Egg Production Research Leads to AO-Biotics® EQE

Using Research to Drive Innovation 

For more than 70 years, BioZyme Inc. has served the agriculture industry as an innovator in fermentation and animal health. What started as a feedstore across from the historic Saint Joseph, Missouri stockyards evolved into much more. Founder Larry Ehlert purchased a patent and marketing rights to an unheard-of direct-fed microbial produced from a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae in 1968.

Since then, the understanding of A. oryzae has increased substantially, allowing for the exploration of many new opportunities. That same strain of Aspergillus oryzae is what BioZyme uses today to develop new pre- and post-biotics under the brand AO-Biotics. 

Current Research Priorities Create Growth

“For the past seven years, our efforts have been focused on advancing and refining a research program dedicated to unraveling the biological actions of AO-derived biotics with direct implications for animal performance and health,” said Ignacio Ipharraguerre, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Innovation for BioZyme.

“Our research is driven by a primary objective: to construct a robust knowledge foundation that steers the enhancement and innovation of BioZyme’s products and services.”

This endeavor has yielded impactful insights, such as those instrumental in shaping the development of AO-Biotics^® EQE.

• Furthermore, it holds the potential to broaden BioZyme’s portfolio by paving the way for new biotic products tailored to address specific challenges in animal agriculture.

The Introduction of AO-Biotics^® EQE

In 2022, BioZyme introduced its inaugural postbiotic to the feed additives market. AO-Biotics EQE is the first-and-only AO postbiotic developed specifically for layers. It utilizes patent-pending technology and is manufactured at BioZyme’s state-of-the-art fermentation facility in St. Joseph, MO, USA.

Research studies show that adding EQE in the diet of laying hens results in: 

• More sellable eggs
• Improved egg mass
• Increased productive life span

“EQE arose from the aforementioned research. The extensive research efforts that culminated in this breakthrough spanned over six years. It encompassed the completion of a Ph.D. program, along with multiple studies conducted in collaboration with research partners primarily in the USA and Europe,” Ipharraguerre said.

Additionally, research and validation trials on EQE found that hen performance from 15 to 21 weeks of age was impacted. EQE resulted in:

• Improved body weight gain (BWG) by 7%
• Improved feed conversion rates by 11%
• Improved egg production by 8%

Biotics Defined

There is occasional confusion in the marketplace regarding the distinction between prebiotics, postbiotics and probiotics. BioZyme ensures all AO-Biotics products meet classification standards set by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

“We believe that organizing knowledge through science-based definitions is crucial for preventing ambiguity and confusion, fostering innovation and ensuring the proper use and expectations of biotic products. 

To achieve this goal, we adhere to the definitions established by ISAPP, classifying biotic products into categories such as prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and more recently, postbiotics. The key distinction among these products, based on these definitions, lies in their mode of action,” Ipharraguerre explains.

The following are the ISAPP definitions:

• Prebiotic: A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms, conferring the host a health benefit.
• Postbiotic: A preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.
• Probiotic: Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.
• Synbiotic: A mixture comprising live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively utilized by host microorganisms that confers a health benefit on the host.

BioZyme also has definitions of prebiotics and postbiotics as they pertain to the AO-Biotics brand. They are as follows:

• Prebiotic: AO-Biotics prebiotics are derived from A. oryzae to promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut microbes to confer a benefit on the host.
• Postbiotic: AO-Biotics postbiotics are derived from nonliving components of A. oryzae (metabolites or other bioactive compounds) to target specific problems affecting animal health, welfare and/or productivity.

“Our research indicates that certain compositions derived from AO fermentation processes primarily function by altering the gut microbiota, aligning with the definition of prebiotics. On the other hand, we have observed that other compositions resulting from AO fermentation processes exert effects that extend beyond the gut microbiota, impacting systems such as the immune system. These latter compositions are more accurately categorized as postbiotics,” Ipharraguerre said. 

Research Makes BioZyme AO Fermentation Experts

With continued research across the globe, BioZyme has earned its reputation in the industry as a global leader in AO fermentation. 

“To the best of our knowledge, BioZyme stands as the sole company within the sector with a dedicated research program focused on AO,” Ipharraguerre said.

AO is a unique organism, something that BioZyme considers “Anything but Ordinary”. Unlike yeast, AO is a multi-cellular filamentous fungi and is quite complex organism. It has approximately 12,000 genes and has gained several metabolic capacities. These attributes make AO a good candidate for the development of various fermentation products.

A Historical Perspective of AO-Biotics^®

AO-Biotics^® is a line of products derived from BioZyme’s innovative fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (AO) to promote resilience. 

Since the introduction of AO-based additives, BioZyme has conducted hundreds of university research studies, field trials and validation studies. BioZyme’s first AO-derived additive, AO-Biotics Amaferm®, is a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Amaferm is produced from a proprietary multi-step fermentation process developed by scientists at BioZyme. This process yields a high-quality product for use in animal feed and supplements.

Amaferm has been extensively researched by universities and private facilities worldwide. The research proves Amaferm’s mode of action and impact on the microbes and the animal in which those microbes reside.

Want to learn more about AO-Biotics Amaferm or EQE? Visit us at www.aobiotics.com. You can also follow BioZyme on LinkedIn to stay informed about when and where our team is presenting research.