Introduction
BA-KING®️contains live spores of Bacillus velezensis NITE BP-01844. It is authorised for use in various avian species in the EU.
Technical specifications of BA-KING®️
EU category
Zootechnical additives
Functional group of additives
Gut flora stabilisers
Active substance
Bacillus velezensis NITE BP-01844
Activity in the product
1 x 108 CFU/g
EU approval
For all the animal species below:
Minimum content in the feed: 2 x108 CFU/kg
Minimum content in the drinking water: 1 x 108 CFU/litre
All poultry species for fattening
Chickens reared for laying
Turkeys reared for breeding
Minor poultry species reared for laying or breeding
Ornamental birds
End of period of authorisation
28 December 2033
EU code
4b1903
Product storage stability
Three batches of the product were used to test the stability of the product when stored at 25°C and 60% RH for 14 months and subsequently for a further 24 months in closed plastic containers. At the end of the storage period, there was no reduction in the total bacilli count (<0.5 log).
Storage stability in feed, water and premix
Three batches of vitamin-mineral premixes were supplemented with the product and stored for six months in closed plastic containers at 25°C. No reductions in viable spores could be detected.
The stability of the product, when added to feed and stored for three months at 25°C, was also tested. No losses could be detected.
Samples of the product from one product batch were dissolved in drinking water. The water was stored at 20-25°C and analysed after 48 hours. Negligible losses were observed (<0.5 log).
Heat stability
The product´s heat stability was studied using three different pelleting temperatures: 65, 75 and 85°C. The reduction in bacilli counts was very small at all temperatures
Compatibility claims
Diclazuril, decoquinate, halofuginone, monensin, salinomycin, narasin, robenidine and maduramicin.
Physical characteristics
Two different carriers were tested. One formulation used defatted rice as a carrier, whereas the other used maltodextrin.
Laser diffraction was used to determine the particle size distribution. In the formulation using defatted rice, approximately 4.9 per cent of the particles were smaller than 100 µm, and 1 % were smaller than 50 µm. No particles smaller than 10 µm were found. When maltodextrin was used, approx. 47 per cent of the particles were smaller than 100 µm, 32 per cent were smaller than 50 µm, 6.7 per cent were smaller than 10 µm and 0.9 per cent were smaller than 1 µm.
A dusting potential test showed that the maltodextrin-based product has a dusting potential of 393 mg/m3
Ten subsamples of a batch of pelleted feed with the product were analysed to test the capacity to mix homogeneously. The analytical results showed a CV of 1.5%.
Carrier
Maltodextrin or defatted rice
Handling
EU states: "For users of the additive and premixtures, feed business operators shall establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address potential risks resulting from their use. Where those risks cannot be eliminated by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal breathing, eye and skin protective equipment."
Producer
Toa Biopharma Co. Ltd.
List of references
EFSA (2022). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis NITE BP-01844 (BA-KING®) for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and all avian species for fattening, or rearing to slaughter or point of lay including non-food producing species (Toa Biopharma Co., Ltd.)
EU (2023). COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/2736 of 7 December 2023 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of Bacillus velezensis NITE BP-01844 as a feed additive for all poultry species for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys reared for breeding, minor poultry species reared for laying or for breeding and ornamental birds (holder of authorisation: Toa Biopharma Co., Ltd). Official Journal of the European Union. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/2736/oj