Supporting the development of the gastrointestinal tract and its stabilisation are crucial for efficient digestion but also for a strong immune system. Specific phytogenes can support these processes and contribute to improved performance as well as animal welfare. Semi-coated products allow a release throughout the entire digestive tract and thus provide a consistent effect.
Technical Sales Support Swine
MIAVIT GmbH
Phytogenics, also known as phytobiotics or botanicals, are a very heterogeneous group of substances of plant origin that are used for a wide variety of purposes in farm animals: To support the respiratory tract, for calming, as a natural flavouring, and many more. Essentially, they serve to increase the well-being of farm animals and thus their performance. In modern, animal welfare-oriented feeding concepts, special emphasis is given to support the microbiome. A strong interaction between nutrition, microbiome, behaviour and immune system of farm animals has been proven (Figure 1) and thus a holistic added value is achieved.
STRENGTHENING INTESTINAL HEALTH
In addition to its function in digestion, the gastrointestinal tract is the body’s largest immune organ, comprising over 70 % of the body’s immune cells (Liu 2015), and its importance goes beyond efficient digestion. Especially at piglet age, the gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully functional. Enzyme production has to develop, and symbiotic microorganisms must first fully colonise the intestine. Measures like rehousing, feed changes and poorly digestible components can lead to imbalances or the spread of pathogenic germs in the digestive tract, especially in piglets at weaning. This development process and the prevention of further imbalances can be supported by various feed additives, such as phytogenics.
UTILISING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
By nature, most substances are already absorbed in the small intestine in monogastric animals and therefore do not reach the large intestine (including the posterior small intestine) and the microbiota located there. Modern processes such as coating are therefore used to protect various substances such as minerals, vitamins, acid and many more, and to ensure a targeted release at later points in the digestive tract. In innovative phytogenic products for stabilising intestinal health, technological synergies are now also used in addition to the classic combination of different phytogenics or their active substance. The latter have proven positive effects on the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. antimicrobial, secretolytic or appetite stimulating. This combination of coated essential oils and ground herbs (semi-coated) ensures immediate availability as well as a slow release over the entire digestive tract.
TRIAL SETUP
In a practical trial farm in southern Denmark, the effects of such a semi-coated product (Miarom Intest C, MIAVIT GmbH, Essen (Oldb.)) were tested in weaned piglets. Three groups of 108 piglets each (Danbred x Duroc) were divided evenly into 12 pens (replicates), each of which received a different on-top supplementation of the product. There was a control group, which received no product, and two experimental groups receiving the semi-coated product (Table 1).
The trial was carried out in a flat deck with freshly weaned piglets (~28 days; 6.33 ± 0.75 kg) over 42 days. They were weighed on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 and the respective feed intake per pen was recorded for the periods in between. The faeces were scored three times a week using five categories from 1 – liquid to 5 – solid. On day 12, faecal samples were also collected from 8 animals each from the control group and the Miarom Intest C-High (MIC-H) group and directly preserved for subsequent analyses. In the faeces, the microbiome was analysed using quantitative real-time PCR for seven specific bacterial taxa and short-chain fatty acids using gas chromatography by Alimetrics (Alimetrics Group LTD, Finland).
TRIAL RESULTS
The performance parameters (Table 2) and the faecal scores between the respective groups showed no significant differences. The faecal scores of all groups were in the normal range between 3.2-3.4. The MIC-L group had the numerically highest values in relation to the performance parameters. However, the performance level of the experimental farm was already very high, so there was little potential to improve performance using a feed additive.
The total number of bacteria in the faecal samples did not differ between the groups, nor did the specific bacterial taxa. The majority of the microbes detected did not belong to the seven common bacterial taxa analysed. Numerically, the Lactobacilli group was increased in the supplemented group (Figure 2).
The relative amount of acetic acid was significantly higher and that of valeric acid significantly lower in the supplemented group (Table 3). The increase in acetic acid is reflected in lower amounts of other acids (not significant). The reduction in valeric acid in the supplemented group could indicate less protein fermentation in the large intestine and thus improved protein digestibility (Rasmussen et al. 1988). In combination, these results indicate a positive influence on the fermentation process. However, the exact mode of action of this semi-coated phytogenic product could not be proven by the experimental approach used. Further findings on microscopic changes of the intestinal mucosa, digestibility and long-term effects might help to clarify this question.
SUMMARY
In a practical trial, the use of a semi-coated phytogenic product on weaned piglets was investigated and showed positive effects on performance parameters despite a high performance level. Additional trials confirm these positive results. A positive effect was also shown on the microbiome through an improved fermentation process, although the exact mode of action is still to be proven.
About Dr. Klara Schmitz
Dr. sc. agr. Klara Schmitz studied agricultural sciences and animal sciences at the University of Bonn, where she completed her doctorate in animal nutrition. As an animal nutritionist and researcher, she has a broad range of experience with a focus on feed analysis, fibre analysis and swine nutrition. Recently she joined MIAVIT GmbH as Technical Sales Support in the field of swine nutrition.
