Supporting intestinal health in a natural way
The antimicrobial activity of different fatty acids is well known in practice. Extensive improvement of gut health and reduced use of antibiotics can be reached with targeted combinations of fatty acids and other substances.
BY DR RALPH SCHEMMER; BEWITAL AGRI D
ue to the legally required reduction of antibiotics in livestock farming, different fatty acids are playing an increasingly important role in animal nutrition. The search for alternatives to antibiotics
in swine production has increased the interest in medium- chain fatty acids (MCFA) due to their strong antibacterial activity and energy-supplying ingredients. Villi growth is positively influenced, which increases the digestibility of the feed and can also improve postweaning gut development. In addition, the use has proven itself due to the stabilisation of health and performance, especially in demanding feeding phases in pig husbandry. The broad spectrum of activity of MCFA has been shown to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria in the animals’ digestive tract. The infection pressure on the animals, triggered by pathogenic germs specific to pigs (Streptococcus suis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens), is a main reason for the use of antibiotic medicines. The aim is to suppress the undesirable bacteria by adding MCFA to the feed and thereby promote
Opening the door to Gram-positive bacteria
Bewi-Fatrix SynerG+, produced by Bewital Agri, is a matrix-encapsulated combination product based on lauric acid and plant extracts. The lauric acid used acts as an activated component that selectively inhibits Gram-positive bacteria. Lauric acid as a free fatty acid can only infiltrate into the bacterium cell to a limited extent. Therefore, the SynerG+ factor, a combination of the active ingredients, helps to open the Gram-positive bacteria (serving as a door opener). The lauric acid can penetrate the cell and bring about over-acidification of the cell, so that it dies off (Figure 1).
24 ▶ ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION | DECEMBER 2021
the development of desirable bacteria in the intestine. However, bacteria such as streptococci are not pathogenic for pigs per se. They are part of the pigs’ natural micro flora and are therefore also found to a greater extent in healthy pigs.
Optimal and maximum growth in pigs A mature and stable immune system of the animal forms the basis for optimal growth and for exploiting the maximum growth potential. For this, the pig needs a sufficient defence against pathogenic germs, since bacteria are the cause of many problems in pig farms. In this context, MCFA can naturally have a positive effect on colonisation of the intestine as they can be utilised by the gut cells to improve gut development and integrity. Many in vitro studies show pronounced antibacterial effects against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive germs when using different fatty acids. The antibacterial effect of MCFA on pig-specific bacteria is different. Lauric acid (C12) is considered a particularly active antibacterial agent. Primarily it is active against Gram-positive pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. The areas of application and the effects of the respective acids are very different, so that a specific selection and combination of acids can produce synergistic effects. The effect can also be enhanced with phytogenic additives such as essential oils and their extracts.
Current results from the field The antimicrobial potential of different combinations of fatty acids has already been tested in practice many times. The products are widely used on pig farms with an increased incidence of streptococcus and/or clostridia infections. In a field trial the influence of a specific matrix-encapsulated combination product was examined. On a Dutch farm with 500 sows, the farm manager reported acute failures both before and after weaning. Both in the sows and in the piglet herd the veterinarian confirmed the increased streptococcus problem. The effect of Bewi-Fatrix SynerG+ on piglet losses and the biological performance of the sows was tested on the farm. In the trial phase, the sows were given 12 g Bewi-Fatrix SynerG+ per sow a day as a top dressing starting 7 days before until 4 days after farrowing. In addition, the combination product was dosed at 4 kg/mt in the piglet rearing feed. The following parameters were evaluated: Losses in the suckling phase, losses in the flat deck, total
PHOTO: COUNTRYPIXEL – FOTOLIA
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