Direct Fed Microbials - Ecological Laboratories

The use of beneficial bacteria is necessary to reduce the growth of intestinal pathogens and positively influence the immune system of various livestock. This will lead to better animal health and performance. Probiotics have multiple modes of action and global benefits for swine, poultry, cattle and aquaculture. Ecological Laboratories, Inc’s (ELI’s) biologically active formula contains a proprietary blend of bacterial strains that were selected for optimum enzyme production, assuring efficient breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, cellulose and fats. Our Direct Feed Microbial Blends lead to better feed conversion, faster finishing times, and less waste in your system.

BENEFITS

Approved for use by American Feed Industry Association (AFIA)
Aids Digestion and Blocks the attachment of potential pathogens for All Livestock
Guaranteed for Microbial Concentration
Improves Food Conversion Ratios
Less Food Waste in Aquaculture
Improved Weight and Mortality Rates
Significant Reductions in Ammonia

Products

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Aquaculture Feed Additive

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Aquaculture Water Additive

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Aquaculture Feed Additive

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Cattle Feed Additive

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Poultry Feed Additive

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Swine Feed Additive

Case Studies

FIELD RESULTS FOR AQUACULTURE APPLICATION

Background:
Aquaculture systems often struggle with the overstocking of farms and the creation of excess waste. This population growth problem causes the animals to be stressed and more susceptible to diseases. A high concentration of waste in the water will also increase biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and drop dissolved oxygen (DO) that negatively impacts shrimp and fish. Bacteria are an integral part of all aquaculture ponds and have a direct impact on productivity, nutrients, water quality and disease control.

Prawn Field Results:
Aquaculture Treatment (AQT) is a biologically active formula of ELI’s bacterial strains that were chosen because of their ability to rapidly digest excess waste material in shrimp ponds. This scientifically selected, proprietary blend of cultures colonize the animal gut to aid in feed digestion and help protect shrimp and fish against pathogens.

As shown in the chart above, using ELI’s AQT’s equates to an increase in survival and weight of the shrimp as well as a higher payback ratio.

ELI’s AQT cultures were chosen for optimum enzyme production, assuring efficient breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, cellulose and fats. This leads to better feed conversion and less waste material for cleaner water and higher oxygen levels. Additionally, harmful ammonia and nitrates subside for healthier aquatic animals.

SOUTHERN POULTRY RESEARCH

Background:
Southern Poultry Research performed a 28-day battery test with Cobb 500 chicks. The study included eight replicate cages for each treatment with eight chicks per cage, or 64 birds per treatment The probiotic treatments were added to the respective feed at a concentration of 2e6, or two million colony forming units (CFU) per gram of feed. The control treatments did not contain probiotic bacteria. The antibiotic Bacitracin was included in the test as the industry standard for comparison. On day 14 approximately 5,000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima were orally administered to treatments 2, 3 and 4. This was followed on day 19, 20 and 21 with the inoculation of the appropriate birds with Clostridium perfringens, the causative agent of necrotic enteritis, at a concentration of 1e8 (100 million) CFU per milliliter. On day 28, the study was completed with intestinal lesion severity and mortality recorded.

Summary:

Ecological Laboratories, Inc’s Poultry Probiotic Blend demonstrated the ability to reduce necrotic enteritis in an independently performed chicken trial. Our proprietary mix is an effective tool in reducing mortality levels equal to or better than antibiotic standards under disease challenged conditions.

Results:

Study on Shelf Stable Lactic Acid Bacteria for use as Direct-Fed Microbial

By applying refined scientific methods with many years of careful bio-prospecting, Ecological Laboratories, Inc. continues to provide unique, non-engineered Bacillus cultures. Our direct-fed microbial strains all have important attributes that enhance the feed conversion rate and promote animal health. All strains used by Ecological Laboratories, Inc (ELI), in direct-fed microbial (DFM) blends are approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used in animal feed because of their production of lactic acid, which is understood to have overall benefits to the animal. Agriculture producers recognize the benefits of LAB in the animal feed; however, they are also concerned with the poor shelf stability of these products. Typical LAB, such as Lactobacillus, are heat and oxygen sensitive, losing viability over time in commercial conditions. The scientists at ELI understand commonly used Bacillus strains have a distinct advantage over LAB because Bacillus are both shelf stable, and can withstand the high temperatures often used in the processing of feed.

DETERMINATION OF LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION

Figure 1 & 2 (below) demonstrates the lactic acid concentration of a subset of ELI’S Bacillus strains compared to LAB strains commonly used in industry, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Enterococcus faecium. ELI microorganisms produce a comparable level of lactic acid under these oxygen-limited conditions.

However, in Figure 2, ELI’s strains are at least an order of magnitude more efficient in lactic acid production on a per cell basis than the commonly used LAB strains.

Conclusion:
With our customer’s product formulation challenges in mind, ELI continues to use a science-based approach to bio-prospecting and screening for Bacillus strains with superior industry desired attributes. The results in this experiment show AAFCO approved Bacillus species that produce lactic acid at comparable levels as strains currently used in the industry. By incorporating ELI’S Bacillus in your DFM product, you can offer an agricultural feed ingredient with lactic acid production that also has long-term stability.