Strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance in animal production: phytobiotics, probiotics and postbiotics as an alternative to antibiotics for intestinal health.

Antimicrobial Resistance: The Problem of Our Time

In the dynamic and challenging world of animal production, where the pursuit of efficiency intertwines with the pressing need for sustainability, we find ourselves at a critical crossroads: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This phenomenon, which erodes the effectiveness of conventional treatments that have been cornerstones of animal health for decades, demands a thorough review of our strategies and the adoption of a holistic, preventive, and science-based approach.

As stakeholders committed to animal welfare, public health, and the integrity of the food chain and the environment, it is our responsibility to act with determination, scientific rigor, and a vision for the future that allows us to anticipate and mitigate the challenges ahead.

Prevention, understood as a set of management, biosecurity, and nutrition practices designed to minimize the incidence of disease, the strategic use of phytobiotics, probiotics, and especially postbiotics – modulators of the intestinal microbiota with proven effects on animal health – and constant innovation, embodied in the development of new technologies and therapeutic approaches, are the master keys that will allow us to build resilient, prosperous, and socially responsible livestock farming.

In this context of change and transformation, AMBiotec positions itself as a strategic ally for producers, offering cutting-edge solutions backed by scientific research and designed to boost the sustainability and profitability of livestock farms.

Resistance to the Use of Antibiotics: A Panorama That Demands Immediate Action

Antimicrobial resistance, a natural evolutionary process in which microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) develop intrinsic or acquired mechanisms with which they cease to respond to the effects of antimicrobials, has been exponentially accelerated by the indiscriminate and, in many cases, unjustified use of antibiotics in animal production systems. 3

This phenomenon, which represents a serious threat to global health, transcends geographical and sectoral boundaries, affecting not only the welfare of animals and the productivity of livestock farms, but also human health, food security, and the economic stability of communities.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites that have developed the ability to resist multiple classes of antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are of particular concern to scientists and animal health professionals, as they greatly hinder the treatment of infections, increase animal morbidity and mortality, raise production costs associated with veterinary care and loss of productivity, and pose a serious risk to public health by limiting the therapeutic options available to treat infections in humans.

In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a clear call to action, urging farmers, the food industry, and governments to implement urgent measures to reduce the use of antimicrobials in livestock production, especially those considered critically important for human medicine, and to promote management practices that minimize the need to resort to these drugs routinely to promote growth or prevent outbreaks of disease in healthy animals and thus combat resistance to antibiotic treatments.

It is essential to adopt a responsible and strategic approach to the use of antibiotics in livestock, reserving them exclusively for the treatment of infections diagnosed and confirmed by a veterinarian, based on antimicrobial susceptibility tests that allow the selection of the most effective drug and avoid the unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Prevention: The Shield Against Disease and Antimicrobial Resistance

Prevention, understood as an integrated approach that encompasses everything from the implementation of rigorous biosecurity protocols to the optimization of management practices and the formulation of diets that promote digestive health and strengthen the immune system of animals, constitutes the foundation towards sustainable, profitable, and socially responsible livestock farming.

Implementing preventive measures significantly reduces the incidence of infectious diseases, decreases the need to resort to the use of antibiotics, and improves the health, welfare, and productivity of animals, contributing to the economic and environmental sustainability of livestock farms. Some key strategies that require a preventive approach include:

• Comprehensive Biosecurity: The establishment and rigorous application of biosecurity protocols at all stages of animal production is essential to protect animals from exposure to pathogens and prevent the introduction of infectious diseases and the spread of resistance. This includes strict control of access to facilities, the implementation of thorough cleaning and disinfection programs, the quarantine of new or sick animals, the control of vectors such as insects and rodents, and the proper management of waste and by-products of production.
• Optimal Management: Providing an adequate and comfortable environment for animals is essential to promote their health and welfare. This implies maintaining an optimal animal density that avoids overcrowding and stress, ensuring adequate ventilation that guarantees air quality and reduces the concentration of pathogens, providing clean, dry, and comfortable bedding, and minimizing any factor that may generate stress in animals, such as excessive noise, drafts, or aggressive interactions between individuals.
• Strategic Nutrition: The formulation of balanced diets adapted to the nutritional needs of each species, category, and production stage is essential to strengthen the immune system of animals and make them more resistant to infectious diseases. It is important to ensure an adequate supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, as well as the use of quality raw materials that play a key role in the function of the immune system and the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Smart Vaccination: The use of vaccines is a powerful and cost-effective tool to prevent common infectious diseases in livestock production. Implementing a strategic vaccination program, adapted to the epidemiological characteristics of each livestock farm, protects animals from specific pathogens and reduces the need to resort to the use of antibiotics to treat infections.

Constant Monitoring and Early Detection: Continuous monitoring of the welfare of animals allows early detection of signs of disease and rapid action to prevent outbreaks and minimize their impact on the productivity of the livestock farm. This includes daily observation of the animals, taking samples for laboratory analysis, with molecular diagnostic techniques and bacteriological cultures, and regular consultation with a veterinarian to assess the overall health of the farm.

Phytobiotics: The Natural Treasure for Healthy and Sustainable Animal Production

Phytobiotics, bioactive compounds derived from plants, such as herbs, spices, essential oils, and plant extracts, offer a natural and effective alternative to antibiotics as growth promoters and modulators of intestinal health in animal production. These compounds exert a wide range of beneficial effects on the animal organism, including:

• Strengthened Intestinal Health: They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, modulate the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota, reduce inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, and strengthen the intestinal barrier, preventing the translocation of pathogenic bacteria and parasites and toxins to the systemic circulation.
• Stimulated Immune System: They increase the production of antibodies, which translates into a better cellular immune response against pathogens and strengthen the natural defenses of animals, making them stronger against infections.
• Selective Antimicrobial Activity: Some exhibit selective antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, reducing the infectious load in the intestine and contributing to the control of diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery.
• Optimized Productive Performance: The use of phytobiotics in animal production improves feed intake, increases digestibility and absorption of nutrients, and contributes to greater weight gain, feed efficiency, and milk or egg production.
• Antioxidant Function: They can act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and improving the quality of meat and its shelf life, as well as in other foods of animal origin, such as eggs.

These products can therefore be used in various animal species, including poultry, pigs, ruminants, and fish. Their versatility, safety, and efficacy make them a valuable tool to promote animal health, reduce dependence on antibiotics, and improve the profitability of livestock production. CocciBlock is a good example of an easy-to-use phytobiotic from AMBiotec.

Probiotics and Postbiotics: Strategic Allies for Nutritional Health and Animal Welfare

In the search for alternatives to reduce the use of antibiotics and promote animal welfare, probiotics and postbiotics emerge as valuable tools to modulate the intestinal microbiota and strengthen the immune system.

Probiotics: Live Microorganisms for a Balanced Microbiota

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. Bacteria and yeasts stand out, which colonize the intestine and exert positive effects on animal health through various mechanisms:

• Competition with Pathogens: They compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and adhesion sites in the intestine, preventing their proliferation and reducing the risk of infections.
• Production of Antimicrobial Substances: They produce antimicrobial substances, such as organic acids, bacteriocins, and hydrogen peroxide, which inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
• Strengthening of the Intestinal Barrier: They stimulate the production of mucus and strengthen the tight junctions between the epithelial cells of the intestine, improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier and preventing the translocation of bacteria and toxins to the bloodstream.

Modulation of the Immune System: They interact with the cells of the immune system in the intestine, stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and improving the immune response against pathogens.

Postbiotics: The Benefits of Fermentation Without Live Microorganisms

Postbiotics, unlike probiotics, are components or byproducts produced by live microorganisms during fermentation that exert beneficial effects on the health of the host.

These components may include organic acids, enzymes, antimicrobial peptides, polysaccharides, and vitamins. Postbiotics offer several advantages over probiotics, such as:

• Greater Stability: Postbiotics are more stable, as they do not require specific storage and transport conditions to maintain their viability.
• Greater Safety: Postbiotics do not imply the risk of bacterial translocation or the development of resistance to antibiotics, as they do not contain live microorganisms.

Diverse Mechanisms of Action: Postbiotics exert beneficial effects on animal health through various mechanisms, such as the modulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota, the strengthening of the intestinal barrier, and the stimulation of the immune response.

The Role of Postbiotics in Reducing Antibiotic Use

Postbiotics play a crucial role in strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal production because they are able to:

• Improve and maintain digestive health: Postbiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, reduce inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, and strengthen the intestinal barrier, preventing the translocation of pathogenic bacteria and toxins to the bloodstream.
• Strengthen the Immune System: Postbiotics stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and improve the immune response against pathogens, making animals more resistant to infections.
• Inhibit the Growth of Pathogens: Some postbiotics, such as organic acids and antimicrobial peptides, exhibit direct antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, reducing the infectious load in the intestine.

By strengthening gastric health, strengthening immunity, and inhibiting the growth of pathogens, postbiotics contribute to reducing the incidence of infectious diseases and, therefore, the need to resort to the use of antibiotics in animal production.

AMBiotec: A Strategic Partner for the Animal Production of the Future

At AMBiotec, we are committed to the development of innovative and sustainable solutions that drive the transformation of animal production.

Our wide range of products and services is designed to help producers reduce dependence on antibiotics, strengthen the health and welfare of their animals, and optimize the profitability of their farms.

• Cutting-Edge Phytobiotics: We develop phytobiotics with botanical extracts, scientifically proven to improve digestive health, stimulate the immune system, and optimize productive performance in various animal species. Our flagship product, CocciBlock or Bilantul Rum, is an example of our innovation and commitment to quality.
• Specialized Diagnostic and Monitoring Services: We have analysis laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assess gastric health, antimicrobial resistance, and other key parameters on livestock farms.

Personalized Technical Advice: Our team of experts is available to producers to provide personalized technical advice, design disease prevention and control strategies, and optimize the use of our products and services.

Conclusion: A Promising Future for Modern and Sustainable Livestock Farming