Amongst the wide range of organic acids used in animal nutrition, butyric acid takes aunique position.
In addition to the well documented anti-bacterial effect,
sodium butyrate have the ability to enter the gram negative bacteria and disrupt their metabolism,
Besides the reduction of pH that limits the development of pathogens
and helps in the digestion of proteins at crop level.
The combination of sodium butyrate and essential oils, can be potential candidates
for the prevention and treatment of necrotic enteritis (Clostridia) in broiler chickens.
Sodium butyrate is known to stimulate the production of pancreatic secretions,
including enzymes. It will also stimulate hormones, such as insulin, which in turn stimulates epithelium development.
Sodium butyrate also improves the absorption of electrolytes and reduces the incidence of diarrhea,
providing the ileal and the hindgut mucosa with a preferred energy source.
Butyric acid favours the development of lactic flora which competes against the enteropathogenic one
(Clostridia, E. coli, Coccidia…).
Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella can be controlled by short chain fatty acids.
Administration of a specific combination of carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde to broiler chickens improved chicken
zootechnical performance response, had a potent immunomodulatory
effect (potentiated immune response) and improved gut integrity.
The proposed mode of action of Concor, herbal products is attributed to their antimicrobial properties,
antiviral, oxidative-resistant activity, anti-inflammatory, enhancement of the immune system
and other biological effects and consequently, improvement in poultry performance.
Poultry Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt