Method based on a nutritional intervention to fight coccidiosis

Summary of the technology

We seek industrial partners with expertise in the sector of crop production to adopt a new technology useful to deliver optimized feed solution to fight coccidiosis. The type of partner sought is mainly for the regulatory codevelopment and the commercialization of our solution under a technology license agreement.
The technology developed relates to a novel genetically engineered variety of maize accumulating extraordinary levels of carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin and lutein). Poultry raised on this corn were healthy and exhibited substantially higher levels of resistance to coccidiosis, less foot pad dermatitis, reduced number of ulcers and less excretion of pathogen oocysts in feces. Carotenoids accumulate in several tissues (skin, dermis, muscles and fat), conferring high nutritional value and greater consumer acceptance.

Universitat de Lleida
Universitat de Lleida

Details of the Technology Offer

Coccidiosis is a significant source of economic losses for the global poultry industry, estimated at $2,4 billion. It causes malabsorption of essential nutrients and often results in unnecessary suffering or even death. Subclinical symptoms, manifested as poor growth and feed conversion, are a problem in commercial broiler production, and this accounts for 20% prevalence of coccidiosis. The cost of coccidiosis and impact on poultry production is mainly due to the cost of control through medication and vaccination which are non-optimal solutions with several disadvantages.

We have developed different varieties of maize producing high amounts of carotenoids by means of combinatorial genetic transformation.

The technology is currently protected and offers the following advantages when used as feed for poultry:

  • Helps to reduce the amount of anticcoccidials in feed for hens.
  • Extraordinary levels of β-carotene and other pro-vitamin A carotenoids (170-fold) are accumulated in several animal tissues.
  • Substantially less pathogen oocysts in feces (4-fold)
  • Substantially lower foot pad dermatitis lesions (2-fold)
  • Reduced number of foot ulcers (2-fold)
  • Might help to create a greater consumer acceptance of poultry meat

Current development status

Experimental technologies

Desired business relationship

We seek industrial partners with expertise in the sector of crop production to adopt a new technology useful to deliver optimized feed solution to fight coccidiosis. The type of partner sought is mainly for the regulatory codevelopment and the commercialization of our solution under a technology license agreement.

Patent licensing

Joint ventures

Technology development

Applications

Several commercial applications are currently identified:

  1. Improved feed for poultry to fight coccidiosis.
  2. Feed for other animals with special nutritional requirements of carotenoids (poultry, salmon, rainbow trout, crustaceans, lobster, shrimp, and other animals with special carotenoid needs).
  3. Natural source of carotenoids for the production of feed additives or supplements, natural food colorants, nutrient supplement, nutraceuticals for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purpose.

Intellectual property status

Related Keywords

  • Agriculture and Marine Resources
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Production / Husbandry
  • Agrofood Industry
  • Technologies for the food industry
  • Food Additives/Ingredients/Functional Food
  • Genetic Engineering / Molecular Biology
  • Genetic Engineering Market

About Universitat de Lleida

The Valorisation and Technology Transfer Unit (UViT) is the specialized unit for handling the IPR portfolio in the University of Lleida. The UViT works close to researchers in the fields of Agrifood, Biomedicine, Technology and Sustainability and Social Development to identify research results with market potential, to assess the community on the best IP protection strategy and to commercialise technologies through licensing-out agreements and the creation of technology-based companies.

Universitat de Lleida

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