Huvepharma has a very comprehensive portfolio of coccidiosis control products which contains synthetics, ionophores, products combining synthetics and ionophores, and coccidiosis vaccines. Recently Huvepharma introduced a new tool, Clarity-Q® to complete its coccidiosis control toolbox.
Clarity-Q is a natural product containing triterpenic saponins from the Quillaja tree, a tree endemic in Chile and renowned for its high concentration of triterpenic saponins. The saponins are extracted from the tree using only water and temperature (free of any solvent) and the saponin content in the final product is standardised using HPLC.
One of the key aspects and differentiation of Clarity-Q compared to other types of natural products is the encapsulation. Non-encapsulated products mainly have an activity in the proximal part of the intestinal tract, while the encapsulated product is slowly released which ensures activity over the entire intestinal tract including the caudal part. Figure 1 demonstrates the difference in solubility between non-encapsulated and encapsulated saponins. Each point is the mean value of all replicates, and the error bars show the standard error of the mean (SEM).
The specific structure of the triterpenic saponins is directly related with the mode of action: a fat-soluble triterpenoid (hydrophobic part) is attached to a water-soluble glycone (hydrophilic part), and this hydrophobic part has a high affinity for cell membrane lipids (especially cholesterol). Binding to the cell membrane lipids will cause an increase in membrane permeability leading to the altered structure of membranes. This may result in interesting properties such as supporting ionophores in their interaction with the membrane of the Eimeria parasite, altering the membrane of bacteria, bactericidal activity and reduction of cholesterol in the blood.
Many publications describe how using saponins in addition to coccidiostats or coccidiosis vaccines results in better coccidiosis control and improve performance parameters when birds suffer from a coccidiosis challenge. Huvepharma has conducted many different challenge trials in the US using Clarity-Q in combination with coccidiosis vaccines. The coccidiosis vaccine used in Advent® (a non-attenuated coccidiosis vaccine) and the results indicated that the best performance was seen when Clarity-Q was added from start to finish. Additionally, the possible interference with development of immunity was evaluated and results indicate that there is no measurable effect on immunity build-up. In Europe, a trial was conducted to evaluate the best strategy for application of Clarity-Q when HuveGuard® MMAT (an attenuated coccidiosis vaccine) is used. The results indicate that the optimal program is to use B-Act® (probiotic) from day 0 until day 20 and then switch to Clarity-Q until the end of the grow-out.
Of course, Clarity-Q can also be used together with coccidiostats to improve efficacy. The greatest benefit is expected when it is used in conjunction with ionophores. Both products act on the membrane of the parasite and together they increase the efficacy for coccidiosis control. When using Clarity-Q with coccidiosis control. When using Clarity-Q with coccidiostats, it is added from start to finish or from day 21 until the end. Usually, the coccidiosis pressure significantly increases from 3 weeks of age starting with E. acervulina until day 30-32 when the peak of E. tenella and E. maxima is seen.
Finally, the sustainability and long-term supply of the raw material (Quillaja) is guaranteed and closely monitored by Chilean authorities. The sustainability concept is based on the rate of extraction being lower than the rate of production. A maximum 35% of a tree (only branches) is harvested at a time and the same tree is only allowed to be touched again after 5 years, giving it the opportunity and time to restore the previously harvested branches. In this way the growth rate exceeds the amount harvested. Furthermore, a part of the revenue of the producers is reinvested in planting new Quillaja trees.
To summarise, Huvepharma is bringing a new product to the market called Clarity-Q which supports intestinal health and helps to control coccidiosis. This natural product is in response to a growing interest in natural products and completes our portfolio for coccidiosis control.
