ProPhorce SR130: Advanced Tributyrin Solution for Poultry Gut Health and Performance

Dietary short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) have been demonstrated as feed additives that control pathogenic bacteria in poultry. Butyric acid, a 4-carbon SCFA, has been shown to specifically reduce Salmonella colonization in the ceca, as well as the invasion of Salmonella in the cecal epithelial cells. Using butyric acid in a glyceride form allows for ease of handling, as it does not have the unpleasant odor often associated with free acids, and also facilitates passage to the lower gastrointestinal tract for release via lipase.

Butyric acid plays a fundamental role in the development, integrity, and functionality of the gut of birds and mammals, and has received particular attention for its extraordinary beneficial effects on animal health. It is a preferred energy-providing substrate over glucose and glutamine for colonic epithelial cells and may account for approximately 70% of the total energy consumption of the colonocytes. In order for butyric acid to improve animal gut health, it should ideally be delivered gradually along the GIT. Unfortunately, as butyric acid is a very small molecule, it gets readily absorbed in the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine, hence not reaching the entire intestine.

Esterified Butyric Acid (Tributyrin)

A novel and proven technology to gradually deliver butyric acid along the GIT is known as “esterification.” Esterification is a chemical process allowing the binding of one glycerol molecule to 1, 2, or 3 organic acid molecules, forming mono-, di-, or triglycerides of organic acids. Typical examples of esterified forms of butyric acid are monoglycerol butyrate (monobutyrin) and triglycerol butyrate (tributyrin). ProPhorce SR130 is one such esterified product using this technology for enhanced delivery.

Tributyrin is a precursor of butyric acid that allows more molecules of butyric acid to be delivered into the small intestine directly due to the esterification technique. Concentrations are two to three times higher than with conventional coated products. Esterification allows three butyric acid molecules to be bound to glycerol, which can only be broken by endogenous pancreatic lipase, ensuring ProPhorce SR130 delivers butyrate where it is needed most.

Monobutyrin and tributyrin have several advantages over free butyric acid and its salts:

Butter-like fragrance
Non-corrosive
pH-independent
Gradually released throughout the gut by enzymatic action

Worldwide scientific research and trials have confirmed the substantial benefits of butyric acid esterification, such as improved gut morphology, enhanced gut integrity, improved nutrient digestion and absorption, and a balanced immune system and microbiota. ProPhorce SR130 supports these functions by effectively delivering tributyrin throughout the digestive tract.

Unrivaled Butyric Acid Power – ProPhorce SR130

ProPhorce SR130 ensures optimal performance. Good health and growth in poultry depend on a healthy digestive system. Just like a high-performance engine requires quality fuel, poultry requires high-quality feed additives. Butyric acid is the key ingredient for this purpose, and ProPhorce SR130 acts like a high-performance fuel additive.

The importance of butyric acid goes beyond energy—it supports intestinal cell proliferation, differentiation, barrier function, and pathogen control. As shown in studies, including one from India, birds treated with ProPhorce SR130 demonstrated significantly better intestinal morphology (villi height, surface area) than untreated birds.

In newly hatched chicks, lipase activity is still developing, and fat digestibility is limited. However, ProPhorce SR130 is specifically designed to work efficiently even under these conditions. Its tributyrin content can be more readily broken down by the limited lipase available, compared to coated or salt forms of butyrate.

ProPhorce SR130: A Natural Alternative to AGPs

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a glycolipid from gram-negative bacteria, triggers immune responses and physiological stress in poultry. As an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), ProPhorce SR130 offers powerful support. Tributyrin, the key component in ProPhorce SR130, acts as:

An energy source for enterocytes
A pathogen inhibitor
An anti-inflammatory agent
A promoter of gut development

Butyrins like ProPhorce SR130 overcome the drawbacks of volatile, corrosive butyrate by using a form that is stable, odorless, and efficiently absorbed in the small intestine.

Conclusion

ProPhorce SR130 helps improve poultry performance by enhancing gut health, nutrient utilization, and bacterial resistance. It positively influences:

Average daily gain
Feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Eggshell quality
Calcium and phosphorus digestibility
Reduction in broken eggs

The active butyrate percentage in ProPhorce SR130 is up to 85%, significantly higher than the 25% in typical coated products, ensuring superior results even at lower doses.

Mycotoxins in poultry feed pose a major challenge for producers because poultry are highly sensitive to these fungal toxins and can suffer a range of toxic effects. The damage caused by mycotoxins is magnified when several occur together rather than individually. The most important mycotoxins in poultry feed are aflatoxins (AF), zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FUM), and trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin. These contaminants primarily cause severe immunosuppression via enzymatic inhibition that reduces protein synthesis and dampens the immune response. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and trichothecenes typically affect the bursa of Fabricius and thymus, and this immune-suppression carries one of the greatest economic impacts in modern poultry production.

To counter mycotoxins in poultry feed, nutritionists employ multiple adsorbent and detoxification tools, including diatomaceous earth, yeast-cell-wall fractions, hydrated sodium–calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) clays, bentonite, and artichoke-leaf extract.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth—composed mainly of porous nanostructured silica from fossilized diatoms—contains about 86 % silicon dioxide plus trace minerals. Thanks to its high surface area and polarity, DE can adsorb aflatoxin, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, zearalenone, and ochratoxin in vitro, reducing their bioavailability. Studies show DE can remove up to 94.7 % of aflatoxin at pH 6.5 and may improve body-weight gain and feed conversion by supplying trace minerals and enhancing nutrient absorption.

Yeast Cell Wall and β-Glucans

The yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is rich in mannoproteins, β-glucans, and chitin. About 75 % of its dry weight is polysaccharide, with β-glucans accounting for roughly 30 %. β-Glucans are known immune modulators, while mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) can agglutinate pathogens, improve villus height, and bolster intestinal integrity—key defenses against mycotoxins in poultry feed.

Hydrated Sodium–Calcium Aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and Bentonite

HSCAS selectively binds aflatoxins in the gastrointestinal tract, decreasing toxin absorption and systemic toxicity. Bentonite—rich in montmorillonite—can bind more than 90 % of aflatoxins and other polar toxins, acting rapidly in the crop and intestines to lower toxin load.

Artichoke-Leaf Extract

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaves supply cynarin, phenolic acids, and flavonoids with antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. When used with adsorbents, artichoke extract supports liver detoxification and counters the oxidative stress triggered by mycotoxins in poultry feed.

Elenco Fix Super — A Polyvalent Solution

Elenco Fix Super is a multi-component mycotoxin adsorbent combining diatomaceous earth, yeast-cell-wall derivatives, HSCAS, bentonite, and liver-protective artichoke extract. These ingredients act additively and synergistically to bind practically all major mycotoxins encountered in animal diets, with especially high affinity for aflatoxins. The inclusion of artichoke extract enhances hepatic function, minimizing residual toxin impact. Elenco Fix Super is therefore recommended to prevent the adverse effects caused by ingesting mycotoxins in poultry feed.
In summary, safeguarding flocks against mycotoxins in poultry feed requires a multifaceted strategy: potent adsorbents to trap toxins in the gut, immune-modulating yeast fractions to reinforce defenses, and liver-supporting phytogenic extracts to aid detoxification. Polyvalent products such as Elenco Fix Super deliver these components in one balanced formula, protecting bird health and preserving performance.