The Eubiotic Potential Of Tannins In Piglets' Nutrition

Dr. Jakub Piwowarski from Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. Dr. Piwowarski will present his recent study entitled The Eubiotic Potential Of Tannins In Piglets' Nutrition.

Tannins are commonly considered as anti-nutritional factors in piglets' nutrition. On the other hand, certain tannin-containing plants are well known for their anti-diarrheal properties, which have been utilized since ancient times in human and veterinary medicine but had been superseded by antibiotics, since discovery of penicillin in 1928 and introduction of antimicrobials in farm animal production since the 1950s. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)- induced diarrhoea in piglets is one of the most important health conditions in pigs farming. Decades of extensive antibiotics use in prevention and therapy of infections in animals significantly contributed to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, leading to the restrictions on their use in farm animals. As the consequence, the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies targeted on maintaining piglets gut health, which are based on pleiotropic mechanisms, is urgently needed.

The conducted studies have shown that selected tannin-rich plant formulations are able to significantly inhibit the ETEC growth and its adhesion to intestinal epithelial cell monolayers. The relevant stimulation of IPEC-J2 epithelial cells monolayers formation through enhancement of tight junction proteins production was also observed. Despite the determined anti-ETEC properties, the tested tannin sources did not negatively affect alpha diversity and metabolism of intestinal microbiota of post-weaning piglets ex vivo. Certain changes in microbial taxa abundances were induced, some of which correlated with the formation of postbiotic metabolites, namely urolithins, which proven anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficially contribute to gut health of piglets during the weaning period.

The conducted studies support the historically attributed anti-diarrheal properties of tannin-containing plant preparations revealing their eubiotic effects, that not only respect the ecological context of preserving the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota but also support the intestinal epithelium development in post-weaning piglets. The obtained results serve as an initial point for further studies on development of novel, sustainable feed additives dedicated to farm animals being scientifically based alternatives to antibiotics.

Targeting Microbiota 2021 Congress
October 20-22, 2021 - Paris, France & Online
www.microbiota-site.com