NUQO zoning in on monogastric gut health with new double encapsulation plant based technology
As well as being based on a particular ingredient formulation, NUQO SAFE relies on a new double encapsulation approach, said the producer.
The technology includes a combination of phytogenics and phycogenics – active molecules from plants and algae – that reportedly have a proven effect on digestibility and immunity, and organic acids that are said to have stabilizing effects on gut microflora.
NUQO R&D director, Dr Stéphanie Ladirat, says the double encapsulation method enables, not just a slow release, but an accurate and precise controlled released of ingredients to support gut health. The idea is that active compounds are released specifically between the duodenum up to the colon, with fractionated or sequenced release of the different ingredients, so that every compound gets released on spot to enhance digestive functions and control gut microflora.
The technology is designed to address three main objectives:
- Support digestive functions
- Trigger antioxidant effect and immune modulation
- Ensure pathogen control
The phycogenics in the product are derived from brown algae (Ascophyllum), which NUQO says it harvests and processes in a way to obtain a high concentration of metabolites. The phytogenics are produced from compounds such as thyme, oregano, cinnamon and chili, confirmed Ewenn Helary, CEO of NUQO.
Market authorization
NUQO SAFE is authorized already in EU and US, and in some countries in Latin America and Asia, while pending in other markets.
“Registration has been granted in Chile and, hopefully, will be awarded very soon in Brazil. It is already authorized in South Korea and Taiwan. Authorization, though, is pending in Canada, as well as in Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia. We expect it should be registered in most of these countries by early 2022,” Helary told us.
Trial results
Validation work on the technology, carried out in Asia, Europe and North America, has showed a significant increase of performance in monogastric animals, said Helary. “We have done various trials, both with pigs and poultry. In poultry, we had ROI from 3:1 to 5:1. In piglets, it varies from 2.6:1 to 5:1.”
In Europe, the company tended to carry out field trials, as was the case with its trial work in Asia but, in the US, the validation studies were undertaken with universities and institutes such as Southern Poultry Feed and Research, based in Athens, Georgia, he explained.
Dr Ladirat outlined how, in some recent studies testing the technology in broilers in Europe, at inclusion levels of 400 g per ton of feed in the birds, the technology triggered increased growth due to improved intestinal health (BWG +3.8% on average), better feed conversion ratio (FCR -3.1% on average), a reduction in enteric problems, and better control of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria.
“Additionally, the product increased dry matter content of feces resulting in dry litter, and consequently in lower occurrence of footpad dermatosis, and finally a reduction of ammonia.”
Two trials performed in North America highlighted the effect of the new technology to better support performance and improve bird gut health during a coccidiosis challenge, in comparison with classic solutions such as phytogenics, according to the R&D director.
“Despite different impacts of the Eimeria strains (E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella) on lesion scores between the two trials, a consistent efficacy of the technology was observed on growth, feed efficiency and lesion score. In both trials, the positive impact on lesion scores due to E. tenella was significant, indicating the direct consequences of the targeted release of the active ingredients along the gut.”
