Trouw Nutrition
 

Research conducted by Trouw Nutrition, a Nutreco company, shows that a novel feed product based on proprietary fungal fermented rye can help swine producers support their herds as it reduces the exposure to harmful pathogens, playing a supportive role in strategies to reduce the use of antibiotics. Findings from studies presented at the European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM, May 2019) inspired the launch of Fysal^® Solute.

Fysal Solute's ingredients physically bind to specific Enterobactericeae, such as Salmonella and E.coli, reducing the multiplication in the gastrointestinal wall and its faecal excretion. Additionally, Fysal Solute's natural ingredients support the animal's natural defense system. Fysal^® Solute complements Trouw Nutrition's gut health strategy to steer intestinal health with a focus on preventing bacterial intake, microbiota management, improving gut integrity and supporting the natural defense system.

One of the main ingredients of Fysal^® Solute can be found in nature: Agaricus subrufescens, a fungi specie, also called the "sun mushroom". The "sun mushroom" has been widely cited for its health promoting properties in humans and animals, including anti-carcinogen, immune modulatory, anti-oxidant and prebiotic effects. The fermentation process of rye inoculated with "sun mushroom" results in the production of beta-glucans, bioactive peptides, prebiotic poly- and oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds. On top of that, this ingredient physically binds Enterobacteriaceae, which results in less of these bacteria attached to the intestinal wall, reducing colonization, multiplication and faecal excretion of specific Enterobacteriaceae like Salmonella and E.coli.

Extensive research on Fysal^® Solute shows that this new feed product has a prebiotic effect and contributes to the growth of commensal bacteria. A study conducted on microbial sequencing after a Salmonella challenge shows how the combination of Fysal^® Solute and organic acids modifies in a positive way the animal's microbiota, with a higher presence of Lactobacillus and a lower presence of Clostridia, Helicobacter and Cyanobacterium (Figure 1). More research is needed and ongoing to elucidate further the effect of Fysal^® Solute on the intestinal microbial population.

Beyond blocking harmful bacteria and supporting beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, research shows that fungal cell wall components and beta-glucans promote an increase in macrophage activity and natural killer cells, supporting the natural defense response.

Research conducted at Universidad de Murcia in Spain, with weaned piglets under high health status found the natural defense system in animals receiving Fysal^® Solute activated but very well regulated. Results show more immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin A antibodies quantified in the blood of pigs that consumed Fysal^® Solute compared to a control group, which was also know from literature. In vitro and in vivo trials with fungal fermented derived additive ingredients have also shown an effect on cytokine activity during challenge studies (Figure 2).

As mentioned, with its binding properties, Fysal^® Solute lowers Salmonella multiplication in the gastrointestinal wall, leading to a reduction of Salmonella bacteria in the fecal excretion. Results have also shown a significantly lower excretion of antibiotic resistant E.coli in the faeces of piglets (Figure 3). Due to the reduction of faecal excretion of these bacteria, Fysal^® Solute contributes to maintaining a healthy environment in the farm. Thus, Fysal^® Solute may play a supportive role in extensive strategies for reducing the prevalence of Salmonella and reduce E.coli exposure in the farm.

Knowledge on how to maintain optimal swine health on the farm, contributes to lower medicated treatment costs. Preventive tools to combat pathogen risk, such as the right combination of feed additives, may help animal producers to reduce the use of antibiotics and potentially reduce the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in livestock. "By leveraging the performance of natural ingredients and their innate properties to adhere to harmful bacteria, deliver a prebiotic effect and support the natural defense system, Trouw Nutrition is helping support swine producers as they remove antibiotics from their product practices," said Nienke de Groot, Trouw Nutrition Global Swine Gut Health Programme Manager.

 

Figure 1.  Microbial composition comparison between the control diet and a diet containing Fysal Solute in combination with organic acids at day 13 after weaning.

 

 

Figure 2.  Serum Il-8 levels of pigs consuming a diet with Fysal® Solute in combination with organic acids compared to control and its correlation with Salmonella Typhimurium fecal excretion.

Figure 3.  Cefataxime resistant E.coli (ESBL/AmpC producing) counts in faeces per day post-weaning in piglets consuming either a diet with Fysal Solute in combination with organic acids or a control diet. Bars with different superscripts within phases differ (p<0.01).

About Trouw Nutrition: Trouw Nutrition, a Nutreco company, is a global leader in innovative feed specialties, premixes, feed additives and nutritional services for the animal nutrition industry. It provides products, models and services to boost productivity and support animal health through all life stages. With unique, species-specific solutions, Trouw Nutrition has been meeting the needs of farmers and home-mixers, feed producers, integrators and distributors since 1931. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company has locations in 28 countries and employs approximately 8,000 people.