The research, which was funded by Novus and in partnership with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and University of Bologna, explains how dietary supplementation with a blend of protected aromatic compound impacts piglet growth performance and gut health.

The study entitled "Effect of dietary supplementation with a blend of protected aromatic compounds, including benzoic acid, on growth performance and faecal microbial profile of weaned piglets as an alternative to Zinc Oxide" is included in the journal's April issue (Volume 246) and helps to shed light on how feeding piglets with Novus's PROVENIA™ feed supplement can positively impact piglet gut health and performance, while improving feed conversion rate.

The research concludes that the supplementation with PROVENIA™ positively influenced the microbial profile of weaned piglets by increasing the alpha diversity, and by favoring the proliferation of known beneficial bacteria related to the metabolism of polysaccharides and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). These findings on the faecal microbial profile help to explain the higher average daily gain (ADG) and lower feed conversion rate (FCR) observed in piglets supplemented with PROVENIA™.

PROVENIA™ is a combination of embedded aromatic compounds, including benzoic acid as main component, in a fat matrix allowing the active compounds to reach the distal gastrointestinal tract compartments, thus favorably impacting gut health by improving the growth of naturally producing butyric acid bacteria in piglets.

Starting in 2022, using pharmacological levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) in animal diets is banned by the European Commission.

Dr. Marisol Castillo, senior technical services manager (swine, north Europe), who conducted the studies, said "the study demonstrates the efficacy of PROVENIA™ in the post-weaning period as an alternative strategy to zinc oxide. It also shows remarkable beneficial effects on gut microbiota of the piglets."

The article will be free available to view on ScienceDirect.com until April, 17, 2021.