Maintaining gut health for top pig Derformance

摘要

In recent years it has been elucidated that a healthy gut is the most important precondition for transforming nutrients into performance. Feed additives such as acidi-fiers, probiotics and phytogenics are able to influence gut health. Among these feedadditives, butyric acid is of particular importance. There are several products on the market providing salts of butyric acid in protected and unprotected forms. Due to the unpleasant persistent odour of butyric acid, protection makes the handling of the product easier. Another reason for protection is to obtain stomach by-pass of butyric acid and subsequent release of the active substance in the small intestine. Encapsulation of acids is a known form of protection.