Performance & Profitability
After years of dedicated research, regulatory project work and a deep commitment to advancing animal nutrition, Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH introduces Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 – the recent EU approved zootechnical feed additive for all fattening poultry. Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 is a blend of Macleaya cordata containing extract and carefully selected plant material with a high quality and innovative ingredient composition. The product’s efficiency is driven by its standardized content of isoquinoline alkaloids (IQs), the key bioactive compounds naturally present in the Macleaya cordata plant.
Isoquinoline alkaloids help maintain and strengthen the intestinal barrier for example by supporting the tight junctions between epithelial cells, thereby reducing the risk of increased permeability (leaky gut) and limiting the passage of harmful substances into the bloodstream. By lowering inflammation and stabilizing the gut barrier, they also enhance the efficiency of nutrient absorption (Robbins et al. 2013, Liu et al. 2016, Kikusato et al. 2021, Khongthong et al. 2023). Overall, these effects contribute to improved gut health, reflected in better feed efficiency and enhanced performance in livestock. The efficiency of standardized IQs has been proven to be especially efficient under adverse conditions, such as heat stress, stocking density or other stress factors in livestock production.
Recently, Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 has been successfully registered in the European Union (Regulation (EC) 1831/2003). The approved product for use in all poultry species for fattening can now be added to premixes, compound feed, complementary feed and mineral feed. Through its company‑specific EFSA registration (European Food Safety Authority) this product is recognized for meeting established criteria of scientific credibility, performance consistency, product quality and safety. The exclusive holder, marketer and distributor of Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 is Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH – bringing this pioneering solution to the European poultry market.
Extensive trial work conducted as part of the EU registration process clearly demonstrated the convincing safety and performance profile of the product. Comprehensive target animal safety studies confirmed that Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 is well tolerated by poultry at the intended inclusion levels, as well as at dosages exceeding the recommended range. In addition, assessments verified that the product is safe for the consumer and the environment, meeting all regulatory requirements for zootechnical feed additives. Beyond its safety evidence, the trials also provided proven efficacy for performance, demonstrating consistent improvements in key production parameters.
An institute trial, conducted at Freie Universität Berlin, examined the effect of Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 (SE) on zootechnical parameters of male Cobb 500 broilers and the economical return to the broiler industry. Additionally, this study also served to examine the best dosage under good institute conditions without any challenge problems.
A total of 600 Broilers were housed in floor pens (1.7 m x 1.9 m; 0.22 m2/bird) for 42 days. They were allocated to 150 birds/treatment and 10 replicates/treatment. All birds were fed diets based on corn, soybean meal and wheat, provided in pelleted form and formulated without antibiotic growth promoters or enzymes. The animals were randomly allocated to different treatment groups: 1) A negative control (NC) without supplementation, 2) SE45: a treatment with 45 g, 3) SE60: a treatment with 60 g and 4) SE120: a treatment with 120 g Sangrovit® Extra 4d26/ton of feed.
A comprehensive evaluation of parameters was conducted, incorporating measurements of feed intake, final body weight on day 42 and mortality rates over the entire test period. Economic efficiency was assessed using indicators, including Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) and was further substantiated by a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis to determine the economic return associated with the best treatment group.
Fig. 1 illustrates the effect of graded supplementation levels (0, 45, 60 and 120 ppm) on final body weight (day 42). Birds receiving Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 showed a clear dose‑dependent improvement in body weight compared to the control group. Mean final body weight increased from 3.2 kg in the control group to a maximum of 3.29 kg at 120 ppm (p = 0.001), while feed intake remained consistent across all treatment groups (4.4 kg). The lowest FCR was observed at 120 ppm, indicating the greatest improvement in feed efficiency (Fig. 2; NC 1.39 vs SE120 1.36; p = 0.033). The same trend was observed for the EPEF, which increased from 514 in the control group to 551 in the SE120 treatment (Fig 3; p = 0.08), indicating enhanced production efficiency. Compared with the control group, supplementation with 120 ppm Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 reduced mortality over the entire experimental period from 5.0% to 3.3%. Together with the observed improvements in production performance, this resulted in a calculated ROI of 14:1 at an inclusion rate of 120 g/t of feed under institute conditions.
Overall, the standardized presence of IQs supports several important physiological benefits for the animal. Birds show improved feed conversion, enhanced average daily gain and greater overall production efficiency. Sangrovit® Extra 4d26 also contributes to better resilience under production‑related stress conditions, supports gut integrity and is associated with lower mortality rates. Together, these effects help maintain stable flock performance and support robust, healthy growth throughout the fattening period. These results underline the product’s value as a reliable, science‑backed solution for modern broiler operations.
For further information on application strategies, trial results, or integration into feeding programs, please contact the team at Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH.
Verena Determann holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Applied Sciences in Bingen and subsequently deepened her expertise through a Master’s degree in Livestock Sciences at Justus Liebig University Giessen. Nowadays, Verena serves as the Product Manager for Sangrovit® at Phytobiotics.
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