Since anticoccidials are mixed with the feed, segregation is a potential risk with the result that one bird might receive too high a concentration and another too low. When birds consume too low a concentration of anticoccidials, this will lead to insufficient coccidiosis control. And when the concentration is too high, it might lead to intoxication or residues. The risk is intensified with combination products where the correct ratio between the different active compounds is very important. The potential for segregation is greatly influenced by the product formulation.
Monimax® is produced by microgranulation which results in the active ingredients (nicarbazin and monensin) and the carriers being inseparably combined in the granules, guaranteeing uniform mixing and dosing in the feed and reducing the risk of cross-contamintion in feed mills.
The potential for segregation can be demonstrated by a sieving test, showing the particle size distribution of a product.
In this sieving test, a sample of Monimax® and a sample of another EU registered combination product (nicarbazin/narasin) were put through a range of sieves with different mesh sizes, resulting in separation into different fractions based on particle size. In each separated fraction, the concentration of the active components was determined.
In Monimax®, the targeted concentration is 80 mg/g for both nicarbazin and monensin.
For the nicarbazin/narasin combination, the targeted concentration is 80 mg/g for both active compounds.
From the sieving test, it can be concluded that Monimax® shows a particle size distribution optimized for the prevention of segregation in compound feed (Figure 2). The dust fraction (<100 μm) is negligible. Furthermore, in each fraction, the nicarbazin and monensin content is very close to the targeted content, which proves the uniform distribution of both active compounds in the product. Monimax® ensures precise delivery of nicarbazin and monensin leading to superior product performance and a high confidence factor in the feed mill.
By contrast, the results of the nicarbazin/narasin combination product sieving test (Figure 3) show a large spread of nicarbazin and narasin content in the different fractions. In the most important fractions (largest percentage of total i.e. fractions 250 - 315 μm, 315 - 500μm and 500 - 710 μm), the narasin concentrations range between 75% and 150% of the targeted concentration and the nicarbazin concentrations between 6.25% and 170% of the targeted concentration. This clearly complicates the uniform production of feed with equal distribution of each active compound.
Moreover, in the dust fraction (<100 μm), the concentration of narasin is 143% of the targeted concentration. As the dust fraction can have a detrimental impact on the risk for cross-contamination in the feed mill, it is clear that this poses a risk. Narasin is extremely toxic for turkeys, so feed mills producing feed for broilers and turkeys should take care.
Conclusion
The microgranulation technique used to produce Monimax® ensures that both active compounds are present in every granule. This is in contrast to simple mixing of different active compounds in the product as used in other combination products available commercially. The microgranulated formulation of Monimax® guarantees uniform distribution of both active compounds in the product, allowing optimal dosing of both monensin and nicarbazin to the birds. In addition, Monimax® is registered for use in turkeys and rearing pullets. The microgranulation quality and broad poultry species registration makes Monimax® the combination product of choice for feed mills.
