German speciality chemical manufacturer Evonik has announced the debut of a next-generation poultry probiotic, Ecobiol PRO.
The product was developed by optimising the manufacturing process for its established probiotic, Ecobiol, with researchers finding that this can affect how quickly its spores become active in chickens' guts.
Both products contain a strain of Bacillus velezensis.
The new product is designed to deliver the following benefits in poultry:
- support gut health
- strengthen the immune system
- reduce harmful bacteria in the intestine
- lower disease risk
- potentially reduce the need for antibiotics.
Evonik argued that reducing antibiotic use in farm animals is one of the biggest opportunities to slow the development of antibiotic resistance.
One particular target for Ecobiol PRO is Necrotic enteritis, caused by Clostridium perfringens. The disease is a major issue in poultry production as it damages the gut, reduces growth and can even kill birds.
The disease is estimated to result in annual economic losses of between $4bn and $6bn globally.
Probiotics used as feed additives can effectively prevent this disease — but only if they are active in the small intestine.
Using its laboratory poultry gut model, DAISy (short for "Dynamic Avian Intestine in vitro System"), Evonik says it has found a way to accelerate probiotic spore germination.
This will result in spores multiplying more rapidly and competing with pathogens in the birds' intestines.
According to a study from Oklahoma State University, broiler chickens challenged with C. perfringens showed 50% better survival compared with those on a standard market probiotic.
They also showed less intestinal damage.
Stefan Pelzer, Head of Microbiome Research at Evonik, said: "With spore-forming bacteria such as Bacillus velezensis CECT 5940, which Ecobiol is based on, the key factor is how quickly and at what point in the digestive system they transform into active, vegetative cells."
These findings are not only relevant for animal nutrition but also for a wide range of other applications involving Bacillus-based products — whether in nutrition, personal care, oral hygiene, agriculture, or cleaning products.
"Seventy-three per cent of all antibiotics used worldwide are administered in livestock farming — therapeutically, prophylactically and as growth promoters. Hence, this is the most effective point of intervention to counteract the further development of resistance."