Functional ingredients in animal feed: optimize nutrient bioavailability

In the animal nutrition sector, the quest for optimum performance and maximum animal  welfare is driving professionals to relentless innovation. Among the most promising  approaches is the use of functional ingredients. Not only do these ingredients provide  essential nutrients, they also possess targeted properties to improve specific body functions  (digestion, immune system, skin health, etc.). 

To maximize their effectiveness, various coating technologies are used. Coating,  particularly in the form of microencapsulation, protects sensitive active ingredients, improves  their stability and can even enable controlled release in the digestive tract. The benefits for  animal health are manifold: improved nutrient bioavailability, enhanced immune support and  disease prevention, to name just a few. 

In this article, we’ll explore the central role of coating in the design of functional ingredients in  animal feed, and discover how Innov’ia, thanks to its cutting-edge technologies and  formulation expertise, supports animal nutrition professionals in designing tailor-made, safe  and high-performance solutions. 

A functional ingredient is a food component which, over and above its basic nutritional  contribution (proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc.), has a beneficial influence on one or more  of the animal’s physiological functions. It may support the immune system, improve  digestibility or contribute to skin and coat health. 

• Common examples: 

○ Probiotics and prebiotics: help balance intestinal flora, improve digestion  and boost immunity. 

○ Essential fatty acids (such as omega-3): contribute to good cardiovascular  health and skin and coat quality. 

○ Vitamins and minerals: act on overall metabolism and support various  organic functions. 

The aim is to obtain a proven physiological effect, validated by scientific studies, which  translates into improved health and enhanced performance in the animal. 

Functional ingredients represent a strategic asset for players in the animal nutrition industry.  Here are the main benefits: 

1. Improved health and well-being: 

Thanks to their active properties, these ingredients support the animal’s body,  strengthening its natural defenses and helping to reduce the risk of disease. 

2. Targeted support for specific functions : 

Certain functional ingredients are specially formulated to target a specific function  (digestion, immunity, joint health, etc.). In this way, they can be specifically  integrated into the diet to meet specific needs. 

3. Disease prevention : 

By reinforcing the body’s functions and reducing certain risk factors, functional  ingredients play a part in the prophylaxis (prevention) of various ailments. 

4. Nutritional optimization : 

The addition of carefully coated functional ingredients maintains the stability of active  ingredients improves their bioavailability and ensures balanced nutrition. 

5. Promoting digestive health: 

With the addition of probiotics, prebiotics or other beneficial compounds, the  intestinal flora is preserved, improving digestion and nutrient absorption. 

coating process is becoming increasingly popular with animal nutrition . It involves coating  an ingredient, or a mixture of ingredients, with a thin layer of protective material. This coating  can be composed of various elements (lipids,proteins, etc.) depending on the  nature of the active ingredient to be protected and the objectives pursued (protection against  oxidation, taste masking, targeted release, etc.).

Protecting sensitive active ingredients: Vitamins, enzymes and probiotics are  often fragile and subject to oxidation or degradation during manufacturing and  storage processes. Coating helps preserve them. 

• Controlled release: Depending on the composition of the coating, nutrients can be  released at a specific time (for example, in a specific section of the digestive tract). 
• Improved stability: in conditions of high temperature or humidity, the coating  protects the ingredient from environmental stress. 
• Improved palatability: Some active ingredients may have an unpleasant taste or  smell for the animal. In such cases, the coating acts as a barrier to limit sensory  perception. 

Microencapsulation is one of the leading coating techniques. It involves enclosing active  ingredients in microspheres or microcapsules ranging in size from a few micrometers to  several hundred micrometers. These microcapsules offeroptimum protection and can be  designed to disintegrate in a controlled manner in the body. 

Example: 

• Microencapsulated probiotics are better protected from the acidic conditions in the  stomach, enabling them to reach the intestine while maintaining their viability.

In addition to microencapsulation, other methods are used to improve presentation and  functional properties of ingredients: 

• Dehydration: extends shelf life and facilitates transport. 
• Granulation: modifies the granulometry of the ingredient to improve its  handling and dispersion.
• Lipid coating: widely used to protect oxygen-sensitive active ingredients and  control release in the stomach or intestine. 

These processes, combined with our formulation expertise, result in precise solutions tailored  to the challenges of animal nutrition. 

Innov’ia is committed to supplying high-quality functional ingredients that comply fully with  the strictest safety standards. This commitment is expressed several ways: 

1. Rigorous quality management system 

A culture of food safety is promoted at all levels of the organization. Precise  procedures guarantee product quality, hygiene and safety, from receipt of raw  materials to shipment of finished products. 

2. Quality control at every stage 

Innov’ia carries out physical tests throughout the production process.  These checks guarantee compliance with safety criteria and product conformity with  expected specifications. 

3. Regulatory compliance 

The ingredients developed and produced by Innov’ia comply with international  regulations and sector-specific directives (e.g. European directive 2002/46/CE,  French decree n° 2006-352, etc.). 

4. Traceability 

A complete traceability system is in place to accurately track the origin of raw  materials and each stage of the production process. This transparency strengthens  customer confidence and enables us to react rapidly in the event of non-compliance. 

5. Rigorous selection of suppliers 

Innov’ia only works with qualified suppliers, carefully selected for the quality and  origin of their products. Raw materials are regularly assessed to ensure consistent  quality and compliance with current standards. 

In addition to product quality, Innov’ia emphasizes its commitment to the environment and  to reducing the ecological footprint of its activities. The company has invested 7 million euros  in environmental protection, notably through : 

• Responsible resource management: optimizing water and energy , reducing and  recovering production waste.
• Integration of sustainable processes: Innovation in encapsulation and  coating techniques to reduce the amount of solvent or chemical agent  

required. 

What’s more, Innov’ia benefits from recognized certifications, attesting to its seriousness  and professionalism: 

• ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000: guarantees a food safety management system in  line with international standards. 
• GMP (part 2) : Good Manufacturing Practices, essential for the production of  ingredients for pharmaceutical use. 
• FAMI-QS: European quality and safety standards for additives and  premixes intended for animal nutrition. 
• Kosher, Halal, Organic: on request, opening up to specific markets and precise  cultural or religious requirements. 

Thanks to this range of certifications, Innov’ia can guarantee its customers quality products  that comply with the most demanding international standards and regulations. 

With over 30 years of formulation expertise, Innov’ia is a key partner in the development of functional ingredients adapted to the needs of animal nutrition. 

• Formulation expertise 

Thanks to a multi-disciplinary team (engineers, chemists, animal nutrition specialists,  etc.), Innov’ia is able to formulate solutions to meet the specific requirements of  each customer. 

• Dedicated R&I center 

The company has a dedicated Research & Innovation center, where ambitious  development projects are carried out. Whether testing new coating materials or  validating the efficiency of a functional ingredient, Innov’ia is constantly striving to  innovate. 

• State-of-the-art technology 

With 13 fluidized-air beds, 8 spray drying and 2 prilling systems, 

Innov’ia masters a vast technological arsenal for multi-technology production 

of ingredients. This diversity offers great flexibility and the ability to  handle a wide range of volumes, from pilot samples to industrial production. 

• Collaborative approach 

Each project is carried out in close collaboration with the customer. The aim is to co-develop a solution that precisely meets market expectations, whether in terms of  a probiotic’s stability in an acidic environment or a functional ingredient’s resistance to  cooking temperatures.

• Multi-market adaptability 

Although heavily involved in animal nutrition, Innov’ia is also active in other sectors  (human food, infant nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.). This versatility  enables us to transfer know-how from one field to another, for an ever more  innovative approach. 

By building on these strengths, Innov’ia helps its customers to develop products that are  more efficient, safer and more respectful of the environment. 

The integration of coated functional ingredients in animal nutrition is an  essential lever for improving animal health and performance, while meeting the sustainability  and quality requirements expected by the sector. Coating, by microencapsulation or  complementary processes (dehydration, granulation, etc.), enables active ingredients to be  effectively protected and released. 

Innov’ia is the partner of choice for all projects aimed at developing and producing innovative  functional ingredients, thanks to : 

• Its expertise in formulation and coating technologies, 
• Its dedicated Research & Innovation center, 
• Multi-technology production capabilities, 
• Its certifications and labels (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, GMP, FAMI-QS, Kosher, Halal,  Organic, etc.) and 
• A commitment to the environment. 

To find out more and benefit from a tailor-made solution for your functional ingredients,  contact Innov’ia today. Our team of experts is at your disposal to answer your questions,  carry out a feasibility study or initiate a co-development project. 

Discover our tailor-made solutions on our Animal Health and Nutrition page and benefit all  Innov’ia’s expertise to help you move your projects forward.