Xylooligosaccharides are functional polymeric sugars composed of 2 to 7 xylose molecules combined with β-1,4 glycosidic bonds, with xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose as the main components. It was first discovered by Professor Mitsuhiro of Tokyo University in the 1970s. Because of its unique physiological functions, it is widely used in food and feed production and is approved by governments of various countries. As a feed additive, with its natural production raw materials and the advantages of strict control of national standards, it can be used as an efficient and green functional feed additive, which can partially replace antibiotics and is accepted by the market and the majority of poultry and livestock product producers.
1. Function
Functional oligosaccharides have been confirmed by long-term and extensive studies. They can be used by the beneficial intestinal bacteria Bifidobacterium, but not by the harmful intestinal bacteria Clostridium perfringens. Its main effects are as follows:
1. Regulate the body's microecological balance
Xylooligosaccharides are not decomposed by the body's digestive enzymes, directly reach the cecum and colon, and are used by beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria, so that the beneficial bacteria in the body can successfully colonize and multiply rapidly. The beneficial bacteria occupy the space of the intestinal mucosa and form a biological barrier to prevent the colonization and reproduction of harmful bacteria. On the other hand, beneficial bacteria in the body produce short-chain fatty acids such as lactic acid, propionic acid and acetic acid during the process of growth and reproduction. With the increase in the concentration of these short-chain fatty acids, the pH of the colonic environment of the body decreases, thereby destroying the pH environment suitable for the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and forming a chemical barrier to inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria in the colon. The biological and chemical barriers are used to maintain the microecological balance of the organism. It is beneficial to the health of the body, promotes the growth and reproduction of the body, and improves animal production performance.
2. Improve animal immunity
After the body uses xylo-oligosaccharides, its cellular and humoral immune functions are activated and promoted, so that the body is protected from the invasion and damage of pathogenic microorganisms to a certain extent. Beneficial bacteria also have the function of activating superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the cells of the body, promoting the production of antioxidants, reducing the damage of free radicals, and improving the health of animals The role of. Xylooligosaccharides also play a certain role in activating the immune response. Adding an appropriate amount of xylo-oligosaccharides can also significantly improve the antibody response and prevent cancer.
3. Improve body nutrition
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and other beneficial bacteria in the body can synthesize a variety of vitamins during the growth and reproduction process, such as folic acid, niacin, VB1, VB2, VB6, and VB12 to provide vitamin nutrition for the body. In addition, xylo-oligosaccharides can promote the body's absorption of nutrients such as calcium, zinc, iron and VD, and significantly improve animal production performance. It can also reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and liver, and promote the normalization of blood lipids, with low calorific value and no increase in blood sugar.
4. Improve the hygiene of the breeding environment
The body's microecological balance guarantees the reduction of harmful bacteria in the body, thereby greatly reducing the body's production of toxic products. At the same time, the beneficial bacteria can inhibit the activity of E. coli, reverse the conversion of proteins to amines and ammonia, and reduce the intestinal feces and blood ammonia , The discharged ammonia is also reduced. Moreover, the excreted feces also contain a large amount of active bacteria, which can utilize the ammonia in the feces. Therefore, the addition of xylo-oligosaccharides can greatly reduce the odor of feces, improve the air quality in the house, reduce body stress, and reduce environmental pollution.
In the breeding industry, the use of green, pollution-free and residue-free additives-xylo-oligosaccharides is used to prevent the occurrence of animal diseases, overcome bacterial resistance, and endogenous infections and double infections of livestock and poultry, and livestock products and Environmental drug residues and other issues point the way. With the increasing awareness and attention of the majority of farmers to xylo-oligosaccharides, the application prospect of xylo-oligosaccharides in the feed industry will be extremely broad.