ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2025 49 MOVING BEYOND THE “BLACK BOX” ERA The early generation of herbal blends reflected the technological capabilities of their time. Simple grinding, milling, or crude distillation were used to obtain plant extracts, but these methods often failed to protect sensitive molecules from the heat, moisture, and pressure of feed manufacturing. Volatile oils would evaporate, phenolic compounds would oxidize, and efficacy could vary dramatically from one batch to the next. Worse, many products were dusty and irritant for feed mill workers, and their strong aromas sometimes reduced feed intake in poultry. Modern poultry farming demands more. Today’s second-generation phytogenics address these shortcomings with a combination of scientific transparency and cutting-edge processing. One of the most transformative innovations is micro-encapsulation. Unlike simple coating, which offers limited protection, micro-encapsulation allows active ingredients to be embedded in a protective matrix. This stabilizes volatile compounds during storage and processing, ensures uniform distribution in feed, and enables targeted release exactly where they are most effective; usually in the small intestine, where nutrient absorption is most critical. This precision is particularly valuable in poultry farming; indeed without targeted release, much of a phytogenic’s potential can be lost before it can act. Encapsulation also solves key safety and handling issues. Dust-free granules improve working conditions in feed mills, while the controlled aroma prevents negative effects on feed intake. Nuqo’s solution lies in XPR Technology, a proprietary micro encapsulation process that physically protects these sensitive bioactives and delivers them where they are needed most in the animal’s gastrointestinal tract. Unlike simple coatings or standard encapsulation, XPR creates multiple protective layers, ensuring thermal stability during pelleting or extrusion, preserving efficacy, targeted release in the intestine, where bioactives can exert the greatest effect and synergistic action between plant and seaweed components, boosting immune function, modulating gut microbiota, and improving nutrient utilization (Figure 1). The technological leap is not only in the delivery system but also in the source of active molecules. While plants remain at the core of phytogenic development, the exploration of marine algae (phycogenics) is opening new frontiers. Certain algae metabolites have shown unique effects on gut health and immunity, adding complementary modes of action to those of traditional herbs and spices. The combination of plant and algae bioactives, delivered through robust micro-encapsulation, is setting a new industry standard for efficacy, stability, and profitability. TRIAL RESULTS – MEASURING PERFORMANCE, PROVING PROFITABILITY The transition from first-generation herbal blends to high-precision phytogenics is not just theoretical. Trials around the world have repeatedly demonstrated the tangible benefits of these advanced formulations in commercial poultry production. One example is Nuqo NEX (NQ), a second-generation Figure 1 XPR Technology Phycogenics: Seaweeds Metabolites Plant metabolites: Phytogenics Strong protective encapsulation technology High stability of active molecules
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