ISSUE FOCUS 30 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 “Organic acids (OA) have shown promising results when it comes to ensuring that nutrients in the diet are digested by animals and not by pathogenic bacteria, in a two-part strategy: One strategy is to control pathogenic microbiota in the first part of the GIT and thus reduce the harmful bacteria reaching the hind gut. The second strategy is to improve nutrient digestion, especially protein, so that less food for pathogenic bacteria reaches the hind gut.” You’ve probably heard the phrase, “you’ve got to feed the beast,” but who wants to feed harmful bacteria? Feed ingredients can either feed the animal and result in improved performance or serve as nourishment for harmful microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that can lead to reduced performance and even diarrhoea. Organic acids (OA) have shown promising results when it comes to ensuring that nutrients in the diet are digested by animals and not by pathogenic bacteria, in a two-part strategy: One strategy is to control pathogenic microbiota in the first part of the GIT and thus reduce the harmful bacteria reaching the hind gut. The second strategy is to improve nutrient digestion, especially protein, so that less food for pathogenic bacteria reaches the hind gut. Did you know that E. coli loves undigested protein? Research studies have demonstrated that blends of OA support multiple functions inside the animal that promote better digestion and absorption of nutrients. These functions include reducing the pH in the GIT (Table 1), promoting digestive enzyme activity, altering intestinal morphology (Table 2), and optimizing nutrient digestibility, among others. Furthermore, the specific combination of OA works to support the gut microbial balance by enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria increases nutrient availability for the animal. WATER ACIDIFIER – OA CAN ALSO BE APPLIED VIA WATER Trouw Nutrition developed a complete portfolio of feed additives based on blends of OA that support animals’ stomach acidification and gut health. Selko® AlpHa, a Selko® water acidifier (SWA), is a synergistic blend of OA applied via water. SWA is a blend of free and buffered OA that effectively reduces and stabilises water pH. Inside the animal, it supports protein digestion by reducing the pH in the stomach. The multi-function SWA also supports a stable intestinal microbiota and helps sustain animals’ health so that they can deliver optimal performance. SUPPORTING GUT HEALTH STARTS WITH STOMACH ACIDIFICATION Giseli Heim Global Product Manager Gut Health Selko
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