Several field and laboratory trials have proved that intestinal conditioner pronutrients improve nutrient absorption thanks to a better functioning and status of the intestinal mucosa. In layers, these pronutrients increase dietary pigment utilization and, therefore, improve yolk pigmentation.

This in vitro essay in enterocytes was conducted to quantify the increase in pigment (lutein) absorption by the effect of intestinal conditioner pronutrients.

Cultures

1. Control: Double-negative, without pronutrients nor additional pigments (to measure basal levels of lutein)
2. Lutein: Culture with pigment (lutein), and without pronutrients (to measure “basal” absorption of lutein)
3. NEB 1:5000: Culture with pronutrients (1:5000) and lutein
4. NEB 1:10000: Culture with pronutrients (1:10000) and lutein

Results

Lutein concentration (intracellular) was measured by spectrophotometry.  The increase in intracellular lutein with and without the presence of pronutrients shows the absorption improvement caused by the product.

Results interpretation

Pronutrients increase lutein absorption (between 42% and 33%, depending on the product concentration). This increase was significant with 1:5000 dilution.

Conclusions

Pronutrients that act as intestinal conditioners improve intestinal absorption of lutein, so they can be used to increase yolk pigmentation (or the pigmentation of other parts of the body, such as the paws).

Other in vitro trials showed that they also increase the absorption of other components such as vitamins and aminoacids.

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients can be found under the commercial name Alquernat Nebsui by Biovet S.A.