{"id":5724,"date":"2020-06-24T08:57:08","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T07:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=5724"},"modified":"2021-02-17T09:44:03","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T09:44:03","slug":"tannins-from-forest-biomass-to-reduce-the-burden-of-parasites-in-livestock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/tannins-from-forest-biomass-to-reduce-the-burden-of-parasites-in-livestock\/5724\/","title":{"rendered":"Tannins from forest biomass to reduce the burden of parasite in livestock"},"content":{"rendered":"
The global economy is moving towards a bio-based economy. This transition means that the historically developed structures and ways of life that appear normal today need to be completely rethought. This transition is even more necessary after seeing the big societal and economical damages resulting from the coronavirus diseases<\/a>. These changes also apply to our relationship with the forest and wood materials. In the past, wood has mainly been used to produce paper, furniture, houses, and other wooden based materials. These markets are well-established, and many European countries are still seeing growth in these areas. However, even if these markets absorb a big part of the renewable biomass, a significant part of the feedstock remains unexploited.<\/p>\n In recent years, the BFH Institute for Materials and Wood Technology<\/a> has developed a strong expertise in the field of wood biomass valorisation and has proven that wood and wood-based products have a huge potential across a range of sectors, from aerospace to musical instruments, furniture, and construction. Recently, a strong focus has been put on the chemical valorisation of wood biomass. Indeed, the article entitled \u2018Healthy animals thanks to tannin from Swiss wood\u2019 (Originally published in spirit biel\/bienne, www.spirit.bfh.ch) presents the significant potential of tannin extraction in the field of farming.<\/p>\n Parasites in livestock are often treated using antiparasitics, which can lead to drug resistance. New ideas are required for the sake of the animals\u2019 health. Researchers at Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH want to use herbal active ingredients from indigenous woods to reduce parasitic infections.<\/p>\n Gastrointestinal parasites, which settle in the stomach or intestinal tract, represent a major challenge in livestock farming. They are generally treated with antiparasitic agents, but this can lead to drug resistance. Researchers at Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH are pursuing an alternative strategy: they aim to reduce the burden of parasite in livestock using tannins \u2013 natural herbal active ingredients which are known for their antiparasitic and antibacterial effects. The long-term goal is to use tannin extracts from indigenous wood species (forest biomass) in animal feed to improve animal health<\/a> and reduce both maintenance costs and the use of medicines.<\/p>\n