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In 1988 Norel opened their Biotechnology plant in Leon (Spain) to start research and production of probiotics for animal nutrition and their effect on the intestinal health and performance parameters. This Biotechnology plant is the only one in Spain specialised in the production of probiotics for animal nutrition. Norel’s Biotechnology development been carried out with the important collaboration of national and international Universities and Research Centres.

The position of Norel as manufacturer of probiotics allows them to offer an impressive range of products and blends based on sporulated and lyophilised preparations.

The intestinal microbial flora of the animal host is a complex ecologic system that produces a significant impact on the host. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria of the intestinal flora influence numerous anatomic, physiologic, and immunologic parameters of the host.

Healthy intestinal flora represents an important defence mechanism, which suppresses the establishment of enteric pathogenic bacteria, induces immunologic responses, and competes for attachment sites thereby creating a restrictive environment.

Normal microflora of the intestinal tract consists of a diverse population of bacteria. All of these bacteria are in competition for survival. The biological activity of probiotic bacteria is due in part to their ability to compete for the enterocytes. They compete for attachment sites and nutrients from the ingested feed passing through the intestine. Each species has specific requirements for growth and is affected by relative acidity or alkalinity (pH) of their environment and by products produced by other bacteria. One of the advantages of the early gut colonization is that, by occupying all the available receptor sites in the gut, there is inhibition of the binding of enteric pathogens and this is due to the by a process of competitive exclusion.

Probiotic bacteria also exert an influence on commensal micro-organisms by the production of lactic acid and bacteriocins. These substances inhibit growth of pathogens and also alter the ecological balance of enteric commensals. A probiotic is a viable microbial dietary supplement that beneficially affects the host through its effects in the intestinal tract. Several health-related effects associated with the intake of probiotics, including alleviation of lactose intolerance and immune enhancement, have been reported.

Fecinor’s fast rate of colonization and affinity for the environment, allow it to compete with the enterobacteria for both the lining “loci” and for the nutrients in the intestinal environment. This two-fold competition, by rapidly forming the aforementioned protective coating, contributes to the flora that is beneficial for the animal by preventing unwanted bacteria from multiplying.

FECINOR produces different enzymes (proteases, amylases etc…) in sufficient amounts to make the feed more digestible. Protease activity in culture broth with soya peptone was measured by colorimetric method. The change to red colour in tube containing Fecinor is produced by the protein degradation in amine groups, compared with the control group.

FECINOR inhibits the proliferation of undesirable pathogens not only by the quantity of LA produced - Fecinor has a sugar yield of 50% in L-lactic acid – but also because of the production of factors that are detrimental to the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Effect of E. faecium over S. choleraesuis: the pathogen S. choleraesuis were controlled by cell free extracts of E. faecium even at relatively high pH values.



FECINOR also helps to restore the intestinal flora: the balance of intestinal flora changes following treatments with antibiotics and also in situations of stress. Some bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics and with their application the microflora profile is modified and certain microorganisms grow more than others depending on the antibiotic used; usually the endogenous lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are more sensitive to antibiotic and their recuperation time is slower than E. coli strains. So in this case - and stress situations - is very important to help the intestinal lactic acid bacteria with the inclusion of probiotics with fast growing capacity to make the environment comfortable for their development.

FECINOR (E. faecium CECT 4515), is now registered for use in piglets feed under the number E 1713. This consolidates Norel & Nature’s position in the production of zoo-technical products that improve intestinal flora and animal health in piglets. To gain this registration all necessary criteria of quality, feed efficiency and safety were surpassed.

It is well known and researched that during weaning and in the immediate post-weaning period, the piglets suffer an important alteration on the intestinal wall. Stress, withdrawal from the mother and the new diet, destroy the enterocites involved in nutrient absorption. During the first days after weaning the animals lose weight and only afterwards increase feed intake; the effect of this high intake on the damaged intestinal wall produces an increase of not digested feed that is used by the pathogens to grow in the distal part of the intestine. The final result is an increase in the incidence of diarrhoea. This affects smaller animals more than the larger, heavier ones so the difference between animals increases and uniformity decreases.

Including Fecinor in the prestarter feed (even before weaning) protects the enterocites and stimulates feed intake the day after weaning, avoiding enteric diseases, helping the regeneration of enterocites and improving enzyme production and nutrient absorption. So, it can reduce the losses in weight and facilitate adaptation to the diet.

It has been proven that Fecinor promotes the development of lactic acid bacteria in piglets: the results using Fecinor improved the performance and group uniformity and decreased diarrhoeas.



The analysed data obtained from six experiments on the inclusion of Fecinor, carried out in international research centres, showed significant improvements on daily weight gain and feed conversion.





Fecinor showed a good response against pathogens like hemolitical coli, several trials (using an intestinal simulator) resulted in a reduction of the pathogen when Fecinor was included (measured after 3 hours).



Diarrhoea prevention: Fecinor contributes to improve the intestinal wall protection; the damage to enterocites is lower when they are protected by lactic bacteria. Diarrhoea incidence is the result of bad nutrient digestibility and absorption and it is accentuated by the increasing permeability of the intestinal wall that produces water and electrolyte losses.

There are different products, such as pectins, to prevent these symptoms, but they improve neither the feed efficiency nor the microflora. The inclusion of Fecinor with or without these products contributes to reduce the effects of diarrhoea improving the feed efficiency and reducing the pathogenic bacteria.

The inclusion of Fecinor was not affected by the inclusion of Zinc oxide and reduces the E. coli incidence.

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