Plant-based magic against endotoxins
Endotoxin damage: a hidden cost
Sustainable feed additives are the key element in successful livestock production. Why? Because they can be used in a wide range of applications, their use is safe for humans, animals and the environment, and no withdrawal periods need to be observed. One area where the benefits of the right additive are particularly evident is endotoxin management.
Anta®Catch: comprehensive solution to the endotoxin problem
Endotoxins cause considerable damage in livestock farming every year. The economic harm caused by high levels of endotoxin contamination results in substantial losses worldwide. This affects all areas of production—not only dairy and beef cattle farms, but also pig and poultry fattening, egg production and aquaculture. But what are endotoxins, and why can they cause such damage?
What exactly are endotoxins and what makes them so dangerous?
Endotoxins are components of the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and cyanobacteria. They are released, among other things, when the bacteria die and decompose. Endotoxins occur naturally in the intestines of both humans and animals, as the microbiome in the digestive tract also contains gram-negative bacteria. As long as their concentration does not become too high, the body can cope with them: this is where the liver becomes active with its detoxifying function.
However, it becomes critical when the endotoxin level rises too high and the liver can no longer cope. In this case, endotoxins cause systemic inflammation and thus increase the energy and calcium requirements of the animals. In extreme cases, endotoxins can also lead to fever, septic shock or even death. On farms, however, performance losses play a greater role, as endotoxins significantly reduce feed efficiency due to increased energy requirements. Negative effects on bone stability and eggshell quality are also to be expected due to increased calcium demands. In addition, ruminants and pigs may react to elevated endotoxin levels with hoof inflammation, ear necrosis or tail necrosis.
What are the reasons for high endotoxin levels?
High endotoxin levels can result from changes in diet, antibiotic treatment following illness, or a high proportion of concentrated feed in the animals’ diet. Factors such as heat stress or intestinal diseases that increase intestinal permeability further exacerbate the situation. As these factors can occur even under optimal conditions, endotoxin exposure is possible even in well-managed livestock populations.
It is often challenging for farmers to identify endotoxin contamination in their animals. The harmful effects of the toxins manifest as non-specific symptoms such as poor feed conversion, claw inflammation, low eggshell stability and necrosis. Furthermore, endotoxin levels can only be determined through complex laboratory analyses. As a result, endotoxins are often not recognised as the root cause of the problem.
Endotoxins present livestock farmers with three major challenges: their animals suffer and need support, they cannot achieve full performance in terms of milk, egg and meat production, and they cannot utilise feed efficiently. This makes endotoxins a serious health issue for farm animals and leads to a considerable waste of resources. To achieve animal-friendly and sustainable food production, it therefore makes sense to protect animals preventively against endotoxins.
How can we protect our animals and production against endotoxin damage?
This requires several steps: firstly, endotoxins must be bound and inactivated in the intestine to minimise their damaging effects. Secondly, the intestinal barrier—and thus the animals’ resilience—must be strengthened. And thirdly, the liver must be supported to promote detoxification.
Anta®Catch is the first product that truly takes a holistic approach and thus offers a comprehensive solution to the endotoxin problem. Thanks to its triple mode of action, Anta®Catch effectively diminishes the harmful effects of toxins: it reduces endotoxins in the digestive tract, its prebiotic ingredients protect the intestinal barrier, and its phytogenic substances counteract excessive inflammatory responses. The use of carefully selected and activated ingredients enables outstanding adsorption of endotoxins across a wide pH range. This makes Anta®Catch better suited to protecting animals from endotoxin contamination than other toxin binders. Anta®Catch consists of purely natural ingredients and is currently distributed in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Safeguarding our animals and ensuring sustainable food production requires a proactive approach. Anta®Catch emerges as a game-changer, offering a holistic solution to combat endotoxins. By embracing such innovations, we not only protect our livestock but also contribute to a healthier, more efficient and eco-friendly agricultural future.