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Feed Fermentation Solutions
BioVenic provides feed fermentation solutions to improve the nutritional value and digestibility of animal feed, reduce anti-nutritional factors and mycotoxins, and valorize unconventional feed resources, supporting enhanced animal production efficiency and health research. Our platform covers liquid, solid-state, and silage fermentation strategies, with capabilities in biological strain development (lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus, yeasts), process optimization, and fermented product analysis of nutrients, ANFs, mycotoxins, and microbial metabolites. We support fermentation validation with in vitro and in vivo models across livestock, poultry, and companion animals, and multi-omics (microbiome, metabolome, proteome) analyses to evaluate efficacy and safety.
Benefits of Animal Feed Fermentation
There are several key benefits to fermenting feed:
Reduction of ANFs
Microorganisms involved in fermentation can reduce the presence of ANFs in the feed.
Improved nutrient digestibility
Lower levels of ANFs improve the digestibility of proteins and other nutrients.
Improved digestive function
Microbial enzymes produced during fermentation complement the animal's endogenous enzymes, aiding in better digestion.
Improved gut health
Fermented feeds can introduce probiotics, whose presence in the animal's digestive tract promotes gut health.
Protection against harmful bacteria
The colonization and metabolic activities of probiotics help mitigate the harmful effects of some bacteria in the digestive tract.
Resource utilization and environmental impact
Fermentation of unusual feed resources improves their utilization and reduces environmental stress.
Fig. 1 Expected characteristics of unusual feed after fermentation1,2
Biological Strain Development for Feed Fermentation
Incorporating exogenous biological strains ensures consistent and high-quality fermented feed products across different batches. Key microorganisms used in feed fermentation include lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bacillus species, and yeasts. Our solutions for biological strain development facilitate the creation of strains tailored to various fermentation purposes. By analyzing the genetic information and characterizing the strains, conducting fermentation tests, and performing comprehensive analysis, we help develop strains suitable for diverse types of feed fermentation.
Feed Fermentation Process Optimization
Optimal feed fermentation strategies depend on the feed type, fermentation strains, and desired outcomes. Our optimization solution for feed fermentation processes enable researchers to monitor changes in critical indicators such as nutritional components and ANFs during fermentation. This allows adjustments to fermentation medium ingredients, additives (both microbial and non-microbial), and conditions (such as pH, temperature, and aeration). Through process optimization, we can improve the nutritional value of fermented feed and lower production costs.
Fermented Feed Product Analysis
Fermentation not only alters the nutritional composition of feed but also breaks down components that could negatively impact animal health. Additionally, the microbial activity during fermentation generates various metabolites. Our advanced feed analysis technology can measure nutrients (like crude protein, crude fat, amino acids), ANFs, mycotoxins, and microbial metabolites in the feed. By assessing the fermentation products, researchers can gain insights into nutrient transformations during fermentation and develop effective utilization methods for fermented feed.
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Liquid Feed Fermentation Solutions
Feeding animals liquid feed instead of dry feed offers tangible benefits, notably enhancing feed intake and promoting growth. Fermented liquid feed provides not only essential water and highly digestible nutrients, but also a wealth of organic acids and beneficial microbial additives such as LAB and yeast. Our comprehensive solutions are designed to optimize microbial strains as well as fermentation conditions specific to liquid feed fermentation. We also support study of the application effects of fermented liquid feed across various animal species.
Solid-State Feed Fermentation Solutions
Solid-state fermentation stands out compared to liquid fermentation for several reasons, including reduced wastewater production, enhanced product stability, lower energy consumption, and easier transportation. Key factors influencing the success of solid-state fermentation include fermentation temperature, duration, microbial strains, and the nutrient profile of the feed. Our solutions are geared towards analyzing the nutrientional composition changes from the start to the end of the feed fermentation process, developing innovative strains and fermentation techniques, and assessing the practical effectiveness and application of solid-state fermented feeds.
Silage Fermentation Solutions
The substrate for silage fermentation is typically fresh plant material with high moisture content, hosting a diverse range of active microorganisms. To prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria, such as Enterobacteria and Clostridium, as well as undesirable yeasts and molds during spontaneous fermentation, starter cultures often include microorganisms like Lactobacillus, yeast, and various organic acids (formate, propionate, acetate, and benzoic acid). Our silage fermentation solutions are designed to examine the effects of adding both microbial and non-microbial feed additives. Through detailed feed analysis and animal trials, we provide insights into the effectiveness and optimal use of silage in animal diets.
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Service Workflow for Feed Fermentation Solutions
Related Research
In a study investigating the effects of fermented feed on growth performance, intestinal function, and microbiota of piglets weaned at different ages, 108 piglets were assigned to six treatment groups in a 2 × 3 factorial design (two weaning ages: 21 vs. 28 days × three diets: basal diet, fermented feed A, and fermented feed B) over a 28-day trial. Fermented feed was prepared using Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as starter cultures through solid-state fermentation of a mixture containing soybean meal, corn, wheat bran, and rice bran. Results demonstrated that fermented feed supplementation significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) by 12.6% and feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 9.8% compared to the basal diet in 21-day-weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology analysis revealed that fermented feed-treated piglets exhibited significantly increased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in both jejunum and ileum, indicating enhanced absorptive capacity. The fermented feed also significantly upregulated ileal mRNA expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1, strengthening intestinal barrier function. 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal microbiota showed that fermented feed supplementation increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while reducing Escherichia-Shigella populations, with more pronounced effects observed in the earlier-weaned group. This work establishes that fermented feed mitigates weaning stress-induced intestinal dysfunction through concurrent improvements in morphology, barrier integrity, and beneficial microbiota colonization, with efficacy modulated by weaning age.
Fig. 2 The effects of fermented diet and weaning age on digestive enzyme activity.1,3
Why Choose Us?
Comprehensive Feed Analysis
Leveraging our advanced feed testing platform, we can precisely detect both the nutritional composition of feed and components that impact animal health. This enables researchers to conduct detailed investigations into the benefits of feed fermentation.
High-Throughput Technologies
Utilizing state-of-the-art microbiome and metabolomic analyses, we delve into the changes in microorganisms and their metabolites in fermented feed. This helps us to capture the dynamic process of feed fermentation in real-time.
Robust Animal Study Platform
Our versatile platform includes a wide range of animal models, including in vitro and in vivo models. These tools enable us to thoroughly assess the effects of fermented feed on animal digestibility, growth performance, and overall well-being.
Case Study
Researchers developed and optimized a comprehensive feed fermentation protocol using a tailored consortium of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bacillus species, and yeast strains, with real-time monitoring of key fermentation kinetics to maximize nutritional enhancement and anti-nutritional factor (ANF) reduction. The time-series analysis across a 72-hour fermentation cycle revealed three distinct phases: an initial lag phase (0–12h) characterized by microbial adaptation and minimal parameter changes; an active fermentation phase (12–48h) marked by rapid organic acid accumulation (reaching 92% of maximum), exponential LAB growth (peaking at 100% relative abundance), and concurrent pH decline from 6.8 to 4.0; and a stabilization phase (48–72h) where parameters plateaued at optimal values. Critically, ANF content decreased progressively throughout the process, reaching only 10% of initial levels by 72 hours—demonstrating effective degradation of anti-nutritional compounds. Protein digestibility improved correspondingly from 45% to 94%, indicating substantial liberation of bioavailable nutrients.
Fig. 3 Case Study
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of raw feed materials are suitable for your feed fermentation solutions?
A: Our feed fermentation services are designed for a wide array of unconventional and conventional feed ingredients, including agricultural by-products, protein meals, and cereal grains. Microbial fermentation effectively breaks down complex macromolecules like crude fibers, macromolecular proteins, and fats into easily digestible nutrients.
Q: Can you provide custom microbial strains for our specific feed fermentation project?
A: Yes, we offer comprehensive strain development and screening services, utilizing established beneficial microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus, and yeasts. For details regarding strain compatibility and delivery formats, we advise consulting our technical support specialists.
Q: How do you evaluate the nutritional quality and safety of fermented feed products?
A: We utilize an advanced analytical platform to evaluate nutritional profiles, amino acid yields, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and mycotoxin levels before and after biological treatment. This rigorous testing guarantees both safety and enhanced feeding value. For specific testing standards or custom assay requests, we recommend consulting our technical support staff to confirm the appropriate workflow.
Q: Do you support animal trials to validate the efficacy of fermented feeds?
A: Yes, we integrate comprehensive in vitro digestion models and diverse in vivo animal research platforms—spanning livestock, poultry, and companion animals—to assess growth performance and health indicators. These trials provide robust data on actual feeding value. To discuss suitable animal models and trial design specifics for your project, please consult our technical support personnel.
Using microorganisms for feed fermentation is a proven method to improve the nutritional value and digestibility of unconventional feeds, reduce ANFs, and mitigate mycotoxins. BioVenic's feed fermentation solutions are designed to optimize feed fermentation strategies based on various factors including feed type, nutrient content, animal nutritional needs, and microbial strain characteristics. Our solutions include the development of microbial strains for feed fermentation, optimization methods for feed fermentation process, fermentation product analysis, etc., and can help develop solutions for liquid fermentation, solid fermentation, and silage fermentation. If you are interested in our feed fermentation solutions, please contact us. We will tailor our approach to meet your specific research needs.
References
- Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0.
- Lian, Xiao, et al. "The effects of unconventional feed fermentation on intestinal oxidative stress in animals." Antioxidants 13.3 (2024): 305. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030305. Image retrieved from Figure 1 "Expected characteristics of unconventional feed after fermentation.". The original title was changed to "Expected characteristics of unusual feed after fermentation"
- Liu, Shuai, et al. "Effects of fermented feed on the growth performance, intestinal function, and microbiota of piglets weaned at different age." Frontiers in veterinary science 9 (2022): 841762. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.841762. Without modification.