Patent Number: 8338339
Docket Number: 1502
Serial Number: 10736155
Date Patented: 12/25/2012

Technology Description: ARS scientists have developed an enzyme treatment that reduces protein breakdown in ensiled crops—a process known as proteolysis. Proteolysis produces ammonia, amino acids, and small peptides. Proteolysis results in economic losses of $90-100 million a year for U.S. farmers. ARS’s treatment uses plant-derived compounds that can be used as a pretreatment before crop ensiling. The treatment prevents excessive nutritional value losses in crops typically stored in silos. This enzyme treatment leaves forage intact and poses no health threat to animals. It decreases proteolysis by at least 25 percent. ARS’s invention helps decrease the amount of nitrogen excreted into the environment. This is a plus for animal intensive operations, since high nitrogen loads can lead to ground water contamination. This new technology does not require extra energy inputs such as those required by heat treatments to stabilize silage. It is also non-corrosive unlike formic or sulfuric acid treatments that are typically used. This treatment requires adding an enzyme and a substrate to be effective. Agrochemical companies could use this invention. Also, silage inoculum companies, as well as forage genetics companies. Reference: Please refer to S.N. 10/736,155 (Docket #0015.02), "A Process for Inhibition of Proteolytic Activity During the Ensiling of Forages," which was filed on December 15, 2003. Foreign rights are not available. Inventors: Ronald D. Hatfield U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center Madison, WI 53706 (608) 264-5358 / Fax: (608) 264-5147 hatfield@wisc.edu Richard E. Muck  (Same as first inventor) (608) 264-5245 / (608) 264-5147 remuck@wisc.edu Michael L. Sullivan (Same as first inventor) (608) 264-5240 / Fax: (608) 264-5147 mlsulliv@wisc.edu Deborah A. Samac  Plant Science Research Saint Paul, MN 55108-1024 dasamac@umn.edu