ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2023 69 SELECTION CRITERIA OF NUTRACEUTICALS The selection of nutraceuticals is determined by various factors, including their production, administration, application, colonial survival in the host, and physiological benefits. It is important for nutraceuticals to possess antimicrobial properties against pathogens. Additionally, they should have the ability to adhere to the intestinal epithelium and colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lumen, while exerting positive effects on animals. Nutraceuticals should be non-pathogenic, non-reactive, and non-toxic to ensure their safety. Furthermore, they should be capable of withstanding gastric acidity, bile salts, and digestive enzymes. MODE OF ACTION OF NUTRACEUTICALS The mode of action of nutraceuticals involves the ingestion of the nutraceutical substance, which is then followed by the release of active substances into the animal's body. These active substances attach to specific sites and carry out their intended functions. Eventually, they are excreted from the animal's body. Nutraceuticals can employ various mechanisms to exert their effects, including: 1. Production of antimicrobial substances: Nutraceuticals can produce acids, bacteriocins, and antibiotics that have antimicrobial properties, helping to combat harmful organisms. 2. Competition for adhesion sites: Nutraceuticals can compete with detrimental organisms for sites where they would normally adhere, preventing the harmful organisms from establishing themselves. 3. Modulation of immune response: Nutraceuticals can enhance the immune response by increasing the phagocytic activity of macrophages and natural killer cells, which are important components of the immune system. 4. Reduction of bacterial toxin metabolism: Nutraceuticals can help reduce the metabolism of bacterial toxins, limiting their negative effects on the body. 5. Variation of enzyme secretion: Nutraceuticals may have the ability to influence the secretion of certain enzymes, which can impact various physiological processes in the body. These mechanisms illustrate how nutraceuticals can exert their beneficial effects on animals by interacting with different biological processes. PROBIOTICS AS NUTRACEUTICALS In dairy production, nutraceuticals are commonly employed to enhance milk yield and quality, as well as promote animal health by reducing acidosis and improving feed efficiency. They achieve this by increasing dry matter consumption and facilitating energy production and microbial protein synthesis. Nutraceuticals also contribute to the reduction of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==