University of Manitoba

<p><strong>Overview:</strong></p>
<p>Since 1877, the University of Manitoba has been driving discovery and inspiring minds through innovative teaching and research excellence. Proudly located in the heart of Canada, the university has a strong and engaged community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community partners. With more than 140,000 alumni living in 137 countries, their impact is global.</p>
<p><strong>Research:</strong></p>
<p>Research at the university is focused on 11 themes which include High Performance Materials, Structures and Processes, Fundamental Research, Sustainable Water Management systems and Safe, Healthy, Just and Sustainable Food Systems. The university also has established areas of excellence in Immunity, Inflammation and Infectious Disease and Arctic System Science and Climate Change amongst others.</p>
<p>The university has partnered with over 500 institutions, businesses and governments in Canada and around the world, providing students and researchers with opportunities to learn, discover and exchange knowledge on a global scale.</p>
<p><strong>Industry Partnerships:</strong></p>
<p>The University of Manitoba’s Partnerships &amp; Innovation office’s role is to increase knowledge mobilization between the University and commercial partners (industries &amp; community). The office oversees the university’s IP, manages technology-based alliances, facilitates research partnerships, enables start-up ventures and supports interactions between the university, industry and community partners.</p>


<h1 id="background">Background</h1>
<p>Young animals are most vulnerable to diseases, and antimicrobials are widely used in livestock production to maintain health and productivity. Due to the potential rise of antimicrobial resistance, there are increasing limitations on agricultural use of antibiotics in the EU, Canada and the USA.</p>
<p>Essential oils are an attractive alternative to antibiotics; these plant-derived natural compounds have positive effects on animal growth and health. The present invention addresses the chief challenge of using essential oils, which is to stabilize the compounds and prevent absorption in the stomach before reaching the mid-gut.</p>
<h1 id="technology-overview">Technology Overview</h1>
<p>Essential oils such as thymol and lauric acid are an effective alternative to antibiotic food supplements. This technology provides an effective and cost-effective delivery.</p>
<p>The present technology is a nano-particle formulation of lipopolysaccharides and fatty acids. This is a less costly and more efficacious way of protecting and delivering the beneficial oils as compared to micro-encapsulation.</p>
<h3 id="-stage-of-development-"><strong>Stage of Development</strong></h3>
<p>Results show the timed release of essential oils in salivary fluid, gastric fluid and intestinal fluid.</p>
<h1 id="benefits">Benefits</h1>
<ul>
<li>Less expensive compared to existing technologies</li>
<li>All ingredients used are already approved for using in animal feeds</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="applications">Applications</h1>
<p>Pig Nutrition and Disease Prevention</p>
