Use of sophorolipids as feed additive

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for modulation of the gut flora and/or for supporting immune system function in animals comprising administration of one or more sophorolipids to an animal in need thereof. Animal feed compositions comprising sophorolipids are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An animal premix composition comprising at least one sophorolipid and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of
 a) at least one fat soluble vitamins,   b) at least one water soluble vitamins, trace minerals, and   c) at least one minerals, wherein the one or more sophorolipid is selected from the group consisting of ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6″-acetate; ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-acetate; ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-6″-diacetate; butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6″-acetate; butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-acetate; and butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-6″-diacetate.   
     
     
         2 . The animal premix composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of:
 a) one or more amino acids;   b) one or more prebiotics;   c) one or more organic acids;   d) one or more additional enzymes;   e) one or more probiotics.   
     
     
         3 . An animal feed composition having a crude protein content of 50 to 800 g/kg feed and comprising at least one sophorolipid, wherein the one or more sophorolipid is selected from the group consisting of ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6″-acetate; ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-acetate; ethyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-6″-diacetate; butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6″-acetate; butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-acetate; and butyl-17-L-[(2′-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-cis-9-octadecenoate-6′-6″-diacetate.