Postbiotics are produced from a controlled fermentation process, and they typically contain inanimate cells/cell fragments and metabolites that are beneficial to the host. The main modes of action of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) are helping to modulate the immune response and supporting the beneficial microbes in the gut. The advantage of using postbiotics over other categories of feed substances is that it’s a stable mix of ready-to-be-utilized metabolites which can provide consistency in ingredient functionality and animal response.

Poultry Technology Lead
Cargill
Feed ingredients and additives play a critical role in supporting poultry production, animal health, and performance. Common types include phytogenics, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics—each with distinct modes of action. While individual substances can be effective, combining complementary types can provide more consistent results across varying production conditions. However, when used alone, the benefits could vary across different conditions. The more we know about the mode/s of action of these, the more we realize that just using one type might not give us consistent benefits. Understanding the mechanism of action of various feed ingredients and additives and combining the ones with synergistic benefits can give better value and consistency across different production systems.
A SCIENCE-BACKED SOLUTION: COMBINING POSTBIOTICS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
A successful combination of two different platforms of feed ingredients available for broilers is Biostrong™ Dual, also known as MB Pro. It provides synergistic benefits of a postbiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP), and a proprietary blend of essential oil compounds (EOC). Postbiotics are produced from a controlled fermentation process, and they typically contain inanimate cells/cell fragments and metabolites that are beneficial to the host. The main modes of action of SCFP are helping to modulate the immune response and supporting the beneficial microbes in the gut. The advantage of using postbiotics over other categories of feed substances is that it’s a stable mix of ready-to-be-utilized metabolites which can provide consistency in ingredient functionality and animal response. On the other hand, the EOCs are substances that are either of phytogenic origin or produced through synthetic processes. The main modes of action of EOC are they can improve digestive enzymatic activity and help manage undesirable bacteria in the gut. So, combining SCFP and EOC in one product can have synergistic effects leading to better protection throughout the gastrointestinal tract of the animal.
Biostrong™ Dual is not just any combination of two feed ingredient platforms. A lot of science-based innovative research efforts, both in vitro and in vivo, went into the development of the right combination with desirable benefits. After developing the product, the benefits were systematically evaluated under a wide range of conditions, such as controlled research conditions, semi-commercial trials (research pens set up inside commercial chicken houses), and under real-world commercial conditions. In addition to that, the modes of action of the product were further explored using advanced analytical tools.

PROVEN BENEFITS TO BROILERS ACROSS ALL GROWTH PHASES
More than 15 independent trials were conducted under three different conditions, controlled research, semi-commercial, and commercial conditions to evaluate the performance benefits of the product. On average across the independent trials, birds fed with Biostrong™ Dual at 0.4kg/MT showed significant improvement in performance with respect to body weight (3.5% improvement), adjusted cumulative feed conversion ratio, cFCR (5 points reduction) and breast meat yield (1.53% increase). Interestingly, dietary inclusion of Biostrong™ Dual improved body weight (Figure 1) and cFCR (Figure 2) throughout the grow-out period with consistent benefits at different ages of the birds.
In addition to that, the performance within each period was also significantly improved in Biostrong™ Dual-fed birds (Figure 3). Overall, this data clearly shows the benefits of Biostrong™ Dual in supporting broiler performance during all stages of growth, resulting in birds with higher market weight.

Figure 3.(right) Change in body weight and cFCR for Biostrong™ Dual, also known as MB Pro, during different periods
HOW IS BIOSTRONG™ DUAL SUPPORTING ANIMAL PERFORMANCE?
The microbiome plays a key role in supporting animal performance. In a comparison between the microbiome from birds sampled from well-performing farms and under-performing farms using an advanced gut microbiome surveillance tool (Galleon™), the data showed that the major difference is coming from microbiome maturation pattern. In good performing birds, the gut microbiome follows a typical pattern with a higher abundance of lactic acid producers in early life, which is replaced by butyrate producers in the later stage. The higher abundance of lactic producers (such as Lactobacillus) results in increased production of lactic acid which is used by butyrate producers as a substrate to grow in abundance. Once the butyrate producers grow in abundance, the concentration of butyric acid (which is beneficial for improved gut integrity) increases in the gut, making the gut microbiome more resilient to challenges and supports health as well as performance. In addition, the levels of Proteobacteria (such as E. coli) were always lower in good performing birds. In short, the key is that the faster we can get to the more resilient gut microbiome, the better it is for improved broiler performance.
As Galleon™ uses samples collected in a non-invasive (cloacal swabs) way, multiple samples can be collected for different time points from the same bird to track the microbiome maturation pattern. In one of the recent studies, samples were collected from the same set of birds at different time points to follow the microbiome profile. Interestingly, the results showed that at 7d of age, broiler fed Biostrong™ Dual had significantly higher Lactobacillus compared to the basal diet-fed control birds. In addition to that, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae (butyric acid-producing microbe) was significantly higher in Biostrong™ Dual, birds at 21d of age. Similarly, a meta-analysis across four different previous studies showed Biostrong™ Dual birds had higher Lachnospiraceae along with lower undesirable bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens at 21 and 35d of age. The microbiome profile from Biostrong™ Dual birds in that meta-analysis at 21d of age was already closer to that of control birds at 35d indicating the microbiome maturation is faster in those birds. Overall, the pattern in microbiome development seen in Biostrong™ Dual birds follows the typical microbiome maturation pattern seen in good-performing birds at a faster rate compared to control birds. This accelerated maturation of gut microbiome seen with the feeding of Biostrong™ Dual, mainly by supporting the beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae) could be contributing to performance benefits we observed in birds early on.
CONCLUSION
By leveraging a data-driven, science-based approach, Biostrong™ Dual delivers a consistent, performance-enhancing solution for broilers. Its unique blend of SCFP and EOC promotes gut health, promotes microbiome development, and optimizes feed conversion. Poultry producers looking to maintain both flock health and production efficiency can benefit from incorporating this synergistic feed additive into their nutritional programs.
References may be provided upon request.
About Vivek Kuttappan
Vivek Kuttappan, Ph.D., is a Poultry Technology Lead at Cargill, Inc. that supports the animal agriculture industry through unparalleled research capabilities, innovative feed and premix products and services, and digital modeling and formulation solutions. Throughout his career, Dr. Kuttappan has provided valuable contributions to the poultry industry in two specific areas: 1) broiler meat quality, reducing poultry carcass quality defects such as myopathies, and 2) poultry gut health, improving gut health in broilers, thereby reducing economic losses to poultry producers. Dr. Kuttappan holds a patent for a novel molecule to improve gut health in broilers and has participated in approximately 100 scientific publications, including 40 peer-reviewed journal articles cited by researchers worldwide. He has received several awards for his research, including the prestigious PSA Early Achievement Award for Industry.