DOMCA participates in the project MIMBIOPORNutritional technologies for minimising the use of antibiotics in pig production“ with dossier code ITC-20151163 under the ERDF Innterconecta Programme. The aim of the project is to develop new nutritional strategies that minimise the use of antibiotics in the piglet and feedlot phases of pigs and maintain productivity, health and animal welfare. The consortium is led by NOREL S.A. together with other partners. The project will run for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017.
RESULTS OF THE MIMBIOPOR PROJECT
In the course of this project, DOMCA has developed new formulations based on alliaceae extracts and other plant extracts, which have been evaluated in various trials. in vivo, The results have been satisfactory and alternatives to the use of antibiotics in different concentrations have been proposed, depending on the stage of production.
The most interesting results, obtained in collaboration with IMASDE, show that piglets fed a diet supplemented with alliaceae extracts, during the whole post-weaning phase, grew more and converted feed better than animals fed a standard feed.
On the other hand, researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering of the UGR have studied in depth the release and absorption mechanisms of alliaceae compounds, using an artificial digestion system. in vitro. In addition, the Department of Microbiology of the UGR has studied the influence of these additives on the intestinal microbiome using massive sequencing techniques, identifying significant changes in the microbiota of piglets fed with DOMCA compounds. These findings are similar to those detected in animals that received antibiotic treatment (colistin and zinc oxide), hence they can be considered as an effective alternative to antibiotics. Furthermore, in the different trials in vivo During the course of the project, researchers from the University of León have observed positive changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and an improvement in the Intestinal Health Index (IHI) in piglets fed with the ingredients developed by DOMCA.
Based on these results, it can be concluded that this project has made possible the development of new formulations incorporating novel plant extracts as an effective alternative to the use of antibiotics in pigs.
This type of aid is part of the State Programme for R&D&I Oriented to Society's Challenges, which promotes the orientation of scientific research, carried out in universities and public research bodies, and of business R&D&I activities towards solving the present and future problems and needs of our society, in line with the challenges contained in the Spanish Strategy for Science and Technology and Innovation and the European Union's outline reflected in the Framework Programme for Research, Development and Innovation «Horizon 2020».» and the objectives of the «Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020». 
