An Austrian university, in co-operation with three European universities, developed a new anti-inflammatory feed supplement for animals using raw larch wood material. Larch sawdust is a cheap and readily available by-product in the wood industry. Its positive anti-inflammatory effects have been proven by various in-vitro and in-vivo trials. An industry partner with experience in animal food/feed production is sought. The universities are willing to licence or sell the technology to a company.
Country: Austria
Type: OFFER
Date: 25.08.2010
An Austrian university, in co-operation with three European universities, developed a new anti-inflammatory feed supplement for animals using raw larch wood material.
The primary focus of this invention is the exploitation of larch sawdust as a feed supplement. Larch sawdust is a waste product in the wood industry and at present is mainly used as a fuel material. The material is cheap and easily available in high quantities. As it is a waste product, the exploitation of this material for medical purposes would significantly enhance its value.
Some of the currently available anti-inflammatory solutions are invasive, involve the use of antibiotics and are used in response to a particular infection. This new technology, on the other hand, aims to prevent infections occurring in the first place, thus reducing the need for medication.
Larch wood is known to contain lignans, flavonols, polysaccharides and oleoresin. Larch resin (Terebinthina laricina) consists of about 15% essential oils, 50-65% resin acids and about 15% non-saponifiable resin. The main constituent of the neutral fraction, apart from larixol and 13-epimanool, is larixyl acetate. In the neutral fraction diterpene acids like dehydroabietic acid, isopimaric acid, palustric acid, abietic acid and neoabietic acid are also present. It has been found that the oleoresin of Larix decidua Mill. contains remarkably high amounts of larixyl acetate. Potential applications for larch wood phytochemicals, in particular the polysaccharide arabinogalactan, are in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Larch arabinogalactan, a water-soluble polysaccharide deriving mainly from Larix occidentalis, is approved by the FDA as a source of dietary fibre, but also has potential therapeutic effects as an immunostimulant and cancer protocol adjunct. The phenolic constituents of larch wood are known to possess good antioxidant properties.
Larch sawdust has not yet been used as an anti-inflammatory active feed supplement or therapeutic agent. Raw larch sawdust and preparations thereof could be used as an anti-inflammatory agent for farm animals, such as ruminants, pigs and poultry, as well as for companion animals, such as horses, dogs and cats. Inflammatory diseases commonly encountered in veterinary medicine include for example mastitis, vaginitis, arthritis and osteoarthritis, cervicitis, metritis, endometritis, retained placenta, wound infection, urethritis, dermatitis, eczema, gastroenteritis, colitis and diarrhea. As a result of the positive anti-inflammatory properties of larch sawdust preparations, a beneficial effect with regard to growth promotion in animal husbandry may be expected.
Powdered larch saw dust is orally administered as a feed additive or as an ingredient in a pre-formulated feed mixture at a rate of 0.5-10 %. At these concentrations, good anti-inflammatory activity has been observed and no adverse effects have been reported in feeding trials performed with pigs and ruminants. The consistency of the sawdust and the quantities in which it is added to animal feed are important factors in the success rate of the supplement.
Innovative Aspects:
" New course of action for treating inflammatory diseases, which is ready to use on the market." Reduced application of traditional pharmaceuticals by aiming to prevent incidence of sickness in animals." Use of a readily available natural product, which in turn supports the idea of biological agriculture." Increased value of the farm animals, because they are healthier and demonstrate an above average growth. Healthy animals save the farmer money in the long run." Advantage for larch wood manufacturing companies (e.g. saw mills) as a cheap and readily available by-product can now gain additional value as a feed additive." A low concentration of larch sawdust is administered orally as feed supplement, no injection, etc. necessary. Technology effective for various types of inflammatory diseases." Benefits for animals in situations causing higher risk of inflammatory diseases, e.g. during transportation/modification of herd hierarchy/isolation of animals/weaning/parturition in dairy cows
Degree of development:
Patents/Rights: Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted
Requested Cooperation: License Agreement, Change in the partner sought's currently used technologies (installations, process, facilities), Technical consultancy, Quality control, Adaptation to specific needs, Transfer of knowledge in new raw materials
- Type of partner sought: An industry partner or SME with experience in animal food/feed production.
- Specific area of activity of the partner: Company producing feed (or feed supplement) for farm animals or pets.
Company in the larch wood industry (e.g. saw mill) that wants to exploit its by-product.
- Task to be performed by the partner sought: Universities wish to establish a Licence Agreement or Ownership Agreement with a commercial partner, who is willing to launch the technology on the market. The conditions of the licence are negotiable.
Type of Organisation:
Status: NEW
