ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2023 45 to various positive impacts on performances (Gómez et al., 2014; Yu et al., 2019). For instance, in 2020, Cisse et al., concluded that a citrus extract-based feed additive (Nor-Spice® AB, Nor-Feed, France) allows to enhance zootechnical performances of peripartum sows, possibly due to the modulation of the microbiota transmitted to the piglets. Nevertheless, as for many natural food by-products, a high variability in terms of composition and concentration of active compounds can be observed in citrus extract mainly due to the variability of cultivar, crop management, extraction methods and other factors. This is why in 2022, Dr. Cisse’s team performed a fine characterization of the same citrus extract in order to be able to standardized a well performing one. Complementary data on broiler growth have also been published in 2022, as a significant higher body weight was measured on broiler fed with citrus extract compare to the standard diet alone. A recent work by Bui et al., published in the “Animals” journal, assessed the environmental footprint of the same commercial citrus extract feed additive. The lifecycle assessment of this citrus extract feed additive has been carried out, according to ISO 14040 and 14044 standards in partnership with an independent partner (Evea, France). This rigorous method permits to quantify the resources used and the emissions thanks to a deep inventory, impact assessment and interpretation. The study concludes that the production of 25kg of this citrus based feed additive generates 13.1kg of CO2 equivalent and requires 66 liters of water and 5.3m2 year-round land surface. This environmental footprint is relatively low as it is a co-product from the juice industry. More interestingly, the use of this specific citrus extract on farms allows to reduce the carbon foot print of meat production thanks to the improved animal performance. Indeed, the use of this citrus extract in feed provide benefits on the three environment threats that are climate change, land occupation and water consumption compared to a standard diet. The main saving in resources comes from the reduced feed needed to produce meat, as this citrus extract allows to improve growth. A meta-analysis of the different trials conducted with this particular citrus extract, concludes that this additive supplementation provides an increase of ADG by 10.9% and 4.3% and reduces the FCR by 7.1% and 2.4% in swine and broiler respectively. Thus, characterized and standardized citrus extract can be an efficient tool to reduce the environmental footprint of animal production thanks to its benefits on animal performance. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment used by Nor-Feed was extended beyond this single plant extract, as the published methodology has been systematically applied to all of its main plant-based products. Their primary objective is to eliminate the use of synthetic molecules, such as antibiotics and pesticides in animal feed, and to participate to the reduction of animal production footprint.
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