February 27, 2023
Evonik unveils PhytriCare® IM plant-based feed additive
Evonik has introduced PhytriCare® IM, a plant-based feed additive with a high flavonoid content.
The product was developed to prevent an excessively high inflammatory state in sows, laying hens and dairy cows.
Excessive inflammation that is slow to resolve can lead to chronic inflammation, which can be described as the body's overreaction that can last for prolonged periods of several months to years, Evonik noted.
The inflammation process is extremely demanding on the metabolic function, as it diverts a significant amount of energy and essential nutrients away from other functions. When the environment is favorable, available resources are primarily used by animals for growth and reproduction.
However, in challenging environments coupled with chronic inflammation, resources are shifted away from growth and reproduction to maintenance programmes. The consequence is poor feed intake and a lower productivity yield (growth, egg, or milk), which ultimately leads to productivity decline and increased carbon footprint.
One key aspect for breeders is making sure their animals do not develop chronic inflammation syndrome to ensure good health and maximise the animals' performance and energy efficiency.
Reducing the damaging effects of chronic inflammation
PhytriCare® IM is a mixture of carefully selected plant extracts with a minimum content of 10% flavonoids.
Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites. This large molecule family of more than 8,000 compounds has been investigated for their metabolic effects. It was scientifically reported that some flavonoids, in particular, a selected few, have an anti-inflammatory effect by targeting specific biochemical pathways.
The blend selection of PhytriCare® IM aims to target a wide range of inflammatory pathways to modulate but not suppress the inflammatory response, as the regular immune response should never be jeopardised.
Furthermore, the flavonoids in PhytriCare® IM are small enough to ensure good digestibility and absorption and bring about a strong systemic anti-inflammatory effect compared to other less digestible compounds.
In addition to ensuring an efficient diet formulation and healthy gut, it is important for producers to take a holistic approach to animal production systems to achieve their goals, Evonik said.
Phytricare® IM can withstand the feed production process, including the pelleting stage, making it the ideal and sustainable solution for today's animal feed industry.
- Evonik
