Traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving survival rate of piglets as well as preparation method and application of traditional Chinese medicine additive

Abstract

The invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving the survival rate of piglets and a preparation method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of feed additives. The traditional Chinese medicine additive provided by the invention is Qibai tonifying powder and comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 20-30 parts of radix astragali, 15-25 parts of rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae, 10-20 parts of pericarpium citri reticulatae, 10-15 parts of radix saposhnikoviae, 15-25 parts of folium cortex eucommiae, 10-15 parts of malt, 10-15 parts of cortex magnoliae officinalis, 5-10 parts of poria cocos, 5-10 parts of rhizoma dioscoreae and 5-10 parts of folium perillae. The Qibai tonifying powder provided by the invention improves the immunity of piglet organisms, promotes digestion and absorption, enhances the anti-stress ability of piglets and reduces piglet diarrhea through the synergistic effect of invigorating spleen and tonifying qi, strengthening superficies and resisting evil and strengthening tendons and bones, thereby achieving the purpose of increasing the survival rate of piglets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of feed additive technology, and in particular to a traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving the survival rate of piglets, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] The piglet stage is a critical period in pig farming. Because their digestive system is not yet fully developed, their immunity is low, and their stress resistance is weak, they are easily affected by changes in the external environment and invasion of pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in problems such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, and slow growth, which leads to a decrease in survival rate and causes huge economic losses to farmers.

[0003] Most products on the market used to improve the survival rate of piglets are antibiotics and chemically synthesized drugs. Although they are effective in the short term, long-term use can easily lead to problems such as bacterial resistance and drug residues, endangering the quality and safety of animal products and human health.

[0004] With the popularization of green farming concepts, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) additives, with their advantages of being natural, safe, residue-free, and less prone to drug resistance, have gradually become a research hotspot in the livestock and poultry farming field. Many TCM additives have emerged in existing technologies. Some focus on improving piglet survival rates by enhancing immunity, such as CN112057517A, a TCM composition, preparation method, and feeding method for improving post-weaning piglet survival rates (publication date 2020.12.11); some focus on improving piglet survival rates by reducing diarrhea rates, such as CN112494577A, a TCM microecological preparation for treating piglet diarrhea and its preparation method (publication date 2021.3.16); and some improve piglet survival rates by enhancing stress resistance, such as CN112021459A, a feed additive for improving piglet stress (publication date 2020.12.4). Improving piglet survival rates is a systematic project; improvements in one or two aspects cannot solve the problem of low piglet survival rates. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a traditional Chinese medicine additive that can improve the physical condition of piglets in multiple ways.

[0005] In existing technologies, to prepare multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) additives, given the limited efficacy of compound TCM formulas, the focus has shifted to improving the preparation process and adding other functional ingredients (such as vitamins and probiotics). However, this undoubtedly increases feeding costs and operational complexity. Therefore, we prefer to provide a TCM additive that comprehensively improves the physical condition of piglets through TCM formulation, and add it to piglet feed after simple processing to exert its effects. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traditional Chinese medicine additive that can improve the immunity of piglets, promote digestion and absorption, enhance stress resistance, and reduce diarrhea in piglets, thereby significantly improving the survival rate of piglets.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine additive to improve the survival rate of piglets. The traditional Chinese medicine additive is Qi Bai Bu Yi San, which includes the following raw materials in parts by weight: Astragalus membranaceus 20-30 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 15-25 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 10-20 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 10-15 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 15-25 parts, Hordeum vulgare malt 10-15 parts, Magnolia officinalis 10-15 parts, Poria cocos 5-10 parts, Dioscorea opposita 5-10 parts, and Perilla frutescens leaf 5-10 parts.

[0008] This invention also provides a method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine additive to improve the survival rate of piglets, wherein the raw materials are pulverized and mixed to obtain Qi Bai Bu Yi San, which is then sterilized and packaged.

[0009] Preferably, the particle size of the pulverized raw material is 150~200μm.

[0010] Preferably, the mixing time is 15-20 minutes.

[0011] Preferably, the sterilization is microwave sterilization, and the sterilization temperature is 60~80℃ for 5~10 minutes.

[0012] The present invention also provides the application of the traditional Chinese medicine additive described above or the traditional Chinese medicine additive prepared according to the preparation method in the preparation of feed additives to improve the survival rate of piglets.

[0013] Preferably, the traditional Chinese medicine additive is added to the basal feed of piglets at a weight of 0.5% to 1%.

[0014] Preferably, the piglets are piglets aged 1 to 60 days.

[0015] This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving piglet survival rate, named Qi Bai Bu Yi San. It is mainly composed of Astragalus membranaceus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Citrus reticulata peel, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, Hordeum vulgare malt, Magnolia officinalis, Poria cocos, Dioscorea opposita, and Perilla frutescens leaves in a specific weight ratio. Through the synergistic effects of invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi, strengthening the exterior and resisting pathogens, and strengthening muscles and bones, it improves the piglet's immunity, promotes digestion and absorption, enhances the piglet's stress resistance, and reduces piglet diarrhea, thereby achieving the goal of improving piglet survival rate. This invention also provides a method for preparing Qi Bai Bu Yi San, which is simple in process, cost-controllable, and suitable for large-scale production. Furthermore, it leaves no drug residues, meeting the requirements of green farming. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] Example 1

[0018] A traditional Chinese medicine additive to improve the survival rate of piglets—Qi Bai Bu Yi San—is composed of the following ingredients in parts by weight: Astragalus membranaceus 25 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 15 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 12 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaves 20 parts, Hordeum vulgare 12 parts, Magnolia officinalis 12 parts, Poria cocos 8 parts, Dioscorea opposita 8 parts, and Perilla frutescens leaves 8 parts.

[0019] Example 2

[0020] A traditional Chinese medicine additive to improve the survival rate of piglets—Qi Bai Bu Yi San—comprising the following ingredients by weight: 20 parts Astragalus membranaceus, 15 parts Atractylodes macrocephala, 10 parts Citrus reticulata peel, 10 parts Saposhnikovia divaricata, 15 parts Eucommia ulmoides leaves, 10 parts Hordeum vulgare, 10 parts Magnolia officinalis, 5 parts Poria cocos, 5 parts Dioscorea opposita, and 5 parts Perilla frutescens leaves.

[0021] Example 3

[0022] A traditional Chinese medicine additive to improve the survival rate of piglets—Qi Bai Bu Yi San—comprising the following ingredients by weight: 30 parts Astragalus membranaceus, 25 parts Atractylodes macrocephala, 20 parts Citrus reticulata peel, 15 parts Saposhnikovia divaricata, 25 parts Eucommia ulmoides leaves, 15 parts Hordeum vulgare, 15 parts Magnolia officinalis, 10 parts Poria cocos, 10 parts Dioscorea opposita, and 10 parts Perilla frutescens leaves.

[0023] Meanwhile, during the preliminary screening stage, the inventors also combined Astragalus membranaceus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Citrus reticulata peel, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Eucommia ulmoides leaves with other traditional Chinese medicines, as shown in the following comparative ratio.

[0024] Comparative Example 1

[0025] Astragalus membranaceus 25 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 15 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 12 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 20 parts, Poria cocos 10 parts, Phellodendron chinense 10 parts, Atractylodes lancea 10 parts, Alisma plantago-aquatica 10 parts, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 8 parts.

[0026] Comparative Example 2

[0027] Astragalus membranaceus 25 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 15 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 12 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 20 parts, Crataegus pinnatifida 20 parts, Chicken gizzard lining 15 parts, Gynostemma pentaphyllum 10 parts.

[0028] Comparative Example 3

[0029] Astragalus membranaceus 25 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 15 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 12 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 20 parts, Isatis indigotica root 10 parts, Epimedium brevicornu 10 parts, Ziziphus jujuba seed 8 parts, Hordeum vulgare 8 parts, Dioscorea opposita 5 parts, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 5 parts.

[0030] Comparative Example 4

[0031] Astragalus membranaceus 25 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 20 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 15 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 12 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 20 parts, Bupleurum chinense 15 parts, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa 10 parts, Ligustrum lucidum 8 parts, Angelica sinensis 5 parts, Acanthopanax senticosus 5 parts.

[0032] The Chinese herbal additives in the above examples and comparative examples were prepared according to the following method: Select Chinese herbal raw materials that are free from mold and insect infestation, remove impurities, wash and dry them; weigh each raw material according to the weight parts, crush each raw material, and the particle size of the crushed raw material is between 150 and 200 μm. Put them into a mixer and stir for 18 minutes. After mixing evenly, sterilize them by microwave at 70°C for 8 minutes. Then, package and seal them and store them in a cool and dry place.

[0033] Experimental Example 1

[0034] Test Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were conducted to assess their effects on promoting digestion and absorption in piglets.

[0035] Two hundred and forty weaned piglets aged 20-35 days were selected for the experiment, with an average age of 28.4 days, as shown in Table 1. Eight groups were set up: three example groups, four comparative groups, and a control group, with 30 piglets in each group, evenly distributed according to age. The control group was fed a basal piglet feed, the formula of which is shown in Table 2. The example groups and comparative groups received their respective traditional Chinese medicine additives at 0.8% of the weight of the basal feed. The experiment lasted for one month. Before the experiment, each group of piglets was weighed to calculate the average initial weight (kg), and after the experiment, they were weighed again to calculate the average final weight (kg). The average feed consumption (kg) for each group was also recorded. The statistical results are shown in Table 3.

[0036] Meanwhile, on the 21st day of feeding, blood samples were collected from 10 piglets randomly selected from each experimental group to detect the concentrations of immunoglobulin IgA, interferon (IFN-γ), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the serum, in order to observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine additives on the immune indicators of piglets.

[0037] Blood sample processing: 5 mL of blood was collected from the anterior vena cava of each animal in each group. After the blood collection tube was left to stand for 2 hours, it was centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 20 minutes. The supernatant serum was collected, aliquoted, and stored at -20℃ for testing.

[0038] Immune markers IgA, IFN-γ, and IL-2 were measured according to the requirements of the test kit. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0039] Table 1. Age and mean age of experimental piglets

[0040] Table 2. Basic Feed Formula for Piglets

[0041] Table 3. Digestion and absorption of experimental piglets

[0042] Note: Average weight gain (kg) = Average final body weight (kg) - Average initial body weight (kg); Feed conversion ratio = Average feed consumption (kg) / Average weight gain (kg); # indicates a significant difference from the control group (P<0.05); # indicates a significant difference from the example (P<0.01).

[0043] As shown in Table 3, the traditional Chinese medicine additives provided in the examples can increase the final weight of piglets, increase the average weight gain, and reduce the feed conversion ratio, indicating that they have a greater advantage in promoting the digestion and absorption of piglets.

[0044] Table 4. Immunological indicators of experimental piglets

[0045] Note: # indicates a significant difference from the control group (P<0.05); # indicates a significant difference from the example (P<0.01).

[0046] As shown in Table 4, the traditional Chinese medicine additive provided by this invention can increase the concentrations of immune markers IgA, IFN-γ, and IL-2 in piglets. Immunoglobulin IgA is an important immunoglobulin, IFN-γ has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, and IL-2 is a key cytokine that mainly plays an immunomodulatory role in piglets. Increasing the concentrations of these immune markers helps improve the piglets' defense against external stress and disease.

[0047] Experiment Example 2

[0048] Test Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were conducted to assess their effectiveness in reducing diarrhea in piglets.

[0049] preventive effect

[0050] Three hundred and twenty weaned piglets aged 20-35 days were selected for a diarrhea prevention experiment, with an average age of 27.8 days, as shown in Table 5. Eight groups were set up: three example groups, four comparative groups, and a control group, with 40 piglets in each group, evenly distributed according to age. The control group was fed a basal piglet feed, the formula of which is shown in Table 2. The example groups and comparative groups received their respective traditional Chinese medicine additives at 0.8% of the weight of the basal feed. The experiment lasted for two weeks. Diarrhea status was recorded after two weeks, as shown in Table 6.

[0051] Table 5. Age of experimental piglets and average age

[0052] Table 6. Diarrhea incidence in experimental piglets (prevention)

[0053] As shown in the statistical results in Table 6, the traditional Chinese medicine additives provided in this embodiment can prevent 100% of piglet diarrhea.

[0054] Treatment effect

[0055] 120 piglets with diarrhea (aged 25-60 days) were selected from a pig farm and randomly divided into 6 groups: Example 1 group (only Example 1 was selected for treatment based on its preventive effect), Comparative groups 1-4, and a gentamicin group, with 20 piglets in each group. The Example 1 and Comparative groups received their respective traditional Chinese medicine additives at 0.8% of the weight of their basal feed (formula as shown in Table 2). The gentamicin group received intramuscular injections of gentamicin, 2 ml per piglet twice daily. The cure rate was calculated after 3 days of treatment. The cure criterion was the disappearance or reduction of symptoms after 3 days of treatment. The results are shown in Table 7.

[0056] Table 7. Diarrhea in experimental piglets (treatment)

[0057] As shown in Table 7, the traditional Chinese medicine additive provided in Example 1 can achieve a cure rate of 95%, and its therapeutic effect is better than that of the positive control group (gentamicin 90%) and other control groups.

[0058] Experimental Example 3

[0059] Test Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were conducted to assess their effects on enhancing the stress resistance of piglets.

[0060] Ninety-six piglets weaned two weeks later were selected for a stress resistance experiment. Eight groups were set up: Example Group 3, Comparative Group 4, and a Control Group, with 12 piglets in each group. Piglets were fed creep feed before weaning and basal feed after weaning. Example Groups and Comparative Groups received their respective traditional Chinese medicine additives at 0.8% of the weight of their creep feed or basal feed. Stress responses were observed one week after weaning, including decreased feed intake, decreased water intake, lethargy or hyperactivity, and diarrhea. The results are shown in Table 8.

[0061] Table 8. Stress levels in experimental piglets

[0062] As shown in Table 8, the traditional Chinese medicine additives provided by this invention can effectively address weaning stress in piglets.

[0063] The above experimental examples demonstrate that the traditional Chinese medicine additive Qi Bai Bu Yi San provided by this invention improves the digestive and absorptive capacity of piglets, resulting in an average weight gain of 16.0% and a feed conversion ratio decrease of approximately 23.0% compared to the control group. It also improves the immunity of piglets, increasing the concentrations of IgA, IFN-γ, and IL-2 immune markers and enhancing their defense against external stress and disease. Furthermore, it reduces the rate of diarrhea in piglets, achieving a 100% effective rate in preventing diarrhea and a 95% cure rate. Finally, it enhances the piglets' ability to withstand weaning stress. These improvements significantly increase the survival rate of piglets.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving the survival rate of piglets, characterized in that, The herbal additive is Qi Bai Bu Yi San, which includes the following raw materials in parts by weight: Astragalus membranaceus 20-30 parts, Atractylodes macrocephala 15-25 parts, Citrus reticulata peel 10-20 parts, Saposhnikovia divaricata 10-15 parts, Eucommia ulmoides leaf 15-25 parts, Hordeum vulgare malt 10-15 parts, Magnolia officinalis 10-15 parts, Poria cocos 5-10 parts, Dioscorea opposita 5-10 parts, and Perilla frutescens leaf 5-10 parts.

2. The method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine additive for improving piglet survival rate as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The raw materials are pulverized and mixed to obtain Qi Bai Bu Yi San (Astragalus and White Herbal Supplement Powder), which is then sterilized and packaged.

3. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The particle size of the pulverized raw material is 150~200μm.

4. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mixing time is 15-20 minutes.

5. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sterilization is microwave sterilization, with a temperature of 60-80°C and a time of 5-10 minutes.

6. The application of the traditional Chinese medicine additive of claim 1 or the traditional Chinese medicine additive prepared according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in the preparation of feed additives to improve the survival rate of piglets.

7. The application as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The herbal additives are added to the basal feed for piglets at a rate of 0.5% to 1% of the feed weight.

8. The application as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The piglets in question are piglets aged 1 to 60 days.

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