For the first time, nutritionists and veterinarians will now get access to a comprehensive self-learning program detailing the various modes of action of probiotics in food-producing animals.

The program, offered by global bioscience company Chr. Hansen, is a unique chance for animal and feed industry professionals to get an insight into the knowledge that Chr. Hansen’s Animal Health & Nutrition experts have gathered from decades in the lab and on the farms; in close cooperation with our customers, nutritionists and vets. In this way, Chr. Hansen’s in-depth knowledge on good bacteria is perfectly matched with real-life experience in our customer environment.

Moreover, the program, which launched May 27, 2021, is designed to work around the time constraints familiar to busy professionals; each lesson takes only 15 minutes or less to complete, in the privacy of their home or office.

“It’s a fact the use of probiotics in animal production has shown that it may benefit digestion, animal performance and the immune system – but we also know that it’s not easy to choose the right probiotic,” stated Marcelo Lang, global marketing director of Animal Health & Nutrition, Chr. Hansen. “Not all of them work the same way. Which one is right in the specific situation? To make the best choice, you need to understand different modes of action.”

Lang said Chr. Hansen has spent decades understanding exactly what makes an effective probiotic, with data and assays that provide scientific evidence that probiotic organisms are acting through various modes to support their hosts.

“We’ve taken what we know about the modes of action of probiotics and created a series of four courses, each containing series of short lessons, freely accessible to all,” Lang said.

Three main categories

Modes of action of probiotics can be categorized into three major groups: interaction with feedstuffs, interaction with other microorganisms and interactions with the host. The new learning series covers all this, broken down into lessons for various topics and areas of focus, and participants can access this information at their convenience and pace.

“The modes of action described are backed up by sound science, developed over decades of research and the latest technology. By knowing how probiotics work, nutritionists and veterinarians will be better able to use them to benefit their clients and the animals under their care and feel more confident about their choices and recommendations. At the same time, they will strengthen their professional knowledge and profile,” said Lang.