Yeast cell wall derivatives improve broiler gut health.

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), mannose rich fractions (MRF) improve broiler microflora to strengthen gut health, reduce antibiotic usage and fight resistance.Given the ever-increasing rise in bacterial strains that are less and less sensitive to existing treatments, antibiotic resistance has the potential to become one of the greatest problems of our generation. While abuse of antibiotics in humans is probably the major contributor, policy makers have turned the spotlight on agricultural use as a way to control the problem. Treatment of animals with antimicrobials can cause drug resistance to zoonotic pathogens. Bacteria from animals can be spread to humans via food products during slaughter and processing. This spread has been extensively documented for conventional food-borne pathogens, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. While the debate rages over what is driving the seemingly inexorable rise of antibiotic-resistant microbes, alternatives to antibiotics and products capable of reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance transfer through the food chain are clearly required. Globally, it is recognized that there is no so-called “silver bullet” to replace antibiotic use in animal production and producers will almost certainly have to improve hygiene and husbandry to address the issue. Products that will assist the move to antibiotic-free production status include many that are designed to regulate and support the gut environment and its microflora: 1)Coccidial vaccines. 2)Probiotics 3) Feed enzymes. 4) Functional nutrients such as nucleotides 5) Organic acids and feed hygiene products. 6) Organic minerals 7) Plant-based products such as herbs, spices and essential oils. 8) Yeast cell wall derivatives such as mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and mannose rich fractions (MRF). The functional ingredients currently in use for microbial control, MOS and MRF are widely used in animal nutrition and have been shown to improve animal performance in a manner similar to antibiotic-like growth promoters. Since 1999 the use of MOS in animal feed has become more prominent, mainly due to the European ban on prophylactic antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed. Given their ability to bind and limit the colonization of gut pathogens, MOS and MRF have proven to be an effective solution for antibiotic-free diets, as well as providing support for immunity and digestion.Read more