Oxiguard: a natural polyphenol supporting animals’ antioxidant status
Oxidative stress is an increasing challenge in modern animal production, particularly during periods of high performance, transition, heat stress or health challenges. In the current market, which is facing significant price volatility and pressure on vitamin E availability, OxiGuard offers a practical and scientifically validated opportunity.
OxiGuard is an antioxidant, developed in-house by Koudijs, based on a carefully selected blend of plant-based polyphenols derived from grape, clove, pomegranate, quebracho and chestnut. This broad polyphenol profile supports animals in neutralising free radicals and helps to control oxidative stress.
There are two strategies for applying OxiGuard. The first is as a partial replacement for vitamin E to reduce costs. The second strategy is by combining OxiGuard with a vitamin E dosage to support animals in situations where there is a stronger challenge to antioxidant status.
OxiGuard has been validated in several in vitro and in vivo experiments for both application strategies.
Partial vitamin E replacement
In a broiler study, partial vitamin E replacement of up to 50% was tested at a vitamin E level of 30 mg/kg of feed (Table 1). There were no negative effects on feed intake, growth, feed conversion or mortality performance of the broilers, which shows that performance was comparable to the control diet with full vitamin E inclusion. This indicates that in broilers at vitamin E levels of 30 mg/kg feed or higher, up to 50% of vitamin E can be replaced to enable cost optimisation without concessions.
Study with lactating sows
In a study with lactating sows, OxiGuard was tested in combination with standard vitamin E levels (90 mg/kg feed; Table 2). An addition of 170 mg/kg vitamin E equivalent of OxiGuard resulted in significantly increased feed intake of sows during lactation, even when feed intake level was already high. There was no additional body condition loss, and a numerically improved litter growth and piglet weaning weight was established.
Proven antioxidant solution
OxiGuard is a flexible and proven antioxidant solution that has a strong and stable antioxidant foundation. It is safe to use for partial replacement of vitamin E and demonstrates additional benefits when used in combination.
