FerMos

FerMos is a concentrated supply of mannan based complex oligosaccharide sugars produced from a dedicated fermentation and processed in such a way as to protect it’s microbial growth factor activity. These sugars specifically stimulate only the beneficial gut microflora resulting in better gut health and efficiency.

What Are Oligosaccharides

Oligosaccharides are natural sugar complexes which cannot be metabolized by the digestive enzymes of monogastric animals. They serve as substrates for the growth of specific beneficial bacteria in the lower gut and help to prevent the establishment of pathogens on the intestinal mucosa. Oligosaccharides can be produced from extracts of some vegetables including those from bananas, artichokes, cereals, certain fermentation processes, or by carbohydrate synthesis. Mannan oligosaccharides are successfully used in production animals as an aid to combating stress- dependent ailments that cause an imbalance in beneficial gut microflora.

FerMos is Micron’s name for a type of highly selected and processed biologically active form of mannan oligosaccharide. FerMos is produced through a molasses based yeast primary fermentation. The fermentation product is then extracted and processed to become the product FerMos. Unlike other sources of MOS on the market, FerMos is not a by-product of some other fermentation process such as brewing. FerMos is the primary product of the fermentation of the same highly selected strain of yeast. This ensures conistently high levels of MOS in FerMos resulting in predictable response when used.

FerMos is composed of mannose sugars linked by:

• alpha-(1-->6) glycoside bonds (principal form)
• alpha-(1-->2) glycoside bonds
• alpha-(1-->3) glycoside bonds
• beta-(1-->3) glycoside bonds

Mannan oligosaccharides vs Fructooligosaccharides

Sources of MOS such as that found in FerMos are superior to most sources of FOS because its oligomers are:

• more stable than FOS
• more specifically available to beneficial bacteria
• have immunostimulatory properties

Typical analysis of FerMos shows 45% of bioactive carbohydrates derived as mannose from alpha-1->6 mannans and glucose from beta - 1 -> 3 glucans. Furthermore FerMos is processed in a way to protect its microbial growth factor (MGF) activity.

Analysis of FerMos

Dry Matter (%)	92.0
Mannan (% DM)	45.0
Protein (% DM)	37.0
Fiber (% DM)	5.0
Crude Fat (% DM)	1.0
pH (5% solution)	4.5
Appearance	Brown fine powder

Effects of FerMos

• Control of intestinal pathogens is a major concern in ensuring optimal animal health.
• FerMos can bind to pathogenic bacteria and block their colonization of the intestine.
• FerMos is selectively used by lactic acid bacteria, stimulating their growth
• FerMos has an immuno-stimulatory effect on animals
• FerMos benefits a wide range of animal groups.

Stimulation of Bacteria

FerMos is principally used as an energy source by lactic acid producing bacteria, thereby stimulating their growth. Beneficial bacterial populations that are positively stimulated by FerMos include: Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pullorum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbreukii. This results in a more stable intestinal microflora and optimizes nutrient absorption and feed conversion.

Pathogenic bacteria cannot degrade mannan oligosaccharides and therefore cannot use FerMos as an energy source. Feeding FerMos tends to suppress the activity of important pathogenic populations such as: Escherichia coli, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella typhimurium, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium sporogenes. In addition these pathogenic bacteria have mannose specific lectins on their cell surface allowing the pathogens to become bound to FerMos and be washed out of the animal.

Benefits of Including FerMos in Rations

• Growing lambs receiving FerMos at 1kg/T of feed exhibited an improvement in ADG of 18.4%.
• Growing pigs receiving FerMos at 1 kg/T of feed gave an improvement in ADG on 12.1% while achieving a 94% reduction in veterinary costs.
• Broiler flocks on a ration containing FerMos at 0.5 kg /T of feed improved weight gain by 5.37% and feed conversion by 0.17 respectively.

Directions for Use

FerMos is efficacious in all production animal species when applied at 0.5 - 2.0 kg per ton of finished feed.

For maximum effect on pathogen colonization and control, FerMos should be fed continuously. Dosage of FerMos may need to be increased during times of heightened stress and pathogen challenge.

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