Rumen-Stable Pellets

This invention relates in general to pellets adapted to be orally administered to ruminants and which are beneficial to ruminants after passing the rumen and reaching the abomasum and/or intestines. More particularly, this invention relates to pellets having, in terms of structure, a core material such as a nutrient or medicament, and an imperforate coating over the core material which protects the core in the environment of the rumen, but which loses continuity under the more acidic conditions of the abomasum to render the core material available for utilization by the animal.

In ruminants, ingested feed first passes into the rumen, where it is pre-digested or degraded by fermentation. During this period of fermentation the ingested feed may be regurgitated to the mouth via the reticulum where it is salivated and ruminated. Ater a period of fermentation regulated by natural processes and variable depending on the animal and the feedstuff, adsorption of digested nutrients starts and continues in the subsequent sections of the digestive tract by the ruminant animal. This process is described in detail by D. C. Church, "Digestive Physiology and Nutrition of Ruminants", Vol. 1, O.S.U. Book Stores, Inc., of Corvallis, Oregon.

The rumen, the largest of the four stomach compartments of ruminants, serves as an important location for metabolic breakdown of ingested foodstuffs through the action of microorganisms which are present therein. Ingested food is typically retained in the rumen for from about 6 to 30 hours or longer in some instances, during which time it is subject to metabolic breakdown by the rumen microorganisms. Much ingested protein material is broken down in the rumen to soluble peptides and amino acids and utilized by the rumen microorganisms. When the rumen contents pass into the abomasum and intestine, the microbial mass is digested, thus providing protein to the ruminant. Thus, the natural nutritional balance of the ruminant animal is primarily a function of the microbial composition and population.

In preparing nutrients and medicaments intended for administration to ruminants, it is important to protect the active ingredients against the environmental conditions of the rumen, i.e., microbial degradation and the effects of a pH of about 5.5, so the active substance will be saved until it reaches the particular location where adsorption takes place. It is well known that the rate of meat, wool and/or milk production can be increased if sources of growth limiting essential amino acids, and/or medicaments, are protected from alteration by microorganisms residing in the rumen and become available for direct absorption by the animal later in the gastrointestinal tract.

Materials which protect the core against degradation by the rumen contents should be resistant to attack by the rumen fluid which contains enzymes or microorganisms but must make the active ingredient available rapidly in the more acidic fluid of the abomasum at a pH within the normal physiological range of about 2 to about 3.5. To more easily coat or encapsulate active ingredients in protective materials, the protective materials should be soluble in certain organic solvents for coating purposes.

Because proteins are subject to breakdown in the rumen, it has been suggested that protein-containing nutrients fed to ruminants be treated so as to permit passage without microbial breakdown through the rumen to the abomasum. Suggested procedures have included coating the protein material, for example, with fats and vegetable oils; heat treating of the protein material; reacting the protein material with various compounds such as formaldehyde, acetylenic esters, polymerized unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydrides and phosphonitrilic halides, etc.

It is well known that all proteins found in animal and plant life are chemical compounds containing different combinations of over 20 amino acids, the number and arrangement of such acids being fixed in any particular protein. Twelve of these amino acids can be synthesized in nutritionally adequate amounts from other substances by biochemical processes normally present in most animals, but the remaining 10 essential amino acids are not synthesized in sufficient quantities and must be ingested by the animal. Since the proportions of the constituent amino acids in a particular protein cannot be varied, the essential amino acid least in supply limits the amount of that protein which can be produced by the animal. Consequently, for any given diet, there will be a particular essential amino acid which limits the production of protein incorporating that essential amino acid unless, of course, two or more such amino acids are equally limiting.

The appreciation of the above principles leads to the formulation of diets for nonruminant animals which provide the optimum proportion of amino acids and have enabled significant increases in protein production to be achieved. In the ruminant, dietary proteins and amino acids are, to a variable extent, broken down to ammonia and various organic compounds by microbial fermentation in the first two compartments of the stomach (the rumen and reticulum). The bacteria and protozoa in these organs utilize these metabolites for their own growth and multiplication and the microbial protein so formed passes on to the abomasum, the compartment of the stomach corresponding to the stomach of nonruminants, where it is partially digested. The process is completed in the small intestine and the amino acids are absorbed.

It is likewise well-known that medicaments are more effective when they are protected from the environment of the rumen. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,041,243 and 3,697,640.

The coating or film forming material according to this invention provides protection and release characteristics, and includes a mixture or blend of at least one "polymeric" substance and at least one "hydrophobic" substance. The polymeric substance is a substantially continuous matrix and accounts for about 25% to about 95% of the weight of the coating material. Generally, the more acidic and more soluble core materials require greater ratios of hydrophobic substance to polymeric substance, while more basic and less soluble core materials require lesser ratios of hydrophobic substance to polymeric substance, within this range. The hydrophobic substance is dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and accounts for between about 75% to about 5% of the weight of the coating material.

The coating material has the ability to withstand environmental conditions of the rumen, and the ability to expose the core material of the pellet in the environment of the abomasum. Thus, the coating material is resistant to pH conditions of about 5.5 for at least about 24 hours. The coating material releases the core material after exposure to environmental conditions of the abomasum or intestines having a pH of about 3.5 after a time of from about 10 minutes to about 6 hours. The exposure of the core may occur by the coating becoming permeable to the fluids therein or by dissolving or disintegrating. Another requirement for the coating material is to have the ability to withstand storage conditions of relatively high heat and/or humidity without a significant amount of blocking.

Core materials having a pH of greater than about 5.5 are most useful in this invention. Thus, any core material which is beneficial to the ruminant such as a nutrient or medicament having characteristics within these parameters may be used. Preferred core materials include amino acids, proteins, various other nutrients, as well as antibiotics and other medicaments.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,200 relates to chemically modifying pellets and/or using a surface coating therefor. Proteinaceous feed is protected from breakdown within the rumen by the modification of protein itself, by the application of a protective coating to the feedstuff, or by combination of both. Various polymers are disclosed in this patent including copolymers of vinylpyridine and styrene. Canadian Pat. No. 911,649 discloses treatment of proteinaceous materials with substances which are capable of reacting with proteins to form a polymeric proteinaceous complex on the surface of the material or by treating the proteinaceous material with a polymer or copolymer of a basic vinyl or acrylic monomer. This patent also discloses the use of copolymers and terpolymers derived from essentially a basic substituted acrylate or methacrylate monomer and at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound as rumen stable coatings. U.S. Pat. No. 3,880,990 and British Pat. No. 1,346,739 relate to an orally administratable ruminant composition wherein a medicinal substance is encapsulated or embedded in a normally solid, physiologically acceptable basic polymer. The compositions are produced by dispersing a medicinal substance in a first solvent and adding thereto a second solvent which is miscible with the first solvent but in which the polymer and medicinal substance are substantially insoluble. There is no suggestion of modifying the polymer by the use of additives. U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,243 relates to coatings for oral medicaments. These coatings are water-insoluble but acid-soluble film-forming polymers. An example mentioned in this patent is 2-methyl-5-vinyl pyridine copolymerized with vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate or styrene.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,640 relates to materials such as medicaments and nutrients for ruminants which are coated with nitrogen-containing cellulosic materials such as, for example, cellulose propionate morpholino-butyrate. This patent, however, fails to suggest the use of any additives in the nitrogen-containing cellulosic material, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,480 relates to a proteinaceous feedstuff for ruminants which has been treated with acetic acid to render it rumen stable.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,283 relates to coating pharmaceutical pellets with a plurality of charges of fatty acid as a melt or in solution. The fatty acid may then be dusted with a fine inert powder such as talc. There is no suggestion of using a continuous matrix polymer.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,518 relates to a tablet coating composition comprising a film-forming resin or plastic and a hard water-soluble or water-dispersible substance. Stearic acid is mentioned as an optional water-insoluble wax which may be included as an additive. Additional materials such as dyes, pigments, water-insoluble waxes, plasticizing agents, etc., may also be added to the coating. However, the film-forming resin or plastic according to this patent is selected from the group consisting of poly(methylstyrene), methylstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, poly(vinylchloride), poly(vinyl butyral), pentaerythritol or alkyd esters of rosin or modified rosin and terpene derived alkyd resins. There is no suggestion of the polymers according to applicants' invention. In fact, the plastic or resin is described as water-permeable, and the coating apparently is not designed for ruminants.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,997 relates to a method of sealing polymeric material walls of minute capsules by treating the capsules with a waxy material. The wax is introduced in a solvent which is subsequently dried and the wax is left as a residue in the walls. The capsule walls shrink and lose solvent and then entrap the wax tightly as a sealing material. There is no indication, however, that the polymer coating is designed to function for ruminants, and the wax is used as a sealing material. Applicant's hydrophobic substance is dispersed in the polymer.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,748 relates to tablets coated with a solution of an amphoteric film-forming polymer. The polymer is described as one selected from the group consisting of copolymers of (a) vinylpyridines with (b) a lower aliphatic .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid of 3 to 4 carbon atoms and copolymers of (a), (b) and a neutral comonomer selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate and styrene. There is no suggestion of using a dispersed additive.

British Pat. No. 1,217,365 and Canadian counterpart Pat. No. 851,128 relate to a particulate feed additive composition for ruminants wherein each particle comprises one or more amino acids totally encased in a continuous film of protective material which is transportable through the rumen without substantial degradation therein but which releases the active substance posterior to the omasum when the particles have a density within the range of 0.8 to 2.0 and diameters in the range of 200 to 2,000 microns. Suggested as protective materials are fatty acid triglycerides such as hydrogenated vegetable and animal fats, waxes such as rice-bran wax, and resin wax blends which are emulsified and/or dissolved in the intestinal tract.

The pellets according to this invention are adapted for oral administration to a ruminant. The pellets are of a suitable size, such as between about 0.05 in. and 0.75 in. in diameter. Also, the pellets must be of suitable density, i.e., a specific gravity of between about 1 and 1.4, have acceptable odor, taste, feel, etc. The pellets include a core and a continuous, film or coating completely encapsulating the core. The shape is usually not critical, except the pellets are commonly spherical for ease in coating.

The core is of a material beneficial to the ruminant upon reaching the abomasum or intestine. Normally, the core is a solid material which has been formed into particles, such as by pelletizing. The cores may then be rounded if desired, by conventional means, such as by tumbling. The core should have sufficient body or consistency to remain intact during handling, particularly during the coating operation. Suitable core materials include various medicaments and nutrients such as, for example, antibiotics, relaxants, drugs, anti-parasites, amino acids, proteins, sugars, carbohydrates, etc. The core may also contain inert filler material such as clay.

The ability of the coating to protect the core is related to the pH and water solubility of the core. The cores to which the present invention is applicable are those having a pH of greater than about 5.5.

Some amino acids suitable for use as a core material, their pH and solubility are as follows:

Amino Acids Solubility and pH of Saturated Solutions

Proteins from various sources are also valuable for practice of the invention. Generally, proteins are polymers derived from various combinations of amino acids. Proteins are amphoteric substances which are soluble or dispersable in aqueous media either more acidic or more basic than the particular protein being considered.

The core material may be made ready for coating by the following method. The nutrient, medicament, or the like, is mixed with water, binder and sometimes fillers and/or inert inorganic substances added to adjust the specific gravity of the pellet and the resulting plastic dough-like mass is extruded or rolled to obtain suitable size particles. Adhesive binders are added to strengthen the pellet and can be nontoxic vegetable gums, starches, cellulose derivatives, animal gums and other similar substances well-known in the art of food thickening and tablet making. Inorganic additives used to adjust the specific gravity of the pellet include such substances as insoluble, nontoxic, pigment-like materials such as metal sulfates, oxides and carbonates having a relatively high density. The final desirable range of specific gravity for the rumen protected pellets is from 1.0 to 1.4. After creating suitable size pellets by extrusion, rolling or other suitable means, the pellets are dried to remove the water. The pellets are then coated by contacting them with a solution of the protective coating material in a suitable solvent or mixtures of solvents as hereinafter described. Typical solvents of value include lower alcohols, ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

The coating material is capable of forming a continuous film around the core by the evaporation of solvent from the coating material. It has the ability to withstand environmental conditions of the rumen, and the ability to expose the core material of the pellet in the environment of the abomasum. Thus, the coating material should be resistant to pH conditions of greater than about 5 for from about 6 to about 30 hours. The coating material should release the core material after exposure to abomasum environmental conditions having a pH of about 2 to about 3.3. Release should occur within the residence time in the abomasum or later in the intestinal tract but at least within a time period of 6 hours after contacting pH 3.5 or less. The exposure of the core may occur by the coating becoming permeable to the contents of the rumen, such as by dissolving, disintegrating, or extensive swelling. The coating material is physiologically acceptable, i.e., the coating material should not interfere with the ruminants' healthy or normal body functioning.

Another requirement for the coating material is its ability to withstand storage conditions of relatively high heat and/or humidity without a significant amount of blocking or sticking. It should have a sticking temperature of greater than about 50.degree. C. Sticking temperature is defined as the temperature at which an applied force of 0.25 Kg/cm.sup.2 for 24 hours causes the coating of pellets to adhere to the coating of adjacent pellets strongly enough to cause rupture of the coating when the pellets are forceably separated in organic solvents having boiling points of between about 40.degree. C. and 140.degree. C. to permit conventional coating processes such as spray coating to be used. Particularly suitable solvents include methylene chloride, chloroform, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, toluene, isopropanol or mixtures of these.

The coating or film forming material according to this invention includes a mixture or blend of at least one "polymeric" substance and at least one "hydrophobic" substance. The polymeric substance is a continuous matrix and accounts for about 23 to about 95% of the coating weight. Generally, the more acidic and more soluble core materials require greater ratios of hydrophobic substance to polymeric substance, while more basic and less soluble core materials require lesser ratios of hydrophobic substance to polymeric substance within this range. The hydrophobic substance is normally dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and is present in amounts of between about 5 and 50%, based on the weight of the polymeric material. The coating normally accounts for about 5-50% by weight of the pellet.

Inert filler materials such as clay, bentonite, limestone, etc., may also be used in suitable amounts.

The polymeric substances which are useful in the coatings of this invention include those, which, in combination with the hydrophobic substance described hereinafter, are physiologically acceptable and resistant to a pH of greater than about 5 but capable of releasing the core of the pellets at a pH of less than about 3.5, at the normal body temperature of ruminants (37.degree. C.). The polymeric substances include polymers, copolymers and mixtures of polymers and/or copolymers having basic amino groups in which the nitrogen content of the polymeric substance is between about 2 and about 14% and typical molecular weights between about 5,000 and 300,000. The basic amino groups may be of the aliphatic type in which case they will contain from about 2% to about 10% by weight of nitrogen in the basic amino groups. The basic amino groups may also be of the aromatic type in which the basic amino groups are attached directly to the aromatic ring, or are part of the aromatic ring structure in which case they will contain from about 6% to about 14% nitrogen in the basic amino groups. The polymeric substances are macromolecules of sufficient molecular weight to have film-forming properties when the polymer is deposited from a solution and after removal of a solvent, dispersing medium or on cooling from a melt.

Polymeric substances having the characteristics defined herein include certain modified natural polymers, homo- and interpolymers obtained by addition polymerization methods, homo- and copolymers obtained by condensation polymerization methods and mixtures thereof. The polymeric material is comprised of at least one polymer, copolymer, or blend of polymers selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives such as cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate; containing addition-type monomeric moieties such as acrylonitrile; vinylated derivatives of pyridine; styrene; methylstyrene; vinyl toluene; esters and amides of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid such as dialkylamino ethyl acrylate or methacrylate in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon monomers such as ethylene, propylene or butadiene; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate or vinyl stearate; vinyl ethers such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or stearyl, vinyl substituted heterocyclic ring or condensed ring compounds containing basic nitrogen configurations such as vinyl carbazole, vinyl quinoline, N-vinylpyrrole and 5-vinyl pyrozoline; containing condensation-type polymers wherein a diacid such as phthalic, terephtahlic, and succinic are combined with polyfunctional alcohols to form polyesters wherein either the acid or glycol moiety may contain basic nitrogen not reactive in the polymerization process but reactive to variable pH environments and wherein the same or similar diacids may be reacted with polyfunctional amines to form polyamide-type polymers containing basic nitrogen not reacted in the polymerization process; and other basic nitrogen containing polymers such as preformed polymers which have been formed by reacting an existing polymer with a nitrogen containing organic or inorganic moiety such as polybutadiene to which ammonia has been reacted with the remaining double bond. Especially preferred are poly(vinylpyridine), polymeric derivatives of vinylpyridine such as 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and 2-ethyl-5-vinylpyridine, and the copolymers of the various isomers and derivatives of vinylpyridine copolymerized with one or more of the above-mentioned addition type monomers.

Also, especially preferred are copolymers of 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and styrene, and in particular, the copolymer of about 75-80% by weight 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and about 15-25% by weight styrene, as well as the copolymer of 55-65% by weight 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and about 35-45% by weight acrylonitrile. These copolymers are commercially available or may be produced by conventional techniques well known in the art.

Hydrophobic substances which are physiologically acceptable and have the correct degree of compatability with the polymer are commercially available. It is important that the polymer and hydrophobic substance have a degree of compatability to permit the film to remain intact in the rumen environment, but to permit permeation of the abomasal fluid to the core while the pellet is in the abomasum.

While we do not wish to rely on any particular theory as to why the coatings containing the hydrophobic substance are better protective, we believe the function is generally that the overall susceptibility of the matrix films to aqueous weakly acidic environments is reduced. Further, we believe that in view of the inherent polar nature of polymers containing enough basic nitrogen groups to be functional with respect to the differences of rumen and abomosum pH that a reduction in water susceptibility of the film is required, especially when the core material is acidic and/or very water soluble. While the general theory believed to be true is as described above, there are subtle variations in the precise mode by which the hydrophobic substance is functional. A class of hydrophibic substances of value are fatty acids containing from 10 to 32 carbon atoms such as lauric, oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic. These substances are well known to be water insoluble due to the long hydrocarbon radical but to react to water due to the polar nature of the carboxyl group. In the selected basic amino group-containing polymers, the carboxyl group of the fatty acid is able to react with the basic nitrogen group to form a weak salt-type linkage. This attachment to the polymer serves to cause the fatty acid to be fixed in the polymer matrix. The hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of the fatty acid tends to render the matrix water resistant and thereby decreases swelling of the otherwise water suseptible polar film. Both the interior of the matrix film and the surface is now water resistant in aqueous environments at pH above about 5.0. However, at pH values below pH 4.5 and especially below about pH 3.5 the affinity of the basic nitrogen group for water and the hydrogen ion overcomes the increased water resistance. The film reacts with the acid environment and loses barrier properties sufficient to allow the core material to escape to the environment.

Polyfunctional carboxylic acids may be derived from natural products or obtained by organic synthesis but the ratio of carboxyl group to hydrophobic organic radical should be at least 1 to 10 based on the molecular weight of the organic radicals. Also included in this class of synthesized organic hydrophobic acids are mono and polyfunctional acids containing silicone or flourinated carbon groups located at least 4 atoms distant along the molecular chain from the position of the carboxyl group or groups. Also, included in the class of hydrophobic substances are the nontoxic multivalent metallic salts of the above acids such as the stearates, oleates, fatty acid dimerates, and palmitates of aluminum and iron and the calcium, magnesium and zinc salts of the higher molecular weight crystalline analogs of the above acids. When the cation is trivalent as for aluminum and ferric iron, the molar ratio of organic acid to metal ion is 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 and the acid can be any monofunctional organic acid having one carboxyl group and at least 10 carbon atoms in the organic radical attached to the carboxyl group. When the metal ion is divalent such as ferrous iron, calcium, magnesium or zinc the organic acid may be monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic and the ratio of metal ion to non-carboxylic carbon atoms is at least 1 to 26. Natural and synthetic waxes and resins added at levels depending on the degree of hydrophobicity and compatibility in the matrix film are of value in the practice of the invention. Waxes and resins are useful that have a molecular weight of from 500 to 2000 and a critical surface tension of less than 31 dynes/cm as determined by the Zisman method described in "Contact Angle Wettability and Adhesion", Advances in Chemistry Series #43; Edited by Robert F. Gould; published by the American Chemical Society; 1963; Chapter 1; and have a solubility in the matrix film of less than 5%. These waxes and resins are dispersed in the film in at least amounts equal to 2 times the solubility and up to 30% of the total weight of the matrix polymer. Typical waxes and resins include beeswax, petroleum wax, dammar, hard manila, phenolic resins, rosin and maleated low molecular weight polyhydrocarbons. Also included in the hydrophobic substances are polymers having molecular weights of from 2000 to 10,000, a critical surface tension of less than 31 dynes/cm measured by methods in the reference to Zisman described above. Useful polymers have a solubility or compatibility in the matrix film of less than 5% on a weight basis and are present in the film at levels at least equal to two times the solubility and up to 30 weight percent of the matrix film. Of particular value are the polymers and copolymers containing silicone groups in the main polymer chain or in a side chain and polymers and copolymers containing flourinated carbon groups in a side chain. Regardless of the exact nature of the hydrophobic substance it must be soluble or colloidally dispersible in the coating solvent when one is used. The hydrophobic substance makes up from 1 to about 50% of the combined weight of polymeric material and hydrophobic substance.

Suitable hydrophobic substances also include fatty acids having from 12 to 32 carbon atoms, such as oleic acid and stearic acid, dimer acids, trimer acids, aluminum salts of fatty acids, waxes, resins, and certain polymers such as polymers containing very hydrophobic chemical groups such as silicone moieties and certain multivalent cation soaps. The hydrophobic substance may be amorphous or crystalline and preferably essentially dispersible in the coating solvent when a solvent is used in which case it should not contribute significantly to the solution viscosity.

Aluminum salts of such acids, for example, aluminum oleates, aluminum stearates, aluminum dimerates, are also useful. Also, the hydrophobic material may be one or more polycarboxylic acids having a ratio of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms per carboxyl group and a molecular weight greater than 300, preferably about 400 to about 1000, are useful. Blends of these acids and/or salts are also useful.

We believe the function of the hydrophobic substance as a dispersed phase in the protective polymer layer:

a. reduces wetting of the coating and therefore initial attack by water,

b. reduces total volume of coating affected by water, and

c. extends the length of permeable pathway the water must travel to core.

In the practice of this invention, the polymeric material may conveniently be dissolved in a suitable organic solvent which would be physiologically acceptable in the event there are residues upon evaporation of the solvent, as hereinbefore described. The hydrophobic substance is blended in the solution, wherein the polymeric substance is a continuous matrix and the additives are dispersed therein. The coating solution may be applied by various well known means such as, for example, brushing, dipping, spraying, fluidized bed, etc.

A preferred apparatus and process for coating the cores will now be described.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view in cross-section illustrating the apparatus and showing the gas flows and particle flow path from the annular bed to and through the truncated hollow cone and in return to the annular bed;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view in cross-section of a modified apparatus and illustrating the addition of an annular airfoil and showing the flow of gases relative to the aerodynamic structure and annular airfoil;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view in cross-section of another modified apparatus similar in all other respects to the modification shown in FIG. 2 except that the cross-section of the apparatus below the coating chamber is of the same diameter as that of the coating chamber;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view in cross-section of the upper portion of the apparatus of the invention for illustrating one possible manner of collecting the finally coated particles by use of an air porous bag; and

FIG. 5 is a graphic illustration of the height, thickness and angular relationships of the annular airfoil with respect to the aerodynamic structure, and the height above (h.sub.a) and height below (h.sub.b) relationships of the aerodynamic structure to the greatest cross-sectional diameter of the aerodynamic structure.

The apparatus employs a truncated hollow cone in which the slope or pitch of the walls is such that the particles are accelerated at an increasing rate and not just at a rate so as to maintain the gas velocity at any given point in the cone at a level greater than that necessary to move the particles in a continuous upward direction. The slope or pitch of the walls would therefore appear to be more pronounced than the slope or pitch of the cone embodiment disclosed in the Larson et al patent. The significance of the slope or pitch of the truncated hollow cone of the invention is that when a particle first enters the cone at one rate of speed, it is then accelerated to a different rate of speed and continues to be accelerated to still different rates of speed as it moves upwardly through the cone. In this manner a separation is brought about between the particles so that after they are coated they may become sufficiently dry before coming into contact with other particles and thereby avoid undesirable clumping or agglomerating together. The pitch of slope is such as to cause a compression of the gas molecules and thereby cause the acceleration at an increasing rate.

In reference to FIG. 1, the coating apparatus is designated in general at 10 and includes a vertically disposed first hollow column 12 of regular shape. By "regular shape" is meant that it may be cylindrical, octagonal, hexagonal or of other configurations, so long as the hollow column is generally symmetrical with respect to its central axis. The hollow column contains therewithin the particle storage, coating, drying and deceleration zones, which will be described herein.

A truncated hollow cone 14, which may also be a tapered octagon or other tapered polygonal configuration, in other words, generally cone-shaped configurations, serving as an enclosure in which the upwardly flowing gases are received, compressed and accelerated, is centrally disposed within the first hollow column, has a uniformly decreasing cross-section in the upward direction and is of predetermined height dependent upon the size and weight of the particle to be treated. Within the truncated hollow cone in ascending order are the coating and drying zones. The cone serves also to separate the coating and drying zones from the deceleration zone, which lies in the region above the upper end of the cone, and from the storage zone, which lies therebetween the cone and the interior wall surface of the first hollow column.

The first hollow column 12 is provided at its lower end with an inwardly tapered base 16. The lower end of the truncated hollow cone is spaced radially inwardly from the inwardly tapered base.

A second vertically disposed hollow column 18 of regular shape is connected to the inwardly tapered base of the lower end of the first hollow column, the wall surface of the inwardly tapered base forms a juncture with the wall surface of the second hollow column.

Disposed within the second hollow column is a first plenum chamber 20 into which a suitable compressed gas, such as air, may be provided through two or more opposed inlets 22, 24; a gas or air collimating plate 26; a second plenum chamber 28 separated from the first plenum chamber 20 by the collimating plate 26; at least one gas shaping or aerodynamic structure 30 disposed within the second plenum chamber; and a particle support or supporting screen 32, which extends across the second hollow column and is located above the aerodynamic structure.

The gas or air collimating plate 26 is a perforated plate which causes the gas or air in the first plenum chamber to pass into the second plenum chamber in an essentially vertical and uniform flow, as illustrated by the vertical arrows.

The gas shaping or aerodynamic structure 30 in cooperation with the adjacent wall surface of the second hollow column, compresses and focuses the upwardly moving gas or air flow so that it flows over a portion of the surface of the aerodynamic structure, upwardly through the particle support screen and into the entrance end of the truncated hollow cone. The flow upwardly around the aerodynamic structure constitutes an annular flow, which adheres to the surface of the aerodynamic structure in the nature of a Coanda flow.

A spray nozzle 34 preferably extends above the top of the aerodynamic structure 30 through which is sprayed a suitable coating material. It is more convenient to have the spray nozzle located at the top of the centrally disposed aerodynamic structure. The coating material is supplied from a suitable source (not shown) through a conduit 36 extending up through the aerodynamic structure, and an atomizing gas may be supplied from a suitable source (not shown) through a conduit 38, also extending up through the aerodynamic structure, for subsequent mixing at the nozzle. The spray nozzle may also be pressure-operated rather than gas-operated.

The upper surface of the gas shaping or aerodynamic structure is centrally disposed within and extends generally horizontally across the cross-section of the vertically disposed hollow column. In other words, it has a cross-sectional plane generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the vertically disposed hollow columns. The outer edge of the upper surface is equally spaced from the wall surface of the hollow column and defines therebetween with the wall surface of the hollow column a reduced pressure region for acceleration in velocity of the upwardly flowing gases in such manner that the upwardly flowing gases from a boundary layer that is directed away from the wall surface of the hollow column and that adheres to the upper surface of the gas shaping or aerodynamic structure for flow across a portion thereof.

The upper surface of the aerodynamic structure may be flat (not illustrated), but is preferably curved or approximately spherical as illustrated. It may have a height (h.sub.a) above the cross-sectional plane (see FIG. 5), therefore, of from about 0% to about 150%, or preferably from about 10% to about 150% of the greatest cross-sectional diameter (D) (See FIG. 5) of the aerodynamic structure.

The surface below the greatest cross-sectional diameter may also be flat (not illustrated) and may therefore have a depth or height (h.sub.b) below of from about 0% to about 200% of the greatest cross-sectional diameter (D) (See FIG. 5). Preferably, the surface below is formed in the manner disclosed in the drawings.

The aerodynamic structure as disclosed and as described is thus adapted to compress and accelerate the flowing gases near the periphery of the hollow column and direct them toward the center of the hollow column at an angle from about 10.degree. to about 45.degree. from a direction parallel to the flowing gases from the gas or air plenums.

The truncated hollow cone defines at its lower end a large diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the vertically disposed first hollow column, and has an increased diameter from about 0% to about 25% greater than that of the plane of the particle support screen. The lower end of the truncated hollow cone is spaced a predetermined amount from the screen and the upper end defines a diameter of from about 20% to about 80% of that of the lower end. The height of the cone ranges from about one to about six times the diameter of the lower end.

In operation, particles 40 may be suitably loaded into the coating apparatus 10, as through a closable opening at 42, into the storage zone lying between the wall surface of the first hollow column 12 and the outside wall surface of the truncated hollow cone 14. The particles are thus situated in an annular bed around the truncated hollow cone 14. The sloping outer wall surface of the truncated hollow cone, the inwardly sloping tapered base 16 of the first hollow column and the screen 32 serve to contain the particles in the annular bed prior to starting-up the coating operation.

The gas or air is turned on to start the circulation of the particles or pellets from the annular bed or storage zone into the coating, drying and deceleration zones and in return to the upper portion of the annular bed. The atomizing spray is then turned on and appropriately adjusted in a suitable manner by controls (not shown).

As previously pointed out, the Coanda flow or effect is named for the tendency of a fluid, either gaseous or liquid, to cling to a surface that is near an orifice from which the fluid emerges. Such "orifice" in this instance is formed in the region therebetween the closest approach of the aerodynamic structure to the adjacent side wall surface. The gas flow emerging from the "orifice" region around the aerodynamic structure is an annular flow which clings or adheres to the surface of the aerodynamic structure. The flow, therefore, from any one selected location around the "orifice" is opposed by the other flows so that it is prevented from continuing further over the upper surface of the aerodynamic structure by being forced upwardly away from the upper surface at some point for flow into the truncated hollow cone. A partial vacuum is formed in the region just above the upper surface of the aerodynamic structure and at the lower edge of the truncated hollow cone and this aids in the compression and focusing of the rising annular flow of gases. The upward flow is consequently caused to have a conical shape, as seen in phantom lines in FIG. 1 at 44 within the cone, and has a centering effect on the particle impelled upwardly through the cone.

As also pointed out, an important part of the Coanda effect is the tendency of the flow or gas or liquid to entrain, or draw in, more gas or liquid from the surrounding environment. In this latter manner, the particles are pulled from the annular bed or storage zone into the upwardly flowing gas due to the aforementioned partial vacuum or reduced pressure region that exists just above the screen adjacent the path of upward flow as a consequence of this Coanda effect. This reduced pressure or partial vacuum is directed perpendicular to the annular airflow from the "orifice". It is a different effect, however, from the horizontal shunting action occurring in the Wurster et al apparatus because there the horizontal shunting would extend not only toward the axis of the apparatus but also inefficiently toward the outer wall surface of the coating apparatus.

Once the particles are pulled into the upwardly flowing gas within the truncated hollow cone, they are impelled upwardly in an accelerating gas or air stream. As the particles pass through the lower central region or coating zone within the cone, they are contacted with an atomized spray coating of material. This atomized spray emerges from the spray nozzle 34 because the liquid coating substance is either forced through a single orifice designed to convert bulk liquids into droplets, or the liquid and an atomizing air stream emerge simultaneously from jets adjacent to each other. In either case, the fine droplets of coating material are in a flowable state, because the material is dissolved or melted in the region immediately above the spray nozzle.

Further up the truncated hollow cone, the liquid nature of the coating material, as deposited on the pellets or particles, changes to solid by evaporative or other solidification processes. During the transition from liquid to solid, the coated particles pass through a stage when they are sticky or tacky and would agglomerate if they contacted each other. This contact is prevented by the slope or pitch of the walls of the truncated hollow cone and consequent accelerating boost of the particles to separate them in the manner previously discussed.

The conical nature of the cone causes a compression and acceleration of the rising column of gases and the upward velocity or acceleration of the particles occurs at an increasing rate as they rise in the cone. This acceleration causes an increasing vertical separation in space between the particles and therefore reduces the tendency for the particles to contact each other until the coating has become nontacky. It is this region of the cone that is thus called the "drying zone".

When the compressed gases and entrained particles pass upwardly out of the upper end of the cone, they expand into the larger area of the upper portion of the first hollow column and thus decelerate to a velocity too low to suspend the particles. This is the deceleration zone, where further drying takes place, and the particles then fall by gravity action to the annular bed where they gradually move down, also due to gravity, until they are pulled into the coating zone again. This recycling or recirculation continues until, based on previous experiments, a sufficient coating has been applied.

The atomized spray is turned off, and the gas or air entraining flow may be shut down or may be increased to drive the coated particles into the uppermost region of the first hollow column, as for collection in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. Any other suitable manner of unloading the finally coated particles may also be used.

A coating apparatus having the design characteristics essentially as shown in FIG. 1, and having a diameter of eight (8) inches across the lower end and four (4) inches across the upper end of the truncated hollow cone, is charged with twenty-five (25) pounds of generally spherical pellets of animal feed supplement. The pellets are composed of 90% methionine and 10% binders. The average diameter of the spherical pellets is about 3 millimeter. About 250 standard cubic feet per minute of air at about 7 p.s.i.g. is admitted to the plenum chamber 20. This air causes a circulation of pellets through the truncated hollow cone 14, and the height of the cone above the support screen 32 is adjusted to obtain a pellet flow rate such that all the pellets in the annular storage zone move through the cone about once every minute. A coating solution is pumped through the spray nozzle 34 at the same time as 5 SCFM of atomizing air at 40 p.s.i.g. is supplied to the nozzle. The pumping rate is adjusted to pump one (1) pound of solution per minute. The apparatus is operated for about 45 minutes. The product is a pellet core coated with about a 2-mil layer of the polymer.

If the gases flowing upwardly around the aerodynamic structure could be seen as a series of layers of molecules, merely for sake of discussion, it is thought that there is an insignificant flow of molecules or layer or so of molecules along the interior wall surface of the second hollow column. By "insignificant" is meant that such layer or layers of molecules will not perform any supporting function of the particles in the annular bed.

Moving, therefore, radially inwardly from the interior wall surface of the second hollow, the more significant layers of molecules are caused to bend toward the gas shaping or aerodynamic structure, the innermost adhering to the surface of that structure as they pass upwardly through the "orifice" region. This adherence of the molecules to the surface of the aerodynamic structure may be favorably compared to the "teapot effect", which is a low-speed form of the "Coanda effect". When water is poured slowly from a glass, it tends to stick to the side of the glass in the same way that tea sticks to the spout of a teapot. High speed fluids behave similarly and adhere to a surface of suitable shape.

As the rising molecules flow over the surface of the aerodynamic structure after having passed the "orifice" region, previously mentioned, at some point along the upper surface of the aerodynamic structure the opposing character of the annular flow forces the molecules upwardly away from the upper surface as well as the adjacent molecule layers. A partial vacuum is created above the aerodynamic structure due to the high speed upward flow of gases, causing an inward being of the upwardly moving molecules.

In the apparatus herein described, the particles move down in the annular bed by gravity without any "dancing" occurring, and are drawn into the upwardly flowing gases by the partial vacuum. Thus, any attrition that might occur is greatly minimized, and the overall operation is much more efficient.

In reference to FIG. 2 in which a modification is disclosed, the same reference numbers will be used to identify similar elements previously described, except that they will be primed to show that it is a different embodiment under discussion.

FIG. 2 represents an embodiment wherein the size of the coating apparatus 10' has been increased in order to handle larger batch loads of particles for coating treatment. It has been found that it is more practical to add an additional gas shaping or aerodynamic structure or an annular airfoil 50 instead of increasing the size of the aerodynamic structure 30'. In this manner, larger amounts of upwardly flowing gas or air may be supplied undiminished or unobstructed by a larger aerodynamic structure, and the annular airfoil serves to supplement the compression and focusing action on the upward gas flows so that substantially all gas flows move through the truncated hollow cone 14'.

Additional or multiple gas shaping or annular airfoils (not shown) also may be used for still larger coating apparatus. The exact shape and placement of the airfoils are functions of a number of variables. The most significant of the variables are size of the apparatus, size of the particle to be coated, density of the particle, rate of gas or air flow and the rate of recirculation of the particles through the coating zone desired.

In a larger-scale coating apparatus, therefore, one or more annularly shaped and placed gas shaping or aerodynamic structures or airfoils, angled or curved, may be provided concentric with and radially outwardly of the central gas shaping or aerodynamic structure. The annular airfoils may be attached to the central aerodynamic structure or to the walls of the coating apparatus by radial struts in such manner as to exert a minimum deflection of the upwardly flowing gases.

The annular aerodynamic structure is inwardly inclined in the upward direction so that its inclination lies in a plane extending about 10.degree. to about 45.degree., as measured from the axis perpendicular to the diameter of the coating apparatus. The inwardly inclined annular structure provides a surface on which the gas or air impinges for subsequent shaping and direction upwardly into the truncated hollow cone.

The vertical height of the annular structure may be about 10-50% of the perpendicular cross section diameter of the coating apparatus.

In reference to FIG. 5, when the annular gas shaping structure has the configuration of an airfoil having at least one curved surface extending generally in the direction of gas flow, the overall angle of a line described from a point p.sub.1, on the lower rim of the airfoil to a point, p.sub.2, on the upper rim in the vertical direction, or perpendicular to a line which is tangent to the upper curved surface of the centrally disposed aerodynamic structure, is from about 10.degree. to about 45.degree. inward facing, as measured from the axis perpendicular to the diameter of the coating apparatus.

The cross-sectional configuration of an annular airfoil in a plane described from the center of the cross-sectional area of the coating apparatus to a point, p.sub.1, on the lower rim of the airfoil to a point, p.sub.2, in the upper rim of the airfoil in teardrop, or similar to the cross-sectional shape of a lifting aerodynamic shape, and having the thicker cross section on the forward part with reference to the direction facing the upwardly flowing gases. The thickest part is located about two-fifths (2/5) to about one-half (1/2) of the height in the vertical direction. In other words, the height (H) of the thickest part (T), or HT is equal to about 2/5 H to about 1/2 H. The thickest cross section (T) is from about one-sixth (1/6) to about two-fifths (2/5) of the height (H) of the airfoil; or T is equal to about 1/6 H to about 2/5 H.

The size, placement and geometrical configuration of the annular gas shaping structure are such, therefore, that the upwardly flowing gases are deflected radially inwardly at an angle from about 10.degree. to about 45.degree. from a direction parallel to the original gas flow.

In reference to FIG. 3, the same reference numbers will be used to identify similar elements previously described, except that they will be double-primed to show that it is still another different embodiment under discussion.

FIG. 3 represents an embodiment wherein the size of the coating apparatus 10" has been increased to the same extent as that disclosed in the FIG. 2 embodiment. The embodiment in FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment in FIG. 2 in that the first and second hollow columns are disclosed as being co-extensive in cross-sectional diameter. In other words, the coating apparatus is disposed within a single hollow column. It could also be of smaller size to that only one gas shaping or aerodynamic structure 30" is employed as in FIG. 1, instead of a size requiring the annular airfoil 50".

The recycling or recirculation in this embodiment is necessarily faster because the particles are not as readily restrained in the annular bed region as they would be if there were an inwardly tapered base to assist in such restraint. Proportionately smaller batch loads may be used, therefore, since the recirculation of the particles is substantially continuous with the particles spending very little time in the annular bed. For this reason, an embodiment of this character is suitable for special purposes, while the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are deemed to be of more general use.

In FIG. 4, this embodiment represents one manner of unloading a coating apparatus, and was briefly mentioned above with respect to one possible operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Only the upper portion of a coating apparatus 60 is shown, and it could be used for any of the previously described embodiments. A conduit 62 is installed within the upper portion of the apparatus, as shown, and a gas or air porous collection bag 64 may be installed at the remote end of the conduit for collecting the finally coated particles in the manner already heretofore described.

In any of the embodiments described above, the truncated hollow cones may be adapted to be adjusted for movement upwardly or downwardly in a vertical plane. The same may also be accomplished with the aerodynamic structure, the annular airfoils and the spray nozzles, as desired to suit gas or air flows, particle sizes and weights, coating material consistencies and whatever other controlling factors may be concerned.

The particles or pellets to be coated may be batch-loaded and treated; or, if deemed advantageous, two or more such coating apparatus may be arranged in cascaded manner to provide for a continuous coating operation. The inlet for the particles in a cascaded arrangement may be diposed above the annular storage of one apparatus and the particles metered in predetermined manner into the annular storage bed, while the outlet to the next coating apparatus may be disposed on the opposite side of the annular storage bed and constitute a weir for outflow of excess coated particles. The inlet may also be disposed for gravity flow of particles to or into the annular storage bed. It may be desirable to provide for different coatings in different apparatus, or provide supplemental coatings.

Multiple spray nozzles may also be employed, as desired, to achieve different coating effects.

The examples which follow are submitted for a better understanding of the invention. While the examples are based on in vitro tests, the in vitro experiments shown in the examples simulate conditions existing in ruminants thereby permitting the study of coated pellets without the use of live animals. It has been determined by actual in vivo tests that the testing of pellets in the aqueous media used in the examples, simulating the environmental conditions of the rumen and abomasum with respect to temperature, pH, etc., provide reliable data concerning the protection offered by the coatings in the rumen, and releasability of the coatings in the abomasum. Nutrients such as amino acids and proteins which may be used in the core material are known to be beneficial to ruminants when positioned in the intestinal tract downstream from the rumen.

600 Grams of finely divided lysine monohydrochloride, 60 g. of microcrystalline cellulose having a particle size of about 250 mesh, and 6 g. of gum arabic are dry mixed to obtain an essentially homogeneous mixture. 195 Grams of water is mixed with the powdered mixture until a homogeneous plastic dough-like consistency is obtained. This plastic dough is extruded and cut to obtain cylindrical pellets having a diameter of about 3/32 in. and 3/32 in. high. These pellets are rounded by tumbling in a rotating drum for 5 minutes and are then dried at 60.degree. C. The dry pellets are sieved to obtain about 85% yield of pellets in the range of 8 to 12 mesh. The pellets are passed through a spray zone containing atomized droplets of polymer dissolved in a volatile solvent. The coating device is capable of recirculating the pellets through (a) a coating zone, (b) a drying zone, and (c) a storage zone and is therefore capable of applying multiple coats of polymer to each pellet. In this instance the polymer is cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate containing about 3.0% basic nitrogen. The polymer is soluble in organic solvents such as lower ketones, lower esters, aromatic hydrocarbon-alcohol mixtures, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon-lower alcohol mixtures, and water at a pH lower than about pH 3.0. The polymer is dissolved in acetone at the level of 6% by weight based on the total weight of the solution. The coating operation is continued for the time necessary to coat essentially all the pellets with a layer of dry polymer about 0.006 inch thick and comprising about 17 to 20% of the final weight of the coated pellet. During the coating operation samples of the coated pellets are obtained having deposited about 5, 10 and 15% coating based on the total weight of the coated pellet. These pellets are tested for resistance to dissolution of the pellet at pH 5.5 and at pH 3.0 as a function of coating weight. The test at pH 5.5 is conducted for 24 hours whereas the test at pH 3.0 is for 1 hour. None of the pellets are stable to aqueous media at pH values from 3.0 to 8.0. The pellets are also unstable in the rumen of sheep and cattle.

The lysine monohydrochloride pellets made by the process described in Example 1 are coated with a mixture composed of 60% by weight of cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate and 40% by weight of mono basic aluminum dioleate wherein these substances comprise 4% by weight of a solution of 90% by volume methylene chloride and 10% by volume methanol. The pellets are coated in the same manner as described in Example 1 and the final coating applied to the pellets comprises 20% by weight of the coated pellet. Sixty-five percent of the lysine monohydrochloride is retained in pellets exposed to aqueous media at pH 5.5 after twenty-four hours. All of the amino acid is removed from the pellet by treating the pellet to pH 3.0 for 1 hour.

730 Grams of lysine monohydrochloride, 91 g. of basic magnesium carbonate, 73 g. of microcrystalline cellulose having a particle size of about 250 mesh and 73 g. gum arabic are dry mixed to obtain an essentially homogeneous powder. 250 Grams of water are mixed with the powder mixture until a plastic dough-like consistency is obtained. This dough is extruded, cut, rounded and dried as described in Example 1. The pellets are then coated with the polymer mixture described in Example 2. The pellets containing 20% by weight of dry coating are resistant to dissolution by exposure to aqueous pH of 5.5 as shown by recovery of 94% of lysine monohydrochloride after 24 hour exposure. On exposure to aqueous pH of 3.0 or below the lysine monohydrochloride is removed from the pellet within 1 hour.

The pellets described in Example 3 containing lysine monohydrochloride and basic magnesium carbonate are coated with 20% by weight of cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate. When tested for stability at pH 5.5, about 85% of the lysine monohydrochloride is leached from the pellets. The pellets are therefore not stable at pH values typically found in the rumen.

300 Grams d1-methionine, 100 g. 1-lysine monohydrochloride, 40 g. microcrystalline cellulose and 135 g. water are thoroughly mixed to obtain a plastic dough-like mass. This mixture is extruded and cut to obtain moist pellets having a round cross section about 2 mm. and a length of from 2 to 4 mm. The pellets are dried at 60.degree. C. to remove essentially all free water to obtain a hard particle having a density of about 1.05. A portion of these pellets are coated with a 6-mil layer of cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate. These pellets lose essentially all of the amino acid comprising the core when exposed to aqueous media at pH 5.5 for 24 hours. A second portion of pellets are coated with a 6-mil layer of coating composed of 50% cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate and 50% monobasic aluminum dioleate. These coated pellets are also leached or dissolved at pH 5.5. 300 Grams d,1-methionine, 100 g. 1-lysine monohydrochloride, 40 g. microcrystalline cellulose, and 18 g. magnesium hydroxide are dry blended, then mixed with water to obtain an extrudable dough. Pellets are made as described above. These pellets are coated with a 6-mil layer composed of 50% cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate and 50% Dow-Corning XR129G. These pellets resist losses of amino acids from the core on exposure to pH 5.5 for more than 24 hours as shown by recovery of 96%. The pellets readily release 100% of the core material within 1 hour on exposure to pH 3.0. Such mixtures essentially have the properties of the more soluble and acidic substance with respect to rumen stability and abomasal release.

500 Grams of histidine monohydrochloride are dry mixed with 50 g. of microcrystalline cellulose. After thoroughly mixing the dry powders, 145 g. of water and added and mixing is continued to obtain a plastic doughlike mass. This mixture is extruded through a die, and as the extrudate appears on the outside of the die, it is chopped or cut into lengths or segments. The dimensions of the particulate extrudate after cutting are 3/32 in. in diameter and about 3/32 in. long. Next, the pellets are tumbled or rolled in a closed container so as to round the corners. The pellets formed by this operation are then dried at 60.degree. C. to essentially remove all of the water. The pellets are then sieved to obtain about 90% yield of pellets passing through 8 mesh and retained on 12 mesh. The pellets obtained from the sieving operation are coated in a fluidized bed coater so that a coating of about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the coated pellets is deposited on the surface of the pellets. The actual film thickness obtained is about 4-7 mils of polymer. In this instance, the polymer is a copolymer of 80% 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and 20% styrene. The polymer is soluble in acetone from which it is coated. The polymer I.V. is about 0.5. The coated pellets are tested for impermeability or dissolution in an aqueous solution at pH 5.5. After 24 hours of contact with the acidic solution, the loss of the core material within the pellets was determined to be about 75%. In this example, the pellets obtained are considered as not being rumen stable. Another portion of the pellets is coated from solution using a fluidized bed technique with a polymer layer composed of 50% of the copolymer described above and 50% of aluminum soap composed of monobasic aluminum dioleate. In this instance, the coating solvent used is a mixture of 90% of trichloroethylene and 10% methanol. A 5-6 mil layer of the dry polymer is deposited on the pellets in this operation. The coated pellets are again evaluated for rumen stability by exposing the pellets for 24 hours to an acidic aqueous media at pH 5.5. At the end of 24 hours, examination of the pellets reveals that 65% of the histidine monohydrochloride is removed from the pellets. These pellets are also judged as being unsuitable for rumen-stable feed supplements.

500 Grams of histidine monohydrochloride, 50 g. of microcrystalline cellulose, and 50 g. of magnesium carbonate is dry mixed to obtain a homogeneous dry powder. Next, the mixture of dry powders is mixed with 210 g. of water to obtain a plastic doughlike mass. This plastic dough is extruded through a machine having a die with holes 3/32 in. in diameter. Immediately outside the die face is a chopping device which cuts the extruded rod into lengths about 3/32 in. long. After extrusion and cutting, the particles are tumbled in a drumlike device to cause rounding of sharp edges. The particles or pellets obtained from the rounding operation are dried at 60.degree. C. until essentially all of the water is removed. The dry pellets are then sieved to obtain about 90% of particles passing through 8 mesh and retained on 12 mesh. A portion of these pellets are then coated using a fluidized bed technique. A coating comprising about 20% by weight of the coated pellet and having a film thickness of about 6 mils is applied. The coated dry polymer is composed of about 50% of cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate and 50% of a metal salt having the analysis of monobasic aluminum dioleate. This polymeric mixture is coated from a 4% solution of solids in a mixture of solvents composed of 90% trichloroethylene and 10% methanol. The coated pellets are tested by contacting the pellets for 24 hr. to an aqueous acidic solution at pH 5.5. At the end of 24 hr., the pellets are tested for retention of the histidine monohydrochloride within the pellet. In this instance, the pellet loses only 8.5% of the histidine monohydrochloride. The pellets are then tested for dissolution and/or loss of the histidine monohydrochloride in aqueous solution at pH 3.0. At the end of 1 hour, it is determined by testing that essentially all of the pellets lose the histidine monohydrochloride. These pellets are suitable for use as a feed supplement for ruminant animals.

40 Grams of cellulose propionate morpholinobutyrate and 13 g. of oleic acid (0.047 equivalents) are dissolved in a solvent mixture containing 900 ml. of trichloroethylene, 100 ml. methanol, and 100 ml. dichloromethane. The contained solids are coated on 150 g. of pellets composed of 83% lysine monohydrochloride, 6% calcium carbonate, and 11% of suitable binders using a fluidized-bed process. The coated pellets retain 48% of the contained lysine following 24 hours of agitation with pH 5.5 aqueous buffer and release 100% of the contained amino acid during a one-hour agitation period in the presence of pH 2.9 aqueous buffer.

This example is identical to Example 8 with the exception that 0.094 equivalents of oleic acid is included in the coating composition. The coated pellets retain 54.5% of the contained lysine following the 24 hour pH 5.5 buffer extraction and release 100% of the amino acid in one hour of agitation at pH 2.9.

This example is identical to Example 8 with the exception that 0.047 equivalents of stearic acid is substituted for the oleic acid. Seventy-one percent of the pellet sample remains intact following a 24 hour agitation period with pH 5.5 aqueous buffer.

This example is identical to Example 8 with the exception that 0.094 equivalents of Empol 1010 Dimer Acid (a C.sub.36 aliphatic dibasic acid, Emery Industries, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) is substituted for the oleic acid. The coated pellets retain 90% of the contained amino acid following 24 hours of extraction with pH 5.5 buffer and releases 100% of the contained lysine during one hour of agitation with pH 2.9 buffer.

A copolymer of 80% 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine/20% styrene, and dodecanoic acid calculated to be equivalent to the basic function present, dissolved in trichloroethylene or other suitable solvent, coated on methionine pellets results in a useful nutrient composition for ruminants.

In the examples in the following table, the coating is approximately 20% of the weight of the pellet. The results are shown in the form of percent pellets retained and percent pellets released at the different environmental condition.

Unless otherwise specified, all percentages, ratios, parts, etc. are by weight.

The fluid used to simulate environmental conditions of the rumen (at pH 5.5) is prepared by mixing 11.397 grams of sodium acetate with 1.322 grams of acetic acid and diluting this mixture with demineralized water to 1 liter.

The fluid used to simulate environmental conditions of the abomasum (at pH 2.9) is prepared by mixing 7.505 grams glycine with 5.85 grams sodium chloride and diluting this mixture with demineralized water to 1 liter. Eight parts of this solution are mixed with 2 parts of 0.1 normal hydrochloric acid for the test fluid.

The fluids are found to give reliable results in testing the pellets, according to similar experiments using actual rumen and abomasal fluid withdrawn from a ruminant.

To be useful and practical as a feed for ruminants, it is considered that at least 60% and preferably at least 75% of the active ingredients of the core of the pellets to which this invention relates should be stable in the rumen and release in the abomasum.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.