ISSUE FOCUS 32 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 PHYCOGENICS, A NOVEL GENERATION OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS Phytogenics are of great importance in animal nutrition, and marine macroalgae can be considered as supplements to positively influence animal performance and health parameters. Seaweeds represent a large and heterogeneous group, including brown algae (Phaeophyceae), red algae (Rhodophyceae) and green algae (Chlorophyceae). While algae are frequently studied as a source of nutrients, seaweeds possess several bioactive molecules, so called ‘phycogenics’ (from Greek phycos = algae), that are studied for their prebiotic, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Few examples of molecules exclusively found in marine algae are sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins and laminarins. Research has shown the effects of several compounds and metabolites, and their specific impact of physiology. Here is a short list of molecules or groups of molecules from seaweeds, which have been specifically studied: • Natural polyphenols such as phlorotannin, tocopherol, bromophenol (antioxidant activity) • Sulfated polysaccharides or fucoidans (immune enhancer) • Natural pigment (to improve egg/meat color) • Specific complex polysaccharides (prebiotic affect) Phycogenics are not meant to replace phytogenics, but they represent a fantastic opportunity to new metabolites with potential benefits on health of humans and animals. PHYCOGENICS ADD VALUE ON TOP OF PHYTOGENICS A recent trial was performed at the University of Berlin (Germany), to compare the effects of two commercial products based on phytogenics (P1 & P2), with a micro-encapsulation of phytogenics + phycogenics (NQ). The effects were measured on performance of the birds and apparent ileal digestibility of feed at 21 days of age. Researchers observed that the combined product not only improved digestibility of nutrients (crude fat, crude protein and starch) but also increased digestibility of minerals (crude ash, calcium and phosphorus) as compared to the negative control (Figure 1). The other two solutions improved digestibility of some nutrients and minerals but to a lower extent than NQ. Performance results at 21 days are well in line with the observed effects on digestibility (Figure 2). The NQ treatment had the strongest effects on nutrient and mineral digestibility, and had the highest improvement in performance at 21 days, with better gain (+2,2%) and improved FCR (-0,6%) as compared to the control. All in all, the treatment NQ with phycogenics showed an improvement of feed digestibility that resulted in an improved performance, compared to classic products based on phytogenics. Figure 1: The effects of 4 treatments on apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients & minerals, and performance in broilers of 21 days of age. * p<0.05
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