Research and Development
The Research and Development at Suomen Rehu is based on intensive scientific research that's performed in a network of Finnish and international research partners. The main aim of our R&D is development of new feeds, feeding programs and feed ingredients assuring good health and productivity of animals, both for Finnish market and export. Responsibility in all operations, animal and environmental welfare are fundamental issues of the development.
During the last years Suomen Rehu's R&D has had a strong focus in the intestinal health related issues. "Health starts in the intestine" represents the importance of intestinal health and microbial balance for the animals. The results achieved are, among other things:
- Patented Progut® and Progut® Rumen feed ingredients for better intestinal health and productivity of animals
- Acetona® products for better rumen functions
- Patented Swine Booster for better feed intake of lactating sows
Our Research Partners and methods
The intestinal health related research is carried out in a research network together with private research companies, industrial partners, universities and research institutes in Europe. It aims:
- To increase knowledge of intestinal microbes, immunity and function and their impact on gut health and further on animal health and productivity
- To develop new bioactive feed ingredients for modulation of intestinal or rumen microbiota and for enhancement of animal health and productivity
- To further develop the current products by efficacy and application studies
Our main research partners are:
Alimetrics Ltd.
Alimetrics Ltd is an independent company providing contract research and technical service for the food & feed industry, animal & human health sector, and other industries where their business is subject to microfloral interactions.
Glykos Finland Ltd.
Glykos Finland Ltd. is an independent research service company focusing its activities on glycomics research and development of functional carbohydrate products for pharmaceutical, food, and feed industries. The application areas of the company's technology include drug discovery, carbohydrate-based food ingredients, and functional food and feed product candidates. Glykos's technology has its roots back in 20 years of academic research in the area of glycobiology.
Scientifically proven in vitro and in vivo
Our research includes development of new research methods, in vitro screening and simulation trials, different mode of action studies in vivo and clinical trials in Research Institutes and Farms. The expertise of the Research Network is based on multiple disciplines: microbiology, physiology, glycobiology, biochemistry, immunology and biomathematics.
In vitro screening:
- Bacterial attachment assay into gut mucus of a target animal
- Carbohydrate libraries and pathogen adhesion-inhibition studies
- Multi-channel, batch and continuous simulation systems for bacterial fermentations in the rumen and in the digestive tract of monogastric animals
Complex carbohydrate analysis:
- Mass spectrometry, NMR and separation technologies for identification and structural characterization of carbohydrates and for development of functional carbohydrate components
Microbial and immunological analysis:
- Total microbial community structure and function in the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal and rumen microbiota analysis with 16S rDNA and Q-PCR based methods and with bacterial group specific flow cytometry method
- Analysis of local immunomodulatory effects of dietary supplements
- Systematic, cell and antibody mediated immune responses
Clinical trials in vivo:
- Performance studies with different animal species
- Challenge trials with poultry and swine
- Rumen fermentation studies with fistulated cows