Biovet S.A. recently conducted a field trial with the cimenol ring to check its efficiency in preserving feed.

Recently, a field study was carried out in breeding sows where the preservative effect of Alquermold Natural in the animals’ feed was proved, obtaining a reduction of microorganisms of more than 95%.

Feed quality is one of the most important parameters in swine production because it is directly related to animal health. In the environment, there are many microorganisms that can contaminate the feed and affect its quality and composition.

On the other hand, in groups of reproductive sows, this microbiological quality of the feed is a critical point. The importance lies on the fact that if they become infected with pathogens, they can transmit these pathogens to their piglets. Piglets could acquire several diseases that affect the health and economic status of the farm.

Alquermold Natural, an innovative product developed by Biovet S.A.

In animal production, organic acids have been used as feed preservatives. However, these products have a limited activity after two months of duration, which reduces their antimicrobial effect.

Therefore, Biovet S.A. has developed a botanical preservative marketed as Alquermold Natural that has demonstrated its bactericidal and fungicidal effect up to six months after its application. In addition, Alquermold Natural also has an effect against yeasts that contaminate the feed.

The field study was carried out on breeding sows.

The study was carried out during 2021 in farms with breeding sows, divided into three groups: the control group whose diet had no preservatives; the group with a diet with organic acids, and the group with a diet with Alquermold Natural.

On the other hand, to evaluate the effect of the preservatives, microbiological samples were taken in three different periods: in the silo, at the beginning of gestation, and the end of gestation.

In the samples evaluated from the silo, the microorganism count was found to be 9.8 x 108 CFU (control group). On the other hand, the microorganism count for the group with organic acids was 8.2 x 108 CFU and 1.9 x 105 CFU in the group with Alquermold Natural. These results indicate that the reduction of the microbial load in the feed with the Alquermold Natural was 99.98%.

Secondly, in the samples evaluated at the beginning of gestation, it was observed that the microbial load in the group with organic acids was higher compared to the control group, associated with a loss of efficiency. Meanwhile, the feed with the Alquermold Natural had a reduction in the microorganism load of more than 99%.

Finally, in the samples at the end of gestation, the microorganism count indicated that the group treated with Alquermold Natural showed a reduction of more than 99%.

Alquermold Natural’s effect on feed preservation was thus demonstrated in field trials. In addition, it is a natural product that leaves no residues in the animals and is safe for workers.