Innovative Applications of Natural Beta-Carotene in Animal Nutrition Formulations

In the current animal nutrition sector, with the deepening implementation of the “antibiotic-free” feed policy and the continuous rise in product quality demands from the livestock industry, developing safe and efficient functional nutrition solutions has become an urgent industry need- да. Natural β-carotene, as a core ingredient with multiple functions including vitamin A precursor activity, antioxidant properties, and immune enhancement, is increasingly gaining attention from feed companies and livestock groups.

Addressing this market demand, Green Spring Technology leverages its proprietary plant extraction and stabilization technology platform to officially launch a new generation of highly stable, bioavailable natural β-carotene. This product employs unique microencapsulation and antioxidant protection systems to effectively overcome the technical challenge of oxidation and inactivation during feed processing and storage, providing the industry with a more stable and efficient functional nutrition solution.

As a natural pigment widely present in dark-colored fruits and vegetables, beta-carotene serves not only as a safe precursor to vitamin A but also possesses multiple physiological functions including antioxidant activity, immune regulation, and promotion of cellular health. Green Spring Technology'snaturally extracted beta-carotene, produced through eco-friendly processes, features a coexistence of all-trans and cis isomers. This composition closely mimics its natural form, enhancing digestibility and bioavailability for animals. Currently approved as a feed additive in 52 countries and regions worldwide, beta-carotene is emerging as an indispensable functional ingredient in precision nutrition and sustainable aquaculture.

Green Spring Technology's natural β-carotene raw material finds broad application in feed formulations for poultry, livestock, aquaculture, and ruminants. It demonstrates exceptional efficacy in boosting immunity, enhancing reproductive performance, strengthening antioxidant capacity, and improving product quality, empowering clients to develop more competitive, differentiated feed products.

In animal nutrition, natural β-carotene offers unique physicochemical properties and well-defined metabolic pathways, unlocking new possibilities for developing and applying functional feed formulations. Leveraging advanced extraction and stabilization technologies, Green Spring Technology delivers high-potency natural β-carotene raw materials, providing the industry with safe, efficient nutritional solutions tailored to diverse animal needs.

I. Exceptional Physical Stability—Process Advantages of Green Spring Technology's Natural β-Carotene

Green Spring Technology's natural β-carotene raw material (C₄₀H₅₆) successfully overcomes the technical challenge of oxidation and inactivation during feed processing through an innovative stabilization technology system.

This product employs a triple-protection process: : категория:

◆ Microencapsulation technology: Utilizes a composite wall material (modified starch/gelatin/gum arabic) to form a protective layer, effectively isolating oxygen and metal ions

◆ Synergistic Antioxidant System: Incorporates natural vitamin E and tea polyphenols as antioxidants for dual protection

◆ Crystal Stabilization Treatment: Maintains ≥85% all-trans structure through controlled crystallization processes

Rigorous testing confirms Green Spring Technology β-carotene maintains exceptional stability under demanding conditions:

· Retains ≥95% activity at 90°C pelleting temperatures

· Accelerated testing at 45°C/75% RH shows <5% activity loss over 6 months

· >92% content retention after 3 months co-storage with mineral premixes

Currently, this product has been successfully applied in various feed forms including pellets, extrudates, and powders. It demonstrates excellent processing adaptability and storage stability in poultry, livestock, aquaculture, and ruminant feeds, providing reliable functional ingredient solutions for feed manufacturers.

II. Multi-Channel Metabolic Mechanism for Precise Nutritional Delivery

After animal ingestion, β-carotene undergoes emulsification in the intestine to form chylomicron particles for efficient absorption. Its primary metabolic pathways include:

· Conversion to vitamin A under BCO I/II enzyme catalysis, precisely meeting physiological demands;

· Partial entry into the circulatory system for transport to the liver and various tissues/organs to participate in physiological regulation;

· Unutilized portions are naturally excreted, eliminating accumulation risks.

This mechanism provides a theoretical foundation for the scientific application of β-carotene across different species and growth stages, empowering enterprises to develop more targeted nutritional fortification solutions.

III. Core Functions of β-Carotene in Animal Nutrition and Green Spring Technology's Raw Material Advantages

3.1 Precise and Safe Vitamin A Source

β-Carotene achieves precise vitamin A conversion through dual catalysis by BCOⅠ/Ⅱ enzymes. This process is negatively regulated by endogenous vitamin A levels, effectively preventing excess risks. Liquan Technology employs patented extraction technology (Patent No. ZL2023XXXXXX) to ensure an optimal ratio of all-trans to cis isomers (7:3) in its products. Third-party testing confirms its vitamin A precursor activity is 25% higher than synthetic β-carotene. In broiler trials, feed supplemented with 200mg/kg Green Spring β-carotene increased liver vitamin A reserves by 32% without inducing hypervitaminosis symptoms.

3.2 Superior Antioxidant Defense System

Green Spring Technology employs microencapsulation coating technology (wall material: modified starch + gum arabic) to enhance the oxidation stability of raw materials to three times that of conventional products, achieving 92% activity retention during pelleting (85°C). Experiments showed that adding 300 mg/t of this product to sow feed increased serum SOD activity by 28%, reduced MDA content by 35%, and decreased diarrhea rates in suckling piglets by 42%. Its antioxidant mechanism encompasses dual actions: direct radical scavenging (1 molecule of β-carotene can scavenge 1000 singlet oxygen molecules) and activation of the endogenous antioxidant system via the Nrf2 pathway.

3.3 Comprehensive Enhancement of Immune Function

Green Spring β-Carotene boosts immune function through the following mechanisms:

· Increases immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, etc.) by 15-30%

· Regulates secretion of key cytokines (IL-6, GM-CSF, etc.)

· Improves immune organ development indices

In a 42-day broiler trial, supplementing with 150mg/t of this product increased the bursa of Fabricius index by 18%, raised Newcastle disease antibody titers by 2-fold, and significantly enhanced vaccine protection efficacy.

3.4 Significant Improvement in Reproductive Performance

Green Spring Technology's specialized reproductive formula (β-carotene content ≥10%) demonstrated the following effects in multiple large-scale pig farms:

· Increased sow conception rate during estrus by 12-15%

· Increased litter size by 0.8-1.2 piglets

· Enhanced colostrum IgG content by 25%

Its mechanisms include: protecting oocyte mitochondrial function, regulating progesterone secretion, and improving uterine environment. In dairy cows, first postpartum breeding time was advanced by 7-10 days, and the open period shortened by 12 days.

3.5 Enhancing Livestock Product Quality

Green Spring Technology's species-specific formulations demonstrate:

· Laying hens: 50mg/kg supplementation elevates egg yolk color grade by 3-4 levels, achieving over 10 on the Rothschild color fan

· Broilers: Breast muscle a* value (redness) increases by 2.1, while drip loss decreases by 18%

· Dairy cows: Milk fat content increased by 0.2 percentage points, somatic cell count decreased by 15%

Its coloring mechanism stems from conjugated double bond structures, while quality improvements are closely linked to regulating fat metabolism and reducing lipid peroxidation.

3.6 Multi-pathway synergistic anti-inflammatory effects

Green Spring Technology collaborated with multiple research institutions to thoroughly analyze the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of β-carotene:

● NF-κB pathway: Inhibits IκBα phosphorylation, reducing pro-inflammatory factor production

● JAK2/STAT3 pathway: Downregulates expression of inflammatory mediators like IL-6

● MAPK pathway: Regulates p38 and JNK phosphorylation levels

In weaned piglet trials, supplementing 400mg/t of this product increased the villus height/crypt depth ratio by 25%, reduced diarrhea incidence by 45%, and boosted average daily gain by 16%.

3.7 Multiple Additional Functional Benefits

Green Spring β-Carotene also exhibits the following functional characteristics:

· Enhances expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin) to strengthen intestinal barrier function

· Promotes duodenal villus development to improve nutrient absorption efficiency

· Regulates gut microbiota composition to increase beneficial bacterial abundance

These functions provide novel technical support for developing functional feeds, holding significant application value especially in antibiotic-free farming contexts.

IV. Application Prospects

With the comprehensive implementation of feed antibiotic ban policies and rising consumer demands for animal-derived food quality, beta-carotene—as a multifunctional natural nutrient—holds increasingly broad application prospects in animal nutrition. Research indicates its comprehensive value in enhancing animal immunity, improving reproductive performance, and elevating product quality is driving innovative applications in compound feed, premixes, and functional additives.

Green Spring Technology has established a complete beta-carotene supply chain through its self-developed natural plant extraction platform. Utilizing internationally advanced CO₂ supercritical extraction technology and microencapsulation stabilization processes, the company ensures products feature stable content (≥96% purity), high bioavailability (30%+ improvement over conventional products), and excellent storage stability (12-month activity retention at room temperature). Currently, the company has developed multiple specialized formulations including water-dispersible, oil-encapsulated, and sustained-release types to meet specific requirements across different feed processing methods and animal species.

We sincerely invite feed enterprises, farming groups, and research institutions to engage in in-depth collaboration. We now offer the industry:

★ Standardized product samples and detailed technical documentation

★ Customized formulation development and technical support services

★ Animal trial protocol design and efficacy evaluation support

Contact us:

Tel: +86 29 88313578

Mob: +86 13649243917

WhatsApp: +86 13649243917

Email: helen@greenspringbio.com

Web: https://www.greenspringnatural.com/

Let us advance the scientific application of natural functional ingredients in animal nutrition together, jointly building a healthier, more efficient, and sustainable new model for livestock industry development.