SUGAR CANE EXTRACTS FOR USE IN ANIMAL FEEDS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to animal supplements and feeds comprising an extract derived from sugar cane, in particular, animal supplements and feeds comprising a polyphenolic extract derived from sugar cane. The disclosure also relates to animal supplements, animal feeds, methods and uses for improving or maintaining the health of animals to the benefit of improved food production and food quality.

Throughout this disclosure, various publications are referred to by first author and year of publication. Full citations for these publications, in the order they appear in the application, are presented in a References section immediately before the claims.

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic use has been a staple in animal production worldwide. Antibiotics have been used as additives or supplements in animal feed to not only control infections, but also to promote growth. Antibiotics are considered to aid animals in digesting food more efficiently, improving both the quality and yield of food products leading to economic benefits for farmers.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process whereby microbes evolve to be able to resist the action of drugs, making them ineffective. This leads to antibiotics becoming less effective over time and in extreme cases, ultimately useless. AMR has increasingly become a problem because the pace at which new antibiotics are discovered has slowed dramatically and consequently there are a very limited number of new drugs. Meanwhile, antibiotic use has risen due in part to the adoption of intensive farming methods. AMR threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi and is becoming an increasingly serious threat to global public health. The wide and overuse of antibiotics has given rise to life-threatening “superbugs” that are resistant to several classes of antibiotics.

In a new “post-antibiotic era”, major government agencies (European Union, US FDA, Australia's Department of Agriculture and Health) have responded to AMR by implementing directives and legislation to control the use of antibiotics in food. Major companies in the food industries, such as McDonalds and Wal-Mart, are proposing their own initiatives to reduce antibiotic use.

However, the phasing out of antibiotic use has the consequence that, without the use of growth promoting antibiotics, food production levels will drop resulting in greater economic burden for the farming industry. The reduction of antibiotics has also resulted in some animal diseases becoming more widespread and prevalent.

It is therefore important to increase and develop the armamentarium of agents that have the potential to act as alternatives to antibiotics. There is a need for medicated animal feeds that may be used to alleviate the problems associated with AMR and the reduction of antibiotics in the “post-antibiotic” era.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present disclosure is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY

Sugar cane waste and sugar cane extracts can provide various benefits to human beings and animals: some sugar cane extracts containing phytochemicals may be used as nutritional supplements and other sugar cane extracts containing phytochemicals have the ability to lower the glycaemic index (GI) of foods and beverages. The present disclosure is based on the finding that a polyphenolic extract derived from sugar cane has surprising and favourable properties for use in improving or maintaining the health of animals.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement comprising an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed comprising the supplement as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving growth performance in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving meat quality in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for preventing and/or treating anemia in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving or maintaining muscle condition in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement as described herein or the feed as described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing and/or treating an anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols, in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in improving growth performance in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in improving meat quality in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in preventing and/or treating an anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in preventing and/or treating an iron deficiency anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in improving or maintaining muscle condition in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement as described herein for use in stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in for improving growth performance in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in improving meat quality in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in preventing and/or treating an anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in preventing and/or treating an iron deficiency anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in improving or maintaining muscle condition in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal feed as described herein for use in stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a non-human animal formulated supplement comprising an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols, wherein the extract comprises iron bound to the polyphenols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Whilst it will be appreciated that a variety of embodiments of the disclosure may be utilised, in the following, a number of examples of the disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings/figures:

FIG. 1 exhibits a process for the preparation of extracts derived from molasses.

FIG. 2 exhibits a process for the preparation of extracts derived from dunder.

FIG. 3 exhibits a process for the preparation of extracts derived from dunder and molasses.

FIG. 4 exhibits base peak chromatograms (FTMS negative) of three extracts from molasses produced by the process of FIG. 1 analysed by LCMS. A) resin bound sample, B) resin unbound sample, and C) 74 Brix sample.

FIG. 5 exhibits a LC-MS spectrum of a representative extract derived from sugar cane molasses prepared according to Example 3.

FIG. 6 exhibits LC-MS spectra for sugar cane dunder starting material (A) and an extract of sugar cane dunder according to the present invention (B).

FIG. 7 exhibits a representative binding curve for an extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure against nuclear factor κB (NF-κB).

FIG. 8 exhibits a representative response curve for an extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure against nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2).

FIG. 9 exhibits a representative binding curve for an extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure against tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α).

FIG. 10 exhibits a representative inhibition curve for an extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure against prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2).

FIGS. 11 A and B exhibit representative inhibition curves for an extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure against cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

FIG. 12 exhibits the average growth chart by weight (g) for the pangus studied in Example 13.

FIG. 13 exhibits the average growth chart by length (cm) for the pangus studied in Example 13.

FIG. 14 exhibits average weight gain chart (g) for the pangus studied in Example 13.

FIG. 15 exhibits the average length gain chart (cm) for the pangus studied in Example 13.

FIG. 16 exhibits photographs of the pangus studied in Example 13 by treatment group: A. T₀—control group; B. T₁—treatment group (0.2% extract); C. T₂-treatment group (0.4% extract); D. T₃—treatment group (0.6% extract).

FIG. 17 exhibits a size comparison between the T₀, T₁, T₂and T₃treatment groups for the pangus studied in Example 13.

FIG. 18 exhibits the average growth chart by weight (g) for the tilapia studied in Example 13.

FIG. 19 exhibits average growth chart by length (cm) for the tilapia studied in Example 13.

FIG. 20 exhibits average weight gain chart (g) for the tilapia studied in Example 13.

FIG. 21 exhibits the average growth chart by length (cm) for the tilapia studied in Example 13.

FIG. 22 exhibits photographs of the tilapia studied in Example 13 by treatment group: A. T₀—control group; B. T₁—treatment group (0.2% extract); C. T₂-treatment group (0.4% extract); D. T₃—treatment group (0.6% extract).

FIG. 23 exhibits a size comparison between the T₀, T₁, T₂and T₃treatment groups for the tilapia studied in Example 13.

FIG. 24 exhibits the average growth chart by weight (g) for the prawn studied in Example 13.

FIG. 25 exhibits the average growth chart by length (cm) for the prawn studied in Example 13.

FIG. 26 exhibits the average weight gain chart (g) for the prawn studied in Example 13. The chart shows bar graphs depicting the average weight gain for the T₀, T₁, T₂and T₃treatment groups: the left bar graph within a treatment group is the average weight gain (sampling 9) and the right bar graph within a treatment group is the average weight gain (sampling 10).

FIG. 27 exhibits the average length gain chart (cm) for the prawn studied in Example 13.

FIG. 28 exhibits photographs of the prawn studied in Example 13 by treatment group: A. T₀—control group; B. T₁—treatment group (0.2% extract); C. T₂-treatment group (0.4% extract); D. T₃—treatment group (0.6% extract).

FIG. 29 exhibits a size comparison between the T₀, T₁, T₂and T₃treatment groups for the prawn studied in Example 13.

FIG. 30 exhibits graphs of the average daily gain for the chicken study of Example 14: A. days 10-17 (starter period) and B. days 17-24 (grower period).

FIG. 31 exhibits graphs of weight gain for the chicken study of Example 14: A. average daily gain over days 24-38 and B. body weight gain at day 38; and at C. a graph of average daily feed intake over days 24-38.

FIG. 32 exhibits the structure of the treatment groups in the cat study of Example 15. Compound X refers to a sugar cane extract of Example 3.

FIG. 33 exhibits the effects of an extract of the present disclosure on blood health parameters observed in the cat study of Example 9. Abbreviations: MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin); MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration); HCT (haematocrit). The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3.

FIG. 34 exhibits the effects of an extract of the present disclosure (extract of Example 3) on further blood health parameters observed in the cat study of Example 15. Abbreviation: Seg Neut (segmented neutrophil). The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the Control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3 (referred to as “Compound” in the Figure).

FIG. 35 exhibits the effect of an extract of the present disclosure (extract of Example 3) on urinary health parameters observed in the cat study of Example 15: y-axis values are the reference (normal) range for each component. Values are reported as means and SED. The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the Control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3 (referred to as “Compound” in the Figure).

FIG. 36 exhibits the effect of an extract of the present disclosure (extract of Example 3) on the digestibility of macronutrients observed in the cat study of Example 15. Values are reported as means and SED. The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the Control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3 (referred to as “Compound” in the Figure).

FIG. 37 exhibits the effect of an extract of the present disclosure (extract of Example 3) on A. body composition and B. bodyweight observed in the cat study of Example 15 over 30 weeks where Panel A exhibits lean mass (kg) and Panel B exhibits body weight (kg). Body composition was determined using deuterated water injection (D₂O) or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Values are reported as means and SED. The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the Control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3 (referred to as “Compound” in the Figure).

FIG. 38 exhibits a graph of a cross-over trial for the cat study of Example 9. C-C denotes a control diet administered over 31 weeks; C-X denotes a control diet for 18 weeks that is then crossed over to a sugar cane extract diet for the remainder of the trial; X-C denotes a sugar cane extract diet for 18 weeks that is then crossed over to a control diet for the remainder of the trial; X-X denotes a sugar cane extract diet administered over 31 weeks.

FIG. 39 exhibits the effect of an extract of the present disclosure (extract of Example 3) on body fat composition observed in the cat study of Example 15 where Panel A exhibits % fat and Panel B exhibits fat mass (kg). Body composition was determined using deuterated water injection (D₂O) or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Values are reported as means and SED. The left hand side bar of the bar graphs relates to data for the Control whereas the right hand side bar relates to data for the sugar cane extract of Example 3 (referred to as “Compound” in the Figure).

FIG. 40 exhibits a line graph of energy intake over 18 weeks for the cat study of Example 15. The upper line marked “C” shows the trend for a control diet; the lower line marked “X” shows the trend for a sugar cane extract diet based on the extract of Example 3.

FIG. 41 exhibits % fat body content as measured by DEXA for the cat study of Example 15. A line graph is presented showing the trend in % fat body content over 18 weeks. The upper line “C” shows the trend for a control diet; the lower line “X” shows the trend for a sugar cane extract diet based on the extract of Example 3.

FIG. 42 exhibits before (Panel A) and after (Panel B) photographs for Horse A of Example 11.

FIG. 43 exhibits before and after photographs for Horse B of Example 11.

FIG. 44 exhibits before and after photographs for Horse C of Example 11.

FIG. 45 exhibits before and after photographs for Horse D of Example 11.

FIG. 46 exhibits before and after photographs for Horse E of Example 11.

FIG. 47 exhibits a graph showing an overview of temperature conditions and base diets used in Example 18.

FIG. 48 exhibits a graph of body weight (g) of broilers of Example 18 with an increasing sugar cane extract diet, based on the extract of Example 3, with dotted lines showing the positive trends.

FIG. 49 exhibits a graph of feed conversion ratio (FCR) with increasing sugar cane extract diet, based on the extract of Example 3, with dotted lines showing the negative trends.

FIG. 50 exhibits a graph of Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF, kg/cm²) with sugar cane extract diet based on the extract of Example 3 inclusion at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 10 g/kg.

FIG. 51a exhibits a graph of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay with sugar cane extract diet based on the extract of Example 3 inclusion at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 10 g/kg at 24 hour and 72 hour time periods in the thermoneutral (TN) group of broilers.

FIG. 51b exhibits a graph of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay with sugar cane extract diet based on the extract of Example 3 inclusion at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 10 g/kg at 24 hour and 72 hour time periods in the heat stress (HS) group of broilers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Definitions

Unless specifically defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein shall be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., chemistry, biochemistry, formulation science, food and nutritional science, animal science and animal husbandry, cell culture, and molecular biology). Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Thus, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, the term “an animal subject” means “one or more animal subjects” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The term “about” as used herein refers to a range of +/−5% of the specified value.

“Administering” as used herein is to be construed broadly and includes administering an extract or animal supplement or animal feed as described herein to an animal subject. The term encompasses the normal consumption of food and water by the animal subject and oral administration (including buccal or sublingual). The term “administering” as used herein also encompasses administration by nasal administration.

The term “animal feed” as used herein refers to any compound, preparation, or mixture suitable for, or intended for intake by an animal.

“Animal supplement” as used herein refers to a substance which is added to the feed for purposes including but not limited to enhancing the digestibility of the feed, completing the nutritional value of the feed, improving or maintaining the health of the recipient such as improving the immune defence or improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health.

The term “animal subject” as used herein refers to any animal except humans. Thus, the disclosure relates to non-human animals. The non-human animals may be mammals. Examples of non-human animals are aquatic animals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, gastropods, birds, monogastric animals, ruminants and pseudo-ruminants.

The term “aquatic animal(s)” as used herein includes fish including but not limited to finfish and shellfish. Finfish include but are not limited to pangus and tilapia. Further examples of finfish are barramundi, bass, bream, carp, catfish, cod, crappie, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, grouper, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish. Shellfish include but not limited to a crustacean (e.g. crabs, crayfish, lobsters, prawns and shrimp) and a mollusc (e.g. clams, mussels, oysters, scallops and winkles).

Insects include, for example, cicadas, grasshoppers, beetles, bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, flies, crickets, aphids, bugs and dragonflies.

Amphibians include, for example, frogs, toads and salamanders.

Reptiles include, for example, snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles and crocodiles.

Gastropods include, for example, snails and slugs, including sea snails and sea slugs, as well as freshwater snails, freshwater limpets, land snails and land slugs.

Birds include, for example, poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, pigeons (including squabs) and birds of prey (including hawks, eagles, kites, falcons, vultures, harriers, ospreys, and owls). Chickens include, for example, broiler chickens (broilers), chicks, roosters and layer hens (layers).

Monogastric animals include but not limited to pigs or swine, such as piglets, growing pigs and sows, cats and dogs, rodents (rats, mice).

Ruminant animals include, for example, animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer, yak, camel, llama and kangaroo. Cattle include but are not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, cows and young calves.

Pseudo-ruminant animals include, for example, horses, camels, rabbits and guinea pigs.

The term “animal subject” encompasses companion animals and food-producing animals as defined herein and aquarium and zoo animals.

As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients.

As used herein the terms “improvement”, “improve”, “improving”, “treatment”, “treat”, “treating” and the like refer to the control, healing or amelioration of a disease, disorder or condition, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of a disease, disorder or condition, or defending against or inhibiting a symptom or side effect, reducing the severity of the development of a symptom or side effect, and/or reducing the number or type of symptoms or side effects suffered by an animal subject, as compared to not administering a veterinary composition, animal supplement or animal feed comprising an extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure. The term “ameliorate” encompasses relieving of adverse symptoms, inducing a state of comfort or wellbeing or removing or reducing biochemical, physiological or clinical markers of the condition, disease or disorder. As used herein, the terms “prevention”, “prevent”, “preventing” and the like refer to avoiding, delaying, reducing or slowing down the onset of a specified condition, disease or disorder or to avoid at least one symptom or side effect of the condition, disease or disorder. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the term “preventing” includes that, for example, anemia is completely prevented, however, it does not necessarily mean that the anemia is completely prevented. Likewise, it would be recognised that the term “improvement” or “treatment” includes that, for example, anemia is cured, however, it does not necessarily mean that the anemia is completely cured. The terms “maintenance”, “maintain”, “maintaining” and the like when used in the phrase “maintenance, maintain, maintaining [of] gastrointestinal health” refer to causing or enabling gastrointestinal health to continue whereby gastrointestinal health is retained.

With regard to “improvement”, “maintenance”, “prevention” and “treatment”, the term “effective amount”, as used herein, refers to an amount (of a sugar cane extract or a composition, a non-human animal formulated supplement or a non-human animal feed comprising that extract) when administered to an animal which is sufficient to elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by a practitioner in the field of animal husbandry e.g. a farmer, researcher or veterinarian. Undesirable effects, e.g. side effects, are sometimes manifested along with the desired effect; hence, a practitioner balances the potential benefits against the potential risks in determining what an appropriate “effective amount” is. The exact “effective amount” required varies from subject to subject, depending on the species, age and general condition of the subject, mode of administration, severity of the disease and the like. Thus, it may not be possible to specify an exact “effective amount”. However, an appropriate “effective amount” in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using routine experimentation. The terms “improvement”, “maintenance”, “prevention” and “treatment” encompass use in a palliative setting.

As used herein the term Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) refers to a measure of an animal's efficiency in converting feed mass into increases of the desired output. For food-producing animals which are farmed for meat e.g. fish, poultry, cattle and swine the output is the mass gained by the animal. Specifically, unless otherwise explicitly stated in the disclosure, FCR is calculated as feed intake divided by weight gain, all over a specified period. Improvement in FCR means reduction of the FCR value. A FCR improvement of 2% means that the FCR was reduced by 2%.

The term “fiber” as used herein refers to indigestible portion of food derived from plants. The fiber may be soluble or insoluble fiber. Non-limiting examples of fiber include, sugar cane fiber, oat bran, flour (including, for example, soy, rice, wheat, bran, rye, corn, sorghum, potato), modified starch, gelatin, non-starch polysaccharides such as arabinoxylans, cellulose, and many other plant components such as resistant starch, resistant dextrins, inulin, lignin, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans, and oligosaccharides.

The term “food producing animal” as used herein refers to an animal that is farmed for the production of food for consumption by another animal, for example, a human. It would be understood that the term “food-producing animal” encompasses a food producing animal that is an aquatic animal; a food producing animal that is a bird; a food producing animal that is a monogastric animal; a food producing animal that is a ruminant; and a food producing animal that is a pseudo ruminant. It would be understood that the term “food producing animal” includes, for example, finfish, shellfish, poultry, such as chickens, geese and turkeys, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and horses.

The term “growth performance” as used herein refers to the response of an animal subject to an extract derived from sugar cane, animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure. Growth performance may be assessed by methods well known in the art and may be characterised by any one or more of the following: feed conversion ratio, feed intake, weight gain, gain in size e.g. gain in length. It may also be characterised by food production including meat yield or milk yield.

It would be appreciated that the size of an animal may be measured with respect to any physical dimension such as body length, width, thickness and circumference and head length, width, thickness and circumference. It would be appreciated that such measurements have been standardized to facilitate comparison between, for example, different animals of the same species. As an illustration, in measuring finfish “standard length” as used herein refers to a measurement from the snout of the finfish to the last vertebrate. Where it is difficult to identify the last vertebrate an alternative measurement may be used. In this regard, “fork length” refers to a measurement from the snout to the intersection of the caudal tail fins.

The term “CE”, or “catechin equivalent” and the term “GAE”, or “gallic acid equivalent” as used herein are measures of total polyphenolic content. The term “CE”, or “catechin equivalent” as used herein is expressed as mg catechin equivalents/g crude material or g catechin equivalents/L crude material. The term “GAE”, or “gallic acid equivalent” as used herein is expressed as mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract derived from sugar cane or g gallic acid equivalents/L extract derived from sugar cane. As a measure of total polyphenolic content, the terms “CE”, “catechin equivalent”, “GAE” and “gallic acid equivalent” are equivalent and are used interchangeably herein.

The term “free amino acids” as used herein refers to amino acids which are singular molecules and structurally not attached to peptide bonds which are attached to other amino acids.

The term “sugar cane derived product” as used herein refers to products of the sugar cane milling and refining processes including, but not limited to, sugar, molasses, massecuite, bagasse, first expressed juice, mill mud, clarified sugar cane juice, clarified syrup, treacle, golden syrup, field trash, cane strippings, leaves, growing tips, pulp and dunder and combinations thereof. Dunder is the residue produced when a product such as sugar or molasses is fermented to give, for example, ethanol. Sugar cane dunder is also referred to as biodunder, stillage or vinasse. As used herein, the terms “dunder”, “bio-dunder”, “stillage” and “vinasse” are equivalent and used interchangeably.

Throughout this specification, various aspects and components of the invention can be presented in a range format. The range format is included for convenience and should not be interpreted as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range, unless specifically indicated. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 5 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 5, from 3 to 5 etc., as well as individual and partial numbers within the recited range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5 and 6, unless where integers are required or implicit from context. This applies regardless of the breadth of the disclosed range. Where specific values are required, these will be indicated in the specification.

The terms “an extract derived from sugar cane of the (present) disclosure”, “an extract of the (present) disclosure”, “a sugar cane extract of the (present) disclosure”, “sugar cane extract” and “the extract” are used interchangeably herein.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

General Techniques

Exemplary Process for Producing Extracts Derived from Sugar Cane

A suitable process for producing the extract derived from sugar cane may be determined by a skilled person.

Feedstock for the Extraction Process

After being mechanically harvested, sugar cane is transported to a mill and crushed between serrated rollers. The crushed sugar cane is then pressed to extract raw sugar juice and leaves fibrous material known as bagasse (typically used as fuel). The raw juice is then heated to its boiling point to extract any impurities, then lime and bleaching agents are added and mill mud is removed. The raw juice is further heated under vacuum to concentrate and increase the Brix value. The concentrated syrup is seeded to produce bulk sugar crystals and a thick syrup known as molasses. The two are separated by a centrifuge and typically the molasses waste stream is collected for use as a low-grade animal feedstock.

The extracts produced according to the process of the disclosure may be extracts of sugar cane or extracts from any sugar cane derived product, including those produced during the sugar cane milling process, the sugar cane refining process and other processes using sugar cane products.

As defined above, the term “sugar cane derived product” refers to products of the sugar cane milling and refining processes including, but not limited to, molasses, massecuite, bagasse, first expressed juice, mill mud, clarified sugar cane juice, clarified syrup, treacle, golden syrup, field trash, cane strippings, leaves, growing tips, pulp and dunder and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is molasses or dunder. In one embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is a combination of molasses and dunder. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is molasses. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is massecuite. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is dunder. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is a combination of molasses and dunder. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is bagasse. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is first expressed juice. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is mill mud. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is clarified sugar cane juice. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is clarified syrup. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is treacle. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is golden syrup. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is field trash. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is cane strippings. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is leaves. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is growing tips. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product is pulp.

Sugar cane derived products generally comprise complex mixtures of substances including, but not limited to, polyphenols, phytosterols, monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, organic acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

As would be understood by a skilled person, polyphenols are compounds characterized by the presence of multiple phenol structural units. Polyphenols may be classified into sub-groups by their chemical structure. Examples of sub-groups of polyphenols include, but are not limited to, flavonoids (including flavones, flavanols, flavonols), hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinamic acids, catechins, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanidins, stilbenes, lignans, and phenolic acids. The polyphenols of sugar cane derived products also include conjugates such as, for example, glycosides, glucosides, galactosides, galacturonides, ethers, esters, arabinosides, sulphates, phosphates, aldopentoses (xylose, arabinose) and aldohexoses.

An exemplary process for producing an extract according to the disclosure is provided below. This exemplary process involves an extraction step. This exemplary process with molasses as the sugar cane derived product is depicted in FIG. 1.

In one process for producing extracts of the disclosure, the sugar cane derived product is used as a feedstock and mixed with a suitable solvent such as ethanol to form an extraction mixture.

The skilled person will understand that in order to facilitate mixing of the sugar cane derived product with a suitable solvent such as ethanol, the sugar cane derived product may need to be mixed with a liquid, for example but not limited to water, and/or heated in order to achieve a desired viscosity. In one embodiment of the disclosure in which the sugar cane derived product is molasses, for example, the molasses may be mixed with a liquid, for example, water to achieve a desired viscosity. The sugar cane derived product, either mixed with a liquid or not, may be heated to decrease viscosity.

For sugar cane derived products comprising solid material such as bagasse, field trash and cane shippings, it is desirable that the product is first blended or homogenised with a liquid, for example but not limited to water, prior to mixing with ethanol to form the extraction mixture. The amount of a liquid with which the sugar cane derived product is blended or homogenised can be readily determined by the skilled person in order to achieve a sugar cane derived product having a suitable viscosity for mixing with ethanol to form an extraction mixture.

In one embodiment, the sugar cane derived product will have a viscosity less than or equal to about 100 centipoise. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product will have a viscosity of between about 50 to about 100 centipoise. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product will have a viscosity of between about 50 to about 80 centipoise.

The high viscosity of molasses is as a result of the high total solids (particularly soluble carbohydrates) and this is typically measured by determination of Brix degrees. In one embodiment, the sugar cane derived product may have about 10° to about 80° Brix. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product may have about 20° to about 70° Brix. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product may have about 20° to about 50° Brix. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product may have about 30° to about 60° Brix. In another embodiment, the sugar cane derived product may have about 40° to about 50° Brix.

To extract compounds such as polyphenols, the sugar cane derived product is mixed with ethanol to form an extraction mixture. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises at least about 50% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises at least about 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84% or 85% v/v ethanol.

The optimal concentration of ethanol in the extraction mixture for removing colour in the supernatant while minimising reduction in polyphenols is about 70% to about 85% v/v. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 65% to about 75% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 70% to about 80% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 70% to about 75% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 75% to about 80% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 80% to about 85% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 80% to about 83% v/v ethanol. In one embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 65% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 70% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 75% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 80% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 83% v/v ethanol. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture comprises about 85% v/v ethanol.

In the process of the disclosure, it may be desirable that pH extremes be avoided in the extraction mixture as they can have a deleterious effect on the components of the extraction mixture. Accordingly, in one embodiment the extraction mixture has a pH of about pH 4 to about pH 7.5. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture has a pH of about pH 4 to about pH 6. In another embodiment, the extraction mixture has a pH of about pH 4 to about pH 5.

Following the formation of precipitate in the extraction mixture, the precipitate may be removed from the mixture by any suitable method known in the art. For example the precipitate may be removed by centrifugation and the supernatant may be obtained. Alternatively, the precipitate may be allowed to settle for a time sufficient to allow the supernatant to be obtained while leaving precipitate behind, such as, for example, by sedimentation under gravity. The skilled person will understand that other techniques such as filtration can be used alone or in combination with centrifugation or sedimentation in order to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.

Once the supernatant has been obtained the ethanol is removed using techniques known in the art. By way of non-limiting example, the ethanol may be removed from the supernatant by evaporation, such as by using a rotary evaporator with a heating bath at approximately 45° C. or higher. In some instances it may be desirable to further remove water from the supernatant to increase the Brix value of the supernatant. In one embodiment the process provides an extract having at least about 60° Bx (degrees Brix). In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is at least about 65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is at least about 70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is about 60-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is about 65-70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is about 64-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract derived from sugar cane is about 70-75° Bx.

In one embodiment of the process of the disclosure, the supernatant comprising ethanol, or the extract derived from sugar cane from which ethanol has been removed may be used without further processing. Optionally the supernatant comprising ethanol, or the extract derived from sugar cane from which ethanol has been removed may be subjected to purification or fractionation.

A purification step may remove impurities, such as pigments that contribute to the colour of the extract derived from sugar cane. By way of non-limiting example, the supernatant or the extract derived from sugar cane may be subject to a purification step which includes, one or more or of, membrane filtration, size exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and/or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. In one embodiment, the supernatant or extract may be subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

There are several techniques known in the art for separating compounds based on size. For example, it is known in the art that components of a supernatant or extract falling within a specific molecular weight range may be separated by size exclusion processing methods such as gel permeation chromatography or ultrafiltration.

Separation of components in the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane may also be achieved using chromatographic techniques or combinations of techniques. In one embodiment, chromatographic techniques include, but are not limited to, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) and/or HPLC. Appropriate stationary and mobile phases of any chromatographic technique used will be readily determined by a skilled person. Appropriate elution techniques will also be readily determined by a skilled person. Chromatographic techniques may utilise fractional elution by stepwise increase in pH or with suitable solvents.

In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to one or more chromatographic techniques. In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography. In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography with an sephadex LH-20, XAD or FPX66 resin. In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to sephadex LH-20 resin. In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to XAD resin. In one embodiment, the supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane is subjected to FPX66 resin.

The supernatant and/or the extract derived from sugar cane may also be processed by standard techniques such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, gel permeation, vacuum evaporation and freeze drying, spray drying and/or tunnel drying.

Another exemplary process for producing an extract according to the disclosure is provided below. This exemplary process involves multiple filtration steps. This exemplary process with dunder as the sugar cane derived product is depicted in FIG. 2.

Sugar cane dunder is allowed to settled overnight (typically eight hours) in a V—bottom tank. The supernatant is then subjected to a number of filtration steps. The skilled person will understand that a variety of filtration steps (such as, for example, microfiltration or ultrafiltration) may be performed and the appropriate filtration steps will be readily determined by the skilled person.

In one embodiment, the supernatant is subjected to sequential microfiltration. In one embodiment the supernatant is sequentially filtered through: (i) a 5 micron filter; (ii) a 1 micron filter; (iii) a 0.5 micron filter; and (iv) a 0.1 micron filter. The skilled person would understand that a variety of filters could be used in the process to remove the desired sediment and undissolved matter. Exemplary filters are stainless steel filters, ceramic filters and cellulose filters.

The filtered supernatant is subsequently concentrated to remove water providing the extract. Any method for removing the water may be employed, including for example, heat exchange and evaporation. In one embodiment, the filtered supernatant is concentrated in a heat exchanger to remove water until the desired Brix level of the extract is achieved. In one embodiment, the process provides an extract having at least about 40° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 50° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 55° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 60° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 70° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 45-55° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 50° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 50-55° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 55—60° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 50-70° Bx. Another exemplary process for producing an extract according to the disclosure is provided below. This exemplary process with a combination of dunder and molasses as the sugar cane derived product is depicted in FIG. 3.

Sugar cane mill molasses is mixed with settled sugar cane dunder (as described above) and stirred well to provide a mixture with the desired Brix level. The skilled person will understand that in order to facilitate mixing of the molasses and dunder, a liquid, for example but not limited to water, may be added. The liquid may be added to the molasses and/or the dunder prior to combining the two or the liquid may be added to the combined molasses and dunder. Additionally, heat may be applied to achieve a desired viscosity. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is about 50-55° Bx. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is about 50° Bx. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is about 55° Bx. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is at least about 50° Bx. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is at least about 60° Bx. In one embodiment, the combined mixture of molasses and dunder is at least about 70° Bx.

The combined mixture of molasses and dunder is maintained at a constant temperature (for example between 20-25° C.) and ethanol (for example 95% food grade ethanol) is added and stirred to ensure that the ethanol is evenly and quickly dispersed. Ethanol is added until the desired ethanol level is reached. The desired ethanol content can be from about 50% v/v to about 90% v/v. The desired ethanol content can be about 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is at least about 60% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is at least about 70% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is at least about 80% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is about 60-70% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is about 70-80% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is about 75% v/v. In one embodiment, the desired ethanol level is about 76% v/v

The addition and mixing of ethanol may lead to the formation of a gelatinous precipitate. The precipitate in the mixture is allowed to settle and the supernatant is removed, by, for example decantation and/or filtration. In one embodiment, the supernatant is decanted. In one embodiment, the supernatant is filtered. In one embodiment, the supernatant is decanted and filtered.

The ethanol is removed from the supernatant to provide the extract. Any method for removing the ethanol may be employed, including for example, heat exchange and evaporation. In one embodiment, the ethanol is removed by evaporation until the desired Brix level of the extract is achieved. In one embodiment, the process provides an extract having at least about 50° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 60° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 70° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is at least about 80° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 50-60° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 60-70° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 70-80° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 65-75° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 75° Bx. In one embodiment, the Bx value of the extract is about 70° Bx.

Extracts Derived from Sugar Cane

As described above, extracts derived from sugar cane generally comprise complex mixtures of substances including, but not limited to, polyphenols, phytosterols, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, monosaccharide, disaccharides, organic acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises at least about 10 CE g/L of polyphenols or at least about 150 mg CE/g of polyphenols. As explained above, the term “CE”, or “catechin equivalent” is a measure of total polyphenolic content, expressed as catechin equivalents mg/g extract derived from sugar cane or catechin equivalents g/L extract derived from sugar cane.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 CE g/L of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775 or 800 mg CE/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 10 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 5 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 10 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 90 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 900 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 80 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 800 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 70 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 700 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 60 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 600 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 40 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 400 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 20 CE g/L to about 30 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 200 CE mg/g to about 300 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 20 CE g/L to about 27 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 200 CE mg/g to about 270 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 27 CE g/L to about 35 g CE/L of polyphenols or about 270 CE mg/g to about 350 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 35 CE g/L to about 40 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 350 CE mg/g to about 400 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 40 CE g/L to about 50 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 400 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 45 CE g/L to about 50 g CE/L of polyphenols or about 450 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain the flavonoid class of polyphenols. The extract derived from sugar cane may contain flavonoids in any amount. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises at least about 1 CE g/L of flavonoids or at least about 10 CE mg/g of flavonoids.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 15 CE g/L of flavonoids or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 150 CE mg/g of flavonoids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 3 CE g/L to about 10 CE g/L of flavonoids or about 30 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of flavonoids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 5 CE g/L to about 8 CE g/L of flavonoids or about 50 CE mg/g to about 80 CE mg/g of flavonoids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 6 CE g/L to about 8 CE g/L of flavonoids or about 60 CE mg/g to about 80 CE mg/g of flavonoids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 6.5 CE g/L to about 7.5 CE g/L of flavonoids or about 65 CE mg/g to about 75 CE mg/g of flavonoids.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain the proanthocyanidin class of polyphenols. The extract derived from sugar cane may contain proanthocyandins in any amount. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises at least about 1.5 CE g/L of proanthocyanidins or at least about 15 CE mg/g of proanthocyanidins. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises at least about 1.8 CE g/L of proanthocyanidins or at least about 18 CE mg/g of proanthocyanidins. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 1.5 CE g/L to about 2.5 CE g/L of proanthocyanidins or about 15 CE mg/g to about 25 CE mg/g of proanthocyanidins. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 1.8 CE g/L to about 2.2 CE g/L of proanthocyanidins or about 18 CE mg/g to about 22 CE mg/g of proanthocyanidins.

The polyphenols of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, one or more of syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, diosmin, diosmetin, apigenin, vitexin, orientin, homoorientin, swertisin, tricin, (+)-catechin, (−)-catechin gallate, (−) epicatechin, quercetin, kaempherol, myricetin, rutin, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, luteolin, scoparin and/or derivatives thereof. The polyphenols of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may also include, but are not limited to, one or more of hydroxycinnamic acid, isoorientin, swertiajaponin, neocarlinoside, isovitexin, vicenin, and/or derivatives thereof.

The polyphenols of the extract derived from sugar cane also include conjugates, such as, for example, glycosides, glucosides, galactosides, galacturonides, ethers, esters, arabinosides, sulphates, phosphates, aldopentoses (xylose, arabinose) and aldohexoses.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, sinapic acid, diosmin, diosmetin, apigenin, vitexin, orientin, homoorientin, swertisin, and tricin and/or derivatives thereof.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises syringic acid, chlorogenic acid and diosmin and/or derivatives thereof.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises caffeic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises vanillin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises sinapic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises vitexin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises p-coumaric acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises ferulic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises gallic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises vanillic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises diosmetin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises apigenin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises orientin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises homoorientin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises swertisin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises tricin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises (+)-catechin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises (−)-catechin gallate. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises (−)-epicatechin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises quercetin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises kaempherol. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises myricetin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises rutin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises schaftoside. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises isoschaftoside. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises luteolin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises scoparin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises hydroxycinnamic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises isoorientin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises swertiajaponin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises neocarlinoside. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises isovitexin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises vicenin.

In one embodiment, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid and diosmin are the three most abundant polyphenols of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 5-20 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 7-15 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 10-12 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure, when present, comprises about 10.9 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 50-200 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 90-130 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 100-120 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 107 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 1-15 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 3-10 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 5-8 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 6.53 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 30-150 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 60-90 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 70-80 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 74 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 10-30 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 15-25 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 18-21 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 19-45 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 100-300 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 190—260 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 210-240 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the disclosure comprises about 227 μg/g dry weight of diosmin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 7-15 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 4-9 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 0.1-0.5 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, about 0.05-0.3 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, and/or about 0.1-0.3 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 15-25 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, and/or about 0.1-0.4 μg/g dry weight of orientin, and/or about 0.4-0.9 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.05-0.3 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 10-12 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 5-8 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 0.2-0.4 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, and/or about 0.1-0.2 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, and/or about 0.1-0.25 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 18-21 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, and/or about 0.2-0.3 μg/g dry weight of orientin, and/or about 0.5-0.8 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.1-0.2 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 10.9 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 6.53 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 0.29 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, and/or about 0.153 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, and/or about 0.18 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 19.45 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, and/or about 0.245 μg/g dry weight of orientin, and/or about 0.69 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.15 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 90-130 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 60-90 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 4-10 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, and/or about 1-4 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, about 1-3 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 190-260 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, and/or about 3-7 μg/g dry weight of orientin, and/or 3-8 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.05 —0.3 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 100-120 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 70-80 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 6-8 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, about 2-3 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, and/or about 1.5-2.5 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 210-240 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, about 4-5 μg/g dry weight of orientin, 4-6 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.1-0.2 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 107 μg/g dry weight of syringic acid, and/or about 74 μg/g dry weight of chlorogenic acid, and/or about 7.5 μg/g dry weight of caffeic acid, and/or about 2 μg/g dry weight of vanillin, and/or about 1.7 μg/g dry weight of sinapic acid, and/or about 227 μg/g dry weight of diosmin, and/or about 4.5 μg/g dry weight of orientin, 5.2 μg/g dry weight of swertisin, and/or about 0.16 μg/g dry weight of disomentin. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain a range of organic acids that are found naturally in sugar cane. These organic acids may include, but are not limited to, aconitic (cis- and trans-), oxalic, citric, lactic, tartaric, glycolic, succinic, citric, malic, fumaric and shikimic acids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains higher levels of citric and malic acids than other organic acids. In another embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains low to trace amounts of oxalic, citric, tartaric, glycolic, succinic and citric acids. In another embodiment, the two most abundant organic acids in the extract derived from sugar cane are trans- and cis-aconitic acids.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain trans- and/or cis-aconitic acids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises trans-aconitic in amount of about 10,000-40,000 mg per kg and/or cis-aconitic in amount of about 3,000-7,000 mg/kg. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains trans-aconitic in an amount of about 17,000-30,000 mg per kg and/or cis-aconitic in amount of about 4,000-6,500 mg/kg. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain trans-aconitic in amount of about 20,000-25,000 mg per kg and/or cis-aconitic in amount of about 5,000-5,500 mg/kg.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain amino acids. In one embodiment, the total amino acids levels of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure is about 50,000-80,000 μg per gram, or about 60,000-70,000 μg per gram, or about 65,000 μg per gram. In one embodiment, about 10-40% of these total amino acids are essential amino acids. In one embodiment, about 15-30% of these total amino acids are essential amino acids. In one embodiment, about 20-25% of these total amino acids are essential amino acids.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain free amino acids. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 10,000-50,000 μg of free amino acids per gram. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain about 20,000-35,000 μg of free amino acids per gram. The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain about 25,000-30,000 μg of free amino acids per gram.

As defined above, the term “free amino acids” as used herein refers to amino acids which are singular molecules and structurally not attached to peptide bonds which are attached to other amino acids.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain leucine, a branched chain essential amino acid. In one embodiment, the concentration of leucine in the extract derived from sugar cane, is about 1-5 mM, or about 1.5-4 mM, or about 2-3 mM. In one embodiment, the amount of leucine in the extract derived from sugar cane is about 1,000-20,000 μg per gram, or about 1,000-10,000 μg per gram, or about 1,000-5,000 μg per gram, or about 1,000-2,000 μg per gram, or about 5,000-10,000 μg per gram, or about 10,000-20,000 μg per gram.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain minerals. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains minerals that are found naturally in sugar cane. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains one or more minerals including, but not limited to, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium and chromium.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains minerals bound to the polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains divalent ions bound to the polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains calcium, magnesium and/or iron bound to the polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane contains iron bound to the polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 20,000-32,000 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 300-600 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 800-1,300 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 3,000-6,000 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 40-90 mg of iron per kilogram, and/or about 3-10 mg of zinc per kilogram, and/or about 500-900 μg of selenium per kilogram and/or about 1,000-1,600 μg of chromium per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 25,000-27,000 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 400-500 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 4,000-5,500 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 55-75 mg of iron per kilogram, and/or about 5.5-7.5 mg of zinc per kilogram, and/or about 700-850 μg of selenium per kilogram, and/or about 1,200-1,400 μg of chromium per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 26,000 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 450 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 1,090 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 4,700 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 65 mg of iron per kilogram, about 6.6 mg of zinc per kilogram, and/or about 786 μg of selenium per kilogram and/or about 1,300 μg of chromium per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a syrup form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 50-350 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 5-70 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 7,000-10,000 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 1,000-3,000 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 500-1,300 mg of iron per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 100-250 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 10-50 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 8,000-9,000 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 1,500-2,500 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 800-1,000 mg of iron per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises about 190 mg of potassium per kilogram, and/or about 30 mg of sodium per kilogram, and/or about 8,800 mg of calcium per kilogram, and/or about 2,000 mg of magnesium per kilogram, and/or about 890 mg of iron per kilogram. The extract derived from sugar cane may be in a powder form.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, sucrose, glucose, galactose, xylose, ribose, mannose, rhamnose, fructose, maltose, lactose, maltotriose, xylopyranose, raffinose, 1-kestose, theanderose, 6-kestose, panose, neo-kestose, nystose, glucans and xylans.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may contain fiber. The fiber may be present in the extract as obtained by the process or fiber may be added to the extract. The term “fiber” as used herein refers to indigestible portion of food derived from plants. The fiber may be soluble or insoluble fiber. Non-limiting examples of fiber include, sugar cane fiber, oat bran, flour (including, for example, soy, rice, wheat, bran, rye, corn, sorghum, potato), modified starch, gelatin, non-starch polysaccharides such as arabinoxylans, cellulose, chia fiber, psyllium fiber, fenugreek fiber and many other plant components such as resistant starch, resistant dextrins, inulin, lignin, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans, and oligosaccharides. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains sugar cane fiber. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains flour. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains modified starch. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains cellulose. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains chia fiber. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains pysillium fiber. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure contains fenugreek fiber.

In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the extract of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the fiber is added to the extract of the present disclosure.

The extract derived sugar cane of the present disclosure may be a mash, crumble, pellet, syrup, liquid or powder. In one embodiment, the extract may be a mash, crumble, or pellet. In one embodiment, the extract may be a mash. In one embodiment, the extract may be a crumble. In one embodiment, the extract may be a pellet. In one embodiment, the extract may be a liquid. In one embodiment, the extract may be a syrup.

The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may be in a powder form. In one embodiment, the powder form is a freeze dried powder form, or a dehydrated powder form or a spray dried powder form. The extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may be in an encapsulated form.

It may be desirable that extremes of pH of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure be avoided. In one embodiment the pH of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure is in the range of about 3 to about 7, or about 3 to about 6, or about 4 to about 5.5, or about 4.5 to about 5, or about 4.6 to about 4.8.

The Brix value of the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may vary. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is at least about 40° Bx (degrees Brix). In some instances the Bx value of the extract is at least about 50° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is at least about 60° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is at least about 65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is at least about 70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 50-75° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 50-70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 60-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 50-60° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 55° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 60-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 64-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 65-70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 70-75° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the extract is about 75-80° Bx.

Compositions, Methods and Uses of the Extracts Derived from Sugar Cane

Compositions, Animal Feed Supplements and Animal Feeds

The extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may be included in veterinary compositions for administration to an animal or included in animal supplements or animal feeds intended for intake by an animal. The veterinary compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds may have application in various uses and methods.

The extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure, together with a conventional adjuvant, carrier or diluent, may be placed into the form of a veterinary composition and unit dosages thereof, and in such form may be employed as solids, such as tablets, powders or filled capsules, liquids as solutions, suspensions, emulsions (including microemulsions), syrups, elixirs or capsules filled with the same, creams, serums, gels, and oils. Extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure, together with other conventional additives may be placed in animal feed supplements or animal feeds.

The veterinary compositions of the disclosure may also contain other ingredients. For example, but not limited to, the compositions of the disclosure may also contain the components as listed hereafter. A binder such as gum, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate which may be used as a diluting agent; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin; and a liquid carrier, may be added. Various other ingredients may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the veterinary composition. The veterinary compositions may contain methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavouring agents such as cherry or orange flavour. Information on additives and excipients that are suitable for veterinary applications may be found, for example, in the Merck Veterinary Manual (online at www.merckvetmanual.com).

Veterinary compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated for oral administration (including buccal or sublingual) or nasal administration (including buccal and sublingual). Therefore, the veterinary compositions of the invention may be formulated, for example, as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, lozenges, creams or liquid preparations such as oral solutions or suspensions. Such formulations may be prepared by any method known in the art, for example by bringing into association an active ingredient, or combination of active ingredients, of with acceptable excipient(s). Such formulations may be prepared as enterically coated granules, tablets or capsules suitable for oral administration and delayed release formulations. The combinations of active ingredients are proposed for both liquid delivery as well as in solids for mixing through animal feeds.

The veterinary compositions of the disclosure may be presented in a single unit form or in a bulk form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art. All methods include the step of bringing the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure, into association with one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure, into association with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients.

Veterinary compositions include those for oral administration. The compositions include solutions, syrups, powders, tablets and capsules. In one embodiment, the composition is in a dry form or a liquid form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a dry form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a liquid form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a syrup form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a tablet or capsule form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a tablet form. In one embodiment, the composition is in a capsule form. Such forms are conveniently stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and are generally preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure may be included in animal supplements or animal feeds intended for intake by an animal. Animal supplements and animal feeds of the present disclosure may be formulated following well known methods in the art. Guidance on feed formulation is provided by, for example, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at (www.fao.org). It would be recognised that formulation of feeds is dependent on the animal subject. For example, animal feed for a monogastric animal, such as a pig, typically comprises concentrates as well as supplements whereas animal feed for ruminants generally comprises forage (including roughage and silage) and may further comprise concentrates as well as supplements. It would be further recognised that feed formulation depends on the availability, quality and expense of ingredients which can vary from season to season and geographic location. For example, fishmeal has a high quality of protein to meet the essential amino acid (EAA) requirements in fish feeds but is expensive. In its place, plant protein sources such as soya-bean meal or a combination of fishmeal and plant protein may be used.

Supplements may include vitamins, minerals (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, trace elements such as zinc, selenium and chromium, sodium), enzymes (e.g. phytases to improve nutrient digestibility), essential oils, direct fed microbial (to maintain gastrointestinal microbiota balance and health), organic acids, amino acids (e.g, methionine, lysine and threonine) which may be provided in a premix.

Other additives include auxiliary components and excipients as described above for veterinary compositions including: binders, anti-oxidants, preservatives, coloring agents, pigments and dyes, flavouring agents, such as sweeteners, which may be used to mask the bitterness of feed ingredients to improve feed palatability, vehicles, diluting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, attractants, and medications including growth enhancers, immunostimulants, hormones and antimicrobials. In addition, excipients are chosen for their suitability in preparing feed forms such as mash, granules, crumbles, pellets, powders and lickblocks. For example, cornstarch or polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) are suitable for forming a granular feed product. Guidance on animal feed additives, excipients and supplements is also provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at (www.fao.org) and other resources, for example, the Merck Veterinary Manual (online at www.merckvetmanual.com) and the CRC Handbook of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Excipients, 2005.

The animal supplements or animal feeds of the present disclosure may have a Brix value of at least about 40° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is at least about 50° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is at least about 60° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is at least about 65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is at least about 70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 50-75° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 50-70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 60-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 50-60° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 55° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 60-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 64-65° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 65-70° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 70-75° Bx. In some instances the Bx value of the animal supplement or animal feed is about 75-80° Bx.

The animal supplements or animal feeds of the present disclosure may contain fiber. The term “fiber” as used herein refers to indigestible portion of food derived from plants. The fiber may be soluble or insoluble fiber. The fiber may be mixed with the extract of the present disclosure to provide the animal supplement or feed or the fiber may be coated onto the extract of the present disclosure to provide the animal supplement or feed. In one embodiment, the fiber is mixed with the extract of the present disclosure to provide the animal supplement or feed. In one embodiment, the fiber is coated onto the extract of the present disclosure to provide the animal supplement or feed.

The fiber may be present in the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure in an amount up to about 20 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 0.5 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 1 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 1.5 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 2 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 3 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 4 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 5 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 10 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 15 wt %. In one embodiment, the fiber is present in the animal supplement or animal feed in an amount up to about 20 wt %.

Non-limiting examples of fiber include, sugar cane fiber, oat bran, flour, modified starch, gelatin, non-starch polysaccharides such as arabinoxylans, cellulose, chia fiber, psyillium fiber, fenugreek fiber and many other plant components such as resistant starch, resistant dextrins, inulin, lignin, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans, and oligosaccharides. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure contains sugar cane fiber. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure contains modified starch. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure contains cellulose. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed contains chia fiber. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure contains pysillium fiber. In one embodiment, the animal supplement or animal feed of the present disclosure contains fenugreek fiber.

The compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds of the present disclosure may also comprise other compounds which can be applied in the improvement or maintenance of the health of an animal. Selection of the appropriate active compounds for use in combination therapy may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional veterinary principles. The combination of active compounds may act synergistically to effect the improvement or maintenance of the health of an animal. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve efficacy with lower dosages of each active compound, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.

In one embodiment, the active compound(s) for use in combination therapy is one or more plant bioactives. In one embodiment, the active compound(s) for use in combination therapy is one or more marine bioactives.

The compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds of the present disclosure may comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of up to about 5.0 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds of the present disclosure comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 15.0 or 20.0 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.01 wt % to 1 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.01 wt % to 0.05 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed. In one embodiment, the compositions, animal supplements or animal feeds comprise the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure in an amount of 0.01 wt % to 2 wt % based upon the total weight of the composition, animal supplement or animal feed.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided an animal feed comprising an animal supplement as described herein. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 20 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 0.5 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 1 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 2 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 5 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 10 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 15 wt %. In one embodiment, the supplement is present in the animal feed in an amount up to about 20 wt %.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided an non-human animal formulated supplement comprising an extract derived from sugar cane. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 CE g/L of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775 or 800 mg CE/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 10 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 1 CE g/L to about 5 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 10 CE mg/g to about 50 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 5 CE g/L to about 10 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 50 CE mg/g to about 100 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 100 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 1000 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 90 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 900 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 80 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 800 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 70 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 700 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 60 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 600 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 25 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 250 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 70 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 700 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 60 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 600 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 10 CE g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 15 CE g/L to about 40 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 150 CE mg/g to about 400 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 20 CE g/L to about 30 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 200 CE mg/g to about 300 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 20 CE g/L to about 27 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 200 CE mg/g to about 270 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 27 CE g/L to about 35 g CE/L of polyphenols or about 270 CE mg/g to about 350 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 35 CE g/L to about 40 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 350 CE mg/g to about 400 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 40 CE g/L to about 50 g CE/L of polyphenols or from about 400 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises from about 45 CE g/L to about 50 g CE/L of polyphenols or about 450 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols.

Methods and Uses

The extracts derived from sugar cane of this disclosure comprise a complex mixture of plant primary and secondary metabolites, including polyphenols. The collective variety and number of plant primary and secondary metabolites (including polyphenols) of the extracts drastically exceed what is typical in normal animal diets. When an extract is consumed by an animal subject, the plant metabolites stimulate a variety of biological mechanisms (including for example, anti-oxidative pathways, anti-inflammatory pathways and immunomodulatory pathways) in the animal resulting in numerous beneficial health effects. The results described in the present disclosure demonstrate what is currently understood about the impact of the extracts on a number of biological mechanisms and the resultant health effects. However, due to the complex nature of the extracts and the current state of the art, further biological mechanisms may be present, but not yet described.

The compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure can be used for improving or maintaining health in an animal subject. The present inventors have surprisingly found that the extracts derived from sugar cane of the present disclosure have properties making them favourable for use in improving or maintaining the health of animals. Representative properties include: a beneficial immunomodulatory effect, wherein the local or systemic immune response is beneficially stimulated or modulated; an anti-inflammatory effect; an anti-oxidant effect; a cytoprotective effect; and an anti-microbial effect, wherein gastrointestinal microbiota function is improved or maintained. Further favourable properties include anti-viral activity; anti-bacterial activity; anti-carcinogenic activity; cardio-vascular benefits; anti-ulcer activity; vasodilatory properties; gene regulating properties; anti-cariogenic and analgesic properties.

In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure improve or maintain the health of non-human animals. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have a beneficial immunomodulatory effect. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have an anti-inflammatory effect. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have an anti-oxidant effect. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have a cytoprotective effect. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have an anti-microbial effect. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure improve or maintain gastrointestinal microbiota function. In one embodiment, the compositions, supplements and feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure have an anti-ulcer activity.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving or maintaining gastrointestinal health in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein. In one embodiment, the gastrointestinal microbiota function is improved or maintained.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving growth performance in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement or the animal feed described herein. In one embodiment, the size of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the weight gain of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average weight gain of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the daily weight gain of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average daily weight gain of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the weight gain is the live weight gain. In one embodiment, the length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the standard length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average standard length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the fork length of the subject is increased, wherein the subject is a finfish. In one embodiment, the average fork length of the subject is increased, wherein the subject is a finfish. In one embodiment, the total length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average total length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the body length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average body length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the head length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, the average head length of the subject is increased. In one embodiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) is reduced.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an the supplement or the feed described herein. In one embodiment, there is a concomitant reduction in body weight of the subject. In one embodiment, peripheral and/or visceral fat is reduced.

In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on blood health. In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on blood health as assessed by complete blood count (CBC) analysis. In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on blood health as assessed by a count of the number of red blood cells (RBC) and/or the number of white blood cells (WBC). In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on blood health as assessed by an analysis of the total haemoglobin in blood. In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on blood health as assessed by an analysis of the fraction of the blood composed of RBC (haematocrit).

In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on urinary health. In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on urine pH. In one embodiment, there is no adverse effect on urine specific gravity.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of an the supplement or the animal feed described herein. In one embodiment, there is negligible digestible food remaining in the faeces of the subject.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving food production and quality. In one embodiment, there is an improvement in milk yield. In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving meat quality in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein. In one embodiment, the toughness of meat is improved. In one embodiment, the toughness of meat is improved as assessed by shear force measurement. In one embodiment, the taste of the meat is improved. In one embodiment, the flavour of the meat is improved. In one embodiment, the odour of the meat is reduced. In one embodiment, the protein percentage of the meat is increased. In one embodiment, the shelf life of the meat is extended. As would be understood by a skilled person, shelf life is the recommended maximum time for which products or fresh (harvested) produce can be stored, during which the defined quality of a specified proportion of the goods remains acceptable under expected (or specified) conditions of distribution, storage and display. In one embodiment, the onset of rancidity of the meat is delayed or slowed. As would be understood by a skilled person, rancidity is the process which causes a substance to become rancid, that is, having a rank, unpleasant smell or taste. Specifically, it is the hydrolysis and/or autoxidation of fats into short-chain aldehydes and ketones which are objectionable in taste and odour.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for preventing and/or treating anemia in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein. In one embodiment, anemia is a vitamin deficiency anemia. In one embodiment, the anemia is an iron deficiency anemia. In one embodiment, the extract further comprises iron bound to the polyphenols.

In the method for preventing and/or treating anemia in a non-human animal subject, the frequency and amount of non-human animal formulated supplement or non-human animal feed administered may be varied as required to prevent and/or treat the anemia in the animal subject. In one embodiment, the dosage is in the range of about 100 mg to 300 mg at birth followed by about 100 mg to 300 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the dosage is in the range of about 150 mg to 250 mg at birth followed by about 150 mg to 250 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the dosage is in the range of about 100 mg to 200 mg at birth followed by about 100 mg to 200 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the dosage is about 300 mg at birth followed by about 300 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the dosage is about 300 mg at birth followed by about 300 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the supplement is administered at a fixed dose of about 250 mg at birth followed by a fixed dose of about 250 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the supplement is administered at a fixed dose of about 200 mg at birth followed by a fixed dose of about 200 mg at 14 days. In one embodiment, the supplement is administered at a fixed dose of about 150 mg at birth followed by a fixed dose of about 150 mg at 14 days.

In one embodiment, the subject is a pig. In one embodiment, the white blood cell count in a blood sample withdrawn from the pig subject is increased. In one embodiment, the red blood cell count in a blood sample withdrawn from the pig subject is increased. In one embodiment, the concentration of haemoglobin in a blood sample withdrawn from the pig subject is increased. In one embodiment, growth performance of the pig subject is improved. In one embodiment, weight gain of the pig is increased. In one embodiment, the weight gain is the live weight gain.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for improving or maintaining muscle condition in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein. In one embodiment, muscle build is improved. In one embodiment, muscle shape is improved.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject, wherein the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of the supplement or the feed described herein.

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for preventing, reducing and/or treating gastric ulcers in a non-human animal subject, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a non-human animal formulated supplement or a non-human animal feed described herein. In one embodiment, the gastric ulcers are prevented. In one embodiment, the ulcers are treated. In one embodiment, the gastric ulcers are reduced. In one embodiment, the animal subject is a horse.

The compositions, non-human animal formulated supplements and non-human animal feeds comprising the extracts of the present disclosure can be administered or fed to a non-human animal subject. The term “animal subject” as used herein refers to any animal except humans. Thus, the disclosure relates to non-human animals. The non-human animals may be mammals. Examples of non-human animals are aquatic animals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, gastropods, birds, monogastric animals, ruminants and pseudo-ruminants.

In one embodiment, the animal is an aquatic animal. In one embodiment, the aquatic animal is finfish and shellfish. In one embodiment, the aquatic animal is finfish. In one embodiment, the aquatic animal is shellfish. In one embodiment, the finfish is pangus. In one embodiment, the finfish is tilapia. In one embodiment, the finfish is salmon. In one embodiment, the finfish is barramundi. In one embodiment, the finfish is selected from barramundi, bass, bream, carp, catfish, cod, crappie, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, grouper, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish.

In one embodiment, the aquatic animal is shellfish. In one embodiment, the shellfish is a crustacean. In one embodiment, the shellfish is a mollusc. In one embodiment, the shellfish is crustacean is selected from crabs, crayfish, lobsters, prawns and shrimp. In one embodiment, the shellfish is prawns. In one embodiment, the shellfish is shrimp. In one embodiment, the shellfish is a mollusc selected from clams, mussels, oysters, scallops and winkles. In one embodiment, the shellfish is mussels. In one embodiment, the shellfish is oysters. In one embodiment, the shellfish is scallops.

In one embodiment, the animal is an insect. In one embodiment, the insect is selected from cicadas, grasshoppers, beetles, bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, flies, crickets, aphids, bugs and dragonflies. In one embodiment, the insect is grasshoppers. In one embodiment, the insect is bees. In one embodiment, the insect is crickets. In one embodiment, the insect is butterflies.

In one embodiment, the animal is an amphibian. In one embodiment, the amphibian is selected from frogs, toads and salamanders. In one embodiment, the amphibian is a frog. In one embodiment, the amphibian is a toad. In one embodiment, the amphibian is a salamander.

In one embodiment, the animal is a reptile. In one embodiment, the reptile is selected from snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles and crocodiles. In one embodiment, the reptile is a snake. In one embodiment, the reptile is a lizard. In one embodiment, the reptile is a turtle. In one embodiment, the reptile is a crocodile.

In one embodiment, the animal is a bird. In one embodiment, the bird is selected from poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, pigeons (including squabs) and birds of prey (including hawks, eagles, kites, falcons, vultures, harriers, ospreys, and owls). In one embodiment, the bird is selected from chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. In one embodiment, the bird is poultry. In one embodiment, the bird is a chicken. In one embodiment, the bird is a broiler chicken. In one embodiment, the bird is a layer hen. In one embodiment, the bird is a duck. In one embodiment, the bird is a goose. In one embodiment, the bird is a turkey. In one embodiment, the bird is a quail. In one embodiment, the bird is a guinea fowl. In one embodiment, the bird is a pigeon. In one embodiment, the bird is a bird of prey.

In one embodiment, the animal is a monogastric animal. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is selected from pigs or swine, such as piglets, growing pigs and sows, cats and dogs and rodents (rats, mice). In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is a pig. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is a cat. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is a dog. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is rodent. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is a mouse. In one embodiment, the monogastric animal is a rat.

In one embodiment, the animal is a ruminant. In one embodiment, the animal is a ruminant selected from cattle, sheep, goats, deer, yak, llama and kangaroo. Cattle include but are not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, cows and young calves. In one embodiment, the ruminant is selected from cattle, sheep, goats and deer. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a cow. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a beef cow. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a dairy cow. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a calf. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a sheep. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a goat. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a deer. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a llama. In one embodiment, the ruminant is a kangaroo.

In one embodiment, the animal is a pseudo-ruminant. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is selected from horses, camels, rabbits and guinea pigs. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is selected from horses, rabbits and guinea pigs. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is a horse. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is a rabbit. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is a camel. In one embodiment, the pseudo-ruminant is a guinea pig.

In the methods of the present disclosure, the administration may be by oral administration.

The frequency of administration of the extract derived from sugar cane or a composition, non-human animal formulated supplement or animal feed comprising the extract derived from sugar cane, may be as required to provide the desired improvement, maintenance, prevention and/or treatment. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the frequency of administration of the extract derived from sugar cane or a composition, non-human animal formulated supplement or animal feed comprising the extract derived from sugar cane, may depend on the amount or dosage of the extract. A higher amount or dosage of the extract derived from sugar cane may result in less frequent administration being required. A lower amount or dosage of the extract derived from sugar cane may result in more frequent administration being required. The administration of the extract derived from sugar cane or a composition, non-human animal formulated supplement or animal feed comprising the extract derived from sugar cane, may be for a short period or for an extended or continuous period.

The frequency of administration may be daily, twice daily, thrice daily, every 1-3 days, every 1-5 days, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, bi-monthly, every 1-3 months, every 1-6 months, every 6 months, or yearly. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is daily. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is twice daily. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is weekly. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is fortnightly. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is monthly. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is bi-monthly. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is every 1-3 months. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is every 1-6 months. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is every 6 months. In one embodiment, the frequency of administration is yearly.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dosage level and frequency of dosage for any particular subject may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific extract derived from sugar cane employed, the activity of a veterinary composition, an non-human animal formulated supplement or animal feed comprising that extract, the metabolic stability and length of action of that extract derived from sugar cane, veterinary composition, non-human animal formulated supplement or animal feed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and the animal subject undergoing therapy.

The compositions, non-human animal formulated supplements, non-human animal feeds, methods or uses of the present disclosure may further comprise other active agents or compounds which improve or maintain animal health. Selection of the appropriate agents or compounds for use in combination may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for reducing body fat content in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for improving nutrient digestibility in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing and/or treating an anemia in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement for stimulating or sustaining appetite in a non-human animal subject.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided use of an extract derived from sugar cane, the extract comprising from about 10 catechin equivalent (CE) g/L to about 50 CE g/L of polyphenols or from about 100 CE mg/g to about 500 CE mg/g of polyphenols, in the manufacture of a non-human animal formulated supplement.

With respect to the uses described above, in one embodiment, the extract comprises at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 CE g/L of polyphenols. In one embodiment, the extract comprises at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775 or 800 mg CE/g of polyphenols.