Biotronic® GutPower in swine - innovation on the horizon
The main ingredients of Biotronic® GutPower are butyric,
caprylic and capric acids in the protected glycerides
form. The benefi cial form of protection guarantees gastric
by-pass and slow release of acids in the intestine
where all acids become active. Butyric acid is a fuel for
the enterocytes. It modifi es gut structure by enlarging
villi length and crypt depth which essentially improves
nutrient absorption. Butyric acid increases enzymatic
activity, enhances the reparation of gut wall lesions
caused by intestinal diseases and nutritional imbalances
and enhances barrier function of gut epithelium.
Butyric, caprylic and capric acids act as antibacterials
in the gut, especially caprylic and capric acids, are very
strong antimicrobials at the higher pH value of the intestine.
Moreover, triglycerides of caprylic and capric
acids are easily absorbed from the gut, supplying the
animal with an immediate boost of energy.
Butyric acid is a feed additive that is able to infl uence gut health
resulting in better performance. Due to the unpleasant persistent
odor of butyric acid, protection of the product is needed. Another
reason for protection is to obtain complete intestinal arrival of butyric
acid and subsequent release of the active substance in the small
intestine. Encapsulation of acids is a known form of protection, however
butyric acid content in well encapsulated products can be only
relatively low.
PERFECT PROTECTION
The most benefi cial protection is in the form of glycerides which is a
chemical compound of acids and glycerol. The advantage of this protection
is a high amount of active ingredients - about 78% (Figure 1). The glycerol-acid compound is not infl uenced by the pH level
or digestive enzymes of the stomach; therefore these compounds
reach the small intestine where the gradual release of
the acids through the action of lipases takes place.
Figure 1. Protection of acids in form of glycerides
MODE OF ACTION
Biotronic® GutPower increases absorptive surface
of intestine
Butyric acid is an efficient nutrient for the intestinal mucosa,
increasing the density and length of villi and enlarging the
absorptive surface of the intestine. Figure 2 shows the part of
intestinal wall, villus and enterocytes.
Figure 2. Intestinal wall
Prof. Claus from University Hohenheim is one of the scientists
who investigated the infl uence of butyric acid on changes of
epithelial cells. A trial was carried out on 75 day old pigs over
a 5 days period. The study found that butyric acid increases the
villus height, villus area and number of villi per plica signifi -
cantly in comparison to the negative control group (Table 1).
Table 1. Influence of butyrates on morphological characteristics of
jejunum
| Jejunum |
Control |
Butyrate |
% Improvement |
| Villus height, nm |
1.5a |
2.2b |
47% |
| Villus area, mm2 |
2.7a |
4.2b |
56% |
| Villus number |
22.9a |
31.0b |
35% |
Figures with different superscripts are statistically different (P<0.01)
Butyric acid also infl uences the balance of cell formation (mitosis) and cell death (apoptosis), and as a result more
epithelial cells are active in producing digestive enzymes and
absorbing nutrients. When talking about cell regeneration, it has
to be mentioned that the mucosal layer is completely regenerated
within a few days. About 30% of nutritive energy is spent
on the gut. By improving intestinal metabolism part of this
energy can be saved for performance.
Biotronic® GutPower increases enzymatic activity
The trial of Prof. Claus described above, shows improved
enzymatic activity of sucrase in the intestine of pigs consuming
butyrate (Table 2).
Table 2. Influence of butyric acid on sucrase activity.
| Sucrase activity, U/ml |
Control |
Butyric acid |
| Proximal jejunum |
4.9 |
18.8 |
| Distal jejunum |
108 |
212 |
| Ileum |
61.7a |
119.1b |
Figures with different superscripts are statistically different (P<0.01)
Biotronic® GutPower enhances the barrier function of the gut
Enhancing gut barrier function is also one part of the mode of action
of butyric acid. Butyrate upregulates the expression of tight
junction proteins making the penetration of Salmonella and other
bacteria through the epithelial layer diffi cult and avoiding the
invasion of bacteria in the blood (Figure 3). The complementary
action of the acids in Biotronic® GutPower is on the one hand
keeping the pathogens in the intestinal lumen and on the other
hand reducing the amount of pathogens in the gut.
Figure 3. Tight junctions in the intestine
Biotronic® GutPower acts as an antimicrobial via different strategies
Butyric, caprylic and capric acids are also known as antibacterial
agents against pathogenic microorganisms, including Salmonella,
Clostridia, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter. In particular,
caprylic and capric acids are strong antimicrobials at higher
intestinal pH value. Antibacterial activity of medium chain fatty
acids (capric, caprylic) is higher than short chain fatty acids
(formic, acetic, propionic, butyric) against gram positive and
gram negative bacteria (Nakai et al., 2002). Medium chain fatty
acids have a synergistic ability to suppress the expression of the
genes required for invasion and to reduce the number of bacteria
in vivo (Immerseel et al., 2004). Caprylic, capric and butyric
acids down regulate the pathogenicity gene of Salmonella by
decreasing the expression of hil A gen, a key regulator related to
the invasion capacity of Salmonella in intestinal epithelial cells
(Gantois et al., 2006; Immerseel et al., 2004 ).
Medium Chain Triglycerides - immediate boost of energy
Caprylic and capric acids are the main constituents of medium
chain triglycerides (MCT). MCT can diffuse through the enterocyte
wall without the assistance of carriers, which supplies
the animal with fast available energy (Figure 4).
Figure 4. MCT and LCT penetrating epithelium.
FIELD TRIAL
The effect of butyric acid glycerides was tested on a commercial
farm in Italy, which had problems with ileitis, caused by
Lawsonia intracellularis. Figure 5 show the difference between a
healthy gut and a subclinical or chronic form of ileitis.
Sectional view of a healthy gut Healthy intestinal mucosa and efficient nutrient uptake
Subclinical Ileitis Decreased nutrient absorption due to swelling of intestinal mucosa
Ileitis Loss of functionality of gut mucosa due to massive swelling
Figure 5. Influence of Lawsonia on intestinal mucosa.
The alteration of intestinal mucosa due to Lawsonia intracellularis
can lead to impaired feed conversion and weight gain, as
well as poor group uniformity.
The trial was carried out on 70-day-old fattening pigs for 64
days on a commercial farm in Italy with 850 Danbreed sows.
1025 pigs were divided into two groups. Both groups received
Lincomycin & Doxycycline for the fi rst 14 days. One group
received 0.2% Lincomycin and commercial acidifi er at 0.3%
inclusion rate, whereas the other group received the dietary
supplementation with glycerides of butyric acids at inclusion
rate of 0.3%.
Results of the trial are shown in the Table 3. Final weight and
daily weight gain were increased by 2 and 4%, in comparison
with positive control group. Feed conversion rate (FCR) was
improved by 5% and mortality and culls was also decreased
compared to the positive control group.
Table 3. Effect of butyric acid glycerides on growth performance in pigs
| |
Positive control group |
Butyric acid glycerides |
| Number of animals |
510 |
515 |
| Age at trial beginning, d |
70 |
70 |
| Weight at trial beginning, kg |
25 |
25 |
| Final average weight d 134, kg |
63.15 |
64.35 |
| Daily weight gain, kg |
0.591 |
0.614 |
| FCR during trial |
2.78 |
2.64 |
| Mortality |
4 |
2 |
| Culls |
3 |
2 |
During the trial, blood and feces were analyzed to detect the
presence of Lawsonia intracellularis. The Lawsonia antibodies
were detected in blood of both groups. In feces the control
and treated groups were negative to Lawsonia except for one
positive 60 days after the beginning of the trial. The hematic
analysis proved that it was impossible to eradicate Lawsonia
from both the antibiotic and the glycerides group but it was
possible to maintain animal performance.
The increased resistance to the infection by the piglets receiving
glycerides of butyric acid can be attributed to:
- better gut and mucosa development
- increased capacity of repairing lesions caused by pathogens
- microflora control
SCIENTIFIC TRIAL
The efficacy of Biotronic® GutPower was tested on piglets.
A trial was carried out with weaned pigs in Center of Applied
Animal Nutrition in Austria. 60 weaned piglets [(Landrace x
Large White) x Pietrain] were divided into two groups with 3
replications (30 animals per group) that were homogeneous
for weight and sex. One group received the diet containing no
growth promoting feed additive, whereas the other two received
the dietary supplementation with Biotronic® GutPower at inclusion
rate of 1.5 kg/ton feed for starter period and 0.7 kg/t feed
for grower period.
The dietary supplementation with glycerides of butyric, caprylic
and capric acids improved animal growth performance as
can be seen in Table 4. The final body weight and ADWG were increased by 2.1 and 3.3%,
respectively, whereas FCR
decreased by 2.2% in the
trial group compared to
these in the control group.
The feed intake (FI) of
Biotronic® GutPower group
increased slightly.
Although the differences
between the groups were
not signifi cant the results
are substantial due to the
very high performance
level of the animals in both groups. The economic calculation
shows the pay back of the product 4.6:1.
Table 4. Effect of butyric, caprylic and capric acids on growth performance in piglets
| |
Control |
Biotronic® GutPower |
| Initial weight, kg |
8.53 |
8.52 |
| Final weight age d 70, kg |
28.91 |
29.52 |
| ADWG, g |
484 |
500 |
| FI (g/animal/day) |
903 |
909 |
| FCR |
1.86 |
1.82 |
| Mortality |
1 |
0 |
| ROI |
|
4.6:1 |
CONCLUSION
Optimizing gut health is key to improving animal
performance. Biotronic® GutPower assures
gastric by-pass and release of acids in the
intestine. This leads to an enlarged intestinal
surface and improved nutrient absorption. Butyric,
caprylic and capric acids protect the animal
from pathogens through active action against
microorganisms and upgrading of physical
barrier function of the intestinal wall. Innovative
product, Biotronic® GutPower, is a tool optimizing
animal performance.
Benefits of the product
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