Enzyme composition adapted for application to ruminant feed to increase protein digestability thereof and method of treating ruminant feeds relating thereto

Abstract

Enzyme feed supplements containing fungal cellulase produced by Trichoderma viride are specially adapted for increasing protein digestability of dairy cow and cattle feed. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include enzyme formulations adapted for application to corn and enzyme formulations adapted for application to grain sorghum, to which is added Trichoderma viride cellulase. An increase in protein digestability has been evidenced by increased protein content of milk and increased nitrogen retention from the feed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of decreasing nitrogen waste production from ruminant feedlots comprising the step of: 
 feeding the ruminants a harder to digest feed treated with exogenous pectinase, protease, beta-glucanase, amylase, and  Trichoderma viride  cellulase enzymes.    
     
     
         2 . A method of increasing protein digestability of a harder to digest feed comprising the steps of: 
 treating the feed with an exogenous pectinase enzyme;    treating the feed with an exogenous protease enzyme;    treating the feed with an exogenous beta-glucanase enzyme;    treating the feed with an exogenous amylase enzyme;    treating the feed with an exogenous Trichoderma Viride cellulase enzyme; and    feeding the treated feed to ruminants, wherein the feed treatment steps are performed (a) sequentially in any order, (b) separately but concurrently, (c) by combining all of said enzymes prior to the treating steps, or (d) by combining two or more of said enzymes prior to the treating steps.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the feed includes grain sorghum.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the ruminants comprise dairy cows.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the ruminants comprise beef cattle.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the feed is selected from the group consisting of grain sorghum, cottonseed hulls, gin trash and alfalfa hay.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the ruminants are selected from the group consisting of dairy cows and cattle.  
     
     
         8 . A composition adapted for application to easier to digest feed to ruminants, to increase the protein digestability of the feed, comprising: 
 an exogenous pectinase enzyme;    an exogenous beta-glucanase enzyme;    an exogenous amylase enzyme;    an exogenous hemicellulase enzyme; and    an exogenous Trichoderma viride cellulase enzyme.    
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the feed includes corn.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the feed includes alfalfa.  
     
     
         11 . A composition adapted for application to harder to digest feed to be fed to ruminants to increase the protein digestability of the feed, comprising: 
 an exogenous pectinase enzyme;    an exogenous protease enzyme;    an exogenous beta-glucanase enzyme;    an exogenous amylase enzyme; and    an exogenous  Trichoderma Viride  cellulase enzyme.    
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the feed includes grain sorghum.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the feed is selected from the group consisting of grain sorghum, gin trash and cottonseed hulls.  
     
     
         14 . A method of increasing the total milk production of dairy cows comprising: 
 treating the feed with a  Trichoderma viride  cellulase enzyme; and    feeding the treated feed to the dairy cows.    
     
     
         15 . A method of increasing the total milk fat production of dairy cows comprising: 
 treating the feed with a  Trichoderma viride  cellulase enzyme; and    feeding the treated feed to the dairy cows.    
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing the total milk protein production of dairy cows comprising: 
 treating the feed with a Trichoderma viride cellulase enzyme; and    feeding the treated feed to the dairy cows.    
     
     
         17 . A composition adapted for application to easier to digest feed to ruminants, to increase the protein digestability of the feed, comprising: 
 an exogenous amylase enzyme; and    an exogenous  Trichoderma viride  cellulase enzyme.    
     
     
         18 . A composition adapted for application to easier to digest feed to ruminants, to increase the protein digestability of the feed, comprising: 
 an exogenous beta-glucanase enzyme; and    an exogenous  Trichoderma viride  cellulase enzyme.