Feed additives

what are feed additives

non-nutritive substances added in small quantities to achieve specific beneficial effects. They are used extensively in livestock

why are feed additives used

improve feed quality, promote animal health, enhance animal performance

what forms of regulation are there for feed additives

they are classified as drugs and are regulated by the FDA

what is the FDA definition of a drug

intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of a disease in man or other animals. Intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals

What has to be done to gain FDA approval

establish that the drug is safe and effective for specific species, establish safe for humans and environment, establish chemical and manufacturing specifications. Requires extensive research

what is done with a drug after approval

monitors labeling and feeding, monitors the safety of animal products, and marketing is permitted after approval of a new animal drug application

What is a medicated feed

feeds mixed with an approved drug

what are medicated products

standalone medications

category I medicated feeds

safest; require no withdrawal period

category II medicated feeds

require a withdrawal period for at least one species

type A medicated products

concentrated premix of the product; added to other feedstuffs prior to feeding. Never fed alone

type B medicated products

also added to other feedstuffs; lower drug concentration than type A

type C medicated products

prepared for feeding as a complete feed, top-dress, or ad libitum

what are the types of additives

manufacture and/or properties of feed, efficiency of animal production, consumer acceptance

What improves the manufacture or feed properties

antifungal agents, antioxidants, and pellet binders

what do antifungal agents do

prevent the growth of fungi and mold in feeds

What are the fungal actions of antifungal agents

produce toxins, alter chemical composition, and alter animal metabolism

What are the effects on the animal of antifungal agents

reduce palatability, detrimental to health and productivity, varies with species, and physiological state

What are examples of antifungal agents

propionic acid, sodium propionate, calcium propionate, sodium diacetate, sorbic acid, ammonia, phosphoric acid

antioxidants

Various feedstuffs susceptible to oxidation and rancidity reduce palatability and nutritional value

How do antioxidants minimize oxidation

interfere with the lipid peroxidation process by donating hydrogen atoms or electrons to free radicals

What are examples of synthetic antioxidants

ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

What are examples of natural antioxidants

vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium

pellet binders

enhance firmness and strength of pellets, prevent crumbling, reduce sorting and waste

examples of pellet binders

bentonites, molasses, and lipids, wheat

what additives improves efficiency of animal production

flavoring agents, enzymes, direct-fed microbials, hormones, antibiotics

flavoring agents

improve palatability and acceptance of feed, especially beneficial for rations with low palatability, animals in distress, and high-producing animals

natural flavoring agents

derived from plant or animal sources

nature-identical flavoring agents

chemical synthesis; chemically identical to natural products

artifical flavoring agents

chemical synthesis; higher consistency and quality compared with natural

enzymes

commonly added to monogastric diets, reduce antinutritional effects: phytate and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP)

phytases

Release phosphorus from phytic acid increases phosphorus retention

carbohydrases

aid in the degradation of complex carbohydrates

What type of enzymes are rye and wheat

arabinoxylans

what type of enzymes are barley and oats

beta-glucan

What are the benefits of enzymes

improves growth rate, improved feed efficiency, reduced inflammation

What are direct-fed microbials

substances containing live microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast

What do direct-fed microbials do

added to animal feed to enhance their health and performance, improve digestion, boost nutrient utilization, strengthen the immune system

probiotics

a type of direct-fed microbial containing live cultures of microorganisms; provides a balance of bacteria in the gut, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium

prebiotics

a type of direct-fed microbial containing nondigestible ingredients that serve as food for the good microbes. Lactulose, mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

symbiotics

a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics

hormones

chemical compounds produced in a specific region; transported to another region to perform the compound’s specific physiological function(s). utilized to improve animal production

how many hormone products are approved by the FDA as a feed additive

only one

Melengestrol acetate (MGA)

Only the hormone product approved as a feed additive, synthetic progesterone, suppresses estrus and ovulation, improves gain and feed efficiency in feedlot heifers, maintains intake and performance of steers in feedlots

antibiotics

produced by living microorganisms (bacteria/fungi), bacteriostatic or bactericidal properties on one or more microorganisms. Most production animals receive at least one antibiotic

subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics

As feed additives administered at low levels, increase intake, growth rate, and/or feed efficiency, aid in control of infectious diseases, maintain optimal health and production, especially during distress, response varies with species, physiological state, and environmental conditions

What are subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics best for

young, healthy, and/or stressed animals

What are the concerns with antibiotics use

improve efficiency of animal production, benefit producer and consumer, extensive utilization promotes resistance, there is no evidence to support risk to human health and safety

therapeutic doses of antibiotics

control or treat various diseases, administered for a short period of time

how do therapeutic doses of antibiotics control GI parasites in animals

prevent or control disease associated with transportation or adjustment to a new facility, anaplasmosis in cattle, bacterial enteritis in swine, respiratory disease, diarrhea, fowl cholera, and fowl typhoid in poultry

ionophores

alter population of rumen microorganisms

what is the mode of action for ionophores

inhibit growth of gram positive bacteria facilitate growth of gram negative, produces shift in metabolism of CHO from acetic to propionic acid

ionophores being approved for beef cattle and dairy heifers

responses in growing and mature animals, responses in high-forage and high concentrate rations

what are ionophores named for

based on mode of action, carriers for metal ions across cell membranes

what are additional functions of ionophores

reduce incidence of lactic acidosis, aid in control of feedlot bloat, decrease degradation of protein in rumen, increase in rumen by-pass protein, aid in control of coccidiosis face and horn flies

coccidiostats

prevent and control coccidiosis, inhibit the reproduction and development of coccidia protozoa, often classified as an antibiotic but may have a secondary function

anthelmintics

additives to prevent and control parasitic organisms in the animal, control losses in productivity and profitability from parasitic organisms, also referred to as dewormers, may be added to ration or water

improve consumer acceptance

Production agriculture aims to produce safe, wholesome, cost-effective food products, provide products acceptable to consumer

xanthophylls

added to poultry rations, increases the intensity of yellow pigmentation in eggs and skins. Increased pigmentation does not increase nutritional value but consumers prefer increased pigmentation

examples of xanthophylls

natural sources such as green plants, yellow corn, other yellow to red pigmented plant materials, marigold petal meal, dried algae, various synthetic sources available and added