ISSUE FOCUS 24 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2023 What are endotoxins and why do they cause so much damage? Endotoxins cause considerable damage in livestock farming every year. Worldwide, the economic damage caused by high levels of endotoxin contamination is estimated at up to 20 billion US dollars. This affects all areas of production, not only dairy cattle and beef cattle farms, but also poultry and pig fattening, egg production and aquaculture. But what are endotoxins and why can they cause such damage? Endotoxins are components of the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. They are released, among other things, when the bacteria die and decompose. Endotoxins occur naturally in the intestines of both humans and animals, as the microbiota also contains gram-negative bacteria. As long as their concentration does not become too high, the body can cope with them: This is where the liver becomes active with its detoxifying function. However, it becomes critical when the endotoxin level rises too high and the liver can no longer cope. The toxins can then lead to fever, inflammation, diarrhoea, circulatory problems, septic shock or even death. They also hinder the absorption of nutrients in the intestine. Our farm animals are affected by endotoxins to varying degrees: While chickens tolerate slightly higher endotoxin levels and primarPlant-based feed additives are the key element in sustainable livestock production. Why? Because they can be used in a wide range of applications, their use is safe for humans, animals and the environment, they do not promote resistances and no withdrawal periods need to be observed. One area where the benefits of the right additive are particularly evident is endotoxin management. SUSTAINABLE FEEDING: PLANT-BASED MAGIC AGAINST ENDOTOXINS Muhammad Umar Technical Sales Manager Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition Dr. Bernhard Eckel Vice President Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition
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