30 FEED ADDITIVES
TRANSPARENT & SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES: A NEW GENERATION OF FEED ADDITIVES consumers for more sustainable ingredients. It corresponds as well to the end of ‘black box’ solutions and the development of more transparent, advanced and innovative technologies.
Author
Dr. Stephanie Ladirat R&D Director at Nuqo Feed Additives
T
he market of plant extracts or so-called phytogenics emerged in the late 80’s and experienced a boom during the last decade, with the demand from
LIVESTOCK & POULTRY ME
Innovative AND transparent With the ban of antibiotics used as growth promoters (AGP) in several regions worldwide, nutritionists have tried to use additives based on plant extracts to improve performance of broilers to the same level as AGP. If the initial intention was to use plants extracts for their antimicrobial activity, research has now shown that they have a broader range of effects on gut functions (digestion, immunity, gut structure, gut microbiota …) in the animals that can explain the
observed improved performance. As of today, one can summarizes the main effect of phytogenics as such: • Modulation of microbiota composition and activity: depending on dosage, certain plant extracts can limit the growth or virulence of certain pathogens while have limited effect on ‘good’ bacteria. • Stimulation of digestive functions: several plant extracts can increase the activity of endogenous digestive enzymes and/or influence uptake and transepithelial transport, and therefore improve nutrients digestion and absorption. • Modulation of immune response: Specific molecules can contribute to lower gut
JANUARY-MARCH 2022
