Page 6 - AWA Vol.41-No.5. 1

Feed AdditiVeS

Smarter Feed for a Smarter Future: How Functional

Feed Additives Are Transforming Animal Nutrition

By: Farzin Wafadar – Vice President walls, and enhance the digestibility of systems, maintaining gut health has be-
at Plus Additives BV from Belgium starch and protein. They are especially come a critical priority. FFAs provide an
valuable for young animals whose natu- effective alternative. For example, or-
odern animal production plays ral enzyme production is still develop- ganic acids have long been used to in-
Ma critical role in global food se- ing. hibit pathogenic microbes. Short-chain
curity, delivering affordable sources of Another area where FFAs play a vital fatty acids act in acidic gut regions, while
meat, milk, eggs, and aquaculture prod- role is in fat digestion. Fats are energy- medium-chain fatty acids offer broader
ucts to a growing population. As produc- rich but difficult to digest in the water- antimicrobial action across pH ranges.
tion systems become more intensive, based environment of the gut. Natural These compounds disrupt microbial cell
animals are expected to grow faster, membranes and limit colonization.
utilize feed more efficiently, and remain digestion depends on bile salts and en- An advanced class of FFAs—monoglyc-
healthy under increasingly demanding zymes for emulsification. Additives such erides of organic acids—offers even
conditions. Achieving this solely through as lysophospholipids enhance this pro-
conventional nutrition is no longer suf- cess, supporting better emulsification, broader protection. Their structure al-
lows them to act effectively throughout
ficient. nutrient transport, and overall utilization
of energy and protein. They also boost the entire digestive tract, regardless of
In today’s production environment, the activity of digestive enzymes, im- pH or dietary fat content. Their consis-
success in animal nutrition depends not proving feed efficiency. tent antimicrobial effect supports gut in-
only on the quantity of nutrients provid- tegrity and contributes to a more stable
ed but also on how effectively animals digestive environment.
can digest, absorb, and utilize those
nutrients. This is where Functional Feed Beyond these digestive and health ben-
Additives (FFAs) make a difference. efits, FFAs contribute to what is known as
These are bioactive, non-nutrient com- the nutrient-sparing effect. By improv-
pounds designed to enhance digestion, ing the efficiency of nutrient utilization,
improve nutrient utilization, and support they allow for the formulation of lower-
overall animal health, ultimately help- density diets without compromising per-
ing animals extract more value from the formance. This leads to cost savings and
same feed. improved sustainability, especially as
feed ingredient prices and availability
FFAs work within the digestive tract to
improve nutrient availability without in- fluctuate.
creasing dietary levels of protein, fat, or In essence, Functional Feed Additives
energy. By promoting better digestion, represent a strategic tool in modern ani-
more efficient nutrient absorption, and mal production. They support high per-
a healthier gut environment, they make formance without relying on antibiotics
a measurable impact on animal perfor- or expensive dietary inputs, help control
mance. costs, and reduce environmental pres-
One major category of FFAs is en- sure by improving feed efficiency.
zymes. These support the breakdown of They are more than just feed additives.
complex or indigestible components in Animal health is closely linked to di- They are critical enablers of smarter,
feed. Enzymes reduce intestinal viscos- gestive efficiency. With reduced use of more sustainable animal nutrition for the
ity, release nutrients bound in plant cell antibiotic growth promoters across many future. Circle 4 on enquiry card
4 Vol. 41 No. 5