Efficacy of Butyric and Valeric Acid Esters in a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model

A blend of microencapsulated organic acids and botanicals reduces necrotic enteritis via specific signaling pathways in broilers

“…Despite the severity of disease observed across the 3 experimental trials, dietary supplementation with the microencapsulated blend significantly decreased both mortality and lesion scores compared to what was observed in the birds on the control diet. These findings are in agreement with other studies showing feed additives including organic acids and essential oils ( Abdelli et al, 2020 ; Hofacre et al, 2020 ), citral ( Yang et al, 2016 ), postbiotics ( Johnson et al, 2019 ), or a combination of several additives ( Calik et al, 2019 ; Du and Guo, 2021 ) have the potential to lessen the impact of NE in the absence of antibiotics or other medications. Most of the abovementioned studies improved gut health by reducing lesion scores and altering the microbial ecology, but not all were able to reduce mortality as we observed.…”

Performance Evaluation of a Novel Combination of Four- and Five-Carbon [Butyric and Valeric] Short-Chain Fatty Acid Glyceride Esters in Broilers

“…Onrust et al [12] similarly reported significant improvement in BW (3%) and in FCR (3.3%) with VA supplementation. Contrary, other authors reported lower feed intake [11,21] as compared to control, suggesting that although higher levels of the acids are more effective in controlling mortality and lesions, these levels may be associated with detrimental effects on feed intake and consequently weight gain. Mortality in the finisher phase (day 29-42) was significantly reduced, which could help to minimize losses as the producer spends more on feeding birds in this phase, compared to earlier phases.…”

“…However, the high doses needed for the effect resulted in reduced feed intake and growth, which is a side-effect that needs further investigation. Further, VA monoester applied at 1.5 kg/t provided significant control of both clinical and subclinical NE and produced the lowest levels of mortality by NE and total mortality of the challenged groups [11]. Onrust et al [12] also observed that VA supplementation to broiler feed can reduce the incidence of necrotic enteritis, also finding a decrease in FCR and positive effect in the morphology of the small intestinal mucosa.…”

“…Irradiated mice treated with VA showed improved survival rates, better protected hematogenic organs, and improved gastrointestinal tract function and intestinal epithelial integrity [10]. Both BA and VA glycerol esters, were separately investigated for their effect on intestinal health, in a necrotic enteritis challenge model, with results comparable to bacitracin [11]. However, the high doses needed for the effect resulted in reduced feed intake and growth, which is a side-effect that needs further investigation.…”

Comparison of Chicken Cecal Microbiota after Metaphylactic Treatment or Following Administration of Feed Additives in a Broiler Farm with Enterococcal Spondylitis History

“…Some used alternatives to antibiotics in agricultural animals are feed additives, which include prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids [ 14 ]. Studies have shown that butyric acid preparations might be useful adjuncts to reduce necrotic enteritis in antibiotic-free broiler production [ 15 ]. Their mechanism of action against the disease must involve other host-mediated activities as there was no direct microbial inhibition of Clostridium perfringens [ 16 ].…”