The conference explained the use of pronutrients as a natural alternative to antibiotics in animal production

On October 22^nd and 23^rd 2020 the Association of Nutrion and Animal Health Companies (AENSA) of Ecuador held a training entitled ‘Substitutes of pharmacological products’. Biovet S.A. participated with a conference on the limitation of the use of antibiotics and presented pronutrients as a natural alternative available in the market.

This time, Dr. Estefania Mesa, manager of the regulatory affairs department of Biovet S.A., gave the conference ‘Limitations on the use of antibiotics, new alternatives’. After a brief introduction on the additive concept, she presented the different regulations on additives used for animal nutrition at international and national level (European Union, U.S., China, Central America, and Ecuador). Then, Dr. Mesa addressed the use of antibiotics in animal production.

Use of antibiotics and chemical additives in intensive production

In 1950s poultry and pig farms led to an intensive production that required a greater intake of protein of animal origin. In this type of production animals are exposed to a constant overexertion of the organs and systems to cope with the high productivity demands. That leads to an immune deficiency and an increase in the prevalence of various diseases. Hence the use of antibiotics growth promoters, and chemical additives, such as coccidiostats, were used as additives in the diet of the animals to improve production parameters and prevent some diseases.

However, the use of these components has brought some drawback such as the appearances of microbial resistances or residues in meat an animal products. Currently, the global trend, both by consumers and by regulatory administrations, is the reduction and elimination of antibiotics, coccidiostats and other chemicals in animal nutrition. In this context, there was necessary to have natural alternatives to these components.

Pronutrients, molecules of botanical origin to stimulate animal physiology

Pronutrients and organic acids are the two alternatives more used. Pronutrients, developed by Biovet S.A., are active molecules from botanical origin which can stimulate gene expression and promote animal physiology. Its use has a positive impact both in farm profitability, improving their production parameters, and on animal welfare, since pronutrients do not create residues, nor resistances and they do not need withdrawal period.

Dr. Mesa finished the videoconference explaining regulatory issues about pronutrients and its classification in different regions of the world. In summary, in the future the use of antibiotics growth promoters and other chemical additives will disappear in animal nutrition. Natural products, such as pronutrients, will take their place because they are safe, and its use have a positive impact both in animal welfare and food safety.