Can Clostridium butyricum be used in animals

      Clostridium butyricum is a Gram positive anaerobic spore forming bacterium that can produce butyric acid, lactic acid, and short chain fatty acids through fermentation, while also possessing probiotic properties. In recent years, Clostridium butyricum has been widely studied and applied in animal husbandry due to its unique physiological functions, especially in improving intestinal health, enhancing production performance, and replacing antibiotics. The following is a detailed analysis of its application:

1. The mechanism of action of Clostridium butyricum

      Butyric acid production and regulation of intestinal environment:

      Clostridium butyricum produces butyric acid (short chain fatty acid) by fermenting carbohydrates, providing energy for intestinal epithelial cells, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Regulating gut microbiota:

      Promote the colonization of beneficial bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria (such as Clostridium perfringens), and maintain the balance of intestinal microbiota.

Enhance immunity:

      Butyric acid can activate macrophages and T lymphocytes, enhancing animal immunity; Clostridium butyricum itself can also stimulate immune responses through cell wall components such as peptidoglycans.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects:

      Reduce intestinal inflammatory response by clearing free radicals and inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF - α and IL-6.

2. Application value in animals

(1) Poultry (chicken, duck, goose)

      Reduce intestinal diseases: significantly reduce the incidence of necrotizing enteritis and diarrhea (especially with significant inhibitory effects on Clostridium perfringens).

      Improve production performance: increase feed conversion rate, weight gain rate, and egg production rate.

      Improving egg quality: increasing eggshell thickness and egg weight, reducing egg breakage rate.

(2) Pigs (especially piglets)

      Relieve weaning stress: By stabilizing the gut microbiota, reduce the incidence of post weaning diarrhea.

      Promote growth: increase daily weight gain and shorten the time for slaughter.

      Alternative antibiotics: In antibiotic free farming, the combination of Clostridium butyricum with enzyme preparations and acidifiers is more effective.

(3) Aquatic animals (fish, shrimp)

      Enhance disease resistance: inhibit aquatic pathogens (such as Vibrio), reduce diseases such as white stool syndrome.

      Improving water quality: degrading ammonia nitrogen and nitrite in water bodies, indirectly optimizing the aquaculture environment.

(4) Ruminating animals (cattle, sheep)

      Regulating rumen fermentation: promoting the growth of fiber degrading bacteria and improving the utilization rate of roughage.

      Reduce methane emissions: By regulating the composition of rumen microbiota, greenhouse gas production can be reduced.

3. Advantages and Precautions of Use

(1) Advantages

      High temperature and acid resistance: The spore structure can withstand high temperatures (granulation temperature of 80-90 ℃) and gastric acid environment during feed processing, ensuring that live bacteria reach the intestine.

      High stability: Bacillus subtilis agents are easy to store for a long time, with a shelf life of up to 1-2 years.

      Strong safety: Clostridium butyricum is a native gut bacterium with no risk of drug resistance gene transmission, meeting food safety requirements.

(2) Precautions

      Dose control: Excessive use may lead to excessive intestinal gas production (bloating), and the recommended dose should refer to the activity of the bacterial strain:

Poultry: 1 × 10 ⁶~1 × 10 ⁸ CFU/kg feed;

Piglets: 1 × 10 ⁷~1 × 10 ⁸ CFU/kg feed;

Aquatic products: 1 × 10 ⁵~1 × 10 ⁶ CFU/L water.

      Compatibility taboos: Avoid using strong oxidizing disinfectants or broad-spectrum antibiotics simultaneously (Bacillus subtilis is sensitive to some antibiotics).

      Animal adaptability: Different animals have different responses to bacterial strains, and the plan needs to be adjusted according to the experiment.

4. Application cases and effectiveness verification

Case 1 (Broiler):

      When Clostridium butyricum (1 × 10 ⁷ CFU/kg) was added to the feed, the weight of broilers at 42 days old increased by 5.3%, the feed meat ratio decreased by 6.7%, and the incidence rate of necrotizing enteritis decreased by 40%.

Case 2 (Piglets):

      The combination of Clostridium butyricum and sodium butyrate reduced the diarrhea rate in piglets from 18% to 5%, and increased the height of intestinal villi by 25%.

Case 3 (South American white shrimp):

      Feeding Clostridium butyricum (1 × 10 CFU/kg feed) increased shrimp weight gain by 12% and reduced Vibrio infection mortality by 50%.

5. Synergistic effect with other additives

      Combined with prebiotics (such as oligosaccharides): Probiotics provide fermentation substrates for Clostridium butyricum, promoting its proliferation.

      Combined with enzyme preparations: Decompose anti nutritional factors (such as non starch polysaccharides) in feed, release more fermentable carbohydrates for microbial utilization.

      Combined with acidifiers: lowers gastric pH, inhibits pathogens, and protects Clostridium butyricum from passing through the stomach.

6. Regulations and Market Status

      China: Clostridium butyricum has been included in the "Catalogue of Feed Additives" (2013) and is allowed to be used in animal and aquatic feed.

      EU: Some strains have been certified by EFSA and can be used as feed additives (such as CBM 588 strain).

      Market products: Common dosage forms include powders (added to feed), liquids (added to drinking water), and granules (specifically for aquaculture).

conclusion

      Clostridium butyricum can be safely used in animal farming, achieving economic benefits by regulating gut microbiota, enhancing immunity, and improving production performance. Its spore characteristics ensure high survival rate and synergistically enhance with various additives. In practical applications, attention should be paid to dosage, compatibility, and animal adaptability. It is recommended to choose high-quality strains according to specific needs and determine the best solution through small-scale trials.