Trends and innovations: the future of human and animal nutrition

What does the future hold for the field of Animal Nutrition and Food Ingredients? How will technological advancements reshape the food industry? These are just a few of the questions addressed by Professor Dr. Leonardo Barcellos in this latest installment of BRFi Talks. A veterinarian by training from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Barcellos holds a master’s degree in Zootechnics and a Ph.D. in Physiology. Since 2001, he has been teaching at Universidade Passo Fundo, focusing on subjects such as Physiology, Animal Welfare, and Aquaculture. Additionally, he serves as a consultant to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, developing materials and establishing theoretical frameworks for fish welfare.

When considering innovations in the Animal Nutrition market that enhance productivity, is there a gap in the dissemination of research findings, testing, and technological advancements? How can the sharing of information and innovations in ingredients benefit the industry?

This is a topic we’ve discussed not only in animal nutrition but across various sectors where the pace of industry advancement often outstrips academic progress. In the past, science evolved faster than industry applications, but today, the situation has reversed. Many companies—not just in animal nutrition—possess cutting-edge technologies that even industry professionals struggle to fully comprehend. Consequently, there is often a lack of understanding among those who receive these technologies about the full range of benefits they offer.

In numerous cases, individuals tasked with selling or presenting these technologies to the market lack sufficient expertise to effectively communicate their value. For instance, in the field of nutrition, professionals such as zootechnicians, farmers, and veterinarians must possess a deep understanding of complex physiological processes, including how substances are absorbed and how technology impacts animal microbiota and its multifaceted effects. To me, the crux of the issue lies here: the industry must increasingly develop corporate universities to bridge this knowledge gap.

We’ve reached a point where simply contemplating how these technologies can be utilized is insufficient; we must also focus on how to effectively communicate their value to workers. This represents a significant challenge—a matter of qualification. As the saying goes, “I may be able to train my technician, but is the broader market prepared to grasp it?”

Consider BRFi, for example. They not only sell their products and brand concepts but also provide courses and communication initiatives for the market and consumers to deepen their understanding of their offerings. It’s crucial for us to move beyond mere product sales and instead educate users on the importance of these innovations and how to maximize their potential. If this doesn’t happen, technicians and workers will struggle to leverage these technologies, creating bottlenecks that we’ll all need to address collectively.

Thus, there is a pressing need for collaboration between industries, companies, and academia.

While such collaborations have existed in the past, we’re now at a stage where the level of technological detail and product customization required for clients presents a unique challenge. It’s no longer enough to host events and explain products generically. Instead, companies must tailor their approach to meet the specific needs of each market or customer. Technology will play a pivotal role in achieving this, as disseminating research findings is a formidable task for both universities and industries alike. As a result, scientific journalism within companies is gaining momentum.

We know that productivity extends beyond nutritional diets. Producers today must also consider the living conditions of their animals. How can optimizing the environment positively influence productivity and meet the species’ needs beyond nutrition?

There are issues that precede nutrition. Applying a highly specialized diet won’t suffice if there are underlying deficiencies. In my field, it’s straightforward to see: water quality, genetics, and other factors cannot be resolved simply by using a feed packed with additives. While promoting new super ingredients is essential, it’s equally important to emphasize that they will only work if foundational issues have been addressed first. This ties back to a recurring theme: personalization.

This is because various challenges can hinder the success of nutritional innovations, leading producers to believe they don’t work. Hence, there’s a critical need to focus on the environment and two other keywords every company should prioritize—traceability and animal welfare.

When you create a conducive environment and prioritize animal welfare, the outcomes are remarkable. Moreover, this can translate into added value, which is often overlooked. Animal welfare and environmental protection are areas where even minimal investments yield significant societal goodwill, a trend that is likely to grow in the future.

Societal demands for animal welfare are increasing. If a company, like BRF, associates itself with ethical practices and promotes animal welfare, there’s no doubt it will translate into financial gains. The essence of animal welfare remains: “How well is the animal coping with its environment?”

Improving the environment is the key to achieving the industry’s goals. Often, the reason a product isn’t delivering expected results is due to misalignment in the production chain. Such imbalances block the intended benefits of the product.

Sustainability is deeply intertwined with innovation. Do you believe sustainable ingredients are the cornerstone of the future of animal nutrition?

I am certain of it. I wouldn’t claim it’s the sole solution, but it’s one of the most vital aspects. In certain scenarios, we may need to take a step back. This retreat is necessary if it means achieving 70% sustainability at the expense of 80% productivity. Environmental and economic concerns that have been debated for the past 20 years are even more relevant now.

For example, we observe discussions around welfare and its conversion into added value. Ingredients that may not maximize production but ensure a more sustainable operation will generate returns. There will always be a market for such approaches.

Wasting feed that harms the environment is unacceptable. We must tailor solutions for each animal category and life stage to ensure optimal utilization of ingredients and minimize nutrient wastage. Hydrolysates and peptides align with these objectives.

With rapid technological advancements, the future of these compounds lies in providing highly personalized nutrition for diverse animal groups and life stages. Perhaps, in the coming years, new production models will emerge.

In summary, a more customized nutrition aligned with production characteristics. This applies not only to animal nutrition but also predicts the application of hydrolysates and peptides in human nutrition, a trend we are already witnessing.

Looking at these innovations in formulations, what impact do you foresee from using enzymatic hydrolysates and bioactive peptides?

I envision a more therapeutic and personalized form of nutrition. Instead of using whole hydrolysates, the focus will shift toward extracting specific peptides for targeted functions.

We moved from bagged feeds to bulk systems, and now we’ll need multiple silos, one for each life stage. Undoubtedly, the animal nutrition sector must adapt to offer producers the tools they need to evolve while addressing concerns like the immune system and preparation at each production stage.

The keyword will be adjusting nutrition to fit specific production chains and their components. The question remains whether academia can keep pace, and I’m uncertain if sufficient developments have occurred in this area.

In summary, the four themes—dissemination of knowledge, animal welfare, sustainability, and hydrolysates/peptides—are interconnected. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions to enhance animal welfare through improved environments. Sustainability, once seen as a niche concern, will soon dominate the industry. Finally, the immense potential of hydrolysates and peptides offers exciting opportunities for the future.

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