ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 31 EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF MICRO-ENCAPSULATED PHYCOGENICS Novel combinations of natural extracts, from plants and seaweeds, offer alternative to growth promoters and support better performance of livestock animals. The 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 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. RISE OF PHYTOGENICS IN ANIMAL NUTRITION IN LAST DECADE 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. Even if the initial intention was to use plants extracts for their antimicrobial activity, research has shown their broader range of effects on gut functions, such as: • Modulation of microbiota composition and activity: 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 increase the activity of endogenous digestive enzymes and influence uptake and transepithelial transport, and improve nutrients digestion and absorption • Modulation of immune response: Specific molecules contribute to lower gut inflammation while other molecules modulate cytokines production from macrophages or down/up regulate the expression genes coding for cytokine production to keep inflammation under control, or support development of acquired immunity. • Improvement of gut integrity: Some molecules or natural ingredients stimulate mucous production and epithelial cell proliferation and therefore contribute to the maturation and integrity of the gut structure. The group of phytogenics covers a wide group of molecules ‘inspired’ from nature. All these molecules come from a “plant”, but may come from different parts of the plant (leafy part, bark, seeds, roots, etc.). They may be extracted using different methods ranging from simple milling and mixing to more elaborated water distillation (essential oils), alcohol extraction (tinctures) or chemically synthesized (nature-like compounds). These ingredients have different properties, different effects on animals, and also different purity or stability, especially for the volatile compounds. Dr. Stephanie Ladirat R&D Director NUQO Feed Additives
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==