Following up from my recent interaction with a Chinese company that invests in innovation, I would like to discuss the very important but often neglected topic of enterotoxins.
If we were to compare the noise created in the past 30 years about mycotoxins, the corresponding volume for enterotoxins is virtually at zero. Yet, they are as important, potent and disruptive as mycotoxins. Still not many know about them as they confuse them with endotoxins, for which some information has already showed up.
Enterotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain bacteria that affect the intestines, leading to diarrhea in piglets and broilers. In contrast, endotoxins are toxins released into the gut ecosystem once these bacteria die. So, they are different from the exotoxins that pathogenic bacteria produce. Nevertheless, all enterotoxins can disrupt the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system, resulting in watery stools and other symptoms of digestive distress that cause morbidity and if severe enough, or even death.
How enterotoxins cause diarrhea
Well-known enterotoxins are primarily produced by the ever-present bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens that plague broilers and piglets and cause severe health problems and major economic damage. These bacteria colonize the intestines of piglets and broilers, causing infections, releasing enterotoxins as a part of their pathogenic mechanism.
The mechanism by which enterotoxins cause diarrhea is well documented. When these toxins are absorbed by the animals, they target specific cells lining the intestines. They interfere with the normal absorption and secretion of fluids and electrolytes in the intestines, leading to an imbalance. The end result, or rather the beginning of problems, is an excessive secretion of fluids into the intestinal lumen while inhibiting the absorption of these fluids back into the body. This imbalance results in the rapid accumulation of watery stools, leading to diarrhea.
Additionally, enterotoxins can damage the intestinal epithelium, further exacerbating the symptoms and preventing proper nutrient absorption. Obviously, the impact of enterotoxin-induced diarrhea in piglets and broilers is detrimental to their growth, health and overall well-being. Controlling and managing this condition is crucial for the livestock industry, especially now that traditional antibiotic growth-promoting agents are being withdrawn from the picture.
Limitations of traditional AGPs and their alternatives
Traditional antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) have long been used in the livestock and poultry industry worldwide to promote animal growth and prevent diseases, including diarrhea caused by enterotoxins. However, the misuse and overuse of AGPs have led to several concerning issues.
One of the primary reasons for the ban on AGPs is the potential for transmission of antibiotic cross-resistance to humans. It can happen when excessive use of AGPs in animal husbandry leads to the development of resistance in bacteria that can affect animals and humans. When animals are continuously exposed to antibiotics through their feed, bacteria in their guts can develop resistance to these drugs. And, cross-resistance can render antibiotics ineffective in treating infections in humans, creating a serious public health concern.
The EU ban on AGPs after 2006 highlights the need for viable alternatives that can promote animal growth, maintain intestinal health and prevent diseases such as diarrhea without the associated risks of antibiotic resistance. These alternatives should provide a safe and effective way to manage enterotoxin-induced diarrhea in piglets and broilers. Today, there are many such alternatives, but not all work with the same efficacy.
Enteric-release benzoic acid and its anti-secretory effects
Insighter has developed an innovative solution to combat enterotoxin-induced diarrhea in livestock. Its approach involves the use of enteric-release benzoic acid, which has demonstrated significant anti-pathological water secretion effects in the intestines of piglets and broilers. Enteric-release benzoic acid is designed to resist digestion in the stomach (acidic pH) and upper gastrointestinal tract (alkaline pH). Thus, it differs from coated benzoic acid products that are usually only acid resistant.
Enteric-release benzoic acid starts releasing the benzoic acid at the lower section of the small intestine, and releases it completely at the hindgut level, where the vast majority of pathogenic bacteria are present. Thus, at the same applied dose in feed, the concentration of enteric-release benzoic acid in the hindgut can be much greater than that of free benzoic acid. This targeted delivery ensures that benzoic acid exerts its anti-secretory effects precisely where enterotoxin-induced diarrhea occurs.
Besides high efficacy, another key advantage of using enteric-release benzoic acid is its ability to lower the bioavailability of benzoic acid in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability refers to the extent and rate at which a substance is absorbed and becomes available in the bloodstream. By reducing the bioavailability of benzoic acid, two critical issues are addressed: chronic toxicity problems and precise targeting of benzoic acid.
Chronic toxicity problems
Excessive benzoic acid absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract can lead to chronic liver toxicity problems in livestock and poultry. This can result in adverse health effects and hinder the growth and development of piglets and broilers. Enteric-release benzoic acid provides a controlled release mechanism that prevents these chronic toxicity issues.
Precise targeting of benzoic acid
Enteric-release benzoic acid is water insoluble, odorless, tasteless and highly stable. It is not released in the feed or in the animal’s mouth, thus it does not inhibit palatability nor react with components of the feed. By delivering benzoic acid primarily to the lower gastrointestinal tract, enteric-release benzoic acid ensures that this active compound reaches its target site effectively. This precise targeting enhances the anti-secretory effects of benzoic acid, helping to counteract enterotoxin-induced diarrhea.
Conclusion
A low dosage of enteric-release benzoic acid does not kill or reduce the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. In that, it differs from all other AGPs and their alternatives. Instead, it negates the effects of these pathogenic bacteria by preventing excess gut fluid secretion. This innovative approach leverages the anti-secretory effects of benzoic acid while minimizing its bioavailability in the upper gastrointestinal tract that is associated with chronic liver toxicity. This is why I personally believe that as the livestock industry continues to evolve, innovative solutions like enteric-release benzoic acid can play a crucial role in ensuring its sustainability and success. As far as I am concerned, innovation is global.
