ISSUE FOCUS 52 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 “Dual microencapsulation represents a significant advancement in feed additive design, providing precision, consistency, and multifunctionality through the controlled, sequential release of bioactive compounds. By protecting sensitive molecules during feed processing and gastric passage, the technology ensures their targeted availability in specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract, where they can modulate microbiota, support digestive function, and enhance immune resilience.” The transition from traditional, high-dose feed additives toward precision-based nutritional strategies reflects a broader shift in animal production systems. Dual microencapsulation represents an advanced technology designed to provide controlled and site-specific release of bioactive compounds within the gastrointestinal tract. By safeguarding sensitive molecules and ensuring their targeted availability, this approach supports intestinal health, enhances feed efficiency, and contributes to more sustainable strategies for early-life nutrition in pigs. MODERN CHALLENGES IN GUT HEALTH MANAGEMENT Contemporary pig production is undergoing a transformation, shaped by stricter regulations, heightened consumer expectations, and sustainability imperatives. Among the most pressing concerns is the management of gut health and performance in piglets during weaning, without relying on pharmacological interventions such as antibiotics or high doses of zinc oxide. Weaning remains one of the most critical and stressful phases in a piglet’s life. Piglets face abrupt separation from the sow, dietary transition to solid feed, environmental changes, and shifts in microbial exposure. These stressors compromise intestinal integrity, destabilize microbial populations, and strain immune responses. As a result, weaning is frequently associated with reduced feed intake, impaired nutrient absorption, intestinal inflammation, microbial imbalance, and increased susceptibility to enteric disorders such as post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). Historically, pharmacological doses of zinc oxide and antibiotic growth promoters provided effective protection against pathogens such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). However, the ban on zinc oxide in Europe and the global effort to reduce antibiotic use in livestock have driven the need for novel approaches that maintain piglet health and productivity while minimizing ecological and food safety concerns. A wide range of alternatives—organic acids, probiotics, phytogenics, postbiotics, and enzyme Precision Technology in Piglet Nutrition: DUAL MICROENCAPSULATION FOR TARGETED GUT HEALTH Dr. Stephanie Ladirat R&D Director Nuqo Feed Additives
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