Supporting gut health and feed efficiency without relying on antibiotic growth promoters is ever more important in today’s poultry industry. To address this, at this year’s International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE), Amlan International outlined the mode of action of Varium, its mineral-based feed additive positioned as a multi-functional alternative to antibiotics that goes a step further, offering a more holistic approach.
Varium combines a thermally processed clay with a deactivated yeast and a rapidly absorbed amino acid.
“Antibiotics act primarily by killing bacteria, often across a broad spectrum,” said Dr. Aldo Rossi, Director of Veterinary Services with Amlan. “That includes beneficial bacteria, which can destabilize the gut microbiota. Varium was designed to be more selective, focusing on pathogenic bacteria, their toxins and overall gut barrier function.”
Multi-pronged approach to poultry gut health
Varium’s clay component binds both endotoxins and exotoxins produced by pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Clostridium. These toxins are known to trigger intestinal inflammation and reduce nutrient absorption resulting in poorer performance.
“The binding is irreversible,” Rossi continued. “Once the bacteria are attached to the clay, they are excreted and not released back into the environment, which reduces the risk of re-exposure.”
Importantly, beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus are not affected due to differences in fimbrial structure, allowing populations of commensal bacteria to increase as pathogen pressure is reduced.
Varium’s yeast fraction contributes additional pathogen-binding capacity and supplies mannan oligosaccharides and beta-glucans. These compounds interfere with bacterial adhesion and stimulate immune activity.
“We see increases in specific phagocytic immune cells in birds receiving the product,” Rossi added. “That’s a fundamental difference compared with antibiotics, which have no direct role in immune modulation.”
The additive’s amino acid component supports intestinal cell repair and turnover. Trial data has shown increased villus height, reduced crypt depth and improved villus-to-crypt ratios, indicating enhanced absorptive capacity. In bacterial challenge models, birds fed Varium also showed reduced gut permeability, suggesting improved tight junction integrity.
“With no new antibiotics entering the poultry sector and some existing products losing efficacy, producers need additional tools,” Rossi said. “This is one option that supports gut health through multiple, complementary mechanisms.”
