Betaine dry product for use in animal feeds

Abstract

A method of producing a betaine-rich animal feed product, comprising the steps of: providing a betaine-rich aqueous solution by chromatographic separation of sugar beet molasses; providing a dried sugar beet pulp by drying sugar beet pulp at a temperature below 400° C; mixing the aqueous solution and the dried sugar beet pulp to effect absorption of the aqueous solution by the sugar beet pulp; followed by drying the sugar beet pulp and aqueous solution. Also provided are betaine containing dry products obtainable by the above process.

Description

Claims

1. A method of producing a betaine-rich animal feed product, comprising the steps of: providing a betaine-rich aqueous solution by chromatographic separation of sugar beet molasses; providing a dried sugar beet pulp by drying sugar beet pulp at a temperature below 400° C.; mixing the aqueous solution and the dried sugar beet pulp to effect absorption of the aqueous solution by the sugar beet pulp; followed by drying the sugar beet pulp and aqueous solution.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the betaine-rich aqueous solution comprises from 45% to 65% betaine on dry substance basis.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the betaine-rich aqueous solution comprises from 80% to 90% betaine on dry substance basis.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the betaine-rich aqueous solution comprises 50 to 60% dry substance by weight.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the step of providing dried sugar beet pulp comprises drying sugar beet pulp at a temperature of from 150° C. to 250° C.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the step of providing dried sugar beet pulp comprises drying sugar beet pulp in a steam dryer or drum dryer.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the dried sugar beet pulp and the betaine-rich aqueous solution are mixed in a weight ratio pulp:solution of from 5:95 to 20:80.

8. A betaine-rich animal feed product obtainable by a process according to claim 1, wherein said product is in the form of free flowing particles having a betaine content of 30% to 70% by weight.