ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 41 integrity, which in turn affects nutrient absorption and immune function. Addressing such interconnected challenges requires solutions that can act on multiple physiological pathways. PhytoComplexes are designed with such challenges in mind. They combine diverse plant metabolites that interact with conserved receptors and signaling cascades in the animal, supporting functions such as gut integrity, metabolic balance, and immune modulation. This complexity is not accidental; it is intentional. By leveraging nature’s diversity, PhytoComplexes aim to deliver consistent benefits across varied production environments without relying on antibiotics or synthetic growth promoters. FROM ROOT-CAUSE TARGETS TO BOTANICAL CANDIDATES The development of a PhytoComplex begins with pinpointing a specific challenge that may hinder an animal from reaching its full genetic potential. For example, supporting liver function is crucial in laying hens and dairy cows, where fatty liver syndrome and metabolic stress can compromise productivity and health. In weanling piglets, the transition at weaning exposes them to dietary and environmental stress, increasing the risk of intestinal barrier dysfunction and digestive disorders. Broiler chickens often face subclinical, chronic inflammation, which can reduce growth rates and feed efficiency even in the absence of overt disease. Meanwhile, dairy and beef calves experience rapid physiological changes and immune challenges during early development, making enhanced resilience essential for improved survival, growth, and long-term performance. These challenges are defined in collaboration with business teams and customers to ensure relevance to real-world production environments. Once the challenge is defined, biological mechanisms are mapped, including receptors in the gut, enzymes in metabolic pathways, and immune signaling cascades. This target-driven approach ensures that discovery efforts are grounded in biology and tailored to the needs of animal nutrition. However, scientific understanding of the exact mechanisms is often incomplete. That is why we always anchor our approach in measurable physiological outputs, for example, triglyceride accumulation in the liver for fatty liver prevention, Photo: Trouw Nutrition
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