SPECIAL STORY 44 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2021 ing and mixing to more elaborated water distillation (essential oils), alcohol extraction (tinctures) or chemically synthesized (nature-like compounds) to name few. These ingredients can have very different properties, different effects on animals, and also different purity or stability, especially for the volatile compounds. Historically, many products on the market correspond to simple mixes of ingredients, with little transparency on formulation and no protective technology to reduce volatility, denaturation or oxidation of active ingredients. With the evolution of the market, the better understanding of animal physiology, nutritionists and formulators are now expecting a new generation of solutions: Transparency is now a must-have to exactly understand and predict efficacy in animals. Manufacturing technology must guarantee the stability and consistent efficacy of products. Finally, formulations should include innovative and exclusive ingredients, from land or marine plants. PHYTOGENICS & PHYCOGENICS, THE FULL POWER OF NATURE 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, laminarins. Research has shown the effects of several compounds and metabolites of interest, and their specific impact of physiology. Here is a short list of molecules or groups of molecules that 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 colour) • Specific complex polysaccharides (Prebiotic affect) In a nutshell, phycogenics are not meant to replace phytogenics. They, however, 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.
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