SPECIAL STORY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2021 43 The Latest Innovation for Broiler Production: INCREASED DIGESTIBILITY AND BETTER GUT HEALTH Phycogenics represent a fantastic opportunity to explore and discover new molecules with potential benefits on health of humans and animals, by leveraging the full potential of nature.” 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. 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 summarize 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 inflammation through their antioxidant activity. Other molecules can modulate cytokines production from macrophages and/or down regulate the expression genes coding for cytokine production to also keep inflammation under control or to 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 very wide group of bioactive molecules ‘inspired’ from Nature. If these molecules all come from a “plant”, they may come from different parts of the plant (leafy part, bark, seeds, roots, etc.). They may also be extracted using different methods ranging from simple millDr. Stephanie Ladirat R&D Director NUQO Feed Additives
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