Technology transfer and academic cooperation at Pingtung University of Science and Technology

Functional components of Echinacea extract regulate physiological functions of pigs with respiratory syndrome

Modern scientific research has found

Problems facing the domestic pig farming industry

Pigs are prone to respiratory infections, which cause symptoms such as coughing and panting, leading to reduced growth efficiency and breeding rate, which in turn leads to economic losses for pig farmers! Traditional antibiotic treatment can cause drug resistance, antibiotic residues and other side effects

Post-antibiotic era

Natural plant extracts replace the use of antibiotics and become the goal and trend of animal husbandry

Echinacea has long been recognized for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and modern research is increasingly exploring the potential of plant extracts as feed additives. The following two industry-university collaborations have demonstrated the potential of Echinacea extracts, whether as preventive or therapeutic additions, to prevent and improve respiratory diseases in pigs.

Industry-Academic Cooperation Project

Echinacea extract supplementation in feed improves respiratory symptoms in piglets

01

Background

Respiratory symptoms in piglets cause pig farms to lose profits. Echinacea has antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. However, there are no studies on its effects on piglets with bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory or lung diseases. Therefore, the effect of Echinacea in feed was studied for pigs with respiratory symptoms.

Adding Echinacea extract to the diet can improve respiratory symptoms in pigs and reduce economic losses in pig farms.

We searched for pigs with obvious respiratory symptoms in pig farms in Pingtung, fed them Echinacea extract, and explored the changes in serum biochemical indicators, hoping to find evidence of functional benefits such as enhancing the immune capacity and antioxidant properties of these pigs.

In collaboration with Professor Peng Shaoyu of the Department of Animal Science and Animal Husbandry at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology,

Study on "Functional ingredients extracted from plants regulate physiological functions of pigs with respiratory syndrome"

02

Results of the experiment on feeding echinacea extract to feed

Enhance pigs’ immune function

  • Lymphocyte
  • 0.1% Echinacea Extract
  • Globulin
  • 1% Echinacea Extract


Reduce stress in pigs

  • Cortisol
  • 0.1% Echinacea Extract

Reduces inflammation and liver inflammation index in pigs

  • C-reactive protein, CRP
  • 0.1% Echinacea Extract
  • Glutamate oxaloacetate transferase, AST
  • 0.1% Echinacea Extract
  • Alanine aminotransferase
  • ALT 0.1% Echinacea Extract


Improve pig respiratory diseases

  • 0.1%, 1%, 5% Echinacea extract

Improving the antioxidant capacity of pigs

  • Total antioxidant capacity, TAC
  • 1% Echinacea Extract

Reduces Mycoplasma hyorhinis manifestations

  • 0.1%, 1% Echinacea Extract

Reduce the tendency of blood vessels to become blocked and occluded in pigs

  • Platelet
  • 0.1%, 1% Echinacea Extract

No side effects on pigs