5511 c 0.79 % increase 1.56 % increase 2.10 % increase 0.80 % increase 1.61 % increase 2.08 % increase Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + buffer buffer buffer buffer buffer buffer buffer buffer

1.5284 ab 1.5264 a 1.5382 bc 1.5463 c 35 1.5340 a 1.5317 b 1.5439 ac 1.5511 c 0.13 % decrease 0.64 % increase 1.17 % increase 0.15 % decrease 0.65 % increase 1.11 % increase

TABLE 9 Average body weight gain ( lbs ) under abiotic ( severe heat) stress conditions. Control Combo ( 1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo (3 )

Day 0-21 1.4570 a 1.4866 b 1.5088 C 1.5252 d 2.03 % increase 3.56 % increase 4.68 % increase Day 0-49 5.7599 a 5.8715 b 5.9636 c 6.0302 d 1.94 % increase 3.54 % increase 4.69 % increase

Control Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer

Day 0-21 1.4570 a 1.4895 b 1.5267 C 1.5487 d 2.23 % increase 4.78 % increase 6.29 % increase Day 0-49 5.7599 a 5.8944 b 6.0107 c 6.1123 d 2.34 % increase 4.35 % increase 6.12 % increase

Control + buffer Combo (1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer

Day 0-21 1.4868 a 1.4895 a 1.5267 b 1.5487 c 0.18 % increase 2.68 % increase 4.16 % increase Day 0-49 5.8914 a 5.8944 a 6.0107 b 6.1123 c 0.05 % increase 2.02 % increase 3.75 % increase US 10,674,746 B2 53 54 TABLE 10 TABLE 11 Feed conversion ratio under biotic stress conditions ( Eimeria Feed conversion ratio under biotic stress conditions acervulina and Escherichia coli contamination ) (Clostridium perfringens contamination ). Control Combo ( 1) Combo (2 ) Combo ( 3) 5 Control Combo (1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3) 1.3778 a 1.3695 a 1.3521 a 1.3404 a 1.3806 a 1.3717 a 1.3616 a 1.3464 a 0.60 % decrease 1.87 % decrease 2.71 % decrease 0.64 % decrease 1.38 % decrease 2.48 % decrease Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Control buffer buffer buffer 10 Control buffer buffer buffer 1.3778 a 1.3532 ab 1.3409 ab 1.3210 b 1.3806 a 1.3586 ab 1.3449 ab 1.3263 b 1.79 % decrease 2.68 % decrease 4.12 % decrease 1.59 % decrease 2.59 % decrease 3.93 % decrease Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + Control + Combo ( 1 ) + Combo ( 2 ) + Combo ( 3 ) + buffer buffer buffer buffer 15 buffer buffer buffer buffer 1.3552 a 1.3532 a 1.3409 a 1.3210 a 1.3570 a 1.3586 a 1.3449 a 1.3263 a 0.15 % decrease 1.06 % decrease 2.52 % decrease 0.12 % increase 0.89 % decrease 2.26 % decrease

TABLE 12 Feed conversion ratio under abiotic ( severe heat) stress conditions . Control Combo ( 1 ) Combo (2 ) Combo ( 3 ) Day 0-21 1.4019 a 1.3846 ba 1.3643 bc 1.3524 c 1.23 % decrease 2.68 % decrease 3.53 % decrease Day 0-49 1.9162 a 1.8917 ab 1.8588 ab 1.8415 b 1.28 % decrease 3.00 % decrease 3.90 % decrease Control Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 0-21 1.4019 a 1.3782 ab 1.3485 bc 1.3299 C 1.69 % decrease 3.81 % decrease 5.14 % decrease Day 0-49 1.9162 a 1.8822 ab 1.8436 b 1.8168 b 1.77 % decrease 3.79 % decrease 5.19 % decrease Control + buffer Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 0-21 1.3814 a 1.3782 ba 1.3485 bc 1.3299c 0.23 % decrease 2.38 % decrease 3.73 % decrease Day 0-49 1.8799 a 1.8822 a 1.8436 a 1.8168 a 0.12 % increase 1.93 % decrease 3.36 % decrease

TABLE 13 Mortality under abiotic ( severe heat ) stress conditions - expressed as dead bird count per 100 birds. Control Combo ( 1 ) Combo ( 2 ) Combo ( 3 ) Day 0-21 4.6429 d 4.2857 d 3.5714 ad 3.0357 a 7.69 % decrease 23.08 % decrease 34.62 % decrease Day 0-49 12.6087 d 10.4348 c 8.4783 bc 6.9565 b 17.24 % decrease 32.76 % decrease 44.83 % decrease Control Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 0-21 4.6429 d 3.9286 bd 3.3929 ab 2.5000 a 15.38 % decrease 26.92 % decrease 46.15 % decrease Day 0-49 12.6087 d 9.7826 c 7.3913 b 5.2174 a 22.41 % decrease 41.38 % decrease 58.62 % decrease

Control + buffer Combo ( 1 ) + buffer Combo ( 2 ) + buffer Combo ( 3 ) + buffer Day 0-21 3.9286 b 3.9286 b 3.3929 ab 2.5000 a 0.00 % decrease 13.64 % decrease 36.36 % decrease Day 0-49 9.5652 c 9.7826 c 7.3913 b 5.2174 a 2.27 % increase 22.73 % decrease 45.45 % decrease US 10,674,746 B2 55 56 Additional trials included the administration of various TABLE 16 compositions of the present disclosure in pellet form . Stud ies were conducted under abiotic high heat stress . Tempera Body weight ( g ) day ( -49 . ture regime for the heat stress conditions was as follows: 35 ° Carrier + C. for days ( -7 , 37.8 ° C. for days 8-14 and 40.6 ° C. for days 5 fermentation 15-49 . The broiler chicken were obtained from the same (500 g / 1000 kg Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed ) source and randomly assigned to the treatments . The birds Control fermentation (250 ml/ 1000 and fermentation were fed a commercial feed rations for starters (0-21 days ) , Finished (500 g / 1000 kg liters of ( 250 ml/ 1000 liters feed alone finished feed ) drinking water) of drinking water ) growers (22-42 days) and finishers (43-49 days ) with or 10 without additive . All diets and fresh well water were offered 2976 d 3112 b 3131 ab 3159 a ad libitum . 4.57 % increase 5.21 % increase 6.15 % increase In a first floor pen study with 8 replications per treatment, 24 birds per replication , the fermentation product- bound carrier composition was added to antibiotic - free, corn - soy 15 TABLE 17 based feeds at levels of 0 (control ), 0.05 % by weight, or Feed conversion ratios day 0-21. 0.10 % by weight , or pelleted at 76.7 ° C. or applied post Carrier + pelleting at 0.05 % by weight. Effect of carrier + fermentation fermentation product (or fermentation product -bound carrier composi ( 500 g /1000 kg Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed ) tion ) ( CF ) applied pre- or post- pelleting on Body Weight 20 Control fermentation ( 250 ml/ 1000 and fermentation (BW ) , Feed /Gain ratio , Mortality - Adjusted Feed /Gain ratio Finished (500 g / 1000 kg liters of (250 ml/ 1000 liters (MAF /G ) , and percentmortality of broilers exposed to heat feed alone finished feed ) drinking water) of drinking water) stress for 21 days, as compared to the control set (no 1.3878 d 1.3579 bc 1.3456 b 1.3266 a 2.15 % decrease 3.04 % decrease 4.41 % decrease additive ) , are presented in Table 14 . 25 TABLE 14 TABLE 18 Treatment BW ( g ) Feed /Gain MAF/ G Mortality ( % ) Feed conversion ratios day 0-49 . 30 Carrier + Control (basal ) 572 1.70 a * 1.46 a 30.7 a fermentation CF 0.05 % pre - pelleting 567 1.48 b 1.36 b 18.8 b ( 500 g / 1000 kg Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) CF 0.10 % pre- pelleting 552 1.43 b 1.34 b 15.6 b Control fermentation ( 250 ml/ 1000 and fermentation CF 0.05 % post- pelleting 573 1.36 b 1.30 b 13.1 b Finished (500 g / 1000 kg liters of (250 ml/ 1000 liters 35 feed alone finished feed ) drinking water ) of drinking water ) * Means followed by different letters in the same column are significantly different ( P < 1.9017 e 1.8541 bc 1.8432 ab 1.8258 a 0.001) . 2.50 % decrease 3.08 % decrease 4.00 % decrease In a second set of experiments, with 10 replications per treatment, 70 birds per replication , the CF composition was 40 applied as dry additive to the feed at 500 grams of fermen TABLE 19 tation product -bound carrier per 1000 kg of finished feed , Mortality ( % ) day 0-21 . the liquid fermentation product was applied to the drinking Carrier + water at 250 milliliters of fermentation product per 1000 45 fermentation liters of drinking water, or as combination of the two (500 g /1000 kg application methods. Numbers within a row followed by Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed ) Control fermentation ( 250 ml/ 1000 and fermentation different letters are significantly different ( P < 0.05 ) as deter Finished ( 500 g /1000 kg liters of ( 250 ml/ 1000 liters mined by Least Significant Difference. feed alone finished feed ) drinking water) of drinking water ) 50 3.2857 b 2.2857 ab 2.1429 ab 1.7143 a TABLE 15 30.4 % decrease 34.8 % decrease 47.8 % decrease Body weight ( g ) day 0-21.

Carrier + 55 TABLE 20 fermentation Mortality ( % ) day 0-49 . ( 500 g /1000 kg Carrier + Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed) fermentation Control fermentation and fermentation ( 250 ml/ 1000 60 (500 g /1000 kg Finished (500 g /1000 kg liters of ( 250 ml/ 1000 liters Untreated Carrier + fermentation finished feed ) Control fermentation ( 250 ml/ 1000 and fermentation feed alone finished feed ) drinking water) of drinking water) Finished ( 500 g / 1000 kg liters of (250 ml/ 1000 liters feed alone finished feed ) drinking water) of drinking water ) 808 b 821 a 822 a 829 a 10.00 c 6.60 ab 6.20 ab 4.80 a 1.61 % increase 1.73 % increase 2.60 % increase 65 34.0 % decrease 38.0 % decrease 52.0 % decrease US 10,674,746 B2 57 58 Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure ( e.g., com TABLE 21 positions or components thereof) can be added to the ani mal's food and /or water supply . Each additive was dissolved Fungal growth incidence . in a suitable amount of water and mixed with the water Fungal growth incidence in different feeds ( % ) supplied to each group . Beneficial results were similarly 5 Incubation Cytozyme Cytozyme observed in the supplemented water group . Another group time Basal Basal Control Control treated treated was administered the various additives in both the water starter grower starter grower starter grower supply and feed , as described above . Further beneficial (weeks ) 2 0 0 0 0 0 results were observed in the supplemented water and feed 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 group . 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 Embodiments of the present disclosure are also useful for 10 0 0 17 0 0 0 supplying nutrition and/ or enhancing the health of other 12 17 0 17 0 0 0 animals , as described herein . For example , other varieties of 14 33 8 17 0 0 chicken and /or birds received similar and / or additional 15 16 33 8 17 33 0 18 42 8 17 33 0 0 health benefits from consuming compositions of the present 20 42 25 33 33 0 0 disclosure . In addition , mammals and other animals of the 22 42 25 33 33 0 0 varieties described herein received similar and / or additional health benefits from consuming compositions of the present Thus, embodiments of this disclosure ( e.g. , microbial disclosure . Economically - important animals , in particular , 20 fermentation product -bound carrier ) can possesses and /or whether for consumption , production of animal by -product , exhibits antifungal and/ or fungal growth - inhibiting activity performance , companionship , etc., received similar and /or when mixed with animal feed , on which fungus normally additional health benefits from consuming compositions of grows. As used herein , " antifungal, " " antifungal activity, " the present disclosure . 25 " antifungal effect, " and similar terms refers to (1 ) protection While human animals were not treated with compositions against contamination (e.g. , inoculation , infection , etc. ) with of the present disclosure , it is anticipated that humans would or by one or more fungi ( e.g., fungal resistance activity ) , receive similar and /or additional health benefits from con and /or ( 2 ) inhibition ( e.g., reduction , attenuation , preven suming compositions of the present disclosure . tion , etc. ) of fungal growth ( e.g., fungistatic activity ) , and /or It is further noted that some embodiments of the present 30 (3 ) killing of fungi ( e.g. , fungicidal activity ) . The protection disclosure are substantially devoid of live and / or viable against and/ or inhibition of fungal contamination and /or growth and / or killing of fungi by embodiments of this microorganisms ( e.g., from the fermentation product or disclosure is an additional benefit of embodiments of the culture ) . Accordingly , embodiments of the present disclo present disclosure . This feature ( alone ) provides a signifi sure can be safe for consumption by all human and non 35 cant advantage in the art, as animal feed spoiling results in human animals . large economic loss to feed manufactures of all types . For In another experiment, the effect of the composition ( i.e., instance , the protection against and /or inhibition of fungal the microbial fermentation product- bound carrier ) on the contamination and / or growth by embodiments of this dis incidence of fungal ( e.g., mold ) growth in antibiotic - free , closure can (help or contribute to ) increase animal weight corn - soy based poultry feed prepared in conformance with 40 gain and/ or feed conversion ratios, decrease mortality , etc. commercial standards was investigated . The basal starter Coupled with other beneficial consumption -related out and grower mash broiler diets were manufactured using comes (as described herein ), embodiments of the present commercial blending equipment and stored by independent disclosure provide a unique and previously unknown ben research facility in a bulk form . The basal feeds were divided eficial product and treatment method for enhancing the in half with onee -half being stored and used as a control and 45 health and wellness of animals , while reducing or inhibiting the other half treated with the composition at a rate of 1 kg loss of animal feed to fungal growth . of the composition per 1000 kg of feed . In addition to the foregoing , embodiments of this disclo sure can exhibit other antimicrobial activity , such as anti Six feeds were evaluated : 1 ) basal starter , 2 ) basal grower , bacterial ( e.g., protection against and / or inhibition of bac 3 ) control starter , 4 ) control grower, 5 ) treated starter and 6 ) 50 terial contamination and / or growth ) , antiviral ( e.g., treated grower . Twelve replications, each containing one protection against and /or inhibition of viral contamination gram ( + 5 % ) of feed placed into 75 mm sterile petri dish , and /or growth ), and so forth . were prepared for each of the six tested feeds. Care was taken to avoid cross- contamination between different feeds. CONCLUSION All prepared feed samples were incubated for 22 weeks at 55 30 ° C. and 65 % -5 % relative humidity (RH ). Visual obser While the foregoing detailed description makes reference vations of mold growth were conducted every two weeks . to specific exemplary embodiments , the present disclosure Fungal growth was observed as early as 8 weeks of may be embodied in other specific forms without departing incubation ( in control starter feed ). The incidence of fungal from its spirit or essential characteristics . Accordingly , the growth increased with time of incubation in four out of six 60 described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. For instance, various tested feeds: basal starter , basal grower, control starter and substitutions, alterations, and /or modifications of the inven control grower . Feeds treated with microbial fermentation tive features described and /or illustrated herein , and addi product- bound carrier , whether starter feed or grower feed , tional applications of the principles described and /or illus surprisingly and unexpectedly did not show any incidences 65 trated herein , which would occur to one skilled in the of fungal growth throughout the duration of the experiment. relevant art and having possession of this disclosure , can be Experimental data is presented in Table 21. made to the described and / or illustrated embodiments with US 10,674,746 B2 59 60 out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a solid carrier comprising one or more phyllosilicates ; defined by the appended claims. Such substitutions, altera and tions , and /or modifications are to be considered within the a microbial fermentation product adsorbed to a surface scope of this disclosure . of the solid carrier and /or absorbed below the surface The scope of the invention is , therefore, indicated by the 5 of the solid carrier , the microbial fermentation prod appended claims rather than by the foregoing description . uct comprising: The limitations recited in the claims are to be interpreted lysed cells or cellular components thereof; broadly based on the language employed in the claims and a liquid fermentation medium ; and not limited to specific examples described in the foregoing cellular metabolites produced anaerobically . detailed description , which examples are to be construed as 10 2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more non - exclusive and non - exhaustive . All changes which come phyllosilicates are selected from the group consisting of 1 : 1 within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims clay mineralphyllosilicates , 2 : 1 clay mineral phyllosilicates, are to be embraced within their scope . aliettite , attapulgite , bentonite , chlorite , dickite , halloysite , It will also be appreciated that various features of certain hectorite , illite , kaolinite , montmorillonite , nacrite , nontron embodiments can be compatible with , combined with , 15 ite , palygorskite , saponite, sauconite , sepiolite , serpentine , included in , and /or incorporated into other embodiments of talc , vermiculite , and combinations thereof. the present disclosure . For instance , systems, methods, and / 3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the solid carrier or products according to certain embodiments of the present has a particle size or an average particle size between about disclosure may include, incorporate , or otherwise comprise 20-297 um . features described in other embodiments disclosed and/ or 20 4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the lysed cells are described herein . Thus , disclosure of certain features relative lysed single -celled microorganisms. to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should 5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein less than about not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said 10 % , by weight, of biomass in the microbial fermentation features to the specific embodiment. In particular, ingredi product is living or viable microorganisms. ents and components disclosed in the present application are 25 6. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a intended to be independently added or removed from buffering agent mixed with the combination product , the embodiments of the present disclosure , without regard to buffering agent comprising one or more electrolytic sub any example , listing , series, or combination in which they stances selected from the group consisting of sodium ses are disclosed . Similarly , method steps disclosed in the quicarbonate , sodium carbonate , and sodium bicarbonate . present application are intended to be independently added 30 7. The composition ofclaim 1 further comprising granular or removed from embodiments of the present disclosure , or powdered sodium sesquicarbonate mixed with the com without regard to any example , listing, series , or combina bination product. tion in which they are disclosed . 8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an Likewise , any steps recited in any method or process animal feed component mixed or admixed with the combi described herein and /or recited in the claims can be executed 35 nation product , the animal feed component comprising solid in any suitable order and are not necessarily limited to the chicken feed . order described and /or recited , unless otherwise stated ( ex 9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the combination plicitly or implicitly ) . Such steps can , however, also be product has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and required to be performed in a specific order or any suitable about 2 % by weight. order in certain embodiments of the present disclosure . 40 10. A method of manufacturing the composition of claim In addition , unless a feature is described as being requir 1 , comprising : ing in a particular embodiment, features described in the applying the microbial fermentation product in liquid various embodiments can be optional and may not be form directly to the solid carrier such that the fermen included in other embodiments of the present disclosure . tation product binds to the carrier by adsorption of the Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another 45 fermentation product to a surface of the solid carrier feature in combination therewith , any feature herein may be and /or by absorption of the fermentation product below combined with any other feature of a same or different the surface of the solid carrier , and embodiment disclosed herein . It will be appreciated that allowing the solid carrier with fermentation product while features may be optional in certain embodiments , applied thereto to at least partially dry , thereby produc when features are included in such embodiments , they can 50 ing the combination product having a moisture content be required to have a specific configuration as described in between about 0.25 % and about 5 % by weight. the present disclosure . 11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising one or It is noted that at least some of the statements made more steps selected from the group consisting of: throughout this disclosure have not been evaluated by the cultivating a microbial fermentation culture for a first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) . Accordingly , 55 period of time, the microbial fermentation culture com certain embodiments of this disclosure are not intended to prising the liquid fermentation medium , microorgan diagnose , treat , cure , or prevent any disease . isms, and metabolites produced anaerobically by the Furthermore , various well- known aspects of illustrative microorganisms, the microorganisms undergoing systems, methods, products , and the like are not described anaerobic metabolism or cellular respiration during the herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects 60 first period of time; and of the example embodiments . Such aspects are , however , lysing at least some of the microorganisms in the micro also contemplated herein . bial fermentation culture to produce the lysed cells or I claim : cellular components thereof . 1. An animal nutrient composition , comprising : 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein , following the step a combination product having a moisture content between 65 of lysing at least some of the microorganisms, less than about 0.25 % and about 5 % by weight, the combination about 10 % of the microorganisms of the microbial fermen product comprising : tation culture are living or viable . US 10,674,746 B2 61 62 13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising one or 24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising mixing an more steps selected from the group consisting of: animal feed product with the mixture of the combination mixing the solid carrier while applying the microbial product and the buffering agent, the animal feed product fermentation product thereto ; and comprising chicken feed . applying a flow of air to the solid carrier : 5 25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the animal feed ( i) while applying the microbial fermentation product aboutproduct 20 has % bya moistureweight. content between about 0.25 % and thereto and /or after applying the fermentation prod 26. The method of claim 10 , further comprising mixing uct thereto , and / or granular or powdered sodium sesquicarbonate with the ( ii ) over a period of time between about 12-120 hours combination product , the granular or powdered sodium and / or until the combination product has a moisture 10 sesquicarbonate having a moisture content between about content between about 0.25 % and about 5 % , by 0.25 % and about 20 % by weight. weight. 27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising mixing an 14. A method of enhancing the health of a chicken , animal feed product with the mixture of the combination comprising administering an effective amount of the com product and sodium sesquicarbonate , the animal feed prod position of claim 1 to the chicken so as to improve one or 15 uct comprising chicken feed . more health indicators of the chicken , the one or more health 28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the animal feed indicators selected from the group consisting of: product has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and gut lesion formation ; about 20 % by weight. gut bacteria count; 29. The method of claim 13 , further comprising one or weight gain ; more steps selected from the group consisting of: feed conversion ratio ; and 20 maintaining the carrier with the fermentation product life span . applied thereto at a temperature below about 60 ° C. for 15. A method of inhibiting fungal growth on an animal a first period of time; and feed product, comprising: maintaining the carrier with the fermentation product mixing or admixing the animal feed product with the applied thereto at a pH between about 2-10 . composition of claim 1 , the animal feed product com 25 30. An animal nutrient composition , comprising : prising solid chicken feed , wherein the composition a combination product having a moisture contentbetween inhibits fungal growth on the chicken feed . about 0.25 % and about 5 % by weight, the combination 16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the combination product comprising : product comprises the microbial fermentation product a solid carrier comprising one or more phyllosilicates ; bound to the solid carrier at a ratio of approximately 1: 1 by 30 and weight to approximately 1:20 by weight, microbial fermen a microbial fermentation product adsorbed to a surface tation product to solid carrier, or at a ratio of approximately of the solid carrier and / or absorbed below the surface 1 : 1 by weight to approximately 1:20 by weight, solid carrier of the solid carrier , the microbial fermentation prod to microbial fermentation product. uct comprising : 17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the combination 35 a liquid fermentation medium ; product comprises the microbial fermentation product anaerobically produced metabolites ; and bound to the solid carrier at a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 by lysed Lactobacillus bacteria or cellular components weight, microbial fermentation product to solid carrier . thereof; and 18. The composition of claim 6 , further comprising an a granular or powdered buffering agent mixed with the animal feed component mixed or admixed with the combi combination product , the buffering agent comprising nation product and buffering agent, the animal feed compo 40 one or more compounds selected from the group nent comprising chicken feed . consisting of sodium sesquicarbonate , sodium car 19. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the composition bonate , and sodium bicarbonate , the buffering agent has a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about 2 % having a moisture content between about 0.25 % and by weight. about 20 % by weight. 20. The composition of claim 7, further comprising an 45 31. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the microorgan isms include Lactobacillus acidophilus and optionally one animal feed component mixed or admixed with the combi or more additional microbial species or strains . nation product and sodium sesquicarbonate , the animal feed 32. The method of claim 10 , further comprising mixing an component comprising chicken feed . animal feed product with the combination product , the 21. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the sodium 50 animal feed product comprising chicken feed . sesquicarbonate is mixed with the combination product at a 33. The composition of claim 1, further comprising aero ratio between about 1 : 1 and about 1:20 , fermentation prod bically produced metabolites or cellular metabolites pro uct -bound carrier to buffering agent, or at a ratio between duced aerobically . about 1 : 1 and about 1:20 , buffering agent to fermentation 34. A composition , comprising a combination product product22. The- bound composition carrier. of claim 7, wherein the sodium 55 having a moisture content between about 0.25 % and about sesquicarbonate is mixed with the combination product at a 5 % by weight , the combination product comprising : ratio between about 1: 4 and about 1: 8 , fermentation product a solid carrier comprising one or more phyllosilicates ; and bound carrier to buffering agent. a microbial fermentation product adsorbed to a surface of 23. The method of claim 10 , further comprising mixing a the solid carrier and / or absorbed below the surface of buffering agent with the combination product, the buffering 60 thecomprising solid carrier : , the microbial fermentation product agent comprising one or more electrolytic substances selected from the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbon a liquid fermentation medium ; ate , sodium carbonate , and sodium bicarbonate , the buffer anaerobically produced metabolites; and ing agent having a moisture content between about 0.25 % lysed cells or cellular components thereof. and about 20 % by weight.