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The Role of Quorum Sensing in Necrotic Enteritis Development

July 11, 2023
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The fast onset of necrotic enteritis and the devastating production losses it inflicts make it one of the most challenging diseases for the poultry industry, particularly for antibiotic-free producers. Clostridium perfringens, the cause of necrotic enteritis, possesses a number of virulence factors that allow it to mount a fast, efficient attack on the host including potent toxins and cell-to-cell communication (quorum sensing). However, natural mineral-based products that can disrupt quorum sensing and reduce the virulence of C. perfringens are available.

The Pathogenesis of Necrotic Enteritis

C. perfringens is an anerobic, spore-forming pathogen found in the normal microbiota of poultry, as well as the poultry house. Necrotic enteritis occurs when predisposing conditions, such as a change in diet, immune status or intestinal pathophysiology, promote an overgrowth of C. perfringens. Coccidiosis can also increase the incidence of necrotic enteritis, as the damage that Eimeria spp. cause to intestinal epithelial cells promotes the invasion of C. perfringens (as well as other pathogens).

C. perfringens’ Rapid Infection Rate

C. perfringens is one of the fastest growing bacterial pathogens. Under optimal conditions it can replicate every 8 to 10 minutes — outgrowing other resident bacteria to achieve intestinal colonization.1 As well as a rapid growth rate, C. perfringens infection involves multiple steps, which likely occur simultaneously, including colonization, replication, nutrient procurement, evasion of host immune defenses, host tissue damage and transmission.2

Exotoxin Roles in Necrotic Enteritis Development

Multiple exotoxins can be produced by C. perfringens, including alpha-toxin and necrotic enteritis toxin B-like toxin (NetB). Alpha-toxin is cytotoxic to endothelial cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, while NetB toxin forms pores in cell membranes that allow electrolytes to rupture cells, causing cell death and necrotic lesions in the small intestinal mucosa.3 These two toxins are known to have a role in necrotic enteritis development.

C. perfringens Growth Depends on Host Nutrients

C. perfringens relies on nutrients from the host to live and multiply — a process which results in the destruction of host tissues (formation of necrotic lesions). C. perfringens lacks enzymes needed for amino acid biosynthesis and subsequent protein synthesis, so enzymes and toxins are released to degrade structural proteins from the host.4 The host amino acids and/or peptides are then taken in by C. perfringens for use in its own protein synthesis. 4

To produce energy, C. perfringens degrades large sugar compounds from the host and ferments them, producing gas that enhances the anerobic environment.4 C. perfringens also produces hyaluronidases that increase connective tissue permeability and help C. perfringens spread into deeper tissues.4

Quorum Sensing Controls Exotoxin and Enzyme Production

C. perfringens uses quorum sensing (cell-to-cell communication) to coordinate exotoxin and enzyme production to occur when its population reaches a density that supports the most efficient use of its metabolic resources.5 For example, to determine the optimum time to start producing NetB, the accessory gene regulator-like (Agr-like) quorum-sensing system sends out signals that are recognized by the VirR/VirS two-component regulatory system.5 Once the VirR/VirS system detects that the C. perfringens population has reached the threshold density, it switches on the expression of NetB and other virulence and related metabolism genes.2

Quorum Quenching Reduces Pathogen Virulence

Quorum quenching is an approach that can disrupt the quorum-sensing system of pathogenic bacteria, preventing cell-to-cell communication and the expression of quorum-sensing-controlled genes that produce toxins and other virulence factors. Additionally, quorum-quenching products should reduce the chance of antibiotic resistance, since they are modifying bacteria behavior rather than killing them.

Natural Quorum-Sensing Control

One product that has displayed quorum-quenching properties is the mineral-based feed additive Calibrin®-Z (available in select international markets). This all-natural single-ingredient product binds bacterial pathogens and the toxins they produce, as well as multiple mycotoxins, to help protect the intestinal barrier against enteric disease. Other natural mineral-based products can also help manage necrotic enteritis; read this article to learn more.

An in vitro study found that Calibrin-Z separated out quorum-sensing molecules by adsorption or catalytically broke them down into small fragments. By reducing the concentration of quorum-sensing biochemicals, Calibrin-Z can potentially disrupt the ability of pathogenic bacteria (including C. perfringens) to produce toxins, since quorum sensing controls this function. Calibrin-Z was also shown to effectively bind alpha-toxin and NetB toxin, further reducing the virulence of C. perfringens.

 

The global reduction in the use of in-feed antibiotics has compelled producers to rely on other management methods to maintain a healthy intestinal environment in poultry and reduce the risk of necrotic enteritis. The use of best-practice management strategies and inclusion of mineral-based feed additives that reduce the virulence of C. perfringens can assist in promoting intestinal health and maximizing production efficiency. To learn more about necrotic enteritis and natural mineral-based methods to control it, contact your local Amlan representative.

 

References

  1. Kiu R, Hall LJ. An update on the human and animal enteric pathogen Clostridium perfringens. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2018;7:141.
  2. Prescott JF, Parreira VR, Mehdizadeh Gohari I, Lepp D, Gong J. The pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis in chickens: what we know and what we need to know: a review. Avian Pathol. 2016;45:288–94.
  3. Chi, F. A Viable Adjunct or Alternative to Antibiotics: Meta-Analysis of Broiler Research Shows Natural Growth Promoter Delivers Feed Efficiency Equal to Antibiotics. Amlan International.
  4. Shimizu T, Ohtani K, Hirakawa H, Ohshima K, Yamashita A, Shiba T, Ogasawara N, Hattori M, Kuhara S, Hayashi H. Complete genome sequence of Clostridium perfringens, an anaerobic flesh-eater. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99:996–1001.
  5. Yu Q, Lepp D, Mehdizadeh Gohari I, Wu T, Zhou H, Yin X, Yu H, Prescott JF, Nie SP, Xie MY, Gong J. The Agr-Like Quorum Sensing System Is Required for Pathogenesis of Necrotic Enteritis Caused by Clostridium perfringens in Poultry. Infect Immun. 2017;85:e00975-16.

 

Key Necrotic Enteritis Virulence Factors: Alpha-Toxin and NetB toxin

April 24, 2023
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Necrotic enteritis is a common — and costly — infectious disease of poultry caused by the gram-positive bacteria Clostridium perfringens. The virulence of C. perfringens is mostly related to its ability to produce potent toxins. Two exotoxins in particular — alpha-toxin and necrotic enteritis B-like toxin (NetB) — play critical roles in necrotic enteritis development in poultry.

Necrotic Enteritis Origins

The anaerobic, spore-forming C. perfringens is found throughout the poultry environment and is also part of the normal bird microbiota. Necrotic enteritis occurs when there is an overgrowth of C. perfringens caused by predisposing conditions, such as diet changes, immune status or intestinal pathophysiology. High mortality rates are characteristic of the clinical form of necrotic enteritis, whereas subclinical disease causes reduced weight gain and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR). The increased FCR is due to reduced nutrient digestibility and adsorption, and the subsequent compensatory feed intake.

The Role of Exotoxins in Necrotic Enteritis

C. perfringens produces multiple exotoxins, including alpha-toxin and NetB toxin. All C. perfringens types produce alpha-toxin which is cytotoxic to endothelial cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.1 Alpha-toxin was thought to be the major toxin responsible for necrotic enteritis clinical signs; however, researchers identified an alpha-toxin-negative mutant strain that was able to induce necrotic enteritis.2 This led to the discovery that NetB was a key virulence factor of necrotic enteritis in poultry.

Quorum sensing regulates NetB production, which is initiated when C. perfringens reaches a concentration of 109 CFU/g or higher and the bird has dysbiosis or impaired intestinal function.3 In healthy birds, the intestinal epithelium and mucus layer protect internal tissues by forming a selective barrier against the contents of the intestinal lumen (the external environment). The natural barrier allows nutrients through the intestinal wall but not pathogens and their toxins. A breakdown of this defensive barrier occurs when there is an overgrowth of C. perfringens and toxin production is stimulated. NetB forms pores in cell membranes that allow electrolytes to rupture cells, causing cell death and necrotic lesions in the small intestinal mucosa.1 The damage to the intestinal wall hinders nutrient digestion and absorption and can allow toxins to enter the circulatory system.

Manage Necrotic Enteritis with Natural Mineral-Based Feed Additives

Effective management programs are important for reducing the harmful health and production effects of necrotic enteritis. However, neutralizing the toxins produced by C. perfringens can also help control necrotic enteritis. The natural mineral-based feed additives Varium®, NeutraPath® and Calibrin®-Z (all available in select international markets) can be used alone or in synergistic combination to help maintain a healthy intestinal environment and protect birds from the devastating effects of alpha-toxin and NetB toxin.

Designed specifically for poultry, patented Varium promotes bird efficiency and productivity by protecting the intestinal lining, strengthening the intestinal barrier and stimulating the intestinal immune system. Varium’s synergistic, mineral-based formulation does this by binding pathogenic bacteria and the toxins they produce, energizing intestinal epithelial cells and acting as an immunomodulator to help birds naturally combat disease.

NeutraPath helps support broiler gut health and structural integrity by reducing the intestinal load and colonization of pathogenic bacteria. NeutraPath has bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties and can also neutralize virulence factors, including the toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria and the quorum-sensing molecules used for pathogen communication.

Calibrin®-Z is a single-ingredient, all-natural biotoxin binder that helps protect the intestinal barrier against enteric disease. Calibrin-Z can bind a broad spectrum of pathogens and bacterial and fungal toxins, including C. perfringens and E. coli toxins and aflatoxin, fumonisin and zearalenone.

Natural Mineral-Based Feed Additives Bind C. perfringens-produced Toxins

were shown to effectively bind alpha-toxin and NetB toxin in vitro (Figure 1), and NeutraPath caused a four-fold reduction in unbound alpha-toxin in the cecal contents of C. perfringens-challenged broilers (Figure 2). These alpha-toxin and NetB toxin binding abilities also translated to health and performance improvements during .

Figure 1: Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) showed that Varium and Calibrin-Z were able to effectively bind alpha-toxin and NetB toxin in vitro.

Figure 2: A four-fold reduction in unbound alpha-toxin occurred in cecal contents of C. perfringens-challenged broilers fed NeutraPath compared to challenged control birds (128 total birds). Source: Southern Poultry Research, Inc., Athens, GA.

 

The C. perfringens toxins associated with the development of necrotic enteritis — alpha-toxin and NetB toxin — can have devastating effects on the health and production performance of poultry. However, the natural mineral-based feed additives Varium, NeutraPath and Calibrin-Z can help neutralize these toxins, protect the intestinal environment and improve production efficiency. To learn more about these intestinal health solutions, contact your local Amlan representative.

 

References

  1. Chi F. A Viable Adjunct or Alternative to Antibiotics: Meta-Analysis of Broiler Research Shows Natural Growth Promoter Delivers Feed Efficiency Equal to Antibiotics. Amlan International.
  2. Keyburn AL, Sheedy S, Ford M, Williamson M, Awad M, Rood J, Moore RJ. Alpha-toxin of Clostridium perfringens is not an essential virulence factor in necrotic enteritis in chickens. Infect Immun. 2006;74:6496-6500.
  3. Mora ZV, Macías-Rodríguez ME, Arratia-Quijada J, Gonzalez-Torres YS, Nuño K, Villarruel-López A. Clostridium perfringensas Foodborne Pathogen in Broiler Production: Pathophysiology and Potential Strategies for Controlling Necrotic Enteritis. Animals (Basel). 2020;10:1718.

 

 

Natural Mineral-Based Solutions for Managing Necrotic Enteritis in Poultry

March 29, 2023
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Necrotic enteritis causes economic loss for poultry producers around the world due to bird mortality and production inefficiency. The increasing restrictions on antibiotic growth promoter use have complicated the issue of necrotic enteritis control for antibiotic-free (ABF) producers. However, management programs and mineral-based feed additives can provide natural control methods to reduce the incidence of necrotic enteritis in flocks.

What Is Necrotic Enteritis?

Necrotic enteritis is caused by Clostridium perfringens, a spore-forming anerobic bacteria found throughout the poultry house environment and the normal microbiota of the bird. Disease in birds occurs when there are predisposing conditions, such as diet changes, immune status or intestinal pathophysiology, that cause an overgrowth of C. perfringens. The exotoxins alpha-toxin and necrotic enteritis B-like toxin (NetB) are produced by C. perfringens and have a role in necrotic enteritis development.

Necrotic enteritis occurs due to a breakdown of the defensive intestinal barrier (epithelium and mucus layer). The damage to the intestinal wall impairs nutrient digestion and absorption and can allow toxins to enter the circulatory system. Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp., can increase the incidence of necrotic enteritis as Eimeria also damage intestinal cells. Mycotoxicosis from feed contaminated with fungal toxins can also increase the negative effects of necrotic enteritis. High mortality is a characteristic of clinical necrotic enteritis, while decreased weight gain and reduced feed efficiency are associated with subclinical disease.

 

Management Programs to Control Necrotic Enteritis

With the global push toward ABF production, maintaining a healthy intestinal environment to reduce the risk of necrotic enteritis now requires effective management strategies. Reduced ventilation, increased litter moisture and poor husbandry can increase the incidence of necrotic enteritis. However, natural feed additives that strengthen and protect the intestinal environment can also help reduce the risk of necrotic enteritis.

Natural Mineral-Based Feed Additives

Along with management best practices, the natural mineral-based feed additives Calibrin®-Z, Varium®, and NeutraPath® (all available in select international markets) can help maintain a healthy intestinal environment and reduce the incidence of necrotic enteritis. Third-party research has shown these products improve the health and performance of necrotic enteritis-challenged broilers.

Calibrin-Z for Broad-Spectrum Biotoxin Defense

Single-ingredient Calibrin-Z protects the intestinal barrier against damage from a broad spectrum of pathogens and bacterial and fungal toxins, including C. perfringens and E. coli toxins and aflatoxin, fumonisin and zearalenone. During manufacture, mineral-based Calibrin-Z undergoes proprietary thermal processing that permits multiple binding mechanisms, including hydrophobic interactions, chelation, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction. The result is enhanced pathogen and toxin adsorption without significant binding of important nutrients.

In a study published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research, Calibrin-Z reduced the effects of necrotic enteritis challenge, including returning gain during days 10 to 24 to levels equal to non-challenged birds. When birds were challenged with necrotic enteritis plus dietary aflatoxin (1 mg/kg), it significantly increased the negative effects of necrotic enteritis. However, Calibrin-Z improved feed efficiency to levels equivalent to birds challenged with necrotic enteritis only. Virginiamycin was not able to do this, demonstrating the benefits of feeding Calibrin-Z, which can bind mycotoxins and bacterial pathogens and their toxins.

Varium Promotes Poultry Efficiency and Productivity

Varium meets the poultry industry’s need to reduce the use of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters while maintaining bird health and performance and providing added-value for producers. Varium’s patented formulation includes Amlan’s mineral technology, yeast and a functional amino acid that work synergistically to reduce pathogenic challenges, strengthen the intestinal barrier and prepare the immune system to naturally defend against disease. With its multiple modes of action, Varium can replace the need for multiple feed additives by providing the same benefits in one product, reducing feed costs and simplifying diet formulations.

Multiple broiler studies have proven that Varium can be as effective as antibiotics in maintaining performance during necrotic enteritis challenge. In a study where necrotic enteritis-challenged broilers were fed for 28 days, feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain and mortality were similar between Varium and the antibiotic growth promoter bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD; Figure 1). Similar results were observed when Varium was compared to virginiamycin in another necrotic enteritis challenge study (Figure 2). These results show the value Varium can add to ABF systems by protecting the intestinal environment and promoting bird efficiency.

Figure 1: Weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers fed BMD, Varium or non-supplemented for 28 days and undergoing necrotic enteritis challenge.

Figure 2: Weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers fed virginiamycin, Varium or non-supplemented for 28 days and undergoing necrotic enteritis challenge.

NeutraPath for Natural Pathogen Control

Another natural option for managing necrotic enteritis is NeutraPath — a proprietary and co-active blend of essential oils, fatty acids and Amlan’s mineral technology. The synergistic formula of NeutraPath is designed to have multiple modes of action, resulting in enhanced intestinal health, improved feed efficiency and reduced mortality in necrotic enteritis-challenged birds. In environments with high bacterial challenge, NeutraPath can reduce the intestinal load and colonization of pathogenic bacteria and help maintain broiler gut health and structural integrity.

NeutraPath has bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties that target cell function and cell wall integrity of pathogenic bacteria. It also neutralizes virulence factors, including the toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria and the quorum-sensing molecules used for pathogen communication.

The on-farm benefits of pathogen control by NeutraPath have been demonstrated in multiple broiler trials. For example, in a 28-day trial that challenged broilers with C. perfringens and Eimeria, NeutraPath reduced mortality and lesion scores to levels similar to birds administered BMD (Figure 3). Additionally, broilers in the NeutraPath group had greater weight gain and a better FCR for the overall 28-day period than necrotic-enteritis challenged control birds, and NeutraPath-fed birds did not differ statistically from BMD-treated broilers (Figure 4). This study shows the performance benefits achieved with NeutraPath by improving intestinal health and reducing the intestinal pathogen load.

Figure 3: NeutraPath reduced mortality and lesions scores by half compared to the necrotic enteritis-challenged control. abcMeans with different superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05).

Figure 4: NeutraPath improved weight gain and feed efficiency compared to the necrotic enteritis-challenged control. abMeans with different superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05).

 

An increasing number of poultry producers are moving toward the global objective of reduced in-feed use of antibiotics. Consequently, maintaining a healthy intestinal environment now relies more heavily on other management methods to reduce the risk of necrotic enteritis. With best practice management strategies and inclusion of feed additives that promote intestinal health and function, poultry flock health can be improved, thereby reducing the risk of disease and maximizing production efficiency. To learn more about necrotic enteritis and the natural mineral-based feed additives that can help manage it, contact your local Amlan representative.

 

 

Phylox® Performance Equals Salinomycin or Nicarbazin to Combat a Coccidia Challenge

January 16, 2023
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To an industry looking for anticoccidial alternatives, Amlan International offers Phylox® (available in select international markets), a blend of natural ingredients, Phylox was developed to control coccidiosis without resorting to ionophores or chemicals. Dr. San Ching, a Technical Research Manager at Amlan International was instrumental in the development of Phylox. He had this to say about the development of Amlan’s new product to fight coccidiosis

“We designed, Varium®, which provides excellent results reducing the damage from necrotic enteritis caused by toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens. However, our customers also needed a solution for coccidiosis, which is highly related to necrotic enteritis. Therefore, we developed, Phylox, which works to decrease the effects of the parasitic disease. When we started working on a coccidiosis solution, we soon realized that there was a resistance issue in many of the current alternatives, both for antibiotic ionophores and chemicals. Thus, for Phylox we used natural ingredients that would attack coccidia and the coccidiosis problem in more than one way and avoid the development of resistance. We know that the oocysts’ lifecycle is complicated, but most of it occurs in the gut. We selected ingredients that limit the development of the Eimeria oocysts in multiple ways. Additionally, we wanted to invent a product that can work seamlessly with the vaccines.”

Phylox has been shown to be successful in numerous research trials. In 2022, Amlan gave two presentations: A Novel Approach to Coccidiosis Control and A Research-Backed Alternative to Anticoccidial Drugs at the Scientific Forum of IPPE. These presentations represented seven experiments and show Phylox improved growth and immune function in broilers challenged with coccidia. Two additional experiments have been added as a final step in research and development, further proving the value of Phylox for birds facing a coccidia challenge.

In each of the two studies, the coccidia challenge was at day 14 when birds were given an oral dose of 100,000 oocysts of E. acervulina, 50,000 oocysts of E. maxima, and 75,000 oocysts of E. tenella.  The coccidia lifecycle is interesting and complex. Many coccidia species are host specific and do not cross from one host species to another. Several strains of coccidia affect chickens. These strains rise and fall in prominence, in part due to their ability to develop resistance to the chemical or antibiotic that is being used to control them. The three species used in these studies attach to different areas of the gastro-intestinal tract. E. acervuline causes lesions and damage to the upper third of the intestine – the duodenum and upper ileum, E. maxima causes lesions in the middle third of the intestine, and E. tenella cause lesions in the ceca.

 

In the first study, no coccidiosis vaccines or other coccidiosis medications were given. The treatments in the study consisted of both challenged and unchallenged birds with Phylox in the feed and challenged and unchallenged birds without Phylox in the feed. When a coccidia challenge wasn’t given, birds fed Phylox had the same gain and feed conversion as the control birds both for day 14 – 28 and the overall, day 0 – 28, experimental period (Figures 1 &2). This result proves that feeding Phylox doesn’t have a negative affect when a coccidia challenge isn’t present, which is a problem with some other coccidiosis preventatives.

 

Figure 1. Weight gain of birds without and with a coccidia challenge with and without Phylox in the feed.

 

Phylox improved performance in birds challenged with coccidia. Feeding Phylox improved feed conversion in the challenged birds. This was seen in both in the challenge period, day 14 – 28, and for the overall experimental period from day 0 – 28.

 

Figure 2. Feed conversion of birds without and with a coccidia challenge with and without Phylox.

 

Figure 3. Phylox has multiple ways to help prevent coccidiosis.

 

The improvement in feed conversion is because Phylox contains various active ingredients giving it multiple modes of action (Figure 3). This allows Phylox to protect the intestine during a coccidia challenge. First, it interferes with the cell membrane of the coccidia protozoa. Phylox binds to the sterols of the cell membrane, compromising the integrity of the sporozoite cell wall, the cell then dies by apoptosis. Phylox also interrupts the Eimeria lifecycle by preventing oocyst sporulation. By interrupting this step, the oocysts don’t develop from the immature noninfective form to the mature infective form. This disruption protects the intestinal cells from coccidial infection. Other ingredients included in Phylox provide energy to the endothelial cells that line the intestine. The protected intestine is better able to absorb necessary nutrients resulting in improved feed conversion. In addition to improved feed conversion, this protective ability is also shown by the decrease in lesion scores of the challenged birds fed Phylox. The lesion scores formed by each of the coccidia species used in the challenged decreased when birds were fed Phylox when intestines were examined on day 20 (Figure 4).

 

Figure 4. Lesion scores of birds without and with a coccidia challenge with and without Phylox in the feed.

 

 

In an experiment with a similar coccidiosis challenge model, Phylox was compared to using salinomycin or nicarbazin. These feed additives have commonly been used to decrease the effects of coccidiosis.

 

 

Figure 5. Weight gain of coccidia challenged broilers fed salinomycin, nicarbazin, or Phylox.

 

Feeding Phylox resulted in weight gain and feed conversion equal to the salinomycin or nicarbazin treatments (Figure 5 & 6). This is the same result that was seen in the research presented by Dr. Ching at the 2022 IPPE Scientific Forum A Research-Backed Alternative to Anticoccidial Drugs. This result was observed both in the days following the challenge (day 14 – 28), and for the overall experimental period (day 0 – 28). All treatments had better feed conversion than the untreated birds.

 

 

Figure 6. Feed conversion of coccidia challenged broilers fed salinomycin, nicarbazin, or Phylox.

 

Phylox reduced lesion scores for each species of coccidia and as an average of all species compared to the untreated challenge when intestines were examined on day 20. The reduction was equal to that of the ionophore and the chemical coccidiosis treatments. Feeding Phylox also decreased fecal coccidia oocysts counts equal to the decrease seen by feeding salinomycin or nicarbazin. Oocysts were counted in excreta collected from day 19 – 22.

 

 

Figure 7. Lesion score or oocyst counts of coccidia challenged broilers fed salinomycin, nicarbazin, or Phylox.

 

Because Phylox contains various active ingredients it can fill in the gaps that are missing from other coccidiosis control methods. It can be used in No-Antibiotic-Ever programs with no withdrawal requirement. It is effective against multiple Eimeria strains without promoting the emergence of drug-resistant coccidia. And it can be fed with anticoccidial vaccines, preventing disease breakthrough while immunity is being developed by the bird.

Natural Phylox is not only equal to traditional ways of controlling coccidiosis but is equal in economic performance. Phylox can be used to combat coccidiosis in no-antibiotics-ever or traditional production.

Dr. Ching’s presentation of this research at IPPE in the poster session.

Talk to your Amlan representative on how to use Phylox in your production system.

Advanced Technologies to Mitigate Disease in Poultry Production

December 21, 2022
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As more poultry producers incorporate antibiotic-free (ABF) practices into their operations, the need for innovative disease mitigation technologies has also increased. Amlan International is meeting this demand by developing next-generation products, using mineral-based technology, that optimize bird intestinal health and add value for the producer.

 

In this post we examine four technological advances that could help drive progress in managing disease, bacteria and toxins in flocks while meeting consumer demands for high-quality animal protein. We discuss the advanced mineral technology that is the foundation of Amlan’s natural feed additives as well as a unique diagnostic service offered by Amlan. We also highlight technology on the market from other (unaffiliated) companies that our team thought might be useful for ABF producers to consider when looking for new ways to manage disease in their flock.

 

  1. Optimize intestinal health with advanced mineral technology

In a crowded feed additive market, advanced mineral technology is the Amlan difference. As the animal health business of Oil-Dri® Corporation of America, Amlan’s scientifically proven products are backed by

Oil-Dri’s 80 years of experience in mineral science. The selectively-sourced raw material that is the core of Amlan’s products is calcium montmorillonite with high-capacity opal-CT lepispheres. Proprietary thermal processing — that does not use harmful chemicals — is tailored for each product to create unique functionalities.

 

Calibrin®-Z (available in select international markets) is a broad-spectrum biotoxin binder that protects poultry and livestock from biotoxins that reduce performance and cause morbidity or mortality. All-natural Calibrin-Z binds polar (e.g., aflatoxin) and nonpolar (e.g., zearalenone) mycotoxins, as well as bacterial toxins like those produced by C. perfringens, E. coli and C. difficile. Binding these biotoxins enhances intestinal health to improve feed efficiency and overall animal performance.

 

  1. Minimize production loss with timely mycotoxin diagnostic results

When determining whether feed is contaminated with mycotoxins, a fast and accurate analysis is critical for preventing the negative health and production effects mycotoxins can cause. Amlan has partnered with Envirologix, the world’s most trusted name for quantitative testing kits at the point of grain delivery, to bring producers . This program provides on-site quantitative mycotoxin detection results within 10 minutes. The test identifies mycotoxin contamination levels in the feed, and Amlan’s dose calculator can be used to determine the optimal dose of  to apply in the animal’s ration to mitigate the toxin threat.

 

  1. Automation technology increases animal welfare and detects disease

Robot automation in poultry barns is a growing segment of the poultry industry. Robotic technology uses sensors and 2D and 3D cameras to perform repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as disinfecting barns, picking up floor eggs, vaccinating and managing litter.

 

Increasingly important in modern poultry operations, robotics can also help mitigate production risks and ensure animal welfare goals are met. Thermal imaging can be used to detect animal body temperatures, early disease indicators, record bird activity/welfare and report mortalities while performing their assigned tasks. Monitoring technology can also help producers observe environmental metrics in facilities such as temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide and ammonia levels. A recent development in this area is using sensors to determine when a poultry house smell is no longer “normal.” This technology could help identify a biosecurity or disease risk to a flock.

 

  1. Blockchain technology facilitates food traceability

Modern consumers are increasingly demanding to know more about how and where their food is raised. Blockchain technology, often in combination with other digital tech, helps track and trace animals and food products throughout the supply chain by linking small packages of data to provide a digital audit of meat production and food safety. At the farm level, these data points could include point of origin, veterinary and feed source records and transportation dates.

 

As poultry move through the food production system, blockchain technology records significant data points to ensure food supplies meet the traceability requirements that consumers demand. In the processing sector, for example, blockchain can link production information with the final product’s labeling and packaging information to ensure compliance with brand commitments. Blockchain offers incredible promise for connecting poultry growers with new market opportunities.

 

These emerging trends are important to monitor so producers can determine how best their operations can evolve and remain competitive. Investing in the right technologies will be the key to moving poultry producers to greater production, improved efficiencies,  enhanced market opportunities and increased profitability. At Amlan, we are developing and bringing to market advanced feed additive technologies that optimize the intestinal health and production efficiency of producers’ flocks while preserving the economic viability of poultry production. To learn more, click .

 

 

 

Rapidly Adsorb Aflatoxins and Improve Poultry Performance with Calibrin-A

December 15, 2022
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Calibrin-A White Broilers

Mitigating the effects of mycotoxin-contaminated feed is a goal of every poultry producer in order to keep birds healthy and reduce the negative effects of mycotoxicosis on performance. Aflatoxin is a common threat to poultry productivity, targeting and damaging the liver and causing mortality in severe cases. Subclinical cases can reduce feed intake, weight gain and efficiency, which negatively impact the cost of production and, ultimately, profits.

Aflatoxin is a polar or hydrophilic (water-loving) mycotoxin, which means it and other polar mycotoxins, like ergotamine, ergovaline and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), are attracted to hydrophilic surfaces. Calibrin®-A (available in select international markets) is a mineral-based feed additive that rapidly adsorbs these polar mycotoxins due to its hydrophilic binding sites. If mycotoxin diagnostic tests (e.g., BioInsights) detect feed is contaminated with polar mycotoxins, Calibrin-A is an effective solution for reducing performance loss.

The Calibrin-A Difference

Calibrin-A contains one ingredient — our selectively-source calcium montmorillonite with opal CT lepispheres. We select our calcium montmorillonite from a specific location within our mine to ensure product consistency, quality and reliability for customers. We’re very specific about where we source our mineral, because of its natural physical and chemical properties. We also use proprietary mineral processing methods that are tailored for each product. These unique properties are what create the difference between Calibrin-A and other clay binders in the market. Calibrin-A naturally adsorbs polar mycotoxins and is designed to have a high particle count and increased access to hydrophilic binding sites. The combination of natural mineral characteristics and processing techniques creates a highly effective, fast-acting feed additive for binding polar mycotoxins.

Rapid Polar Mycotoxin Adsorption Is Key

Eliminating the fast uptake of mycotoxins into the digestive system is key to preventing the negative health and performance effects of mycotoxicosis. Mycotoxins quickly metabolize in the intestines and liver and can circulate in the blood for days or weeks. While certain toxins enter the body more quickly than others, the negative effects consistently result in decreased performance and unrealized economic potential. Calibrin-A rapidly adsorbs polar mycotoxins, reducing their bioavailability in the body and mitigating performance loss (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Calibrin-A rapidly adsorbs aflatoxin. Source: Trilogy Analytical Laboratory, USA.

Calibrin-A Improves Performance of Aflatoxin-Fed Broilers

The impact rapid aflatoxin adsorption by Calibrin-A has on bird productivity was shown in two broiler studies. In research conducted at the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO), Calibrin-A abated the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated feed on broiler health and performance. The study compared a control diet to diets containing 2 ppm of aflatoxin, with or without 0.5% Calibrin-A, fed to day-old Ross 308 chicks for 21 days.

As expected, aflatoxin in the feed caused decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency, and increased (P > 0.05) relative liver weight compared to control birds. The liver is the main target of aflatoxin if it enters the body from the intestine. Aflatoxin will cause the liver to swell and it can become “fatty” with a yellow appearance. The swollen liver and decreased weight gain causes increased relative liver weight.

Adding Calibrin‑A to the diet of birds fed aflatoxin improved weight gain and feed efficiency (Figure 2), and reduced the mycotoxin-induced increase in relative liver weight (Figure 3). Mortality rate of the control and Calibrin-A-fed birds (2.5%) was lower than the aflatoxin-fed birds (10%).

Figure 2: Calibrin-A improved weight gain and feed efficiency in broilers fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed (P < 0.05).

Figure 3: Calibrin-A reduced the mycotoxin-induced increase in relative liver weight (P > 0.05).

In a study conducted at SAMITEC (Santa Maria, Brazil), four groups of male broiler chicks (6 reps x 10 chicks each) received a diet with or without aflatoxin (2.8 ppm) and with or without 0.5% Calibrin-A (CON, AFL, CON + Calibrin-A, AFL + Calibrin-A). Calibrin-A improved (P < 0.05) the feed intake and body weight of birds fed aflatoxin (Figures 4 and 5) and reduced (P < 0.05) the average liver weight of birds fed aflatoxin (Figure 6). Additionally, adding Calibrin-A to the control diet (no aflatoxin) at 10 times the recommended dose had no negative effects on growth performance (Figures 4 and 5), indicating that Calibrin-A does not significantly interfere with nutrient use.

In order to achieve statistical significance between the challenged and non-challenged birds, a much higher concentration of aflatoxin was used in both studies than would typically be seen in poultry diets. Because birds were challenged with a high amount of aflatoxin, Calibrin-A was also included at a higher dose than typically recommended. The ratio of Calibrin-A to aflatoxin in the feed was 2500:1 (5000 ppm Calibrin-A and 2 ppm aflatoxin) for the University of Missouri study, for example, which is equivalent to the recommended inclusion rate of Calibrin-A (500 ppm) and 0.2 ppm of aflatoxin in the feed. This amount of aflatoxin is still higher than the concentration typically found in poultry feed.

Figure 4: Calibrin-A increased feed intake in birds fed aflatoxin (P < 0.05).

Figure 5: Calibrin-A increased the average weight of birds fed aflatoxin to a weight similar to control birds (P < 0.05).

Figure 6: Calibrin-A decreased the average liver weight of birds fed aflatoxin (P < 0.05).

These studies demonstrate the performance and health benefits of feeding Calibrin-A to rapidly adsorb polar mycotoxins like aflatoxin. Single-ingredient, mineral-based Calibrin-A is an effective solution to mitigating the risk of mycotoxicosis from aflatoxin-contaminated feed. To learn more about Calibrin-A or to try Calibrin-A for yourself, contact your local sales representative.

 

 

Varium® Improves Performance in Commercial Broilers Compared to an Antibiotic Growth Promoter

December 5, 2022
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Varium Product Blog

Varium was developed to provide poultry producers with a product to improve production by optimizing gut health. One of the ways this can be shown is by improvements in feed conversion. Because feed costs are such a large part of the cost of poultry production, any improvement in feed conversion can have a big impact on the bottom line. Additionally, decreasing the amount of feed used to produce a kilogram of meat increases the sustainability of the operation, which is very important in today’s world.

Varium, available in select international markets, has multiple modes of action to increase its ability to improve performance. It was designed to protect against biotoxins ​in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract and keep them from entering the body, to energize the epithelial cells that line the intestine, and help the immune system prepare to respond to antigens. ​Over the years numerous controlled experiments have shown that Varium improves feed conversion under a variety of conditions. A meta-analysis of this research was presented at the Poultry Science Association’s 2nd Latin American Scientific Conference in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. This summary of multiple experiments showed that feeding Varium resulted in broiler performance that was equal to that obtained when an antibiotic growth promoter was fed, this was seen both in birds that were challenged with the bacterium Clostridium perfringens to induce necrotic enteritis and in unchallenged birds. When both the antibiotic and Varium were fed together it improved the feed conversion ratio even more (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Varium improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) compared to unchallenged or challenged control, equal to the antibiotic growth promoter (AGP).

Since that time, information from the field has shown that feeding Varium resulted in less damage to the intestine of commercial broilers and improved villi height/crypt depth, which correlated to improved overall feed conversion (Lima, Peru).

In 2022, a large commercial study was run in southern Brazil. The study used approximately 180,000 broilers from three farms with each farm feeding one house a control diet with their standard feed containing a mycotoxin binder and enramycin, an antibiotic used as a feed additive to prevent necrotic enteritis. A second house had those ingredients removed and 0.1% Varium was added. The chicks that were supplied to the farms for evaluation were from breeders of the same age. Every week a sample weight was measured in each barn and mortalities were tabulated. Birds were harvested at 47.29 days for the Control birds and 47.17 days for the Varium fed birds (Figure 2). With a daily weight gain of 69.60 g for the Control birds and 70.62 g for the Varium fed birds.

Figure 2. Body weight (kg) for broilers fed 0.1% Varium compared to broilers fed feed containing a mycotoxin binder and the antibiotic enramycin.

Weekly mortality, cumulative mortality, and transport mortality were all lower when birds were fed Varium compared to those fed the antibiotic (Figure 3). Overall feed conversion was 1.717 for the Control birds and 1.671 for the birds fed Varium; an advantage for birds fed Varium of 4.6 points.

Figure 3. Mortality was lower for birds fed Varium each week and cumulatively by week. Final mortality included birds that died during transportation to harvest.

Feed conversion was 1.717 for the Control birds and 1.671 for the Varium fed birds, an advantage of 4.6 points (Figure 4). When the feed conversion was adjusted to a common ending weight of 3.25 kg adjusted feed conversion was 1.706 for the Control birds and 1.643 for the Varium fed birds, an advantage of 6.3 points for the Varium fed birds.

Figure 4. Feed conversion improved when broilers were fed Varium versus an antibiotic, both for overall or when adjusted to a final weight of 3.25 kg.

The 2022 Brazilian study shows that feeding Varium can improve efficiencies and performance, which are critical to increasing profits. In this case, the added annual profit for a producer processing 1 million birds per week would equate to approximately USD 6 million. Using an estimated price for the control diet of USD 375 and USD 380 for the Varium diet, the return on the cost of adding Varium vs the antibiotic control diet is approximately 4 to 1.

To learn more about improved performance with Varium and how to request a field trial, contact your local Amlan representative.

Sorbiam™ Improves Pellet Durability

October 10, 2022
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Dairy cows with Sorbiam™ logo.

Pelleting feed and concentrates offers a number of advantages for poultry and livestock producers. Pelleting can reduce feed waste, lessen the time allocated to eating (allowing more energy to be dedicated to growth) and improve gain and feed efficiency. Pelleting also helps with feed logistics — improved feed flow through bins, less dust formation, reduced ingredient separation during storage and less space required for storage. However, these benefits are achievable only if the pellet is of good quality. A poor-quality pellet with a large number of fines won’t return the same benefits and will have a low benefit-cost ratio.

Sorbiam™ Improves Flowability

Purpose-made pellet binders can be added to feed to improve the pellet durability index and the overall quality of the pellet. However, premium feed additives like mineral-based Sorbiam™ (available in North America only) can offer producers more than pellet quality improvements. Sorbiam promotes efficient production economics for poultry and livestock through the maintenance of a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Because Sorbiam is produced as microgranules, flowability is improved throughout feed production. Sorbiam is also available as Sorbiam XL, which is the same product manufactured as slightly larger-sized microgranules.

Sorbiam Pellet Durability Research

Recent research from Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS) suggests that Sorbiam can help improve pellet durability as well as flowability. Two methods, the tumbling box and Holmen durability tests, were used to determine if Sorbiam can improve the pellet durability index (PDI).

The basal diet was formulated with 2.52% soybean oil (Table 1). It had a production rate of 34 pounds/minute and a conditioning temperature of 82°C (180°F). Sorbiam was included at 0.1% in half the tested pellets (replacing 0.1% corn).

 

Table 1: Basal diet formulation for pellet durability testing

Basal diet formulation for pellet durability testing chart.

For the tumbling box traditional method, sieved pellets were placed in the tumbling can device and tumbled for 10 minutes. The samples were then removed, sieved and weighed, and the percent of whole pellets calculated. For the modified tumbling box method, three hex nuts were added to the tumbling chamber to create a more abrasive test.1

The Holmen durability test uses air to create the abrasion of pellets rather than the physical action that occurs in the tumbling box method1. To start the test, a weighed sample of screened pellets were added to the test chamber. The pellets were agitated by forced air for 30 or 60 seconds, then removed, sieved and weighed; and the percent of whole pellets was calculated.

For the tumbling box method, adding 0.1% Sorbiam to the formulation significantly improved the PDI for both the traditional and the modified procedures (increased PDI by 1.1% and 2.9%, respectively; Figure 1). For the 60-second Holmen durability test, there was a numerical improvement of 3.3% in the PDI when Sorbiam was added to the diet (Figure 2).

Tumble Box pellet durability index chart.

Figure 1: Sorbiam significantly improved the pellet durability index for both traditional and modified tumble box methods. Different letters within tumbling method indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05).

Holmen pellet durability index chart.

Figure 2: Sorbiam numerically improved the pellet durability index in the 60-second Holmen durability test. Different letters within tumbling method indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05).

 

Pelleting has many production and logistics advantages — but only if good-quality pellets are produced. In this study, adding Sorbiam to the pellets helped increase pellet durability, an important contributing factor to pellet quality. For more information on Sorbiam, contact your local Amlan representative.

 

Reference

1Stark, C. and Fahrenholz, A. Evaluating Pellet Quality, K-State Research and Extension, https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3228.pdf

Calibrin®-Z Improves Broiler Performance Over Other Mycotoxin-Targeting Products

August 30, 2022
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Calibrin®-Z logo and poultry farm infographic.

To prevent mycotoxicosis, poultry diets are often supplemented with feed additives marketed to reduce the toxic effects of dietary mycotoxins. These feed additives are based on a range of key ingredients, including mineral adsorbents (like our biotoxin binder Calibrin®-Z), yeast cell wall preparations, enzyme-based products and algae-based additives. Researchers at Instituto de Soluções Analíticas Microbiológicas e Tecnológicas (SAMITEC, Santa Maria, Brazil) conducted a comparison of these feed additives to determine the best option for maintaining performance when broilers are challenged with mycotoxin-contaminated feed.

Mycotoxin-Challenge Study Compares Commercial Feed Additive Efficacy

In a 21-day feeding challenge, researchers at SAMITEC evaluated the toxic effects of concurrent aflatoxin and fumonisin exposure in broilers. They also compared the effectiveness of various mycotoxin-targeting products, including Calibrin-Z, in reducing those toxic effects. Calibrin-Z undergoes specifically tailored, proprietary thermal processing that promotes the binding of a broad spectrum of biotoxins, including polar and nonpolar mycotoxins. To further help combat enteric disease, Calibrin-Z also binds bacterial exotoxins and endotoxins, such as those produced by Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli.

A total of 540 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of six treatments (Table 1). Each treatment had nine replicates of 10 chicks per pen. The mycotoxin-challenged diet, which was fed to all treatment groups except the unchallenged control, contained aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 produced by Aspergillus parasiticus, and fumonisin B1 and B2 produced by Fusarium moniliforme. Aflatoxin B1 accounted for 93.8% of the aflatoxin added and fumonisin B1 made up 95.8% of the fumonisin.

Table 1. Mycotoxin-Challenge Study Dietary Treatments by Group

Mycotoxin-Challenge study dietary treatments by group chart.

Calibrin-Z Improves Feed Intake of Mycotoxin-Challenged Broilers

As expected, dietary exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin reduced feed intake, with broilers consuming the mycotoxin-challenged control diet averaging 14% lower feed intake than the unchallenged control group (P ≤ 0.05, Figure 1). However, Calibrin-Z was able to recover some of this reduced feed intake and averaged 11% greater feed intake than the mycotoxin-challenged control group (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, Calibrin-Z and the enzyme-based group had similar feed intake and were both greater than the yeast cell wall-based group (P ≤ 0.05). The algae-based group was numerically in between, and not significantly different, to the other product groups.

Feed intake chart in grams.
Figure 1. Feeding Calibrin®-Z in broiler diets contaminated with aflatoxin and fumonisin improved feed intake. Different letters indicate a significant difference between groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Mycotoxin-Challenged Broiler Weight Gain Improved By Calibrin-Z

Exposure to mycotoxin-contaminated feed also reduced broiler weight gain (Figure 2). After 21 days, broilers in the unchallenged control, Calibrin-Z and enzyme-based groups had greater body weight gain compared to the mycotoxin-challenged control group (P ≤ 0.05). Those three groups also had greater weight gain compared to the yeast cell wall- and algae-based groups which were not different to the mycotoxin-challenged control group.

Body weight gain chart for day 0-21.
Figure 2. Feeding Calibrin-Z in broiler diets contaminated with aflatoxin and fumonisin improved body weight gain. Different letters indicate a significant difference between groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Calibrin-Z Shows FCR Improvement Over Other Feed Additives

Broilers in the Calibrin-Z group had a feed conversion ratio (FCR) comparable to the unchallenged control group (P > 0.05) and a significantly better FCR than the yeast cell wall-based and algae-based groups (P ≤ 0.05, see Figure 3).

Feed conversion ratio chart for day 0-21.
Figure 3. Feeding Calibrin-Z in broiler mycotoxin-contaminated diets resulted in a feed conversion ratio similar to the unchallenged control group. Different letters indicate a significant difference between groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Calibrin-Z Proves Its Mycotoxin-Binding Efficacy

In this study, adding Calibrin-Z to mycotoxin-contaminated broiler diets led to greater body weight gain and a superior FCR compared to broilers fed diets containing yeast cell wall- or algae-based products. While there is no statistical difference between Calibrin-Z and enzyme-based products, there is a strong numerical difference between the two, with Calibrin-Z leading in both body weight gain and FCR. Broilers in the Calibrin-Z group had greater body weight gain and improved feed intake compared to broilers in the mycotoxin-challenged control group, and an FCR equivalent to the unchallenged control group.

Calibrin-Z has proved, once again, to be an effective mycotoxin binder that improves the performance of broilers fed mycotoxin-contaminated diets. In addition, Calibrin-Z had performance results that were equal to, or better than, other mycotoxin mitigation products in the market. For more information on this study, or to trial Calibrin-Z yourself, contact us.

Calibrin®-Z Excels in Broiler Study Comparing Mycotoxin-Targeting Feed Additives

July 13, 2022
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Calibrin®-Z logo and poultry farm infographic.

Mycotoxin-contaminated feed is a constant challenge for poultry producers, made worse if environmental conditions favor the rapid growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi in the field or during storage. And if multiple mycotoxins have contaminated the feed, it can create a synergistic, or additive, effect, amplifying each mycotoxin’s negative outcome on poultry production.

Calibrin®-Z Binds Multiple Mycotoxins and More

Mitigating the effects of mycotoxin-contaminated feed is essential, because whether the effects on poultry are mild (due to long-term low-level exposure) or severe (from a high-level challenge), a decrease in performance (and profits) is usually inevitable. To diminish the effects of mycotoxicosis, poultry diets often include feed additives that target mycotoxins. Examples of these feed additives include Calibrin®-Z (our mineral-based biotoxin binder), yeast cell wall preparations, enzyme-based products and algae-based additives.

Unlike other mineral-based products, Calibrin-Z undergoes specifically tailored, proprietary thermal processing that promotes the binding of a broad spectrum of biotoxins, including polar and nonpolar mycotoxins. Calibrin-Z also binds bacterial exotoxins and endotoxins, such as those produced by Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli, to help combat enteric disease.

University of Missouri Study Compares Feed Additive Performance

To evaluate the performance of products marketed to mitigate mycotoxin-contaminated feed, researchers at the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) evaluated the ability of commercial feed additives to reduce the combined toxic effects of concurrent aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 exposure in poultry. In the 21-day feeding trial, 144 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six treatment groups with 24 birds in each group (Table 1). Statistical significance for treatment comparisons was set at P < 0.10.

Table 1. Dietary Treatments by Group

Calibrin®-Z Aflatoxin B1, Fumonisin B1 and feed additive chart.

Similar Body Weight Gain for Calibrin-Z and Unchallenged Control Birds

The results showed that as expected, mycotoxin-contaminated feed significantly reduced broiler weight gain (Figure 1). However, Calibrin-Z was able to mitigate this performance loss. Birds fed the mycotoxin-challenged diet and Calibrin‑Z recorded statistically similar body weight gain as the non-challenged control birds (P = 0.35). This performance recovery was not seen to the same extent in challenged birds receiving the algae-, enzyme- or yeast cell wall‑based products, as birds from these groups gained significantly less weight than the non-challenged control group birds (P < 0.10). The weight gain of Calibrin-Z-supplemented birds was also 6 percent greater than the weight gain of enzyme-supplemented birds, 11 percent greater than the yeast cell wall group and 19 percent greater than the algae-based product group.

Calibrin®-Z body weight gain chart.
Different letters indicate a significant difference between groups (P < 0.10). Figure 1. Body weight gain of birds fed a diet containing two mycotoxins plus Calibrin-Z was statistically similar to that of birds receiving a diet free of mycotoxins.

Calibrin-Z Numerically Improved Feed Conversion

Feeding Calibrin-Z to mycotoxin-challenged broilers improved feed conversion by up to 10 points compared to diets supplemented with enzyme, yeast cell wall or algae-based products (Figure 2).  While not a statistical difference in this trial, these results represent a significant numerical difference in broiler production.

Calibrin®-Z feed conversion ratio chart.
Figure 2. All groups had statistically similar feed conversion, with Calibrin-Z numerically improving feed conversion compared to all groups except the unchallenged control.

This study showed that adding Calibrin-Z to aflatoxin- and fumonisin-contaminated feed enabled broiler chickens to maintain weight gain and feed conversion similar to birds fed a mycotoxin-free diet. The other commercial products did not improve bird performance to the same extent as Calibrin-Z in this study, demonstrating the production advantage Calibrin-Z delivers by binding multiple biotoxins and improving intestinal tract health. For more information on this study, or on the health and productivity benefits of adding Calibrin‑Z to your birds’ rations, contact us.

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