Over the last decades, the industry has faced this problem with the inclusion of certain antibiotics in the diet of animals. However, since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters has been banned by the European Union on 1 January 2006 (EC 1881/2003), the pig sector has been looking for natural alternatives in line with consumer demands and the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency. 

As a response to this problem, so-called nutraceuticals are presented as a very effective alternative to conventional antimicrobial additives in post-weaning.

Nutraceuticals aim to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain adequate levels of certain nutrients, or support specific physiological functions. Derived from “nutrition” and from “pharmaceutical” or “therapeutic, nutraceuticals are spoken to refer to foods or parts of these that provide medical or health benefits.

Bordas, in collaboration with the University of Murcia and the company Nutrofar, has carried out an innovative project with the aim of comparing the effect of the use of alternative nutraceuticals to conventional antimicrobial on post-weaning production and health parameters, with the following specific objectives:

1. To assess the effect of additives on the intestinal mucosa and the absorption capacity of the intestine.
2. Evaluate the effect of additives on the gut microbiota.
3. Compare weight gain with different treatments.

RESULTS

Different studies were performed that analyzed the histological and morphological changes of the small intestine of the animal, as well as the intestinal microbiota.

1. EVALUATION OF EFFECTS ON THE GUT MICROBIOTA 

The count of colony-forming units of total anaerobic bacteria and acid-lactic bacteria was determined.

Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics of the evolution of acid-lactic bacteria concentrations on the day of change in feed treatment: day 0 (4 days post-weaning), day 15 and day 35.

The lactic acid bacteria, considered of greater interest in improving digestibility, showed a greater and very significant presence in the group of piglets treated with the formulation with nutraceuticals that included CBC Bordas, implying a final difference in the evolution of this microbial population between both groups of approximately 1 log.

In addition, the results showed a slight significant difference for the total anaerobic bacteria group, in greater numbers in the group of piglets fed with nutraceutical treatment feed.

2. HISTOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE SMALL INTESTINE OF THE ANIMAL

Intestinal lesions characteristic of enteric problems, such as enteritis, concomitant presence of parasitic forms of Cryptosporidium spp. or inclusion bodies characteristic of PCV2 (circovirus), were only observed in pigs belonging to the groups treated with antibiotic treatment.

The following Table 2 shows descriptive statistics of the morphometry of the small intestine in animals treated with antibiotics and Nutraceuticals  10 days after the start of the trial.

The morphometry study showed that animals treated with nutraceuticals that included Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex Bordas have a greater development of the intestinal mucosa, which could be related to a higher capacity of absorption activity at these levels. 

Duodenum and Jejunum:

• bigger area of the intestinal crypts, which indicates a greater activity of the same and potentially a greater regenerative capacity of the intestinal mucosa.

Ileum:

• greater length and implantation base of the villi at the ileum portion.
• greater length and implantation base of the villi at the ileum portion

3. AVERAGE DAILY GAIN (ADG)

The test started with piglets with similar weight, and after the first 4 days of postweaning the piglets showed to have a similar average daily gain (ADG), with a mean of 200 g/day.

At the end of the study, piglets’ weight was determined, without significant differences between animals treated with antibiotics and those treated with nutraceuticals (Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex Bordas).

The incorporation of Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex from Bordas into the animal feed brings the following benefits::

• The formulation of nutraceuticals used is proposed as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials.

• In the group studied, there were no groups with significant differences for the average daily weight gain in animals treated with antibiotics or nutraceuticals (CBC Bordas).

• A favorable evolution of acid-lactic and total anaerobic bacteria is observed in piglets treated with nutraceuticals (CBC Bordas).
• Early effect of nutraceuticals at the cellular level.

• A long-term effect on mucosal development in the distal portions of the small intestine is detected, which could increase the absorption capacity at these levels.
• Larger intestinal crypts with nutraceuticals are present; therefore, a greater activity and regenerative potential of the intestinal mucosa.
• Lower number of villous caliciform cells were observed in animals treated with nutraceuticals (CBC Bordas), which results in a reduced need for lubrication of the duodenal mucosa.
• Lower concentrations of intraepithelial leukocytes were detected in animals treated with nutraceuticals (CBC Bordas); this could be associated with better intestinal health.

Improving the management of animal growth by carrying out preventive actions in terms of animal health and welfare is crucial to obtain greater productive performance.

Bordas develops innovative solutions of great interest to the livestock industry with the aim of addressing the different problems and challenges faced by the sector.

1. FEED & SENSORINEURAL LINE

Our sensory additives enable cost-effective and more efficient feed and health treatments and can be safely included in animal feed, complementary supplements, and veterinary products.

We devise personalized solutions based on the combination of substances that stimulate the senses of taste and smell, adapted to the composition of the feed, to the previous experience and to the animal-metabolic state.

Thanks to our experience, our products are exclusively designed to improve the palatability and the feed intake, producing positive post-ingestive sensations in animals.

2. HYGIENE & WELLNESS LINE

Treating and preventing the proliferation of bacteria responsible of the production of sweat and odor has become a must in the objective of bringing swine an acceptable hygiene environment and welfare.

Bordas develops natural and sustainable odour neutralizer to be easily added to deodorants and hygiene products for bedding and drying, and to those for cleaning slurry and manure.