BioStar NutriProducts goes global with Gut Bio Balance

“Good gastrointestinal health is essential in animal production, especially for young animals, as their gut is still developing,” said Caselyn Altoveros-Mangulabnan, BioStar’s Technical Manager for Animal Health and Probiotics Operations, in an interview with aviNews Philippines.

“A well-developed gut is critical to strong immunity, as 70-80% of an animal’s immune system is housed there. By fostering gut health early, we set the foundation for healthier, more resilient animals.”

Ensuring product quality

How is Gut Bio Balance different from its competition?

First are its components. Its unique formulation combines probiotic microorganisms (Lactobacillus spp, Bacillus spp, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae), prebiotics (moringa and oregano), organic acids (fulvic and humic acids), Vitamin C, and amino acids—providing a natural boost to animal health and performance.

Moreover, since Gut Bio Balance is developed locally, it is naturally well-suited to the region’s conditions.

“We understand the specifications from the outset and can fine-tune the formulation based on customer feedback and trial results,” explained Ms Altoveros-Mangulabnan.

“Also, we maintain full control over our raw material sources, ensuring strong traceability and quality control. This allows us to backtrack each step of the production process and provide transparency to our clients.”

She added that BioStar is the only company in the Philippines that has a manufacturing facility dedicated to probiotic production. The company takes meticulous care to ensure Gut Bio Balance remains active and stable when introduced on farms, and has incorporated various ingredients to enhance its microbes availability, activity, and longevity.

Components’ modes of action

The probiotics in Gut Bio Balance perform several key functions:

• Promoting gut health – They support a balanced gut microflora by competing with pathogens for nutrients, producing inhibitory compounds like bacteriocins, defensins, and mucins, preventing harmful bacteria from adhering to the gut lining, and reducing toxin bioavailability.
• Enhancing metabolism – They improve digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, reducing the activity of pathogenic bacterial enzymes, lowering ammonia production, and optimizing feed digestibility.
• Strengthening immunity – They boost both innate and adaptive immune responses while modulating the activity of gut-associated lymphoid tissues for better overall health.
• Supporting nutrient absorption – They enhance the production and absorption of Vitamin B complexes and essential trace minerals, ensuring animals receive vital nutrients for growth and performance.

Since probiotic microorganisms are living organisms, they require nourishment and a suitable environment to thrive and multiply. Bio Star selected moringa and oregano as prebiotics to support this process.

“Through our research, we discovered that fermenting with these fiber sources significantly enhances and prolongs microbial activity,” explained Ms Altoveros-Mangulabnan.

Among the functions of these prebiotics are:

• Selective bacterial stimulation by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, while limiting harmful pathogens. This helps prevent pathogen adhesion to the gut lining and reduces toxin availability, supporting a healthier gut environment.
• Beneficial bacteria ferment prebiotics to produce short-chain fatty acids. These compounds strengthen the gut barrier, improve nutrient absorption, and help regulate the immune system.
• Competitive exclusion by boosting good bacteria and crowding out harmful microbes. This competition for space and nutrients keeps pathogens from attaching to the intestinal lining.
• Improving gut morphology by increasing villi height, which enhances nutrient uptake and improves digestive efficiency.

Another key ingredient in Gut Bio Balance is postbiotics, the beneficial byproducts of probiotic fermentation.

“Postbiotics enhance both the activity and livability of our microbes,” explained Ms Altoveros-Mangulabnan. “But we don’t rely solely on fermentation byproducts—we also incorporate additional postbiotics, particularly fulvic and humic acids, to further support gut health and functionality.”

Extensive trials in both experimental and commercial farm settings have demonstrated the effectiveness of Gut Bio Balance. A recent independent trial at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has provided additional validation of its benefits.

Stability

Participants at the Gut Bio Balance launch learn about its benefits.

Gut Bio Balance is highly heat-resistant, making it effective even in pelleted feed formulations. Moreover, it remains stable and functional even when used alongside antibiotics.

Production conditions in Asia and other regions differ significantly from those in Western countries, and as a result, antibiotics are still widely used to maintain efficiency.

“Due to antimicrobial resistance, many antibiotics are losing effectiveness, requiring higher doses for the same impact,” explained Ms Altoveros-Mangulabnan. “However, by incorporating probiotics, producers can reduce antibiotic dependency or extend the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.”

She also highlights a growing shift among producers, who are recognizing the benefits of natural alternatives like probiotics. Increasingly, they are prioritizing overall animal wellness and immunity, moving beyond conventional antibiotic reliance.

Looking outward

BioStar’s success with Gut Bio Balance among its various clients—including both small and large industry players, as well as integrators—in the Philippines has strengthened its confidence in expanding to the international market. It has also received strong encouragement from its global suppliers, further fueling its ambitions for international growth.

Dr Faran Hameed speaks at the launch of Gut Bio Balance.

In 2024, the company conducted initial talks with Dr Faran Hameed, now its Global Director, who recognized the product’s potential and expressed keen interest. Initially, BioStar is targeting Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East as key markets.

“We are currently registering the product in Pakistan and will soon do the same in Malaysia,” said Ms Altoveros-Mangulabnan.

The company is also in the process of securing FAMI-QS certification for its products, laboratory, and manufacturing facility. This certification ensures feed safety and quality throughout the supply chain.

BioStar recognizes that introducing Gut Bio Balance to the global market will come with challenges. However, the company remains confident that the product’s strengths will speak for themselves, paving the way for international success.