April 6, 2011
 

Chemaphor produces feed efficiency enhancing oxidised carotenoids

 

 

A non-antibiotic product created by Chemaphor Inc. can improve feed efficiency and growth in food animals.

 

Recently released research proves that weaned pigs given a diet consisting in part of OxC-beta, a proprietary, concentrated mixture of fully oxidised carotenoids, show enhanced growth performance that is similar to the effects of currently available antibiotic growth promotants.

 

OxC-beta is owned and intellectual property-protected by Chemaphor Inc.

 

Research carried out in young pigs by Dr Dan Hurnik at the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College, demonstrates that a small amount of OxC-beta, incorporated into regular swine feed, improves growth of the animals and conversion of feed into body mass.

 

Hurnik announced his findings at the 42nd annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians conference in Phoenix, Arizona, March 5-8, 2011.

 

Results of clinical trials in animals and in vitro studies indicated that OxC-beta helps maintain immune function, which can give rise to better overall health, better growth and feed utilisation, reduced need for clinical treatment, and lower mortality rate.

 

"Feed additives, including antibiotics, are routinely used in swine production to increase and maintain uniform weight gain, improve feed conversion rates and to prevent disease," said Hurnik. "In an environment where safe and effective use of feed additives is common, oxidised carotenoids may be useful as a non-antibiotic option for maintaining growth of weaned pigs."

 

The study used two groups of 48 weaned barrows aged 18-21 days chosen from a high health commercial pork producer. A copy of this study was done with a second group of 48 weaned barrows after a nine-day period subsequent to the completion of the first trial. In the studies, OxC-beta was utilised at low levels in non-medicated diets.

 

According to Dr Graham Burton, president and co-founder of Chemaphor Inc., the results prove that there is value in looking for safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics for growth enhancement and protection against disease.

 

"Presently few commercially available substances exist that can serve as antibiotic replacements for this function in the billion dollar growth promotant industry," noted Burton.

 

Chemaphor is currently in discussion with large international and Canadian partners to commercialise OxC-beta in Canada, the US and Europe as a non-antibiotic and non-hormonal feed additive for livestock.