MicroHop – Microencapsulated hop extracts as feed additives for sustainable poultry production

Innovative, bio-based solutions to combat pathogens in poultry farming could lead to a significant reduction in antibiotic use, improve the quality of the meat produced and ultimately increase food safety, which is threatened by increasing infestations of multi-resistant bacteria. The goal of the MicroHop project is to work with Brazilian project partners to develop a novel hop-based feed additive to make a critical contribution to healthy and sustainable poultry growth. Hops are known for their antimicrobial properties and have the potential not only to reduce the therapeutic use of antibiotics, but also to become a natural, phytogenic alternative to subtherapeutic antibiotic use in livestock feeding. This subtherapeutic antibiotic administration has been shown to improve feed efficiency and animal growth. These positive effects are attributed to a change in the gut microbiome of the animals, and there is evidence that hop ingredients have the same effect, which would eventually reduce ammonia emissions from poultry production through improved feed conversion. Thus, MicroHop technology, based on the use of hops as a renewable and readily available resource, is associated with social (food safety, reduced multi-resistant bacteria), environmental (reduced nitrogen emissions) and economic benefits.