Method For Using A Bacillus Subtilis Strain To Enhance Animal Health

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the health of an animal comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising Bacillus subtilis QST 713 or a mutant thereof.

1 . A method for enhancing the health of a non-insect and non-human animal comprising administering to the non-insect and non-human animal a composition comprising  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 or a mutant of  Bacillus subtilis  QST713. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the composition further comprises metabolites produced by the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered to a farm animal in an amount effective to improve growth performance. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the amount is effective to increase efficiency of feed utilization of the non-insect and non-human animal. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the amount is effective to increase survival rate of the non-insect and non-human animal. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the amount is effective to increase weight gain of the non-insect and non-human animal. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to maintain healthy gut microflora. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to decrease the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the non-insect and non-human animal. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the pathogenic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Clostridia  spp.,  Campylobacter  spp.,  Listeria  spp. and  E. coli.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the non-insect and non-human animal is poultry. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the poultry is a broiler chicken. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the poultry is an egg-producing chicken. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the animal is a swine. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the animal is a ruminant. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the animal is a preruminant. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises a carrier. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered with animal feed. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the animal feed ingredients comprise feed protein. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the animal feed ingredients further comprise feed carbohydrate. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises drinking water. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the composition further comprises a milk replacer for preruminants. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the composition is administered at a rate of about 1×10 3  CFU  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 per gram of the animal feed to about 1×10 10  CFU  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 per gram of the animal feed. 
   
   
       24 . A composition for improving the physical condition of a non-insect and non-human animal comprising (i)  Bacillus subtilus  QST713 in an amount that is effective to enhance growth of the animal and (ii) at least one animal feed ingredient. 
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the animal feed ingredient comprises feed carbohydrate and feed protein. 
   
   
       26 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the effective amount of the  Bacillus subtilis  QST713 is about 1×10 3  CFU/g animal feed to about 1×10 10  CFU/g animal feed.