Animals are able to produce Butyric and Lactic acid, Mother Nature obviously had good reasons for this.She knew that these acids would be the animal’s best help for a healthy growth and lower risks for infections like E-coIi, Salmonella and Clostridium.

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T H E VA LU E O F O R G A N I C AC I D S I N P I G L E T D I E T S

INTRODUCTION

Successful feed formulations must both promote the growth of the ani-mal and discourage the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gastroin-testinal tract. Feeding for health as well as growth is certainly a major cri-terion in the design and formulation of piglet feeds.Organic acids are used in feeds for their various beneficial effects in the gut: feed preservation to control mi-crobial growth, reduction of the feed buffer capacity, inhibition of patho-genic bacteria and improvement of nutrient digestibility. These effects will result in improved growth perfor-mance and improved profitability of piglet production.Due to their different chemical struc-tures, different acids have differ-ent properties. The response to diet acidification may be affected by type of acid, inclusion level, diet composi-tion and dietary buffering capacity. The traditional ‘one-acid-fits all’ strat-egy has been replaced by the design of acidifier blends since such a blend will combine the positive proper-ties of different acid types. Combin-

ing the acids may increase the range of desirable antimicrobial effects. The key basic principle on the mode of ac-tion of organic acids on bacteria is that non-dissociated (non-ionized) organic acids can penetrate the bacteria cell wall and disrupt the normal physiol-ogy of certain types of bacteria. We call these bacteria “pH sensitive” meaning that they cannot tolerate a wide inter-nal and external pH gradient. Among those bacteria we have E.Coli, Salmo-nella spp, C.perfringens. Monobu-tyrin is pH independent, because of its covalent binding between butyric acid and the glycerin. It has been well demonstrated that the state of organic acids (non-dissociated or dissociated) is extremely important to define their capacity to inhibit the growth of bac-teria. As a general rule, we need more than ten to twenty times the level of dissociated acids to reach the same in-hibition of bacteria, compared to non-dissociated acids. Amongst the wide range of organic acids used in animal nutrition, both butyric and lactic acid take a unique position.

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BUTYRATE, A VERSATILE ORGANIC ACID

In pigs and especially young/weaner pigs, the use of acids is widespread throughout Europe since the efficacy of organic acids in pig nutrition has been proven time after time. Although less used compared to pigs, the poten-tial of specific organic acids in poul-try diets has been shown in recent years when respecting the specific physiology of poultry. Especially the added value of butyrate, in a coated/protected (micro-encapsulated) form, has become remarkable both in prac-tice and in scientific studies. Acids from feed or drinking water are not effective further down in the in-testinal tract, unless these acids have been administered in a protected form, as the colonization of pathogens (like Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens) is mainly located in the hindgut and caeca. The efficacy of our butyrate product is based on the protection by esterifica-tion with glycerol (butyrate glycerides), which allows the butyrate molecule to bypass the stomach and to reach the distal sections of the GI tract.

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LACTIC ACID,A NATURAL CHOICE

Of the various acids available lactic acid is certainly one of the most valu-able. Lactic acid has attractive proper-ties for use in the feed industry. It is a product widely prevalent in nature. It is naturally present in the human body and commonly used in many food in-dustry applications. The product is GRAS (Generally Recommended As Safe), non-corrosive, safe in handling and processing. Lactic acid has a mild taste and seems to have a favourable influence on feed intake, average daily growth and feed-to-gain ratio.This acid is also a strong stimulant of pancreatic secretion. Lactic acid inhib-its the growth of many species of bac-teria and to a lesser extent yeasts and moulds, and as well as remaining ac-tive in small intestine, also provides a useful energy source.

Monobutyrin, the monoglyceride of butyric acid, is a polar molecule. Due to the fact that most of the pathogens (like E-Coli, Salmonella, Clostridium Perfringens) have a hydrophilic mem-brane, Monobutyrin can enter these pathogens and destroy the cell. Mono-glycerides from organic acids are up to

30 times more effective against bacteria that its original organic acid.Monobutyrin is soluble in water, which makes it also active in the stomach.Di- and triglycerides of butyric acid are non-polar and have a negative influence on the palatability, but they have the following specific and unique functions:

MONOBUTYRIN, A NEW MOLECULE 1) It fuels the gut mucosa cells by providing extra energy in the gut and consequently plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of the epithelial cells

2) It stimulates the development of a favourable intestinal flora (e.g. Lac-tobacilli)

3) It reduces the colonization and invasiveness of Salmonella in the gut (caeca)

4) It reduces the risks for incidence such as necrotic enteritis (Clostridium perfringens) and Colibacillosis.

5) It enhances the barrier func-tion of the intestinal epithelium since butyrate up-regulates the expression of tight junction proteins (=’glue’ join-ing the epithelial cells together)

Nutrition of coloncyte (butyrate)Energy salvage

Immunomodulation

Increase sodium absorption Increase mucosal blood flow

Regulate cell proliferationEffect on cell differentation

Decrease blood cholesterol(propionate)

Butyrate and other SCFAs

Fig. 1Flowchart summarizing the different mode of actions of butyrate in the gut

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Natural plant or herbal extracts are yet another potential viable alternative to traditional antimicrobials. Phytogenic substances are made of essential oils, essential oil components, plant ex-tracts, herbs and spices. Phytogenic substances have been shown to affect performance, gut physiology and gut microbiota of farm animals. Some of the insoluble plant parts stimulate en-zyme secretion and bile acid produc-tion. Essential oils are standardised products such as thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, capsaicin, eugenol and others. They are also very volatile and will evaporate rapidly, leading to large variation in concentration in the finished products. Encapsulation of essential oils could solve the problem. These substances have antimicrobial, antioxidant, coccidiostatic and even antiviral properties. The shift towards a beneficial gut microflora after ad-ministration of phytogenics is due to its physiological actions on the diges-tive tract: enzyme secretion, mucosa protection (antioxidant effect) and mi-croflora equilibrium.

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SYNERGY OF PHYTO-

GENIC SUBSTANCES

AND ORGANIC ACIDS

The concept of combining essential oils and organic acids is proving to be efficacious because there appears to be a synergy between the two con-cepts. The synergy is thought to come from the ability of the plant extracts to

weaken bacterial cell walls, increasing its permeability to the organic acids. Some authors suggest that the essen-tial oils are damaging the bacteria cell membrane facilitating the penetra-tion of organic acids into the bacteria cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION

The combination of Monobutyrin, Lactic acid and Phytogenic complex has a great synergy. There is a general consensus on the efficacy of certain organic acids (e.g. lactic acid, butyrate) as the best alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Phytogenic sub-stances act in synergy with organic acids both for their growth promoting effect and prevention of specific intes-tinal diseases.The effect of the phytogenic complex to enhance the body own enzyme production will improve the digestibil-ity and enhance the feed intake and growth and reduce the feed conver-sion. By stimulating the immune sys-tem of the animal, the mortality and morbidity of the herd will go down. By killing the pathogenic bacteria in the stomach, these pathogens will not en-ter the intestine. When there will be an attack by pathogens from the caeca to the distal part of the intestine, the monobutyrin is still able to kill these bacteria. These combinations will re-sult in healthier animals with better technical and financial results of the piglets.

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PHYTOGENIC

SUBSTANCESDigestibility enhancementlleal digestibility of essential amino acids in piglets

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Digestibility enhancementlleal digestibility of main nutrients in piglets

DOSAGE:

PIGLETS:

Prestart:Drinking water: 0,15% - 0,2%Feed 0,35%

Weaner:Drinking water: 0,1%Feed 0.2%

the

versatile

acidifier

available

in

liquid or in

powder

THE PRODUCT IS:

- GRAS (Generally Recommended As Safe)- non-corrosive- safe in transport- safe in handling- safe in processing

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