To meet the demands of today’s poultry producers' wanting to improve the intestinal health and productivity of their flocks, DSM has introduced VilliMax 70 — a highly concentrated sodium butyrate feed ingredient.

According to DSM, VilliMax 70 is specially coated with a high lauric-acid fat and recommended for use in both conventional and antibiotic-free broiler and turkey programs, including No Antibiotics Ever (NAE), Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) and all-vegetable based diets.

Studies show diets supplemented with VilliMax 70 resulted in higher concentrations of butyric acid in the ceca. Sodium butyrate also acts as an energy source for the epithelial cells lining the intestinal tract and plays a significant role in cell-to-cell communications that positively influence immune and digestive processes and improve nutrient absorption, DSM said.

To boost the effectiveness of VilliMax 70, DSM coated its highly concentrated supplement with a fat containing a high level of lauric acid to provide greater protection during the digestive process. The unique coating protects the butyrate for a longer period of time and permits its gradual release throughout the intestinal tract so it can ultimately reach the lower segments of the intestine before it’s absorbed — where it’s most beneficial, DSM said.

Lauric acid also provides an additional energy source and further supports a healthy microbiome in the gut.

“Supporting a healthy microbiome is important. Healthier birds result in better growth performance and improved feed conversion, thus optimizing production costs,” said Dr. Tom Frost, director of innovation and applications with DSM. “The lauric acid component of the fat coating, its cost and consistency give VilliMax 70 a competitive advantage over other butyric acid products. It’s the most concentrated source of sodium butyrate available today. Its smaller particle size allows for better distribution in the feed.”

With the addition of VilliMax 70, DSM expands one of the broadest and most complete eubiotic portfolios available. According to Frost, DSM has leveraged a deep understanding of its customer needs and responded to the changing demands of global markets with science-based, proven eubiotic solutions.

“DSM offers sustainable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s ever-changing market, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR),” Frost said. “For years, DSM has been developing its highly innovative eubiotics pipeline, anticipating the strong need for the industry to adapt to change, including the removal of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs).”

For more information about VilliMax 70, visit DSM.com.