GUT HEALTH ▶▶▶
Alpha-mono- glycerides have an antibacterial effect and are often used in feed.
in 2016, about 60-80% of all antibiotics were used for intesti- nal disorders. “If ionophore coccidiostats were classed as an- tibiotics, the number would be higher,” Susanne addressed. So, it would make sense to target the intestinal tract when we talk about which actions to take to reduce antibiotics. Ms Kirwan said: “Only reducing antibiotic use for intestinal disorders by half would decrease total usage of antibiotics by 40% independent of which antibiotics are used. This can be achieved by aiming for a functional intestine, which en- tails good integrity, immunity and stability.” A good integrity for example means you have optimal absorption of nutrients (good villi and crypt structure), you prevent potential patho- gens from becoming systemic (Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli) and there is enough energy fast repair of damage (e.g Coccidiosis lesions). In her presentation she also mentioned that there are some benefits of antibiotics: they reduce mortality, when used as a treatment, they improve animal welfare and when used as a AGP they can improve feed conversion (hence leading to a lower carbon footprint and improved sustainability. “The sector perceives antibiotics as an insurance policy against diseases.” When we compare this with having a healthy intestine in animals, we also see less mortality, bet- ter feed conversion and improved animal welfare. The only important difference, is that a healthy intestine is proven (not perceived) as an insurance policy against diseases.”
40 ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 25, No. 10, 2017
Power of alpha-monoglycerides André Meeusen, independent animal nutrition consultant in- vited by FRAmelco also addressed the need for a healthy in- testinal balance. “Animal production systems have changes after the year 2000. The EU banned the use of animal meal and in 2006 a ban on AGPs was enforced. It was a time where we had to move from dysbiosis (bacterial disbalance / disor- der) to eubiosis (a healthy intestinal environment in the ani- mals).” Mr Meeusen explained that short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) are frequently used in the feed industry. “SCFA have a bactericidal effect in their undissociated form. They work only in acidic environ- ments such as the stomach and gizzard and are only effec- tive against Gram negative bacteria. MCFA are saturated and more lipophilic and are active also at intestinal level and are effective against both Gram negative as Gram positive bac- teria,” Mr Meeusen said. But the alpha-monoglycerides of these fatty acids are much more powerful in their antibacte- rial effect. Alpha-monoglycerides are a class of glycerides that are composed of a fatty acid linked to the sn1-position of a glycerol molecule via an ester bond. This bond makes al- pha-monoglycerides remain undissociated independently from the pH. Mr Meeusen explained in the webinar how these alpha-monoglycerides work and how these can be a nutritional tool to help in reducing antibiotic use by creating a healthy intestinal environment in the animal.
PHOTO: RUBEN KEESTRA
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