Butyrate, a molecule of great interest in animal nutrition isnowadays emerging as one of the most potent alternativesto antibiotic growth promoters. The effect of Butyrate on improving intestinal health, immunity, achieving eubiosis and thereby performance is well understood. These effects are only possible when the Butyrate molecule reaches upto the lower part of the intestinal tract in an active or un-dissociated form.

It is generally accepted that the major part of unprotected Butyrate gets dissolved in the stomach itself, and rest is quickly absorbed in the proximal part of the intestinal tract. Therefore, in order to get Butyrate in significant amount in the lower parts of the GI tract, it needs to be protected to achieve a targeted release.Generally this protection is provided to Butyrate either by coating it with fat or esterifying the Butyric Acid with Glycerol. Using the fat coating technology has its disadvantages as any type of fat would be unable to withstand pelleting conditions (see below table on melting point of various fats). In case the feed is not pelleted, it would still require lipase enzyme activity to dissolve the fat coating for releasing Butyrate available to the enterocytes. Lipase activity and fat digestion is poorly developed in young chicks. So, the efficacy of coated Butyrate in mash feed is also doubtful especially during the early stages of life.Similarly, the limitation with Glycerol esters of Butyric Acid is that these compounds also require lipase activity to expose the Butyrate to the enterocytes. Moreover, even in the presence of lipase, the release of all the three Butyric Acid molecules bonded with the Glycerol is not likely.


So, an ideal Butyrate product is one which can withstand pelleting conditions and pass un-dissociated through the stomach to remain available mostly in its active form through the entire length of the intestinal tract.
Avitech with its penchant for serving the industry with unique solutions in the area of nutrition will be soon launching “BUTIREX C4”, a butyrate product from Novation of Spain in a completely new form that meets all the necessary conditions for effective delivery and activity in the target area.

BUTIREX C4 is the only Buffer Matrix Sodium Butyrate, containing a very high level of activity (54%). BUTIREX C4 is protected by the physical-chemical structure of buffering salts whichprevents it from dissolving and disassociating in the fore-gut. That is how the Sodium Butyrate in BUTIREX C4 is made available to the entire length of the intestinal tract. BUTIREX C4 has proven ability to remain stable at pelleting as well as extrusion temperature (1200).

BUTIREX C4 promotes feed intake in chicks by stimulating early Insulin secretion. Insulin increases the glucose uptake by the cells, blood glucose goes down and hence there is an increased appetite and feed consumption by the chicks. BUTIREX C4 actsas a readily available source of energy for enterocytes and improves the health of the enteric wall and the villi. It is also proven in vitro that BUTIREX C4 promotes the proliferation of intestinal epithelium. (Peter Galfi study, 1993)

Apart from this, BUTIREX C4 inhibits the growth of Salmonella and promotes growth of Lactic Acid producing bacteria and other beneficial bacteria facilitating idealeubiosis.A eubiotic internal environment is critical for an efficient digestive process, enhanced immunity and overall performance. BUTIREX C4 is supported by a number well documented studies.