New scientific publication on the effects of plant extracts on bacteria by molecular profiling

NEXT Enhance® 300 is a standardised combination of garlic oil and cinnamaldehyde, an active ingredient of cinnamon extract. This combination acts to optimise fermentation characteristics in the dairy cow leading to higher milk production and milk component yields for the user.

Continuing to understand the mechanisms behind the consistent benefits in animal trials, Carotenoid Technologies SA (CaroTech®) has worked exclusively with the Zootechnical Department at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia., one of the few sites in Europe which has the expertise in the state-of-the-art methodology of PCR-DGGE fingerprinting.

Previous work by the two groups have elucidated the effects of garlic oil (Allium sativum), and its active ingredient diallyl disulfide in reducing methane by reducing methanogens.

New scientific results have been published in Folia Microbiologica 53 (3), 204-208 (2008). Entitled “Effect of Sodium Monensin and Cinnamaldehyde on the Growth and Phenotypic Characteristics of Prevotella bryantii and Prevotella ruminicola" (D. Ferme, M. Malnersic, L. Lipoglavsek, C. Kamel, G. Avgustin). This builds upon earlier published work in 2004 where the same collaborateurs were the first to define the rumen populations affected by cinnamaldehyde.

In this article, the authors define a more precise mechanism of the reduction in protein degradation in the rumen by cinnamaldehyde and conclude that it is a mode of action different from that exhibited by the ionophore sodium monensin. These novel findings not only pave the way for a better understanding of this active ingredient, but can be used as supportive data in the product registration as a zootechnical additive under European Directive 1831/2003.