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The benefits of BioActio Efficiency in the Industry of Animal Nutrition
When considering co-products in the animal industry, feathers are often overlooked and dismissed as a raw material [1]. However, thanks to the innovative processes and technologies developed by BRF Ingredients, chicken feathers have evolved into valuable resources, rich in vital nutrients for the animal nutrition sector.
In this context, feather hydrolysates have become prominent in the animal feed industry due to their nutritional and environmental advantages. It’s noteworthy that these materials, once considered waste, are now being transformed into functional and sustainable ingredients, enhancing animal feed quality while reducing environmental waste.
This is exemplified by BioActio Efficiency, the Feather Hydrolysate created by BRF Ingredients using feathers sourced from BRF's integrated production chain. Enriched with functional bioactive peptides, BioActio promotes efficient nutrition for animals and offers a better cost-to-benefit ratio for producers. The Feather Hydrolysate also plays a key role in BRF Ingredients' sustainable product lineup.
A crucial topic for sustainability, the reimagining of animal co-products significantly reduces over 13 million tons of waste annually, preventing environmental harm in landfills, soils, and rivers.
The production of BioActio Efficiency involves an enzymatic hydrolysis process that uses water combined with enzymes to break down protein molecules into smaller units, generating bioactive peptides. This approach not only enhances animal health, metabolism, and performance but also ensures that the peptides in the BioActio portfolio are absorbed directly into the bloodstream of animals, boosting the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) [2] in aquatic and swine species.
In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of using feather hydrolysates in animal nutrition and the reasons and benefits of incorporating ingredients like BioActio Efficiency into animal diets.
The Importance of Hydrolysates and Why Include Them in Animal Nutrition
Feather Hydrolysates are a high-quality source of protein, rich in all the essential amino acids required to meet the metabolic demands of animals. These ingredients offer energy, vitamins, and minerals, aligning with the principles of increasingly precise nutritional strategies.
Hydrolyzed proteins can also help minimize the risk of food allergies in animals since they are less likely to provoke an immune response compared to intact proteins [3].
BioActio Efficiency boasts 100% of bioactive peptides below 3,500 Da, meaning it has a low molecular weight, reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions and increasing crude protein content to 89%.
For these reasons, hydrolyzed proteins are becoming increasingly popular in animal nutrition [4]. As a reliable protein source for animals at all growth stages, they contribute to improved health and performance.
Numerous benefits arise from the inclusion of hydrolyzed proteins in animal nutrition, such as those found in BioActio formulations. Key highlights include:
â— Improved digestion and nutrient absorption;
â— Lower risk of food allergies;
â— Enhanced gut health;
â— Increased growth and weight gain;
â— Reduction of food waste.
Notably, the final benefit—“reduction of food wasteâ€â€”is particularly significant. Protein ingredients developed by BRF Ingredients exhibit high palatability, thanks to various factors inherent in their production formulas, making them more appealing and palatable to animals.
Data confirms that BioActio Efficiency is preferred by over 87% of weaned piglets compared to just 13% of animals on a control diet.
This data is substantiated by scientific research conducted by the State University of Western Paraná—Unioeste—with 1,350 weaned piglets studied five days post-weaning.
It’s concluded that the inclusion of BioActio Efficiency is essential for improving the health and metabolism of the species, as we’ll explore further.
Before diving deeper, it’s always important to emphasize the cost-effectiveness of the formulation for producers. According to a study by Embrapa [5], animal nutrition accounts for approximately 70% of operational costs, with protein making up 33.3% of this total.
Thus, investing in nutrition and formulations that meet the metabolic needs of the species while focusing on both animal health and producer gains is wise.
Specifically, improving food conversion (the ratio of weight gain to consumed food), reducing undigested food waste by animals in the ecosystem, as ensured by BioActio Efficiency.
Results and Benefits of BioActio in Aquaculture and Pig Farming
As discussed earlier, the inclusion of a formulation rich in bioactive peptides, produced using chicken feathers as raw material, creates an enriched ingredient offering better performance and cost-effectiveness with sustainability, crucial for the animal nutrition industry.
What are BioActio Efficiency’s scientifically proven results?
Enhanced Animal Performance
Bioactive peptides possess specific functionalities, providing antioxidant actions and improving nutrient metabolism (in vitro and in silico analysis).
Weight Gain and Feed Conversion
As mentioned, BioActio is easily absorbed and rapidly metabolized, contributing to weight gain and improving feed conversion rates.
Low Molecular Mass
100% of peptides below 3,500 Da. Hypoallergenic, BioActio raises the apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein up to 89%.
Palatability
The enzymatic hydrolysis of chicken feathers from the BRF chain produces compounds with a lower molecular weight, resulting in a more appealing and palatable ingredient.
Specific Benefits in Fish, Shrimp, and Pork
In tilapia’s diet, the inclusion of BioActio Efficiency improves weight gain during the post-larvae phase by 41% and by 25% in the fingerling phase.
Additionally, it improves feed conversion rates by 31% (post-larvae) and 18% (fry); and increases the final growth rate by 42% (post-larvae) and 23% (fry).
In shrimp’s diet, the inclusion of BioActio Efficiency enhances zootechnical indices during the nursery phase—weight by 4%, biomass by 15%, and feed conversion rate by 6%.
During the fattening phase, BioActio Efficiency boosts weight by 18%, biomass by 17%, and improves feed conversion rates by 5%.
For swine nutrition, BioActio provides high palatability, promoting an 87% increase in piglet feed preference.
These and other results and benefits are scientifically validated in tests and research conducted by BRF Ingredients and partner universities and research centers, compared to control diets and/or fish hydrolysates.
In conclusion, Feather Hydrolysates are emerging as a promising protein and nutrient source in the animal feed industry.
BioActio Efficiency, by BRF Ingredients, scientifically demonstrates its benefits and advantages to animal nutrition and cost-effectiveness for aquaculture and swine breeders.
With the ability to enhance both animal health and metabolism, BioActio contributes to better species performance while promoting sustainable practices by adding value to co-products from BRF's production chain.
By repurposing chicken feathers as raw material, BRF Ingredients develops enriched ingredients and shows a social commitment, through innovation, to environmental responsibility that underpins its core values.
Talk to one of our experts to learn more about the applications and benefits of BioActio Efficiency in the diets of aquaculture and swine animals: Contact - BRF Ingredients.
References
[1] Science Direct. Hydrolysates can be defined as proteins that are chemically or enzymatically broken down to peptides of varying sizes. Available in: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hydrolysate. Accessed: August 2023.
[2] Komarcheuski, Alina Stadnik. Digestibility and palatability of enzymatic feather hydrolysates in dogs. Federal University of Paraná. Available in: https://acervodigital.ufpr.br/handle/1884/69104. Accessed: August 2023.
[3] Nascimento, Adriana Helena do. Reasons and Benefits for Including Feather Hydrolysates in Animal Diets. Available in: https://www.locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/11005 texto completo.pdf (ufv.br). Accessed: August 2023.
[4] Pacheco, Gabriel Faria Estivallet. Feather meal: A sustainable protein source for dogs and cats? Editora Stilo. Available in: https://www.editorastilo.com.br/pet-food/pet-food-2/farinha-de-penas-uma-fonte-proteica-sustentavel-para-caes-e-gatos/. Accessed: August 2023.
[5] Embrapa. Animal production and water resources. Available in: https://www.embrapa.br/busca-de-publicacoes/-/publicacao/1048070/producao-animal-e-recursos-hidricos. Accessed: August 2023.
[6] Moura, Adolpho Marlon Antoniol. The concept of ideal protein applied to poultry and swine nutrition. Available in: https://www.nutritime.com.br/artigos/artigo-004-conceito-da-proteina-ideal-aplicada-na-nutricao-de-aves-e-suinos/. Accessed: August 2023.