January 24, 2007

Lectin from beans to improve pig weaning
 

Using lectin from the red kidney bean plant (phaseolus vulgaris) could result in cost effective weaning for pigs.

Pigs commonly suffer from digestive disorders around weaning, but a new plant-based product given before weaning helps the digestive tract to mature and improves weaning.

EUREKA project E! 2675 "healthy weaning" has developed a plant-based product to stimulate the maturing of the digestive tract in pigs. This would increase chances of successful weaning, pointed out  project coordinator Prof Stefan Pierzynowski of Lund University, Sweden.

The EUREKA study showed that giving the lectin to piglets at 11-12 days old enhanced successful weaning at 28 days. This result was achieved by accelerating the production of mature intestinal cells, able to cope effectively with the weaning diet.

During the project, field trials determined the optimal timing and dose, together with the best consistency and method of administration; and the results analysed the animals' performance and the economic impact of the technique.

Prof Pierzynowski has now been trying to find a producer for his product Suilektin(R) and he hopes to launch it in the market soon.

Project partners have also filed two patents on their process and have received considerable interest from potential producers. A current consortium is actively working on behalf of the former EUREKA project partners to set up arrangements for production. How soon Suilektin(R) reaches the market would depend on full implementation of the EU legislation.