Introduction
B-Act® is a probiotic product containing Bacillus licheniformis. The product is authorised in the EU for use in poultry.
Manufacturer´s main claims
Improves technical performance
Mitigates bacterial enteric challenges such as dysbacteriosis and necrotic enteritis
Stable throughout production, storage and digestion
Technical specifications of B-Act®
EU category
Zootechnical additive
Functional group of additives
Gut flora stabiliser
Active substance
Bacillus licheniformis, DSM 28710
Activity in the product
3.2 x 109 CFU/g
EU approval
The minimum inclusion rate for the below species: 1.6 x 109 CFU/kg feed
Chickens for fattening
Chickens reared for laying
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding
Minor poultry species for fattening or reared for breeding
End of period of authorisation
Chickens for fattening: 8 November 2027
Chickens reared for laying: 8 November 2027
Turkeys for fattening: 25 June 2029
Turkeys reared for breeding: 25 June 2029
Minor poultry species for fattening or reared for breeding: 25 June 2029
EU code
4b1828
Product storage stability
Three batches of the product were stored for two years at either 25°C or 40°C. Bacillus licheniformis counts after two years at 25°C were within specifications with a minor activity loss. When stored at 40°C the activity went from 3.2 x 109 CFU/g to 2.5-2.8 x 109 CFU/g
Storage stability in feed premix
The product was added to a vitamin/mineral premix and stored for six months at either 25°C/RH 60% or 40°C/RH 75%. At the end of the storage period, the loss of Bacillus licheniformis activity was less than 0.1 log values at both conditions.
The product was also supplemented to a mash feed and stored for three months at 25°C/RH 60% or four weeks at 40°C/RH 75%. After three months at 25°C, the loss of viable cells was below 0.5 log values. When stored at 40°C, the loss exceeded 0.5 log values.
Heat stability
The product was added to a poultry feed and pelleted at 85°C. There was essentially no loss of activity after pelleting at 85°C. Furthermore, samples of pelleted feed were stored for up to 3 months at either 25°C or 40°C. A 0.3-0.4 log value loss was observed after three months at 25°C. At 40°C, there was a loss of 0.5 log values after four weeks.
Physical properties
Samples of the feed used for stability tests were collected. The analytical results showed a CV of 8% when the product was added to vitamin/mineral premixes and mash feed. When added to the pelleted feed, the CV was 10%.
Particle size: All particles are below 500 μm, and 30% are below 100 μm. The mean dusting potential value is 2.73 g/m3. In the dust fraction, the mean value was 2 μm.
Compatibility claims
The product is compatible with decoquinate, diclazuril, halofuginone, nicarbazin, robenidine hydrochloride, lasalocid A sodium, maduramicin ammonium, monensin sodium, narasin or salinomycin sodium.
Handling
Inhalation of dust should be avoided. Gloves and goggles should be worn to reduce contact with dust.
Producer
Huvepharma
List of references
EFSA (2016). Safety and efficacy of B-Act® (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 28710) for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying. EFSA Journal, 2016;14(11):4615
EU (2017). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1904 of 18 October 2017 concerning the authorisation of a preparation Bacillus licheniformis DSM 28710 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying (holder of authorisation Huvepharma NV). Official Journal of the European Union. L 269/27-29
EU (2019). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/914 of 29 May 2019 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of Bacillus licheniformis DSM 28710 as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and minor poultry species for fattening and reared for breeding (holder of authorisation Huvepharma NV). Official Journal of the European Union. L 146/60-62