Shifts in the gut microbiota also can disrupt the microbial balance in piglets’ digestive tracts, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. To address this imbalance, industry practices have traditionally relied on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and high-dose zinc oxide (ZnO). Regulatory pressures related to public health and environmental concerns are causing the industry to move away from the use of AGPs and ZnO. Today’s swine producers are seeking effective, science-backed alternatives that support intestinal stability and maintain animal performance.
Product Manager Gut Health
Trouw Nutrition
Weaning is an incredibly stressful time for any animal, and piglets are no exception. Post-weaning stress can lead to alterations in the gut microbiota – resulting in diarrhoea, reduced nutrient absorption, and slower weight gain. Shifts in the gut microbiota also can disrupt the microbial balance in piglets’ digestive tracts, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. To address this imbalance, industry practices have traditionally relied on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and high-dose zinc oxide (ZnO).
Regulatory pressures related to public health and environmental concerns are causing the industry to move away from the use of AGPs and ZnO. Today’s swine producers are seeking effective, science-backed alternatives that support intestinal stability and maintain animal performance.
Responding to the industry’s challenges, scientists at Trouw Nutrition developed Presan®-FX, a synergistic blend of phenolic compounds, slow release C12, target release butyrates, MCFAs and organic acids, which supports gut microbial balance and gut wall integrity. Validated in research studies and on-farm trials, Presan®-FX offers a targeted approach to support microbiota stability and gut integrity.
Recent studies have explored how the ingredients in Presan-FX maintain a healthy status of pigs even in poor hygienic conditions. Other research investigated the effects of Presan-FX on levels of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in digesta in the lower part of weaned piglets’ intestinal tracts. As producers are moving away from supplying high levels of ZnO, researchers also have studied how this feed additive may help reduce or remove the need for high-ZnO to support piglets’ health and performance.
EFFECTIVE INGREDIENTS HELP TO IMPROVE INTESTINAL HEALTH
Researchers ran a series of trials to better understand which ingredients in Presan-FX optimally has a positive effect on gut health of weaned piglets. Trials first looked at how MCFAs and slow-release C12 (SRC12) affected average daily gains (ADG) for piglets. Groups of piglets were either fed a standard diet or given an MCFA + SRC12 supplement with their standard feed.
The results showed an improvement in ADG when piglets were fed MCFAs + SRC12, especially in the last three weeks of the trial (Figure 1).
IMPROVING POST-WEANING FAECAL CONSISTENCY
A 42-day trial involving 320 weaned piglets was conducted in Spain. Again, two groups were used to demonstrate the effects of Presan-FX on piglets’ performance. Piglet body weight was recorded on days 0, 7, and 14, and faecal samples were collected.
Piglets receiving Presan-FX in their diets had firmer stools by day 7 of the trial (Table 1), an indicator of better digestion. Research findings also show that Presan-FX improved the shape and height of villi, tiny finger-like structures in the small intestine. Villi play a crucial role in determining how well piglets absorb nutrients from their food.
When villi are shorter or damaged, piglets can have trouble absorbing nutrients, which may lead to diarrhoea and poor growth. Although improvements in final body weight and feed efficiency were not statistically significant, the trial demonstrated that Presan-FX provided a financial advantage in raising nursery piglets.
Beyond its effects in improving stool consistency and gut structure, researchers also sought to understand how Presan-FX might affect metabolic activity within the gut. One area of focus was VFAs, key compounds produced by microbial fermentation that play a vital role in energy supply and nutrient absorption in piglets.
INCREASING VOLATILE FATTY ACID PRODUCTION
VFAs are important compounds produced when gut bacteria break down fibre in the piglet’s diet. These VFAs, primarily acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, are absorbed through the intestinal lining and used as an energy source for the animal. In fact, it is estimated that VFAs can provide more than 20% of a piglet’s maintenance energy needs. They also play a key role in helping the intestines absorb water and sodium, which is particularly important during the post-weaning period when piglets are at greater risk of dehydration and diarrhoea.
Trial findings show that piglets receiving Presan-FX had significantly higher levels of acetic and propionic acid in the caecum and colon compared to the control group (Figure 2). Butyric acid levels were also higher in piglets receiving Presan-FX. Butyric acid supports gut lining health and microbial stability. These results suggest that Presan-FX not only helps supports the gut structure and microbial balance. A healthy gut means the gut is more stable, energy efficient, and resilient.
MAINTAINED GUT HEALTH TRANSLATES INTO BETTER PERFORMANCE
Producers ultimately want to see improved weight gain and performance. Across multiple trials, Presan-FX has consistently shown benefits in key zootechnical metrics, including ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR).
Figure 4. Average daily feed intake (83% confidence interval as error bars) of weaned piglets that received Presan®-FX from day 0 to 42 post-weaning
day 0 to 42 post-weaning
In the 42-day trial, piglets receiving Presan-FX showed improvements in final body weight (+830 g), ADG (+21.0 g/day) (Figure 3), and ADFI (+21.5 g/day) (Figure 4), along with improved FCR (-4 points) (Figure 5).
Another study demonstrated a clear dose-response effect: At an inclusion level of 2 kg per tonne, Presan-FX delivered the largest improvements in ADG (+89 g) and FCR (-10 points). Even when statistical significance wasn’t reached, the consistent numerical improvements translated into tangible economic value, generating between €0.40 and €0.55 more per piglet compared to control groups (Figure 6).
For producers, these results suggest that Presan-FX not only supports animal health but also enhances profitability, particularly when used during the critical nursery phase.
REPLACING ZnO WITH A SYNERGISTIC BLEND
Building on these findings, researchers explored whether Presan-FX could reduce or eliminate the need for high levels of ZnO to support piglets’ growth and performance.
In comparative trials, piglets fed a diet where high ZnO was partially replaced with Presan-FX showed comparable performance metrics, including final body weight, ADG, and ADFI along with a better FCR (Figure 7-8).
Another trial investigated whether Presan-FX could eliminate the need for a ZnO supplement entirely. The results, as shown in Table 2, were comparatively similar for both treatments.
While there was a slightly higher mortality rate in the Presan-FX group, the added value per piglet was €0.40 higher than the high-ZnO group at the end of the 33-day trial. These findings suggest that Presan-FX presents a reliable and economically viable solution for ZnO-free feeding strategies, while also supporting a more sustainable approach to pig production.
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN AGP-FREE DIETS
With growing concern over antibiotic resistance, the push to eliminate AGPs from animal feed has intensified. While such efforts support public health, reducing AGPs on the swine farm presents new challenges for producers striving to maintain performance in young piglets. That’s where Presan-FX shows strong potential.
A 42-day study conducted in China compared piglets fed AGP-supplemented diets, those receiving Presan-FX, and a negative control group, all under reduced-zinc conditions. While no significant differences were found in final body weight, feed intake, or growth rate across the groups (Table 3), Presan-FX stood out in its effect on gut fermentation.
It significantly increased the concentrations of VFAs, such as acetic and propionic acid, in both the caecum and colon. Butyrate levels were also higher in the Presan-FX group, supporting better gut lining health and nutrient absorption (Figure 2).
Stress is a recognised part of swine production, particularly around weaning, when gut health is most vulnerable. Presan-FX stabilizes microbial populations and may boost gut wall integrity during this critical period.
PROVEN TO ENHANCE PIG PERFORMANCE
By increasing VFA production and supporting nutrient absorption, Presan-FX supports growth while reducing the need for antibiotic interventions. These benefits contribute to improved pig production, regardless of climate zone or regulatory landscape.
Data from 23 trials representing five countries and covering every phase of pig production shows that Presan-FX has demonstrated consistent improvements in key production metrics including faecal consistency, energy metabolism, and economic return. For producers seeking science-backed, antibiotic-free solutions, Presan-FX is a smart investment in sustainable piglet performance.
About Giseli Heim
As a veterinarian, Giseli Heim holds a master’s degree in Veterinary Science (Swine Reproduction – Brazil) and a PhD in Animal Science (Swine Nutrition – Ireland). She has been working for Trouw Nutrition for almost six years, starting from Global Marketing Swine, joining Nutreco Africa as Swine Specialist and finally finding her passion in the Selko Feed Additives, Gut Health Team, as Global Product Manager Gut Health. She has worked at Cargill (Spain), Orffa (Netherlands) and IDEXX (Netherlands). She is originally from Brazil and lived in Ireland, Spain and finally The Netherlands.
