AU666848B2 - Composition and method for preserving and waterproofing hay and similar moisture absorbent materials - Google Patents

Description

tt -t t r D COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING AND WATERPROOFING HAY AND SIMILAR MOISTURE ABSORBENT MATERIALS The present application is a divisional from AustralianApplication 44304/89, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods of treating agricultural or related cellulosic materials and in particular to methods of treating cut or harvested hay, milo and similar materials. The method is particularly adapted to the treatment of freshly cut hay and to the preservation of hay bales or haystacks by the application of preferred compositions according to this disclosure.

Freshly cut hay is generally processed into bales or stacks for storage. These have been of a variety of sizes, but in the ip. past most hay bales, such as square bales, were usually 2 to 3 cubic feet in size. However, more recently newer baling techniques have led to production of large circular bales of about 100 cubic feet in size and weighing 1,200 to 1,500 pounds.

Also, many hay cutting and storing techniques produce very large .15. stacks that are much larger than even the largest ba"'-s.

Hay bales and/or stacks may be transported over considerable distances and stored for considerable lengths of time before use.

During any transport or storage both physical and chemical changes can occur in the hay, lessening its value and usability as animal feed.

Physical changes in the hay are more prevalent in large bales and stacks than in smaller bales. The physical changes are often due to the large weight of the bales or stacks. The outer and lower layers of these heavy hay bales and haystacks can become loose, causing large amounts of hay to fall from the bale or stack during transportation. The losses are often greater.

This not only causes inconvenience and financial loss, but in some instances it can be hazardous. For example a transported stack of hay, when ca'ried over a highway, may drop as much as 30 percent of its weight onto the road, and the dropped hay may pose a danger to other motorists.

Another way in which portions of hay material may be lost is due to weather, for example, high winds or heavy rains. Also, extensive shock or vibration during transport can cause substantial losses from even tightly stacked piles of material.

In the past these physical changes have been less of a problem, due to the smaller size of the hay bales. Smaller hay bales may be tightly bound with 1baling wire, and are therefore less likely to undergo the above-described loss. Thus, until relatively recently, there has been less need to control this problem.

Chemical changes in the hay, generally deterioration and rot leading to nutritional losses, occur in part due to moisture in the hay and also microbial action with in the bales or stacks.

The moisture may enter the hay as a result of rains and the like.

Very large hay bales or stacks may be particularly slow to dry, and be particularly hard to keep dry, especially when frequent exposure to rain occurs.

Microbial action has long been recognized as a source of problem in freshly cut materials, especially hay. Most of the losses due to microbial action occur within the first few days or weeks of the baling or stacking. The microbial action produces high temperatures within the bales, leading to the nutritional loss prior to a complete drying of the hay.

In the past different approaches have been taken in attempts to solve each of the above problems, and no single unified solution has been achieved. With respect to microbial action, generally anti-microbial materials have been added to cut agricultural material. For example, preservatives have been added to fodder being stored.

With respect to the problem of water due to rains or the like, generally the haystacks or bales,- when sun is not necessary, have been covered by waterproof or water-resistant coverings, such as plastic tarps or the like, or the material has been stored indoors.

With respect to losses due to loose hay in outer layers of the stacks or bales, past solutions have generally involved the use of baling wire, cord or the like to tie the bale or stack I together. Of course with very large stacks or bales this can be difficult to manage.

Thus, no satisfactory, unified approach to the problem has yet been developed. The multiplicity of activity required by the approaches listed above may not only be relatively expensive and inconvenient, but also may require substantial expenditure of time on the part of farmers during a period of the growing season in which time is short and valuable. Further, in some instances the solutions have been less than effective. For example, covering hay with a tarp can prevent the sun and air from getting to the hay, leading to ineffective drying. It has already been mentioned that for large haystacks and large bales binding with baling wire, cord or the like can be ineffective, especially unless large amounts of wire or cord are used.

I I The invention may also be useful in the treatment of paper stock, such as corrugated boxes, as a water-repelling agent, and may be necessary when the box material is in contact with edible items. Further, the adhesive elements of the claimed preparation may be useful as a binder for pulverulent materials which would otherwise emit dust or airborne particles.

Qbjects of the Invention Therefore, the objects of the present invention are to provide a method of preserving cut agricultural products and silage; to pro, de such a method especially suited for the preservation of hay; to provide a method of treating a haystack or hay bale to inhibit the retention of moisture therein; to FD provide a method of treatment of a haystack or hay bale to inhibit microbial action; to provide a method of treatment of a haystack or hay bale by application of a chemical composition, ~to retard the retention of moisture and also to retard microbial action; to provide such a method which includes treatment of the 20. haystack or hay bale with an adhesive to cause outer layers of 1.: the haystack or hay bale to become adhered together, reducing loss due to weather, travel or the like; to provide a chemical 0000 o composition for binding together cut agricultural materials and treating the harvested material to provide a substantial tendency to repel water and minimize microbial action; to provide such ,a composition especially suited for treatment of haystacks and hay bales; to provide such a composition which can be safely ingested by livestock feeding on the harvested material; to provide such a method and composition utilizing chemicals that are generally utilizing chemicals that are generally regarded as safe for ingestion by livestock and eventual passage into the human food cycle; to provide- such a method which is relatively easy to accomplish; to provide a composition for use in such a method which is relatively easy to manufacture and apply; to provide such a composition which is relatively inexpensive to produce and which can be produced from readily available materials; to provide such a composition which is particularly well adapted for the proposed usages thereof; and, to provide such a method which is particularly well adapted for use in a variety of types of farming.

Description of the Invention As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.

*The basic methods proposed in this invention call for application, to the exterior layers of hay bales and stacks, or 0°25 bales and stacks of other agricultural materials and products such as common silage, or even to cellulosic paper stock ane pulverulent materials, of coating materials capable of protecting the physical integrity of the bales and stacks and/or inhibiting adverse moisture and microbial action which may degrade the I nutritional content of the materials. The preferred coatings are prepared from agents that are generally considered nutritionally and toxicologically safe for the animals being fed and for eventual contact with the human food chain. Thus, many of the compositions described herein are made with food additives or chemicals generally regarded as safe; that is, GRAS materials.

Generally, the coatings are adhesive mucilages prepared so that they may be applied by spraying or other surface application to the exterior layers of hay bales or stacks in the field, usually short±y after cutting or stacking; or in the case of paper goods, during manufacture. While the treatment may occur at a later time, it is preferable to apply it early, to provide the best protection for the hay or other harvested material. In some instances it may be desirable to install spraying or spreading equipment directly in the cutting and/or baling machinery for application immediately after cutting or bale formation.

The general type of formulation may be generally characterized as an adhesive mucilage. When applied to a haystack or hay bale, the outer layers of the haystack will become bound together, leading to inhibition of breaking apart of the hay bale or cellulose fibers; that is, retention of physical integrity. Further, the adhesive layer will be somewhat water repellent and will include a preservative or antimicrobial compound to inhibit deterioration and rot.

*o .o ADHESIVE COMPOSITIONS Adhesive materials according to the present invention may be manufactured in two forms. First, they may be made in a somewhat fluid form, for example, as a concentrate to be diluted with water prior to spraying on a hay bale. Alternatively, they may be manufactured in. a dry powder form for transport and storage, the powder to be dissolved in or added to water prior to application on cut materials such as a haystack or hay bale.

The preferred adhesive formulations according to the present invention have, as their primary active component for adhesive action, a protein, and more particularly, a soy protein. Soy protein is readily available and well tolerated in animal feed and the human food cycle. It is also very effective in forming .16 a water-resistant adhesive.

The preferred protein is a soy isolate, a form of which is available from the Ralston Purina Company and designated as feed grade soy protein HVF-50. A typical analysis for the preferred protein is protein 84.52%, moisture 4.53%, fat 3.35%, fiber .26% 2Q and ash 5.58%. The protein contains various amino acids, principally threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, valine, and arginine. The soy protein adhesive provides a continuous, tough, hard film that does not easily rinse off the protected product.

'29 The soy protein, in a test sample, was applied by mixing one pound of the material with one gallon of water. This seemed to provide a satisfactory application.

Alternatively, casein may be used as the adhesive forming substance and in the same proportions as the soy isolate protein.

Casein is generally derived from milk products and-is a phosphoprotein. It, like soy protein, is generally readily available and well tolerated in animal feed and the human food cycle. Soy isolate protein is the preferred material over casein because of lower and more predictable costs.

Because casein is only sparingly soluble in water, it may be treated with a base to substantially form a caseinate salt such as sodium caseinate. Soy protein is also treated with a base to balance pH.

ADHESIVE FORMULATION 1 The following is a preferred liquid adhesive formulation according to the present invention. The percent compositions are 6.1.5 by weight, the unlisted component being water.

5-10% soy isolate protein "g 0.5 to 1.0% diethanolamine(obaose) 0.25 to 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose to 1.5% polyethelene glycol 400 (for example Carbowax 400) 1,: 0.1 to 0.4% propionic acid (food grade) The above formulation is a viscous mucilage, and requires S substantial pressure for application. For field use hand pumps or mechanical pumps might be used. The coating is to be sprayed or otherwise spread onto the outer surface of the bales or stacks 9 9 in quantities sufficient to cover the entire outer surface of the hay, or other material being coated. The coating should generally be applied in sufficient amount for penetration of from ope to three inches. Preferably from about 1,500 to 3,000 milliliters (ml) of such a coating should be applied for the protection and stabilization of a bale or stack including about 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of material. The amount of coating to be applied varying, proportionately, with concentration and with amount of cut material to be coated.

It has been found that the nature of and order of steps taken in the mixing of the components can make a considerable difference in the ease with which the mucilage or adhesive formulation can be formed. If appropriate care is not taken, separation of the mixtures may occur, or some components may settle or agglomerate.

The formulation uses a polyethelene glycol emulsifier; however, alternative compounds such polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) may be substituted as desired. Additionally, alternative 15 preservatives such as potassium sorbate may be used rather than o propionic acid.

PREPARATION 1 A first, and preferred, solution (Solution A) is made including 36 grams (gm) of soy isolate protein slurried in about 197 ml of deionized H 2 0 at about 60 degrees centigrade To this slurry is added about 3.0 ml of diethanolamine, with continuous stirring at about 600C. The pH of this mixture was 2 about 7.2 to 7.3, and the mixture is allowed to stand for about a o minutes at 60 0

C.

A second solution (Solution B) is prepared from the addition of about 1.0 gm of sodium carboxymethylcellulose to 195 ml of deionized H 2 0, at room temperature. To this mixture is added 1 I

I

about 2.0 ml of triacetin and about. 2.0 ml of Carbowax 400, slowly and with stirring. This results in the formation of a thick nearly water-clear, viscous solution having a pH of approximately 7.2 Solution B is added to Solution A with constant stirring, to yield a viscous mucilage. To this is slowly added about 1.2 ml of propionic acid, to yield a solution having a final pH of about 6.2 to 6.3. The propionic acid addition must be done very slowly, otherwise sometimes the solution may cease to maintain an even consistency, as for example by formation of globules or masses therein.

The final concentrations, by weight, of the components used in forming the mixture, other than water, are as follows: About 9.0% soy isolate protein 5 About 0.75% diethanolamine *0 go 9 About 0.5% triacetin 9 0 About 0.5% Carbowax 400 (a polyethelene glycol compound) or polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP); 9 About 0.3% propionic acid; and About 0.25% sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

PREPARATION 2 A first solution (Solution C) is made by mixing 40.0 gm of soy isolate protein and approximately 197 ml of deionized H 2 0, at 50° to 60 0 C, to form a slurry. To this is added about 3.0 ml of diethanolamine, to dissolve the protein and form the mucilage.

The pH of this mucilage is about 6.8 to A second solution (Solution D) is formed by mixing approximately 1 gm of sodium carboxymethylcellulose with 196 ml of deionized H 2 0, at room temperature, to form a solution. To this is added about 2.0 ml of triacetin and about 2.0 ml of Carbowax 400 or PVP.

Solution D is added to Solution C with continuous stirring, to form an overall mixture having a pH of approximately 7.0. The total volume of the mixture is about 400 ml.

150 ml of the above mixture of solutions C and D is separated and to this is added approximately 0.45 ml of propionic acid. The addition is fairly rapid and results in the formation of some clabber, that is white globs of clotted material. The clabber slowly goes into suspension, upon shaking by hand. The pH is the final mixture is tested to be approximately 5 The composition of the final solution, by weight, is as 0 S follows: s*ee About 10% soy isolate protein;

,"S

.About 0.75% diethanolamine;

S

About 0.25% sodium carboxymethylcellulose; 29 About 0.5% triacetin (glyceryl triacetate); 0.

About 0.5% Carbowax 400 (or PVP); and About 0.3% propionic acid.

*9 *9* PREPARATION 3 o 0 S A variation in Formulation 1 is made utilizing calcium propionate, rather than propionic acid, as the preservative or preserving agent. The composition is made as follows: t A first solution (Solution E) is made from mixing 32 gm of soy isolate protein and 197 ml of deionized H 2 0, at 500 to 600C, to form a slurry. To this is added about 3.0 ml of diethanolamine, with continuous stirring, to yield a yellow gray heavy mucilage. The volume of the solution swelled considerably during addition of the diethanolamine. The final solution has a pH of about A second solution (Solution F) is made by mixing about gm of sodium carboxymethylcellulose with about 197 ml of deionized H 2 0, at room temperature. To this is added about ml of triacetin; about 2.0 ml of Carbowax 400 (or and about 1.2 gm of calcium propionate. This yields a mixture which is slightly opaque and has a pH of approximately Solution F is added to Solution E with continuous stirring, to form a yellow-gray mucilage having a pH of about 8.0. The o* mucilage is very thick and has a total volume of about 400 ml.

C.

The final composition of this mixture, by weight, is as follows (the remaining component being primarily water): About 8.0% soy isolate protein; *2V About 0.75% diethanolamine; About 0.25% sodium carboxymethylcellulose; About 0.5% triacetin (glyceryl triacetate); e" About 0.5% Carbowax 400; and About 0.3% calcium propionate.

C* a *"2.3 PREPARATION 4 Another variation in a Formulation 1 mixture, this time utilizing sodium propionate as the preservative, was tested. The composition is prepared as follows: A first solution (Solution G) is prepared by mixing approx' ately 18 gm of soy isolate protein with about 98.5 ml of deionized water, at approximately 60°C, to form a slurry. The slurry is allowed t stand, at 60 0 C, for about 20 minutes. To this is added about 1.5 ml of diethanolamine, with constant stirring, at still about 60 0

C.

A second solution (Solution H) is prepared by mixing approximately 0.5 gm of sodium carboxymethylcellulose with about 98.0 ml of deionized H 2 0, to form a slurry. To this is added about 1.0 ml of triacetin, with stirring, and about 1.0 ml of Carbowax 400 (or PVP), with stirring.

Solution H is added to Solution G with continuous stirring, forming an overall mixture having a pH of about 8.0. To this is added about 0.6 grams of sodium propionate, slowly and with 2: continuous stirring. The final mixture was a heavy mucilaqy 0e having a pH of approximately 8.0 and the following composition of added ingredients, by weight, the remainder being primarily S water: .About 9.0% protein; 2 About 0.75% diethanolamine; About 0.25% sodium carboxymethylcellulose; About 0.5% triacetin (glyceryl triacetate); About 0.5% Carbowax 400 (or PVP); and About 0.3% sodium propionate.

1 ALTERNATE ADHESIVE MUCILAGE: FORMULATION 2 As indicated above, alternative fc liulations using: different emulsifying agents and thickening agents; and propicnic acid salts or similar antibacterial agents, are possible according to the present invention. A particularly good alternative to Formulation 1 type mixtures is as follows, the composition given by weight and the.remainder being primarily water: About 6 to 10% protein; About 0.5 to 1.2% diethanclamine; About 0.052 to 0.2% of a polyacrylamide emulsifying agent (for example Carbopol 934-P) or polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP); and .'13 About 0.2 to 0.4% propionic acid (food grade).

Generally Formulation 2 compositions should be used S similarly to Formulation 1 compositions, that is by the addition *SetSS Sf approximately 1,500 to 3,000 ml of coating for the protection and stabilization of about 1,200 to 1,500 pound stacks or bales 2 of hay. The amount of solution should be modified, proportionately, for different sized haystacks or bales, other cellulosic articles and different concentrations of mixtures.

It is noted that other polymeric emulsifiers, such as Separan NP- 202, or polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) may be substituted for Carbopol 934-P.

Again, it is ,~hitved tht 0-he order and method of mixing kae 6c\le& -Ve- .2 of the components a i~ ant n 2 d. a mucilage that is free flowing and relatively free from any clotted matter or separation. The following preparations exemplify use of Formulation 2 type compositions.

PREPARATION A composition of material according to Formulation 2 is prepared as follows: About 36 gm of protein is added to.about 396 ml of deionized

H

2 0 at about 60 0 C, with constant stirring. A slurry is formed which is allowed to sit for several minutes.

About 3.0 ml of diethanolamine is added to the slurry, with constant stirring, again at about 60 0 C. The resulting mixture has a pH of about 7.6 to 7.8 and is allowed to stand for about thirty minutes.

About 0.4 gm of Carbopol 934-P is added to the protein mixture, very slowly, resulting in a mixture having a pH of about 7.4 to 7.5. To this is slowly addc?. about ml of propionic acid, giving a resulting mixture hav, g a pH of about 6.0 to 6.2.

The resulting mixture has a total volume of about 400 ml and is a very thick, uniform, yellow-gray mucilage that is mobile, Se that is, it flows. The final mixture has the following approximate composition, by weight (the remaining component being primarily water): About 9.0% protein; About 0.75% diethanolamine; About 0.1% Carbopol 934-P; and About 0.3% propionic acid.

I i I f PREPARATION 6 An adhesive mucilage composition according to Formulation 2 is prepared as follows: About 16 gm of protein is mixed with 197 ml of deionized

H

2 0, at approximately 60°C, to form a slurry. To the slurry is added about 2.0 ml of diethanolamine, slowly, with continuous stirring. This mixture is allowed to stand for about 30 minutes and is observed to have a pH of about About 0.2 gm of Carbopol 934-P is very slowly added to the above mixture, to form an off-white, thick, mucilage. The pH of this resulting mucilage was about 8.2 to 8.3.

Next about 0.6 ml propionic acid is added very slowly to the mixture. The resulting mixture is a very thick heavy mucilage that is mobile. The pH of the mucilage is observed to be about 7.8 to about 8.0. Some foam is observed, which disappears upon standing.

By weight, the composition of this formulation, in terms of added components, is as follows (the remainder being primarily 2V0 H20) About 8.0% protein; About 1.0% diethanolamine; About 0.1% Carbopol 934-P; and About 0.3% propionic acid.

PREPARATION 7 A modification in a Formulation 2 type adhesive mucilage is prepared as follows: t About 18 gm of protein is mixed with about 198.5 ml of deionized H20 at about 60 0 C. To the resulting slurry about ml of diethanolamine is added, with constant stirring. The pH of the resulting mixture is about 8.2 to 8.3.

To the above mixture is added about 0.2 grams of Carbopol 934-P, with constant stirring, to form a slurry having a pH of about To the resulting mixture is added about 0.6 gm of sodium propionate, very slowly with constant stirring. The resulting mucilage has a pH of about 7.5 to 7.6, and is apparently uniform in consistency and very heavy, but mobile. The resulting mixture is formed from the following components, by weight (the remaining constituent being water): About 9.0% protein About 0.75% diethanolamine; About 0.1% Carbopol 934-P; and About 0.3% sodium propionate.

*99999 ALTERNATIVE ADHESIVE: FORMULATION 3 FOR DRY MIX COMPOSITIONS Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to have the Sadhesive formulation available in a dry powder or mix form. This may be more suitable for manufacturing purposes when the product has to be shipped. That is, the above formulations, Formulations 1 and 2, are generally heavy, viscous but fluid, mucilages. It is foreseen that a dry mix, to be diluted with water for use, would generally be easier to handle and store. Preferred components of such a dry mix are as follows: protein; sodium carbonate monohydrate; a polymeric emulsifier (for example, polyacrylamide Carbopol 934-P or Separan NP-202 or polyvinylpirrolidone and potassium sorbate (food grade).

It is noted that some .substitutions may be made, for example, sodium propionate might be substituted for potassium sorbate as the preservative.

Preferably, the dry mix is prepared in such a manner that when mixed with water, the resulting hay treatment composition will have the following composition of constituents, by weight (the remainder being substantially water): About 4 to 10% protein; About 1 to 3% sodium carbonate monohydrate; a About 0.1 to about potassium sorbate; and About 0.05 to 0.3% polymeric emulsifier.

A preferred dry mix powder for yielding the above hay treatment includes the following components, by weight: About 78.74% protein (food grade); 0*e About 18.2% sodium carbonate monohydrate; About 2.62% potassium sorbate (food grade); and About 0.44% polymeric emulsifier.

It is noted that anhydrous sodium carbonate could readily be substituted for the monohydrate.

During the mixing with water, the polyvinylpirrolidone polymeric emulsifier is converted to its sodium salt. The resulting spray is preferably used in quantities of about 1,500 to 3,000 ml of spray per 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of hay, with the i t amount of spray being varied proportionately with the amount of Lay.

A particular problem with developing a dry mix has been that the mix must be such that it can be readily mixed with water, by the farmer and preferably by hand, to form a stable mucilage.

It some instances it will be preferred to use hot tap water to lessen the length of time taken for mixing.

The following preparations relate to adhesive formulations, generally according to Formulation 3 type compositions.

PREPARATION 8 A composition generally according to Formulation 3 is prepared as follows: The following dry ingredients are molded together: 18 grams of protein; 3.5 grams of Na 2

CO

3 (anhydrous); 0.1 grams of polyvinylpirrolidone; and 0.6 grams of potassium sorbate.

2 It is noted that anhydrous sodium carbonate is used,

SS

however, the hydrous form could have been used just as readily, preferably with accounting for the weight of water.

S

The cry mixture is prepared for application to hay as follows: 5C 200 ml of. room temperature tap water is added to the dry ingredients, with hand stirring and shaking. It takes approximately one hour for complete reaction to form a yellow, very heavy but quite mobile, mucilage, having a pH of about 9.2.

I

The final composition of the solution, by weight, was as follows (the remaining ingredient being tap water): About 9% protein; About 1.75% Na 2

CO

3 About 0.05% polyvinylpirrolidone; and About 0.3% potassium sorbate.

PREPARATION 9 A powdered composition is prepared by mixing the following together: 360.0 grams of protein; 70.0 grams of Na 2

CO

3 (anhydrous); 12.0 grams of potassium sorbate; and grams of polyvinylpirrolidone.

The powders are molded together in a plastic container. The dry powder mix is prepared for application as follows: Approximately il grams of the dry powder mix is placed in a one-half gallon plastic container and about 1,000 ml of room temperature tap water is added. The mixture is stirred for approximately one hour to completely suspend the powder.

S

PREPARATION The preserving agent or preservative utilized in the adhesive mucilage may be varied. For example, sodium propionate may be substituted for the potassium sorbate.

A dry mix is made from the following components: About 9.0 gm protein; W I I* .I About 2.0 gm Na 2

CO

3 About 0.3 gm sodium propionate; and About 0.1 gm polyvinylpirrolidone.

The entire dry mix is added to about 100 ml of room temperature tap water, by slowly slurrying in the powder with the mixture. The result is a fluffy white mucilage having a volume of about 350 ml due to foaming. The pH of the mucilage is about to 9.0. The rate of mixture with water can be increased substantially by using warm or hot tap water. Upon standing, the mucilage eventually separates from the foam, yielding a fairly mobile compound having the following composition, by weight (the remaining constituent being tap water): About 9.0% protein; About 2.0% sodium carbonate; About 0.1% polyvinylpirrolidone; and About 0.3% sodium propionate.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DISCLODED COMPOSITIONS *2& In general, all four formulations provided good coatings for harvested material such as hay. The coated feed stock appears to be acceptable to animals, and the preferred coatings can be manufactured from materials readily available. It is n.ted that, 3 for the most part, the coatings will only be found in the outer 7% to 25% of the hay being treated, so that the amount of composition eaten by any animal would be relatively low.

The coatings are also useful as general binding and water repelling agents suitable, for example, for use on corrugated I i boxes, pulverulent materials, or other materials, particularly where edible materials may be involved or purchased.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific forms described, except as limited by the following claims.

SO

2 S S

Claims (14)

1. A composition for spreading over cellulosic animal feed material to generate an edible, moisture resistant adhesive coating binding a mass of said material together and protecting said mass from effects of wind and rain, the composition including: a soy isolate protein forming an adhesive; a film-forming emulsifier; a base; and an antimicrobial-acting preserving agent.

2. A composition according to claim 1 further including an emulsion stabilizer and a plasticizer.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said film-forming emulsifier is a polymer.

4. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said film-forming emulsifier is polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer.

A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein; said film-forming emulsifier is polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer; said base is anhydrous sodium carbonate; and said preserving agent is potassium sorbate.

6. A composition according to claim 2 wherein: said film-forming emulsifier is a polyethylene glycol 400 emulsifier; said emulsion stabilizer is sodium carboxymethylcellulose; and said plasticizer is glyceryl triacetate. 0

7. A composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein said antimicrobial- acting preserving agent is propionic acid.

8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is a mucilage and includes the following components by weight in an aqueous solution; 6% to 10% soy isolate protein; to 1.2% diethanolamine; 0.05% to 0.2% polyacrylamide emulsifying agent; 0.2% to 0.4% propionic acid; and Sthe remainder of the composition being water. 4- g

9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is a dry powder composition suitable for mixing with water to form an adhesive mucilage and including the following dry mix components by weight; to 85 soy isolate protein; 14 to 20 sodium carbonate; to 3.5 potassium sorbate; and 0.2 to 0.6 polyvinylpyrrolidone emulsifying agent.

A composition according to claim 9 wherein said composition is a dry powder composition suitable for mixing with water to form an adhesive mucilage and including the following dry mix components by weight; 79 soy isolate protein; 18 sodium carbonate; 2.6 potassium sorbate; and 0.4 of polyvinylpyrrolidone emulsifying agent.

11. A composition according to claim 2 wherein daid composition is a mucilage and includes the following components by weight in an aqueous solution; to 10 soy isolate protein; to 1.0 diethanolamine; 0.25 to 0.5 sodium carboxymethylcellulose; 0.25 to 0.5 glyceryl triacetate; 0.5 to 1.5 polyethylene glycol 400 emulsifier; 0.1 to 0.4 parts propionic acid; and the remainder of the composition being water.

12. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is a mucilage and includes the following components by weight in an aqueous solution; 6 to 10 soy isolate protein; 0.5 to 1.2 diethanolamine; 0.05 to 0.2 polyacrylamide emulsifying agent; and 0.2 to 0.4 propion c acid. 0

13. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is a mucilage and includes the following components by weight in an aqueous solution: 6 to 10 soy isolate protein; to 1.2 sodium carbonate; 0.05 to 0.2 polyvinylpirrolidone emulsifying agent; and 0,2 to 0.4 potassium sorbate preservative.

14. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13 substantially as hereinbefore described with refe rence to any one of the examples. DATED: 2 November 1995 PHILLIPS OR MONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for:' TILLIN, INC.' Speci9365N 0 0 6* p 00.