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BOOSTED MEDIUM-CHAIN GLYCERIDES FOR AGP-FREE FEEDS OPTIMISATION
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by Goedele Buyens, AVEVE Biochem NV
he reductions and ultimately ban of (in-feed) antibiotics from animal feed does not come without its challenges. An overall approach to cope with these challenges imposes itself: persevered farm management, good hygienic practices and extra balanced nutritional feed composition (e.g. banning excessive protein levels whilst maintaining digestible amino acid-level, ensuring appropriate energy levels) are essential steps in the quest for antibiotic-free feeds. Another worthy step to consider is non-antibiotic in-feed specialties. Medium-Chain (MC) products and phytogenics are known to be very promising in this context. Literature and trials have shown beneficial effects in the animal itself as well as on the microbiota present in their gut. So, a double manner to assist birds to extra cope with the abovementioned difficulties.
Medium-Chain Glycerides versus pathogens
Medium-Chain Glycerides (MCG’s) consist of medium-chain fatty acids esterified with glycerol. The medium-chain fatty acids provide the activity of the product. Binding them to glycerol, will get the MCFA’s to be slowly released (by lipases) throughout the GIT. This ensures the product to be active at the place of greatest impact: the small intestine. Medium-chain products have a greater antimicrobial effect than short chain fatty acids and long chain fatty acids. Especially towards Gram(-) bacteria. The chain length determines the antibacterial effectivity towards specific bacteria. For example caproic acid (C6) is more active towards E. coli compared to capric acid (C10). Along their direct antibacterial effect, medium-chain fatty acids decrease virulence gene expression of Salmonella and thus decrease invasion in intestinal epithelial cells in broilers, even at sub inhibitory level. Reduced level of colonisation of ceca and internal organs of broilers in a Salmonella Enteriditis challenge, has been validated. Similarly an in vivo-study reported that mediumchain products can reduce early Salmonella colonisation in turkeys. 70 | July 2018 - Milling and Grain