Effects in Poultry and Swine

Poultry

Nutrafito (derived from Quillaja saponaria) and Nutrafito Plus (a blend of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera) are beneficial for enhancing intestinal health, promoting nutrient absorption, and reinforcing intestinal integrity. A series of studies have been conducted on broilers, both under controlled conditions and at commercial scale, across various institutions and regions—including Southern Poultry Research in Athens, Georgia (USA, 2012), Texas A&M University (2005), Mississippi State University (2005), as well as research in Mexico (2003), Brazil (2002), and other studies spanning 2012–2018. These findings consistently demonstrate that oral supplementation with Nutrafito Plus improves broiler growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) to a degree comparable to that achieved with antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and non-antibiotic alternatives such as probiotics and prebiotics.

Additionally, both Quillaja-based Nutrafito and the Quillaja-Yucca blend (Nutrafito Plus) can be incorporated into poultry diets to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. They enhance resistance against pathogens—particularly Salmonella in chickens (Toro et al., 2001)—and boost the efficacy of broiler vaccination programs, such as those for Newcastle disease (Araujo et al., 2013, from USP-DNP, Brazil).

Swine

In pigs, oral administration of Nutrafito and Nutrafito Plus enhances productive performance and improves immune status—specifically by increasing levels of IgA, IgG, and interferon-gamma—in 20-day post-weaning piglets (Ilsley et al., 2005; Václavková et al., 2008; Assavacheep, P. et al., 2015, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand). For pregnant sows, oral supplementation with Nutrafito Plus has been shown to boost IgA levels in colostrum at farrowing, increase the birth weight of newborn piglets (Ilsley et al., 2005), and reduce the incidence of stillbirths.

Effects in Aqua

Dietary supplementation with low levels of Quillaja saponin products enhances metabolic efficiency in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Carp (Cyprinus carpio), specifically improving energy retention and the conversion of lipids and fat in the carcass. Additionally, such supplementation exhibits immunopotentiating effects on leucocytes in Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata). Similarly, oral administration of the “Quillaja δ Yucca” blend (Nutrafito Plus) enhances immune responses and performance—including weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR)—in Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus).