Mannan-oligosaccharide

Mannan-oligosaccharide is a glucomannoprotein complex derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of the inner cell wall of the fungi Paecilomyces spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and Ganoderma Iucidum (reishi mushroom) is a potent immunoactivator. The outer portion of the fungal cell wall contains another functional carbohydrate-glucomannoprotein, which can bind mycotoxins. This combination of Mannan-oligosaccharide obtained by cell wall extraction from these three fungal species provides a broad-spectrum of pathogen binding with synergistic effect. Biofeed’s Mannan-oligosaccharide is phosphorylated to increase pathogenic binding capacity, it can effectively bind and adsorb various pathogenic bacteria including the gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Vibrio spp., and thus it can effectively block the colonization of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce their infections.
Mannan-oligosaccharide benefits young animals that have a maturing intestinal tract and are in the process of establishing a mature microflora population. It may also have benefits during period of stress. Mannan-oligosaccharide works well in conjunction with antibiotics. Mannan-oligosaccharide should be part of an approach including probiotics and antimicrobials that achieve multiple benefits to animal productivity.

Mode of Action

Binding Pathogens:
Pathogens bind by means of small hair-like projections known as pili or fimbriae on their surfaces, which are rich in lectins.  Lectins are essential for the adherence of pathogens to the epithelial cells of the gut. Pathogens with pili that are specific for mannose attach to mannose-containing cells in the intestinal tract. Once these pathogens are attached, they can then colonize the GI tract and can cause disease. Mannan-oligosaccharide provides a mannose-rich source for attachment which will adsorb bacteria that would otherwise attached to the gut wall. Since Mannan-oligosaccharide is not degraded by digestive enzymes, as the animals do not have the enzyme that can act on Mannan-oligosaccharide, it passes through the trace with the pathogens attached, preventing colonization.

Starving pathogens of sugars needed for growth:
Mannan-oligosaccharide (a class of carbohydrate) when added to animal feed, is not digested by intestinal enzymes, but in fact is a substrate for the growth of beneficial bacteria. When Mannan-oligosaccharide is introduced into the GI tract, they selectively enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria like bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus spp and out competing and suppressing the proliferation of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens “symbiotic” effect. Pathogens cannot utilize Mannan-oligosaccharide, cannot multiply and are starved to death.
Stimulation of Immune Response:
Mannan-oligosaccharide contains mannose and can affect the immune system by stimulation of the liver to secrete mannose binding protein. This protein binds to the capsule of bacteria and triggers the complement “cascade” of immuno response. Mannan-oligosaccharide as a potent immuno-activator can naturally reinforce a normal healthy immune system. Glucomannoorotein obtained from the outer fungal cell wall extract also increases the bactericidal activity of animal sera.

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