The improvement of the productive parameters is a primary objective in animal production, a study was carried out to assess the productive performance of guinea pigs supplemented with cimenol ring in comparison with the use of mannan-oligosaccharides.

The cimenol ring is a molecule of natural origin with antimicrobial capacity that acts as a preservative and intestinal biocide, controlling pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium, Salmonella, E. coli) and favoring the development of beneficial bacteria. Its spectrum of action includes both gram positive and negative bacteria.

The R&D department of Biovet S.A has developed a synergistic association of the cimenol ring and citric acid (Alquermold Natural®). The latter generates pores in the bacterial membrane, facilitating the entry of the cimenol ring into the bacteria, causing destabilization of the plasma membrane and death by osmotic shock. The synergistic action of these two active compounds has been developed and patented by Biovet S.A.

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) are a prebiotic additive that works as a substrate for the development of beneficial bacteria, preventing the colonization of the digestive tract by pathogens.

Both products seek to improve productive performance thanks to a better intestinal welfare.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the cimenol ring in comparison with mannan-oligosaccharides on the productive parameters in guinea pigs during the growth-fattening stage.

Experimental design

Duration: 35 days (growth-fattening stage)

Treatment groups

• Control: diet without additives
• AMN (Alquermold Natural): diet without additives + cimenol ring with citric acid in drinking water at 1ml/l for the first 7 days, then 0.5 ml/l for 28 days.
• MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides): diet with mannan-oligosaccharides at 0.8 kg/t for 35 days

The number of guinea pigs per batch was 24, with 4 repetitions per batch and 6 animals per repetition.

The animals received a diet composed of fresh alfalfa and balanced feed.

Results

Feed consumption was slightly lower in the treated lots (-4%), the AMN lot had a dry matter consumption of 67.22 grams/guinea pig/day; 0.08 g less than the MOS batch. There were no statistical differences.

The AMN batch had a weight gain of 15.40 g/day, the MOS batch gained 14.12 g/day; this represents a 9% higher gain for the AMN group.

Regarding the final weight, the AMN batch achieved a weight of 539.17 g/guinea pig, this represents 45 g more than the MOS batch and 19 g more than the control batch.

AMN was able to improve the feed conversion rate by 7.4% compared to the control and by 8.6% compared to MOS.

MOS batch had 8.33% mortality while the control and AMN groups had no mortality.

Analyzing the production costs, we observed that, in the AMN group, 5.2 USD were spent per kg gained, while, in the MOS group, 6.09 USD/kg gained were needed, which means AMN reduced the cost of a kg by 14.61%.

Conclusions

AMN, compared to a control batch could:

• Improve weight by 19 g/guinea pig (+9.1%)
• Improve the conversion rate by 7.4%
• Save 0.3 USD/kg

Regarding the batch supplemented with MOS, AMN could:

• Improve weight by 45 g/guinea pig (+3.7%)
• Improve the conversion rate by 8.6%
• Reduce the cost of production by 0.89 USD/kg

The addition of cimenol ring with citric acid in guinea pigs improves performance parameters and reduces production costs, with the added value that it does not leave residues in meat, does not generate bacterial resistance and does not need a withdrawal period.

The combination of cimenol ring with citric acid is marketed under the name Alquermold® Natural, developed and manufactured by Biovet S.A.