Phytogenics

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Phytogenics are a group of natural growth promoters or non-antibiotic growth promoters used as feed additives, derived from herbs, spices or other plants. The term phytogenic feed additives was coined by an Austrian multinational feed additives company named Delacon, and was first introduced to the market in the 1980s.

Contents

Essential oils represent a concentrated form of phytogenics, containing mainly the active ingredients of the plants. [1] The spectrum of phytogenic feed additives is vast and does not only consist of essential oils, but also includes other active ingredient groups, such as pungent substances, bitter substances, saponins, flavonoids, mucilages and tannins. [2] [3] Phytogenic feed additives, known as PFAs or botanicals, are substances of plant origin added to animal diets at recommended levels with the aim of improving animal nutrition and growth. [4] [5] [6] The potential of phytogenic feed additives to promote growth in young piglets and poultry is under preliminary research. [7]

Modes of action

Effect on growth rates

Compounds such as caraway oil, lemon oil, and dried herbs and spices, may improve the growth rate of certain animals. [8] Phytogenic feed additives can substitute for antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets. [9]

Effect on ammonia emissions

Certain compounds, such as saponins, have shown potential to reduce ammonia emissions of animals by inhibiting urease activity that converts urea in ammonia and carbon dioxide. [10]

Quorum sensing inhibitory effects

Phytogenics have been shown to interfere with bacterial quorum sensing and thus have the potential to reduce virulence of certain bacterial pathogens. [11] [12] Quorum sensing inhibition is used as a possible method to treat bacterial disorders in farm animals. [13]

Registration

According to Art. 6, Reg. EC 1831/2003, a zootechnical feed additive is defined as “any additive used to affect favourably the performance of animals in good health or used to affect favourably the environment”. [14] In the European Union, all phytogenic products must pass the authorization process as feed additive, if efficacy claims are used. The requirements concerning safety issues are mandatory for all additives, whereas the scope of application differs, and is reflected by the feed additive categories.

Unlike most botanical feed additives, which are considered as sensory additives (flavors), Delacon was the first and currently only company obtaining zootechnical registrations for its main phytogenic products in the pig and poultry feed sector in 2012 and 2017, covering both digestibility and performance parameters. [15]

In order to obtain the registration as a zootechnical feed additive, a dossier of complete, comprehensive and validated data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the feed additive must be submitted to the European Commission. [16] The Commission mandates the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to carry out a detailed evaluation of the dossier. The EURL then analyses and evaluates relevant parameters of the samples, methods and traceability of the additive in the feed chain (additive-premixture-feed). The full evaluation report has to be submitted to the EFSA. After the order of the European Commission, EFSA issues a scientific opinion to the European Commission, the Member States and the applicant on the safety and efficacy of the additive. This opinion demonstrates whether the feed additive has the potential to meet these requirements and whether it is safe for the target animals, workers, consumers and the environment. Following this intensive evaluation, EFSA formulates a scientific opinion which serves as the basis for the final decision and approval by the European Commission in concordance with the Member States. [17]  

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pantothenic acid</span> Chemical compound

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is a B vitamin and an essential nutrient. All animals need pantothenic acid in order to synthesize coenzyme A (CoA), which is essential for cellular energy production and for the synthesis and degradation of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taurine</span> Aminosulfonic acid not incorporated into proteins

Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is a non-proteinogenic naturally occurred amino sulfonic acid that is widely distributed in animal tissues. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine, and accounts for up to 0.1% of total human body weight.

Saponins, also selectively referred to as triterpene glycosides, are bitter-tasting usually toxic plant-derived organic chemicals that have a foamy quality when agitated in water. They are widely distributed but found particularly in soapwort, a flowering plant, the soapbark tree, common corn-cockle, baby’s breath and soybeans. They are used in soaps, medicines, fire extinguishers, as dietary supplements, for synthesis of steroids, and in carbonated beverages. Saponins are both water and fat soluble, which gives them their useful soap properties. Some examples of these chemicals are glycyrrhizin and quillaia, a bark extract used in beverages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Probiotic</span> Microorganisms said to provide health benefits when consumed

Probiotics are live microorganisms promoted with claims that they provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the gut microbiota. Probiotics are considered generally safe to consume, but may cause bacteria-host interactions and unwanted side effects in rare cases. There is some evidence that probiotics are beneficial for some conditions, such as helping to ease some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, many claimed health benefits, such as treating eczema, lack substantial scientific support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astaxanthin</span> Chemical compound

Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as carotenones or terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glucomannan</span> Chemical compound

Glucomannan is a water-soluble polysaccharide that is considered a dietary fiber. It is a hemicellulose component in the cell walls of some plant species. Glucomannan is a food additive used as an emulsifier and thickener. It is a major source of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) found in nature, the other being galactomannan, which is insoluble.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menadione</span> Chemical compound

Menadione is a natural organic compound with the formula C6H4(CO)2C2H(CH3). It is an analog of 1,4-naphthoquinone with a methyl group in the 2-position. It is sometimes called vitamin K3. Use is allowed as a nutritional supplement in animal feed because of its vitamin K activity.

Natural growth promoters (NGPs) are feed additives for farm animals.

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A feed additive is an additive of extra nutrient or drug for livestock. Such additives include vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, pharmaceutical, fungal products and steroidal compounds. The additives might impact feed presentation, hygiene, digestibility, or effect on intestinal health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids</span> Emulsifier

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal Drug Availability Act 1996</span> US law

The Animal Drug Availability Act 1996 (ADAA) is a United States federal law. President Clinton signed the ADAA into law in October 1996. While still obligated to public health concerns, the Act intends more rapid drug approval and medicated feed approval to assist the animal health industry.

Selenium yeast is a feed additive for livestock, used to increase the selenium content in their fodder. It is a form of selenium currently approved for human consumption in the EU and Britain. Inorganic forms of selenium are used in feeds. Since these products can be patented, producers can demand premium prices. It is produced by fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a selenium-rich media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delacon</span>

Delacon Biotech Nik Ges.m.b.H. is a multinational feed additive company headquartered in Engerwitzdorf, near Linz, Austria. The company develops and manufactures phytogenic feed additives for poultry, swine, ruminants and aqua since the 1980s. Delacon conducts in-house research and collaborates with independent institutes and universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avoparcin</span> Chemical compound

Avoparcin is a glycopeptide antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria. It has been used in agriculture as an additive to livestock feed to promote growth in chickens, pigs, and cattle. It is also used as an aid in the prevention of necrotic enteritis in poultry.

<i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> Species of beetle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antibiotic use in livestock</span> Use of antibiotics for any purpose in the husbandry of livestock

Antibiotic use in livestock is the use of antibiotics for any purpose in the husbandry of livestock, which includes treatment when ill (therapeutic), treatment of a group of animals when at least one is diagnosed with clinical infection (metaphylaxis), and preventative treatment (prophylaxis). Antibiotics are an important tool to treat animal as well as human disease, safeguard animal health and welfare, and support food safety. However, used irresponsibly, this may lead to antibiotic resistance which may impact human, animal and environmental health.

Biosprint is a microbiological feed additive produced and worldwide distributed by the Italian biotech company prosol S.p.A. This zoo-technical additive contains cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae selected under the unique code MUCL™ 39885 and deposited in the Belgian collections of micro-organisms/Mycothèque de l’Université Catholique de Louvain Biosprint has gained the EU authorization as feed additive for beef cattle, piglets, sows, dairy cows and horses. According to several tests, the influence of Biosprint on the diet consists of the improvement of the digestive efficiency and of the better assimilation of nutrients.

Biomin is an animal health and nutrition company headquartered in Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf, Austria. Biomin develops and produces feed additives and premixes for livestock animals including swine, poultry, dairy and beef cattle as well as aquaculture.

Paracoccus carotinifaciens is an aerobic gram-negative bacterium which belongs to the Proteobacteria class. This micro-organism is naturally found in aquatic soils. It generates a wide sprectrum of carotenoids from the xanthophyll group.

References

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  4. "What is a Phytogenic Feed Additive" . Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  5. "PigProgress - Using phytogenics to boost gut health in weaned piglets". 17 October 2016. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
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  8. "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 131/2012", 16.2.2012, Official Journal of the European Union [EN], L 43/15-16
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  10. Zentner, E. "Effects of Phytogenic Feed Additives containing Quillaja Saponaria on Ammonia in Fattening Pigs", 3.7.2011, XVth International Congress on Animal Hygiene 2011
  11. Khan, M. S. A.; Zahin, M.; Hasan, S.; Husain, F. M.; Ahmad, I. (2009). "Inhibition of quorum sensing regulated bacterial functions by plant essential oils with special reference to clove oil". Letters in Applied Microbiology. 49 (3): 354–360. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02666.x. PMID   19627477. S2CID   5998497.
  12. Mith, Hasika; Clinquart, Antoine; Zhiri, Abdesselam; Daube, Georges; Delcenserie, Véronique (1 January 2015). "The impact of oregano (Origanum heracleoticum) essential oil and carvacrol on virulence gene transcription by Escherichia coli O157:H7". FEMS Microbiology Letters. 362 (1): 1–7. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnu021 . PMID   25790499.
  13. Aumiller T, Zhou E, Müller AS (2017). "Chances for phytogenic feed additives in antibiotic-free animal production" (PDF). International Animal Health Journal. 4 (1).
  14. "Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition". European Commission. 22 September 2003. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
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  16. "Zootechnical registration - officially proving the claims" . Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  17. von Holst, Christoph; Robouch, Piotr; Bellorini, Stefano; de la Huebra, María José González; Ezerskis, Zigmas (2015). "The work of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Additives (EURL) and its support for the authorisation process of feed additives in the European Union: a review". Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 33 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1080/19440049.2015.1116127. PMC   4732514 . PMID   26540604.