Improving the pig’s immune status,
productivity and efficiency by
enhancing gut health
Rainer Rauch
4Mix International
011 866 2900 / 082 604 4569
rainerr@4mix.co.za
www.4mix.co.za
Overview
• Anatomy and digestion
• Metabolic Efficiency
• How do we maximise Metabolic Efficiency?
Anatomy and digestion
• The main parts of the digestive tract
–
–
–
–
1. Stomach
2. Small Intestine
3. Cecum/Large Intestine
4. Liver (and associated organs)
Anatomy and digestion
• 1. Stomach
– Secretion of enzymes and
hydrochloric acid
• pH = approx 2
– Main enzymes = proteolytic
(protein digestion)
– Low pH important for
• Partial / total eradication of microbes
• Hydrolysis of proteins
• To optimise pH-dependant protease
enzyme function
Protein digestion in stomach
Acid
Acid
dependant
proteolytic
enzymes
Small Intestine
• 2. Small Intestine
–
–
–
–
Alkaline secretions results in ~ neutral pH
Digestion of smaller protein chains (polypeptides) into amino acids
Absorption of amino acids
Bile secretion to emulsify fats, similar to detergent action (break apart
globules to allow for enzyme attack)
~ neutral pH
~ neutral pH
dependant
protease
enzymes
Cecum/ Large Intestine
• 3. Cecum/ Large Intestine
• Fermentation chamber
• No enzyme secretion
– therefore enzyme activity due to “carry over”
from small intestine or microbial enzyme
production
• Similar in many ways to rumen
• Microbial fermentation = 8-16% of
digestion in pig
• A low protein digestibility in the stomach /
small intestine can lead to higher protein
levels in the large intestine and an “E. coli
friendly” environment
• E. coli has been related to oedema disease
Liver
• 4. Liver
– Metabolism of absorbed nutrients
– Storage organ for many minerals / certain
vitamins
– Energy storage to control blood glucose
(glycogen can be approx 8% of liver fresh
weight)
– Bile production for effective fat digestion
– Main site for detoxification (e.g., mycotoxins)
– Synthesis of blood components
– Hormone manufacture e.g., IGF (Insulin-Like
Growth Factor)
“Metabolic Efficiency”
Gross Energy
Total energy of feed
Digestible Energy
(DE)
Energy "available" in blood
Metabolisable Energy
(ME)
Energy available at tissue level
Net Energy
(NE)
Energy deposited in tissue /
end product (meat, milk, eggs)
Faecal Energy
Urine Energy
Methane Energy
Heat Energy
(during metabolism)
How do we maximise Metabolic Efficiency?
• First focus on on-farm solutions
• Quality of raw materials
– Digestibility
– Voluntary feed intake
– Mycotoxins, etc
•
•
•
•
Correct and up to date formulations
Genetics
Feed processing
Management
– Temperature / humidity
– Quality of housing / floors
– Stress factors (e.g. overcrowding)
– Well-trained staff
• Disease
How do we maximise Metabolic Efficiency?
• What can we offer?
How do we maximise Metabolic Efficiency?
Acidpro
• Unique Organic Acid blend
researched and developed in
South Africa for local
conditions
• Unique combination of organic
acids improves digestibility and
feed efficiency through several
mechanisms
• Improved pH conditions to allow for higher rate of protein digestion
• Reduced protein in hindgut
• Reduced risk of E. coli and associated endotoxin related disease
Acidpro
• Acidpro is more than just an
ordinary organic acid blend
• Also contains pre- and probiotics to ensure that beneficial
micro-organisms are
established and that they
proliferate
• Competitive exclusion of
harmful micro-organisms
ClexVit
• ClexVit is a mycotoxin
binder with a difference
• 3 pronged approach
• 1. Toxin binding
• 2. Toxin deactivation
• 3. Immune stimulation
ClexVit
• ClexVit is a mycotoxin binder
with a difference
• 1. Toxin binding
• Different types of clay
• 4 different yeast cell walls (exoand endo-toxin binding)
• Nanotechnology / advanced
grid spacing
– Large surface area
ClexVit
• ClexVit is a mycotoxin
• binder with a difference
• 2. Toxin deactivation
• Enzyme forming yeasts
• Liver stimulating additives
ClexVit
• ClexVit is a mycotoxin
binder with a difference
• 3. Immune stimulation
• Natural vitamin E
• Organic Zinc and Selenium
• Phosphorus improves
carbohydrate and protein
metabolism
ClexVit
• ClexVit is a mycotoxin
binder with a difference
• 1 – 6 kg / ton depending on
type of pig and severity of
mycotoxin problem
What makes us unique?
• Up to date science to
research and develop
on-farm solutions
• Strategic symbiosis of
products
• Honest on-farm technical
support
• Your success is our success
Thank You