Phytogenic Additives
Plant-based compounds are natural compounds derived from plants that have been found to have a variety of beneficial effects on animal nutrition. These substances are commonly used in animal feed to improve feed efficiency, growth performance, and overall health of animals. This review will focus on the various phytogenic substances and their utilization in animal nutrition.
Phytogenic substances are derived from various parts of plants such as leaves, seeds, fruits, roots, and bark. These substances are known to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the commonly used phytogenic substances include essential oils, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids.
Our research group focuses on investigating the effects of individual phytogenic substances to improve the overall performance of animals. A crucial part of our research is also the targeted delivery of these substances to their site of action. We have developed a pH-responsive nanoparticle that transports selected active substances directly to the section of the small intestine where their effect is most significant.
New Generation of Adaptogenic Substances
Adaptogens are a class of natural compounds that have gained increasing attention in recent years for their potential health benefits. These substances are believed to help the body adapt to stress, both physical and mental, and promote homeostasis or balance in the body. Research has shown that adaptogens can help the body cope with stress by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the body’s main stress response system. Adaptogens have been found to modulate the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, and improve the body’s ability to handle stress.
In collaboration with our application partner, our goal is to develop a formulation of adaptogens to alleviate heat stress in animals and to increase their welfare.
Connected Project: 2020 – 2025 Development of new generation of adaptogenic substances and nanotransport in feed industry. TAČR Trend FW01010053 (co-investigator Pavel Horky)
Research outcomes: in progress
Development of formulations for targeted transport
Targeted delivery of phytogenic substances is an important area of research that has the potential to improve the effectiveness, safety, and reduction of applied doses of active compounds delivery, ultimately leading to better animal´s performance.
The developed technologies meet the requirements for quality, the EU legislative framework for animal nutrition, and cost-effectiveness.
Our developed encapsulation procedures are suitable for a wide range of active substances. By optimizing the production process, we are able to target their delivery to different parts of the digestive tract
Connected Projects: 2019 – 2021: Nanotransmitters of monoglycerides for the support of intestinal microbiome diversity in poultry TAČR Zéta TJ02000325 (Principal investigator Sylvie Skalickova)
2019 – 2022: Reducing the use of zinc and antibiotics in pig farms with innovative phyto-additives and their combination with other natural antimicrobial agents. TAČR Eta TH04030172 (Principal investigator Pavel Horky)
2020 – 2025 Development of new generation of adaptogenic substances and nanotransport in feed industry. TAČR Trend FW01010053 (co-investigator Pavel Horky)
Research outcomes: Research Article: Development of pH-Responsive Biopolymeric Nanocapsule for Antibacterial Essential Oils, Inernational Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020
Certified methodology of Synthesis of essential oils nanotransporter for monogastric animal nutrition, 2020,
Utility model: Encapsulated monoglycerides in broiler chickens nutrition. Skalickova, S, Horky, P., in cooperation with Addicoo Group s.r.o., 2020
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its active compound, silymarin, is a complex mixture of flavonolignans and flavonoids, and has been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties.
Our research deals with the digestibility and utilization of milk thistle in horse nutrition. Its potential in this field is to improve the performance of racehorses and alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases, such as laminitis.
Connected Project: 2020 – 2022 Aplication of Milk Thistle in the Nutrition of Sport Horses. TACR Zeta (Principal investigator Hana Dockalova)
Research outcomes: Research Article: Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes by Horses Subjected to Physical Exertion, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2022
Research Article: Influence of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes on Biochemical Values of Equine Plasma Subjected to Physical Exertion, Animals, 2021
Essential Oils
Essential oils are volatile compounds extracted from plants that have been used for their medicinal and nutritional properties for centuries. In animal nutrition, essential oils are often used as natural supplements to promote digestive health and improve feed efficiency. They can also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help to reduce the incidence of certain diseases in animals.
In this domain, we mainly focus on finding suitable combinations of essential oils and incorporating them into nanocapsules. One of the goals of encapsulating them is to prevent their degradation during storage and also to eliminate their odor in animal feed, which can negatively affect the animal’s feed intake.
Connected Projects: 2019 – 2022: Reducing the use of zinc and antibiotics in pig farms with innovative phyto-additives and their combination with other natural antimicrobial agents. TAČR Eta TH04030172 (Principal investigator Pavel Horky)
Research outcomes: Research Article: Essential Oils as a Feed Additives: Pharmacokinetics and Potential Toxicity in Monogastric Animals, Animals 2020