The primary strength of DTX™ Concentrate product has been the cell-wall deficient bacteria (CWDB) training the digestive tract to protect itself against mycotoxins. Now equally important is the tight junction and liver support offered by the plant actives curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid. When analyzing ingredients to complement the CWDB, Agrarian targeted specific plant molecules with research-proven impacts.
Over the years, products claiming benefits from essential oils and ‘plant power’ have had varying degrees of efficacy and success, yet were important steps forward in our understanding of the benefits of using plant powders, plant extracts, essential oils and now plant actives. Plant powders are simply dried plants ground into a fine powder, while plant extracts contain compounds removed via various solvents. Essential oils are distilled from various plants to retain volatile chemicals, and the “essential” label refers to containing the “essence of the fragrance.”
Typically, only a small portion of the compounds in the powder, extract, or oil has any significant positive impact on the animal. The concentration of the useful molecules varies depending on source, season, or marketing objective. Research and manufacturing capabilities allow us to be specific and target certain molecules, resulting in products referred to as plant actives. Therefore, specific compounds can be obtained for clear effects and objectives, or to avoid molecules that could counteract or cause undesired effects.
Agrarian has chosen curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid for their proven benefits to increase tight junction integrity and support liver function. Written about previously, curcumin is a molecule found in the turmeric plant, naringin is sourced from grapefruit peel, and carnosic acid is obtained from the rosemary plant. It is possible to feed the source plants, but other molecules that do not have the desired impact on the animal occupy product space and add unnecessary cost to the product. Further, being specific about the plant active allows a consistent amount of the molecule to be supplemented to the animal while controlling costs.
Agrarian Solutions will be introducing more plant active research in the coming months as part of our goal of providing consistent support during challenging life stages of livestock production. Contact your Agrarian representative with questions about how to support animals through feed and environmental challenges.
Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions and Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition
