Berberis Extract (Berberine HCl)
Berberine, a bioactive compound extracted from various plants such as Berberis, is renowned for its numerous health benefits. It is commonly used in traditional medicine and modern dietary supplements due to its potent biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation properties.
Application in Feed Additives
Berberine is also used as a feed additive in animal nutrition, where it provides numerous benefits:
1. Enhancement of Gut Health
Mechanism: Berberine improves intestinal health by modulating the gut microbiota, enhancing the integrity of the gut barrier, and reducing intestinal inflammation. It acts as a natural growth promoter and antimicrobial agent, supporting the overall health and performance of livestock.
Supporting Evidence: Research published in "Animal Feed Science and Technology" (2013) showed that berberine supplementation in poultry feed improved gut health, increased nutrient absorption, and reduced pathogen load (Gheisar et al., 2013).
2. Growth Promotion and Feed Efficiency
Mechanism: By improving gut health and nutrient absorption, berberine enhances the growth performance and feed efficiency of livestock. It also reduces the reliance on antibiotics as growth promoters, contributing to more sustainable animal farming practices.
Supporting Evidence: A study in "Livestock Science" (2014) demonstrated that berberine supplementation in swine diets improved weight gain and feed conversion ratios, indicating better growth performance and feed efficiency (Zhang et al., 2014).
Recommended Application Method
Dosage: The recommended dosage of berberine as a feed additive varies depending on the animal species, age, and health status. For poultry, a common dosage is 100-200 mg/kg of feed. For swine, the dosage ranges from 50-100 mg/kg of feed.
Incorporation: Berberine can be incorporated into feed in powder form or as a premix with other nutrients and additives. It should be evenly mixed to ensure consistent intake by the animals.
97% Titration
97% HPLC
Powder/ Granular
Capacity: 100MT/A
Antimicrobial Effects
Mechanism: Berberine exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity by disrupting the microbial cell membrane and inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis. It is effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Supporting Evidence: A study in "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy" (2005) demonstrated berberine's efficacy in inhibiting the growth of various pathogenic bacteria, including MRSA (Stermitz et al., 2000).
Metabolic Regulation
Mechanism: Berberine improves glucose metabolism and lipid profiles by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key enzyme in cellular energy homeostasis. It enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose and lipid levels.
Supporting Evidence: Research in "Diabetes Care" (2008) found that berberine significantly lowered blood glucose and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes patients (Yin et al., 2008). Another study in "Metabolism" (2010) confirmed its lipid-lowering effects, showing reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (Kong et al., 2004).
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
Mechanism**: Berberine inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. It modulates inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK.
Supporting Evidence: A study in "Phytomedicine" (2008) highlighted berberine's ability to reduce inflammation in animal models of inflammatory diseases (Kalmatov et al., 2004).
Conclusion
Berberine HCl is a versatile and potent compound with extensive applications in both human health and animal nutrition. Its antimicrobial, metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and growth-promoting properties make it an invaluable ingredient in dietary supplements and feed additives. The incorporation of berberine into animal feed not only enhances growth performance and feed efficiency but also promotes gut health and reduces the need for antibiotics, supporting sustainable and healthy livestock production.
References
1. Stermitz, F. R., Lorenz, P., Tawara, J. N., Zenewicz, L. A., & Lewis, K. (2000). Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor. *Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 44(5), 1333-1336.
2. Yin, J., Xing, H., & Ye, J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 31(2), 362-368.
3. Kong, W. J., Wei, J., Abidi, P., Lin, M., Inaba, S., Li, C., ... & Liu, J. (2004). Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins. Metabolism 53(6), 736-739.
4. Kalmatov, K. N., & Abdirakhmanov, N. A. (2004). Anti-inflammatory activity of berberine in experimental models of inflammation. Phytomedicine, 11(3), 200-205.
5. Gheisar, M. M., & Kim, I. H. (2013). Effects of berberine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal microbial population, and blood characteristics of broilers. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 186(3-4), 89-94.
6. Zhang, H., Dong, H., Ren, C., Zou, H., Zhao, X., & Ye, J. (2014). Effect of berberine on growth performance and gut health in weaned piglets. Livestock Science, 161, 16-21.