ISSUE FOCUS 26 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2024 “Carefully selected polyphenols can meet an animal's antioxidant demands, which are currently provided by vitamin E as well as additional polyphenols that further support the antioxidant capacity beyond the lipid environment. This strategic swap offers a multifaceted strategy that supports protection against free radicals and helps safeguard animal health and performance.” Like many commodities, vitamin prices are volatile and tend to surge when a disruption occurs in the supply chain. The recent spike surge in vitamin E prices has led nutritionists and producers to seek alternative sources of this powerful antioxidant well known for its anti-ageing and beneficial health properties; particularly as vitamin E activity is limited to the body’s lipid milieu. In this context, natural polyphenols emerge as a promising solution for tackling oxidative stress in ruminants as well as monogastric species. When synergistically combined, polyphenols can serve as a partial substitute for vitamin E in animal feed, while enhancing antioxidant defences beyond the capabilities of vitamin E alone. FREE RADICALS: THE CAUSE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS Metabolic processes naturally produce free radicals, the primary culprits behind oxidative stress. These reactive molecules, including superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, are generated during energy (ATP) production. The rate of an animal's growth and its health status directly influence the production of free radicals. It's crucial to understand that rapid growth, associated with increased metabolic activity, leads to a surge in oxidative stress. Similarly, health challenges trigger the immune system to produce more free radicals, exacerbating oxidative stress and negatively affecting animal health. Understanding the impact of growth and health challenges on free radical production is enlightening and can guide effective strategies for managing oxidative stress. CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF OXIDATIVE STRESS To understand why it is so important to reduce free radicals in livestock production, it is helpful to consider the harm that free radicals pose to animals and ultimately to producers’ businesses. The negative consequences of free radicals can wreak havoc on cell membranes, proteins, and DNA, leading to tissue damage and significant health implications for animals. Supplementing animals’ diets provides an interesting opportunity to protect the animal from oxidative stress. A NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT ALTERNATIVE TO VITAMIN E Marlien de Kock Technical Commercial Manager - Phytogenics Selko
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