3A Biotech
www.tres-a.com
3A Biotech
About the company
3A Biotech was founded in 2007 to provide a service to customers requesting a specific formulation for the animal feed sector.
3A Antioxidants has developed a series of natural and synthetic antioxidants that prevent the deterioration of the fatty components of pet food, as well as offering advantages, such as extending the shelf life of the final feed, nutritional benefit, healthiness of the pets, and optimizing manufacturing costs.
They also manufacture natural and synthetic preservatives that serve both to spray and sanitize the facilities and to prevent microbiological development in the feed.
They have facilities of 3,000 square meters with a production capacity of 5,000 tons per year, surpassing the highest quality standards and obtaining the following certifications: GMP +, IFS Food, ISO 2200, and Halal.
They also have a laboratory created for research projects, development and quality control of new products, with a qualified professional team and the most advanced technology.
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Company News
Preservatives
6+ MIN
19/11/2024
Caring for our pets' bacteria
A few years ago, it seemed incredible to think that our bodies contain more bacterial cells than human ones, but this is indeed the case. In a 70 kg human, the number of bacteria is around 3.8 x 10¹³, while human cells are estimated at 3 x 10¹³. Some studies even suggest this difference could be greater, making us a true ecosystem where various types of bacteria coexist with our own cells. This concept is not only applicable to humans but also to other animals, including our pets. Pets are now perceived as family members, and the efforts to improve their diet and health have drastically increased in recent years. Numerous advances in understanding how the bacteria in their bodies affect their health have made the search for new foods and products to care for these bacteria fundamental in maintaining a healthy balance. The microbiome and its importance The set of microorganisms that coexist in balance within the bodies of our companion animals is known as the microbiome. The microbiome plays a crucial role in the host's health, protecting against pathogenic microorganisms, modulating the immune response, contributing to the production of neurotransmitters, and participating in digestive processes such as fibre breakdown. The microbiome in a specific part of the body is called the microbiota, and depending on its location, certain types of bacteria will predominate. Thus, in the same animal, the bacteria living on the skin, in the mouth, or in the intestines will differ. Moreover, the microbiome is specific to each individual and depends on factors such as hygiene habits, stress, the animal's age, its living environment, contact with nature, and diet. A prolonged imbalance in the microorganism population can lead to dysbiosis, which, in turn, can trigger various diseases. For instance, in the mouth, dysbiosis can cause dental problems, gum inflammation, bad breath, digestive issues, promote the growth of caries-causing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, or even increase the risk of cardiovascular or neurological diseases. In the gut, dysbiosis is associated with diseases like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, which alters the intestinal microbiota that disrupts key functions such as metabolite production and the intestinal barrier. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite or weight, though some pets may be asymptomatic. Treating dysbiosis involves dietary changes and the use of prebiotics, probiotics, or symbiotics, alongside managing underlying gastrointestinal conditions. On the other hand, the loss of beneficial bacteria leaves a niche available for opportunistic microorganisms, which can be pathogenic for both our pets and us. This is the case with some bacteria like Escherichia coli or Clostridium perfringens in dogs. Microorganisms may not always be serious pathogenic for animals, but they can be for humans, as in the case of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) in cats, highlighting how our health is directly linked to that of our pets. Helping to care for their microbiome As we have seen, it is essential to care for our pets' microbiomes to maintain their health, focusing on proper nutrition and habits. Among the available foods, some can help maintain, enrich, or enhance the microbiota in their digestive system. An example of this is foods rich in prebiotics, compounds that our pets cannot metabolise, but which serve as food for the beneficial bacteria in their bodies. Compounds, such as plant fibres, fructooligosaccharides, beta-glucans, various arabinogalactans, and inulin are particularly effective in promoting the development of intestinal microbiota. These compounds can be found in pet-safe foods like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, chicory root, or wheat bran, among others. Numerous studies have shown that consuming foods rich in prebiotics boosts the abundance of microorganisms from the Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, or Lactobacillus genera, all of which are beneficial. Another advantage of prebiotics is that, since pets cannot digest them, they help control weight by reducing calorie intake and suppressing appetite. Another noteworthy group is probiotics. These foods contain live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, can colonize different parts of the digestive tract, protecting the host from pathogens and directly benefiting health. Many probiotics belong to the lactic acid bacteria genus, which can be cultivated and introduced into our pets' diets. Fermented foods typically consumed by humans, which contain bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera or fungi like Aspergillus, also offer such benefits. Currently, new functional foods include these strains in prepared foods for both humans and pets, usually obtained from healthy individuals and tested to ensure they promote balance and provide health benefits. An example is the colonization of Lactobacillus bacteria that has been shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae genera or C. perfringens in dogs. When a probiotic is combined with a prebiotic, results in a symbiotic. These products enhance the benefits of both by providing both positive strains and the food they need to thrive in their target niche, typically a segment of our pets' intestines. Lastly, postbiotics are metabolites produced by bacterial activity. These include short-chain fatty acids, enzymes, antimicrobial peptides, and other compounds. A subgroup of postbiotics is parapostbiotics, which are postbiotics obtained after lysing the bacteria that produced them, preventing their viability and development in the host. Industrial biotechnology has utilized these metabolites as natural preservatives since many microorganisms produce substances that inhibit the growth of undesirable microbes. By optimising the production and purification of these compounds, it is possible to offer natural and sustainable solutions to improve both food and cosmetics, extending the shelf life of these products. Development at 3A BIOTECH We are committed to a comprehensive development of these three key areas for the proper functioning and maintenance of intestinal microflora: we combine prebiotics from our raw materials, develop products with probiotics cultivated from our own strains, and obtain the best blends of postbiotics, ready for application by our clients to their products. Under these principles, at 3A BIOTECH we have developed the Bioprotect range, formulations with 100% natural ingredients that allow our clients to use clean label ingredients. These products are not only more environmentally friendly but also offer safer alternatives to synthetic compounds, meeting the growing demand for more natural and sustainable options. Among this range is Bioprotect-RT, a product enriched with reuterin, a natural postbiotic with activity against Salmonella, produced by the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, which is well known for its benefits in both oral and intestinal health. One of our standout solutions in this range is Bioprotect-DF, a product generated from the fermentation of the bacterium Propionibacterium acidipropionici, enriched with short-chain fatty acids with antifungal activity, ideal for wet pet food. This line comes as a result of expanding our facilities, including larger volume bioreactors, or as we like to call them, biofactories. These large tanks are essential for maintaining the optimal conditions for microbial growth and production of the desired compounds. Additionally, local waste by-products can be used as raw materials in these bioprocesses, improving the sustainability of the region—a fundamental principle for our company. In addition to the Bioprotect range, we have developed other innovative formulations that not only promote intestinal microbiomes in humans and pets but also act as antioxidants and preservatives in foods, enhancing their shelf life. Furthermore, they improve the organoleptic profile, adding distinctive aroma, flavour, and texture, making products more palatable and attractive to pets. At 3A BIOTECH, we aim to expand into new markets, building new biofactories to become leaders in Spain and developing new product lines for both human and animal nutrition. With the help of our microorganisms, we will continue to be "The shield for tomorrow's well-being" for years to come. By: 3A BIOTECH Source: All Pet Food Magazine
Preservatives
3+ MIN
28/08/2024
3R's - Reduce, recycle, reuse
1. Reduction of food waste Reducing food waste is a global challenge. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), one-third of the food produced worldwide is wasted. In the European Union, around 59 million tonnes of food are wasted annually. At 3A BIOTECH, our production of natural antioxidants and preservatives, along with the evaluation of their synergy, allows us to REDUCE food waste by controlling the deterioration of animal feed products, thereby extending their shelf life. A significant portion of pet and livestock feed ingredients suffer from oxidation and microbial spoilage, reducing their availability and use. Increases in rancidity and microbial spoilage lead to greater wastes. We develop formulations of natural antioxidants (such as tocopherols, rosemary, olive, tea, among others) and preservatives (short and long-chain organic acids) that prolong shelf life, extending the expiry date by up to 70% or more, depending on the composition of the ingredients and the doses used. Through this strategy of REDUCING food waste by using antioxidants and preservatives, 3A BIOTECH aligns with the European Green Deal through the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Farm to Fork Strategy. 2. Recycling of By-Products The main activity of 3A BIOTECH includes the RECYCLING of by-products obtained from various production processes, including: Extraction of a natural extract rich in rosmarinic acid: from recycling a by-product generated during rosemary extraction. This natural extract has technological antioxidant properties to control feed rancidity and extend its shelf life, as well as biological antioxidant properties to prevent cellular damage. Antioxidants from olive by-products: especially from olive leaves, which have antioxidant and prebiotic properties, extending food shelf life and promoting bacterial balance. Tocopherols from vegetable oil by-products: recycled from deodorization distillated during vegetable oil refining, they are widely known as natural antioxidants in animal feed. Reuse of almond shells: used as a support in the formulation of natural antioxidants and preservatives. Animal and fish by-products: used in another recycling cycle for the production of meals, fats, and oils, where we apply our additives to ensure food preservation and safety. Our ability to recycle various industrial by-products and isolate antioxidant and preservative molecules is a hallmark of 3A BIOTECH's R&D Department. 3. Reuse of Food Ingredients Many antioxidants and preservatives are REUSED in different applications. Natural antioxidants, besides extending the shelf life of food ingredients, have other uses: Prebiotics: modulate the intestinal microbiota in animal and human nutrition. Biological antioxidants: protect against cellular damage. Technological adjuvants: control the Redox potential in fermentation processes and the drying of food colourants. Additionally, the by-products generated at our biotechnology plant at 3A BIOTECH are REUSED to design probiotic systems in animal feed. In this regard, the cellular biomass obtained from various biotechnological processes is reused due to its probiotic properties. 4. 3A BIOTECH's triple R Model This model makes us a company committed to and involved in the reduction of waste, recycling, and reuse of by-products, providing the animal feed industry with the economic and environmental sustainability, so essential in these times. At 3A BIOTECH, we contribute to making moments of quality, benefiting end consumers and minimising waste by extending the shelf life of food. Our goal is to maintain organoleptic properties and health benefits for longer, reflecting our effort to return the resources consumed to society and form an eco-sustainable production chain. By: 3A Biotech Source: All Pet Food Magazine
