ISSUE FOCUS 54 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2024 Supporting the development of the gastrointestinal tract and its stabilisation are crucial for efficient digestion but also for a strong immune system. Specific phytogenes can support these processes and contribute to improved performance as well as animal welfare. Semi-coated products allow a release throughout the entire digestive tract and thus provide a consistent effect. Phytogenics, also known as phytobiotics or botanicals, are a very heterogeneous group of substances of plant origin that are used for a wide variety of purposes in farm animals: To support the respiratory tract, for calming, as a natural flavouring, and many more. Essentially, they serve to increase the well-being of farm animals and thus their performance. In modern, animal welfare-oriented feeding concepts, special emphasis is given to support the microbiome. A strong interaction between nutrition, microbiome, behaviour and immune system of farm animals has been proven (Figure 1) and thus a holistic added value is achieved. STRENGTHENING INTESTINAL HEALTH In addition to its function in digestion, the gastrointestinal tract is the body's largest immune organ, comprising over 70 % of the body's immune cells (Liu 2015), and its importance goes beyond efficient digestion. Especially at piglet age, the gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully functional. Enzyme production has to develop, and symbiotic microorganisms must first fully colonise the intestine. Measures like rehousing, feed changes and poorly digestible components can lead to imbalances or the spread of pathogenic germs in the digestive tract, especially in piglets at weaning. This development process and the prevention of further imbalances can be supported by various feed additives, such as phytogenics. UTILISING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES By nature, most substances are already absorbed in the small intestine in monogastric animals and therefore do not reach the large intestine (including the posterior small intestine) and the microbiota located there. Modern processes such as coating are therefore used to protect various substances such as minerals, vitamins, acid and many more, and NATURAL BALANCE - PHYTOGENICS IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT Benefiting from technological progress Dr. Klara Schmitz Technical Sales Support Swine MIAVIT GmbH Immune system Nutrition Behaviour Microbiome Barrier function Interaction Figure 1. Interaction of nutrition, immune system and intestinal microbiota (Stalljohann et al. 2021)
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