Phytotechnology supports animal health by leveraging plant-derived compounds to enhance resilience, productivity, and well-being. Through complex interactions with intestinal receptors and signal transduction pathways, these compounds modulate immune function, gut integrity, and metabolism. Precision dosing is critical, as effects can vary with inclusion levels. This host-focused, preventive approach moves beyond antimicrobial replacement, highlighting the potential to navigate modern livestock production’s complexity and challenges.
Global Product Manager PhytoComplex Solutions
Trouw Nutrition
In the dynamic world of animal nutrition, the challenges facing livestock production are no longer just about maximizing output. Today, producers must navigate a complex web of sustainability goals, regulatory constraints, consumer expectations, and animal welfare concerns. This shift has transformed animal production from a predictable, clockwork-like system into a complex, interconnected environment — one that demands equally sophisticated solutions.
At Trouw Nutrition, we acknowledge that phytotechnology, the science of using plant-derived compounds to support animal health and performance, offers a powerful and timely answer. But to unlock its full potential, we must move beyond the traditional view of phytogenics as antimicrobial replacements. Instead, we focus on supporting the animal, not targeting the pathogen. Our proprietary PhytoComplexes are designed to interact with the animal’s physiology through signal transduction pathways, triggering host-mediated responses that enhance resilience, productivity, and well-being.
FROM CLOCKWORK TO COMPLEXITY: A PARADIGM SHIFT
Historically, animal nutrition has operated under a reductionist paradigm — a “clockwork universe” where outcomes were predictable and linear. Feed a balanced diet, optimise genetics, and expect consistent performance. However, this model no longer holds.
Modern production animals live in complex environments, where variables such as climate stress, feed variability, and microbial challenges interact in unpredictable ways. Tackling these challenges requires a system-thinking approach, one that embraces complexity rather than simplifying it.
Plants, with their vast biochemical compounds, are uniquely suited to this task. They produce hundreds of thousands of specialized metabolites, many of which have evolved to help them survive and adapt. These compounds can be decoded by animals through receptors in the gut, enabling a form of integrated intelligence between species.
This concept of integrated intelligence is central to our approach. It recognizes that animals and plants have co-evolved for millions of years, developing biochemical communication channels that allow animals to interpret and respond to plant-derived signals. These signals can influence immune function, metabolism, and stress responses — often in ways that are subtle, multifactorial, and not yet fully understood.
WHAT ARE PHYTOCOMPLEXES?
PhytoComplexes can be defined as complex mixtures of bioactive compounds derived from plants. Unlike single-compound synthetics, which isolate one active ingredient (e.g., thymol or carvacrol), PhytoComplexes retain the full spectrum of metabolites found in the plant.
Early efforts to use botanicals in feed focused narrowly on replacing antimicrobials. This led to a pharmaceutical approach that stripped plants of their complexity. But animals don’t respond to molecules in isolation. They respond to constellations of compounds that interact with their physiology in multifaceted ways.
Take oregano essential oil, for instance. While carvacrol is often highlighted as its key active compound, the oil actually contains dozens of other bioactive molecules that contribute to its overall efficacy. Similarly, artemisinin — used in malaria treatment — demonstrates significantly higher bioavailability when administered as part of the whole plant material compared to its synthetic, isolated form. These examples underscore a fundamental principle in phytotechnology: the power of the plant lies in its complexity.
This is why Trouw Nutrition focuses on preserving the full phytochemical profile — whether through whole plant powders, full-spectrum extracts, or carefully formulated blends. A PhytoComplex is never just a single compound; it is a symphony of metabolites, each playing a distinct role in the biological response. Like an orchestra, the effectiveness depends not on the volume of a single instrument, but on the harmony and balance among all parts. Disrupting this balance by isolating one molecule risks losing the nuanced interplay that drives physiological impact. Respecting this natural equilibrium is key to harnessing the full potential of phytotechnology for animal nutrition.
MODE OF ACTION: SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS
The key to understanding PhytoComplexes lies in their true mode of action. Rather than killing pathogens directly, these compounds interact with receptors on the intestinal lining, triggering, blocking, or modulating signal transduction pathways that influence immune function, gut integrity, and metabolic processes.
These host-mediated mechanisms allow us to support the animal’s natural defenses. For instance, actives found in clove oil do not kill bacteria in the gut. Instead, they strengthen the mucosal barrier, preventing pathogens from adhering to the intestinal wall. Another example is turmeric, known for its immunomodulatory properties. In trials, turmeric-containing PhytoComplexes increased antibody levels in sow and cow colostrum and improved vaccine responses in poultry. These effects are mediated through conserved receptors that span species, allowing plant compounds to influence animal physiology in meaningful ways.
THE ART OF PRECISION IN PHYTOTECHNOLOGY
Another critical, and often misunderstood, aspect of phytotechnology is the relationship between dose and effect. Unlike many conventional feed additives, plant-derived compounds rarely follow a linear dose-response curve. This means that increasing the dose does not necessarily amplify the benefit. In fact, the opposite can occur.
At low inclusion levels, plant molecules can trigger beneficial physiological responses such as improved digestion, immune modulation, or anti-inflammatory effects. These effects are mediated through subtle interactions with receptors in the gut. However, as the dose increases, these positive effects may plateau, diminish, or even reverse. At higher concentrations, the same compounds that once calmed inflammation may begin to provoke it. This phenomenon is known as a biphasic or hormetic response, and it’s well-documented in both plant and pharmaceutical sciences.
A helpful analogy is the bee sting. In small, controlled doses, bee venom can be used in immunotherapy to desensitize allergic individuals, training the immune system to tolerate the allergen. But a full-strength sting in a sensitized person can trigger a severe allergic reaction. The same compound — bee venom — can either heal or harm, depending on the dose and context.
Plant bioactives behave similarly. Take carvacrol, a well-known compound from oregano. At low levels, it may act as an anti-inflammatory agent, calming the gut and supporting mucosal integrity. But at higher levels, it can irritate tissues and even promote inflammation. This is why more is not always better in phytotechnology. The goal is not to flood the system with actives, but to send the right signal at the right strength — a concept we call “whispering, not shouting”.
In trials with a broiler-targeted PhytoComplex, significant performance improvements were observed at a remarkably low inclusion rate of just 25 g/ton. At higher dosages, the effects plateaued and began to decline as the dosage increased. At the optimal dose of 25 g/ton, broiler chicks consumed only a few particles per day during their first week of life, when feed intake is minimal. This highlights the critical need for precision in production technology to ensure that each particle consistently delivers the intended amount of active compounds. Despite the astonishingly low inclusion level, the animals showed consistent improvements in body weight gain — averaging +52 grams — and feed conversion ratio — averaging 4 points across multiple studies (Figure 1).
Understanding and respecting the dose-response relationship is essential for effective application. It also underscores the importance of precision formulation, rigorous testing, and consistent quality control which are foundational to the development of our PhytoComplexes.
NOT A CURE, BUT A PREVENTIVE STRATEGY
It’s crucial to understand that phytotechnology is not a treatment. PhytoComplexes are designed to support robust physiological functions and resilience, especially when used preventively.
A powerful example of host-focused phytotechnology comes from a recent development project aimed at supporting calves during early-life challenges, particularly those related to gut health and resilience. In this case, researchers explored the effects of a PhytoComplex on calves exposed to Cryptosporidium parvum. Interestingly, in vitro studies showed that the phytogenic formulation did not directly affect the parasite — it neither killed nor inhibited the oocysts. Instead, the compound worked by modulating the animal’s own immune system. Specifically, it increased the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the intestinal tissue, a cytokine known to trigger the production of antimicrobial peptides that help the host combat intracellular pathogens. This immune modulation translated into improved gut morphology and mucosal integrity, even under infection pressure. Importantly, the PhytoComplex was administered before the calves were exposed to the pathogen, highlighting the preventive nature of phytotechnology (Figure 2).
This example illustrates the core principle of our approach: Rather than targeting the pathogen directly, we aim to empower the animal’s physiological defenses, enhancing its ability to cope with environmental and microbial stressors. It’s not about curing disease — it’s about building resilience from within.
BEYOND ANTIMICROBIAL REPLACEMENT
While many phytogenic products on the market are still positioned narrowly as natural alternatives to antibiotics, the potential of phytotechnology extends far beyond this limited scope. Trouw Nutrition offers PhytoComplexes not merely as replacements, but as tools to unlock a broader spectrum of physiological benefits in animals. Their discovery and exploration efforts are increasingly focused on how PhytoComplexes can support key biological systems that influence animal health and performance.
For instance, phytotechnology offers promising avenues to enhance metabolic efficiency, support liver function, and promote lean muscle development. It can play a role in modulating inflammation, improving calcium metabolism for better bone health, and fine-tuning immune responses. In addition, regulating feed intake, supporting respiratory function, and skin integrity and barrier function are areas under study.
By targeting these physiological domains, PhytoComplexes provide a holistic and multifaceted approach to animal nutrition. Rather than addressing symptoms or isolated challenges, they work to strengthen the animal’s overall resilience. This shift in perspective — from treating problems to proactively supporting the animal — marks a significant evolution in how we apply plant-based solutions in modern livestock production. It’s about adding targeted, functional support that helps animals thrive in increasingly complex production environments.
EMBRACING COMPLEXITY TO EMPOWER RESILIENCE
As livestock production continues to evolve within an increasingly complex landscape, phytotechnology offers a science-based, forward-looking approach to support animal health and performance. By embracing the complexity of plant-derived compounds and focusing on host-mediated responses, we move beyond simplistic solutions and toward a more resilient, preventive model of nutrition. Trouw Nutrition’s commitment to developing PhytoComplexes reflects this paradigm shift — one that empowers animals not by targeting pathogens, but by strengthening their own physiological capacity to thrive.
References
1. Bravo, D., Wall. E. AFMA Symposium, 2024. Integrated intelligence: How modern farm animals manifest the power of plant genius. Available on request.
2. Nutreco. Harnessing nature’s complexity to solve complex challenges in animal production. https://www.nutreco.com/en/news/harnessing-natures-complexity-to-solve-complex-challenges-in-animal-production/
3. Feed & Additive. Nutreco celebrates launch of its Garden of the Future. https://www.feedandadditive.com/nutreco-celebrates-launch-of-its-garden-of-the-future/
4. Wall, E., Bravo, D. Progressive Cattle, 2024. Boost cattle performance with plant genius. Wall_Bravo_ProgCattle2024.pdf
5. Furness, J. B. et al. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. advance online publication, 24 September 2013; doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.180
About Ellen Hambrecht
With a PhD from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, Ellen Hambrecht brings over 20 years of experience in the agricultural industry. Her career at Trouw Nutrition spans diverse roles in R&D, QA, Sustainability, and Global Marketing. In her current role as Global Product Manager, Ellen is responsible for Trouw Nutrition’s PhytoComplex portfolio—innovative phytotechnology-based solutions designed to harness the power of plants for a sustainable animal production.
