REPLACEREPLACEREPLACING ANTIBIOTICS REPLACING ANTIBIOTICS IN ANIMAL HEALTHCAREIN ANIMAL HEALTHCARE

Neither a commercial terrestrial animal housing nor an aqua pond environment is not, and likely will never be, a sterile environment.

Hence need of Antibiotics is always there. However residual antibiotics in the food chain forced the Agencies to ban Antibiotics in Animal Feeds.

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(http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v488/n7413/images/488601a-f1.2.jpg)

(http://healthblog.ncpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/rise-of-antibiotic-resistance-in-various-common-infections-larger.jpg)

An intensive search for alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, enzymes, toxin binders, organic acids, organic minerals, oligosaccharides and other feed additives has started in the last decade (Fulton et al. 2002; Griggs and Jacob, 2005; Owens et al. 2008).

Before probing into these substitutes of Synthetic Antibiotics and Hormones, we may revisit anatomy of Poultry.

Broilers have an outstanding genetic potential for growth and meat production; however, in order to realize this potential, they must be fed to meet their nutritional requirements. In addition, they must be able to digest the ingested feed, and to absorb the nutrients

contained in it. These processes are directly correlated to the development of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly of the small intestine.

Immediately after hatching, broiler chicks are submitted to drastic nutritional changes, from a lipid-rich nutrition from the yolk sac to a carbohydrate-rich exogenous diet.

However, after hatching, broiler chicks remain in the hatchery until they are sexed, and vaccinated. They are then transported to the farms to be housed. During this period, chicks are deprived from feed and water, resulting in a significant growth reduction, with consequences in the short and in the long term (Noy & Sklan, 1997).

From hatching until housing, chicks are nourished by the yolk sac, which is inside the abdomen (Noy et al., 1996). There are indications that nutrient supply from the yolk sac is not enough to support the rapid growth of the newly hatched chick of housing, and therefore, feed supply, takes a long time (Gonzales et al., 2003).

The intestines are the parts of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM responsible for the absorption of nutrients and water. Two anatomic regions exist, the small intestine and the large intestine. Both of these are further subdivided into anatomically discernible subdivisions. The small intestine has three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum; the large intestine is subdivided into the colon, cecum, rectum, and is continuous with the anus, the last portion of the alimentary canal.

In the small intestines food is passed in a liquid state to facilitate the nutrient absorption.

Small intestine is a critical digestive organ involved in nutrient absorption, the development of this organ is essential to poultry health and performance (Kawalilak et al. 2011).

The large intestine primarily absorbs water, and compacts and dries out the fecal bolus: villi would be a hindrance to movement of the semi-solid fecal mass, and would likely be injured by its PASSAGE . hence there are no villi in the large intestine, and in addition, there are numerous goblet cells whose secretions act as lubrication for the moving material.

Bi and Chiou (1996) found that broiler chicks developed larger intestinal villi resulting in faster growth rates. It is demonstrated that improvement of gut morphology is paralleled by increased digestive and absorptive function of the intestine due to increased absorptive surface area, expression of brush border enzymes and nutrient transport systems (Awad et al. 2008).

Structure of the small intestine

(http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/vm8054/Labs/Lab19/Lab19.htm)

The inner surface of the small intestine is not flat, but is thrown into circular mucosal folds that increase its surface area and aid in mixing the ingesta.

In the avian gut, villi exist throughout the length of the small and large intestine, steadily decreasing in height along the way. The mucosa form intestinal villi – tiny, finger-like projections that increase the surface and absorptive area of the intestinal wall, providing

efficient absorption of nutrients from the lumen. The luminal surface of each villus is, in turn, increased by many microvilli to facilitate absorption on the surface of the cells.Each villus is lined with epithelial cells (enterocytes) that are differentiated according to location on the villus to absorb fluids and nutrients (tip), secrete electrolytes and fluids (side and crypt), and to regenerate and replace damaged cells or those lost to normal attrition (crypt). Crypts are moat-like invaginations of the epithelium around the villi. Toward the base of the crypts are stem cells, which continually divide and provide the source of all the epithelial cells in the crypts and on the villi.

Paneth cells are found in the small intestine but not in the large intestine.It's recently been shown that the granules of Paneth cells contain a form of bactericide, and lysozyme-like agents. This suggests they're responsible for protecting the gut against bacterial overgrowth, and this is the current explanation of what they do—subject, of course, to revision as new data is gathered.

The efficient breeder hens had longer (P=0.01) and wider (P=0.04) villi, resulting in a greater absorptive surface area/villi (3.32 mm2) than in non-efficient birds (2.04 mm2; P=0.03). Also, the efficient birds had significantly higher villus length to crypt depth ratio. (http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1895/improving-the-effectiveness-of-laying-hens-for-use-in-valueadded-egg-production)

Farm biosecurityFarm biosecurity

Without doubt, antibiotics offered a high level of security against most common pathogens. Without in-feed antibiotics, however, the whole farm biosecurity protocol must be reevaluated and most likely elevated to new standards. Assuming that under current commercial conditions, the achieved level of health status of animals is always around “average,” we must still rely on certain additives. However, having a strict biosecurity protocol in place will reduce reliance on (expensive) antibiotic in-feed alternatives.

(http://www.wattagnet.com/How_to_prepare_for_an_antibiotic_ban_in_poultry_and_pig_feed.html)

SOMGUARDSomguard a colloidal silver based product in drinking water and for

fumigating the sheds and surroundings can act as bactericide and virucide

without any toxicity to animal or in the food chain and without causing

resistance.

IN FEEDIN FEED

PROTEINSPROTEINSNow research led by Doctor Udi Qimron of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine has discovered a protein that kills bacteria. The isolation of this protein, produced by a virus that attacks bacteria, is a major step toward developing a substitute for conventional antibiotics.(http://nocamels.com/2013/12/israeli-researcher-discovers-protein-that-could-replace-conventional-antibiotics-and-kill-bacteria/)

AMINO ACIDSAMINO ACIDS

As most NaturalNews readers probably already know, there is a rapidly-growing resistance to antibiotics that has given way to antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and even the strongest antibiotic drugs available have all but lost their ability to treat even the most common infections that afflict people today.

However, a research scientist from the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig, Germany, has discovered that simple, natural amino acids work better than antibiotics at treating infections, and they do not cause harm to healthy cells in the body."Antibiotic peptides (from amino acids) unlock their microbicidal effect within a few minutes. They also work at a concentration of less than 1 microliter, compared with conventional antibiotics which require a concentration of 10 microliters," said Schubert as part of his test results. "The spectrum of efficacy of the tested peptides includes not only bacteria and molds but also lipid-enveloped viruses. Another key factor is that the peptides identified in our tests do not harm healthy body cells."(http://www.naturalnews.com/032825_amino_acids_antibiotics.html#ixzz3Ae6MnI5m)It is well known that broiler Arg dietary supplementation in the starter diet improved production performance and small intestine morphometry, especially in the first week

Proteins and specific amino acids have been shown to alter mucin secretion and may interact directly with goblet cells or with the enteric nervous system to elicit changes in mucin secretion (Montagne et al., 2000; Claustre et al., 2002; Faure et al., 2005). Studies in piglets showed between 80% and 90% to dietary Thr is used by the intestine (Schaart et al., 2005). The portal-drained viscera (PDV) has a high obligatory visceral requirement for Thr and the high rate of intestinal Thr utilization is due mainly to incorporation into mucosal proteins (Schaart et al., 2005). Threonine is an integral constituent of intestinal mucin proteins (Van Klinken et al., 1995; Lien et al., 1997).

Intestinal mucin synthesis is sensitive to dietary Thr supply, which suggests that the gut's requirement for Thr may comprise a significant proportion of the whole body requirement (Nichols and Bertolo, 2008). De novo synthesis of mucosal and mucin proteins is sensitive to luminal Thr concentration, which demonstrates the importance of dietary amino acid supply to gut protein metabolism (Nichols and Bertolo, 2008). The structure of Mucin gene (MUC2) is composed by 11% Thr (Gum, 1992). The hydroxyl group of Thr and serine is necessary for

ester linkages on the mucin amino acid backbone to carbohydrate groups that make up the majority (50% to 80%) of the molecular weight of mucin (Montagne et al., 2004). There is a lack of information about the effects of Thr levels more than NRC (1994) on performance and mucin dynamics in poultry, especially for starter period. However, Ross requirement (0.94%) is 14% more than NRC (1994).

The essential amino acid Thr is typically the third limiting amino acid behind TSAA and Lys in commercial broiler diets composed of corn or sorghum, soybean meal and meat meal (Kidd and Kerr, 1996; Kidd, 2000). Thr is not only an essential amino acid for growth in young chicks, but also its preferential utilization by the gut for mucus synthesis makes it disproportionately essential for maintenance requirements. Up to 90% of dietary Thr is extracted by the portal-drained viscera (versus only about a third for other essential amino acids) (Stoll et al., 1998; Van Goudoever et al., 2000; Van Der Schooret al., 2002; Schaart et al., 2005). Thr’s requirement for maintenance functions in the gut would be particularly sensitive to Thr supply. The protective mucus layer in the gut predominantly consists of mucins, glycoproteins that are particularly rich in Thr. More ever, mucins are continuously synthesized and very resistant to small intestinal proteolysis and hence recycling; therefore, mucin synthesis is largely an irreversible loss of Thr (Van Der Schoor et al., 2002). As a result, a substantial and constant supply of Thr is necessary to maintain gut function and structure (Law et al., 2007)(http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/article/view/ijas.2011.e14/2038)

ESSENTIAL OILSESSENTIAL OILSNATURAL BOTANICAL MICROBICIDALS

BIOMED is a broad spectrum bactericide, fungicide and is a powerful antiviral and versatile antiparasitic.Vitis vinifera seed contains diphenyl hydroxy benzeneTrachyspermum ammi fruit essential oil contains thymolThymus vulgaris flower and leaves essential oil contains thymol, cymene & oleanolic acidPapaver somniferum sap contains codeine, papaverine, vanilic acid

Origanum vulgare volatile oil contains thymol Olea europea fruits contains oleuropein, elenolic acid, aglyconeOcimum gratisimum essential oil contains thymol, eugenol, citralDatura metel contains hyosyamine, atropine, scopolamine,allantoin, Vit C

Cinchona ledgeriana contains cinchonine,quinine, quinidine, cinchonidineAtropa belladonna contains atropine, hyoscyamine.

Effects of essential oils on animal physiology (after Günther, 1990)Effect Physiological actionIntensification of taste Impulses to central nervous systemIncreased secretion of digestive juices Improved digestionIncreased activity of digestive enzymes Improved nutrient digestion and absorptionInhibition of oxidative processes Reduced level of peroxides in the GITInhibition of growth of bacteria Reduction of toxinsand fungi in feed and GIT

MODE OF ACTION:OCIMUM BASILICUM exhibits in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Pseudomonas auerginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Strong activity was also shown against Candida albicans.ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS contains some of the most powerful candida killing substances available.GARLIC EXTRACT (from 66 mg fresh garlic) were found to be effective antibiotic agents against many bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, salmonella enteritidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and mycobacteria.Rosemary contains camphor, a powerful anti-microbial. Thyme contains thymol, which clinical studies have shown to kill staphylococcus and salmonella. Lavender contains antibacterial compounds that are more concentrated than many chemical components used cleansers, like phenol, and sage contains natural phenol.

CITATIONS:Phytogenic effects have been proven in poultry for feed palatability and quality (sensory aspects), growth promotion (improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio, reduced mortality), gut function and nutrient digestibility (improved growth), gut microflora (less diseases of the GIT, improved growth, reduced mortality), immune function (improved health), and carcass meat safety and quality (reduced microbial load, improved sensory)(after Mountzouris et al., 2009).

Phytogenic substances show a clear antimicrobial activity in vivo (e.g., Okitoi et al., 2007). In the same way anticoccidial effects of phytobiotics are described (Giannenas and Kyriazakis, 2009). The observed effects are probably caused by the potential of hydrophobic essential oils to intrude the bacterial cell membrane, to disintegrate membrane structure and to cause ion leakage (Windisch et al., 2009).

CONTENTSBLEND OF NATURAL ORGANIC COMPOUNDS LIKE Vitis vinifera Trachyspermum ammi Thymus vulgaris Papaver somniferum Origanum vulgare Olea europea Ocimum gratsisimum Datura metel Cinchona ledgeriana  Atropa belladona.

INDICATIONS:

VAGINITIS, SHINGELLA, POLIO VIRUS, NEWCASTLE DISEASE, MENINGITIS, LYME DISEASE, INFLUENZA, HERPES VIRUS, HEPATITIS –A& B & C, GIARDIA, FIBROMYALGIA, EBOLA VIRUS, E.COLI, CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, CHOLERA, CHLAMYDIA, ANGINA PECTORIS ETC.

BIOMED1. Halts the outbreak of colds and other viral diseases 2. Prevents invasions of mold, fungus, yeast and bacteria. 3. Protects from infestations of protozoan parasites. 4. Curbs need of increased dosages of antibiotics 5. Eliminates need of newer antibiotics 6. Improves immune system 7. Stops abuse of antibiotics 8. Inhibits growth, spread, survival of pathogenic microbes. 9. ELIMINATES USE OF ANTIBIOTICS, SYNTHETIC FUNGISTATS,BACTERIOSTATS

BIOMED#Safe   #New   #Effective  #Biodegradable   #Non carcinogenic   #GRAS

SYMBIOTICSSYMBIOTICS

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%2Fwww.horseit.com%2Fen%2FHealth2001%2Farticles%2Fdigestivehealth121005.htm&docid=IrDVsA_IRim_4M&tbnid=Rg2pPh4mGj3qKM&w=460&h=295&ei=WF

zwU7KhG4KiugTk9YGoDA&ved=0CAQQxiAwAg&iact=c)

Yeast products have been proven as promising candidates for supporting the animals' immune system and preventing intestinal adhesion of foodborne pathogens. Mannan-Oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta-glucans as components of the yeast cell wall exert specific functions.

Pichia guilliermondii can be directed against O and H antigens of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis to prevent bacterial adhesion to and invasion of HEp-2 cells.

A feeding trial was conducted on broiler chickens to study the effects of the synbiotic BIOMIN IMBO [a combination of Enterococcus faecium, a prebiotic (derived from chicory) and immune modulating substances (derived from sea algae)], with a dose of 1 kg/ton of the starter diets and 0.5 kg/ton of the grower diets on the intestinal morphometry and nutrient absorption. The general performance was improved (P < 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of synbiotic compared with the controls. Furthermore, the addition of synbiotic increased (P < 0.001) the villus height/crypt depth ratio and villus height in ileum. However, the ileal crypt depth was decreased by dietary supplementation of synbiotic compared with control. The addition of glucose in Ussing chamber produced a significant increase (P ≤ 0.001) in short-circuit current (Isc) in jejunum and colon relative to the basal values in both synbiotic and control groups. However, in jejunum the percentage of Isc increase after glucose addition was higher for synbiotic group (333 %) than control group (45 %). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of synbiotic BIOMIN IMBO increased the growth performance and improved intestinal morphology and nutrient absorption.(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2635618/)

Higher villus height (VH) (p<0.01) were seen in the duodenum of birds fed diets without prebiotics, whereas birds fed Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic and birds fed prebiotic based on MOS and OA showed higher VH (p<0.01) in jejunum and ileum. Greater crypt depths (CD) (p<0.01) were observed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds receiving B. subtilis, and in the duodenum and jejunum of birds fed diets without prebiotics. Significant interaction (p<0.01) between the evaluated factors was seen for both, VH and CD, in the three intestinal portions. Greater VH was obtained in duodenum, jejunum and ileum with the use of probiotics and prebiotics and greater CD with the use of probiotics, in relation to the control group.

Final body weight at 42 d of age was higher in birds fed a diet with probiotics compared to those fed a diet without probiotic (p<0.05). Inclusion of Bacillus subtilis based probiotic in the diets also significantly affected feed conversion rate (FCR) compared with control birds (p<0.05). No differences in growth performance were observed in birds fed different types of probiotic supplemented diets. Inclusion of lactic acid bacteria based probiotic in the diets significantly increased goblet cell number and villus length (p<0.05). Furthermore, diets with Bacillus subtilisbased probiotics significantly increased gene expression (p<0.05), with higher intestinal MUC2 mRNA in birds fed diet with probiotics compared to those fed the control diet. In BS and LAB probiotic fed chicks, higher growth performance may be related to higher expression of the MUC2 gene in goblet cells and/or morphological change of small intestinal tract. The higher synthesis of the mucin gene after probiotic administration may positively affect bacterial interactions in the intestinal digestive tract, intestinal mucosal cell proliferation and consequently efficient nutrient absorption.(http://www.ajas.info/journal/view.php?number=22810)

ENZYMESENZYMES

Combinations of acidifiers and enzymes give very cost-effective broiler production in the absence of antibiotic growth promoters.It is possible that improved feed digestibility brought about by enzymes may reduce the

residence time of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and so give less opportunity for growth of pathogenic bacteria.

FUNCTIONAL FIBERSFUNCTIONAL FIBERSBolduan (1988) showed that the addition of 5% straw to a piglet starter diet reduced the transit time of digesta through the gut. This led to a reduction in the percentage of days with diarrhoea from 6.0 to 3.5. Since then, work with other sources of digestible fibre, such as sugar beet feed, have shown an improved overall NSP digestibility of the diet and reduced incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea.(HTTP://WWW.THEPIGSITE.COM/ARTICLES/291/ALTERNATIVES-TO-ANTIBIOTICS-AS-GROWTH-PROMOTERS)

IMMUNOMODULATORSIMMUNOMODULATORSImmunomodulators--feed additives, such as the beta-glucan fraction of the yeast cell wall, that help stimulate and normalize immune system function--have been used in weanling pig diets at different inclusion levels as an alternative to subtherapeutic dietary antibiotics, according to research conducted at Oklahoma State University.(http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-130213779.html)

HERBAL EXTRACTSHERBAL EXTRACTS

Dietary Berberis vulgaris extract enhances intestinal mucosa morphology in the broiler chicken

It is well known that Euphorbia hirta in the presence of orgainic acids excellent antimicrobial properties and as well villi surface area improvement which results in better performance of the birds.

Effect of Garlic on the performance of weaned piglets, 11-24 kg

Treatment 0% Garlic 0.05% Garlic 0.25% Garlic 50 ppm Mecadox

Feed Intake (g/d) 710 736 691 825

Growth rate (g/d) 382 414 376 465

Feed: Gain (g/d) 1.88 1.77 1.83 1.77

Losses (%) 15.6 - 3.1 9.4

Treatment for Diarrhoea (%) 6.3 6.2 9.4 21.9

(http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/291/alternatives-to-antibiotics-as-growth-promoters)

ORGANIC ACIDSORGANIC ACIDS

An organic acid blend (benzoic, fumaric and 2-hydroxi-4-methylltio-butanoic - HMTBa) in the dosage of 0.4% improves intestinal health and performance when nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Typhimurium is experimentally inoculated.

Effect on body weight gain Feed supplemented with 0.1% and 0.2% butyric acid had no effect on body weight gain ( Leeson S. et al. ,2005). On the other hand , supplementation of feed with 3% fumaric acid or 3% lactic shows highest birds body weight gain from 3 to 6 weeks of age ( Adil S. et al., 2010 &2011)

Effect on intestinal histomorphology Dietary supplementation of organic acids significantly increase the villus height in the duodenoum , and jejunum, but there was non-significant effect on the ileum. ( S.Adil et al., 2010 & 2011)

Organic acid reduce bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella in the gastro-intestinal gut . Organic acids used as a salts (i.e. Sodium butyrate ) to prevent loss of acid in the upper digestive system .

Mechanism of organic acids function on body weight gain: The increase of body weight gain might be due to direct antimicrobial effect of organic acid on the microbial cell membrane or energy metabolism in the microbial cell causing antibacterial effect.Mechanism of organic acids function on FCR Improvement in FCR could be possible due to better utilization of nutrient resulting by improving intestinal integrity by so improving feed absorption and that reduce feed intake resulting in higher FCR.(http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/abedalmalekhawam-1747237-effect-organic-acid-supplementation-broiler-chicken-performance/)

It has been reported that organic acids stimulate the proliferation of normal crypt cells, enhancing healthy tissue turnover and maintenance (Scheppach et al. 1995 ). This trophic effect was demonstrated byFrankel et al. (1994) , who found an increase in villus height and surface area in the colon and jejunum of rats fed diets supplemented with butyric acid. Le Blay et al. (2000) and Fukunaga et al. (2003) also reported that organic acids can accelerate gut epithelial cell proliferation, thus increase intestinal tissue weight and changing mucosal morphology. The short chain fatty acids are believed to increase plasma glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) and ileal pro-glucagon mRNA, glucose transporter (GLUT2) expression and protein expression, which are potential signals mediating gut epithelial cell proliferation (Tappenden and McBurney, 1998). Paul et al. (2007) reported that the organic acid supplementation increased duodenal villus height. Similar results were observed by Garcia et al. (2007) who found improved villus height with formic acid and also greater crypt depth but the villus surface area was not influenced. The increased villus height in the small intestines could be associated with higher absorptive intestinal surface (Loddi et al. 2004 ) which facilitates the nutrient absorption and hence, has a direct impact on growth performance. Garcia et al. (2007) showed that diet supplementation with herbal plants and plant derived products causes a higher villus in chickens. Herbal plants decrease the total pathogen bacteria in the intestinal wall and cause a reduction in production of toxic compounds and damage to intestinal epithelial cells, inhibit the destruction of villus and decreases reconstruction of the lumen. This function could lead to a conversion in intestinal morphology (Garcia et al . 2007 ; Hashemi, 2010). It has been suggested that reduced microbial activity in digesta or microbial activity at the level of the brush border would reduce both the damage to enterocytes and the need for cell renewal in the gut (Hughes, 2003). Cook and Bird (1973) reported a shorter villus and a deeper crypt when the counts of pathogenic bacteria increase in the GIT, which result in fewer absorptive and more secretory cells (Schneeman, 1982).

MINERALSMINERALSSeveral studies indicated that dietary Zn supplementation appeared to alleviate the loss of intestinal mucosal barrier function induced by S. Typhimurium challenge and the partial mechanism might be related to the increased expression of occludin and claudin-1 in broiler chickens.

The role of copper sulphate as a growth enhancing agent is well established.

It is just one of the tests that indicate that besides all classical ways to improve the piglet’s gastro-intestinal health, it seems very interesting to focus on the use of organic trace minerals.(http://www.pigprogress.net/Special-Focus/Piglet-Feeding/Feeding-solution-to-reduce-use-of-antibiotics/)

LIQUID FEEDLIQUID FEEDAnother option for the future may be liquid feeding. Improvements in post-weaning growth rates have been reported in most of the investigations where piglets have been fed liquid compared with dry feed (Jensen & Mikkelsen, 1998, Brooks, 1999). Similar benefits have been established with fermented liquid feed, where the feed is soured to a pH of <4.0.(http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/291/alternatives-to-antibiotics-as-growth-promoters)

FERMENTED FEEDFERMENTED FEEDFermented feed may be a better option if wet mash is fermented with specific probiotics, Enzymes and other additives for about 8 hours (To become a predigested feed) before feeding to Animals.

An alternative to organic acids is fermented mash. This is characterised by a low pH (<4.5), a high concentration of lactic acid (> 150 mmol/l), and high densities of lactic acid bacteria (> 109 organisms/g) and yeast cells (> 107 organisms/g). Research at the Danish Institute for Agricultural Sciences has shown that fermented mash affects microbial metabolism in the alimentary canal of both baby and bacon pigs. The investigations show that pigs which received fermented mash had lower microbial activity in the stomach and small intestine. A similar result was found earlier when pigs were fed growth promoter antibiotics. The results also show that the number of coliform bacteria was markedly reduced in the alimentary canals of pigs fed on fermented mash, suggesting a more healthy gut environment. On the other hand no significantly better animal growth or feed utilisation was observed. The same has been found in English studies. Selection for particularly effective lactic acid bacteria and/or yeast cells appears to hold great potential to optimise this response.(http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/291/alternatives-to-antibiotics-as-growth-promoters)

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