Implications of Tributyrin on Gut Microbiota Shifts Related to Performances of Weaning Piglets

Alternatives to antibiotic treatments are required owing to the ban on the use of these drugs as growth promoters in food animal production. Tributyrin appears to play a role in improving growth performance in pigs, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.

So far, very little is known about its effects on gut microbiota composition. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota changes of piglets receiving, at weaning, 0.2% tributyrin added to their basal diet.

Tributyrin group possessed an enhanced potential for energy metabolism and a reduced potential for carbohydrate metabolism. In conclusion, our results indicated that tributyrin can promote changes to gut microbial communities, which could contribute to improving animal performance after weaning.

Implications of Tributyrin on Gut Microbiota Shifts Related to Performances of Weaning Piglets

Product Parameters

Tributyrin (also name as Glyceryl tributyrate; Glycerol tributyrate; Glycery tributyrate; propane-1,2,3-triyl tributanoate)，is a kind of short chain fatty acid ester.

CAS RN: 60-01-5

EINECS No.: 200-451-5

Formular: C15H26O6

FW: 302.36

Appearance: It is white to yellow oily liquid with slightly fat aroma.

Solubility: soluble in ethanol, chloroform and ether, hardly soluble in water ( 0.010 % ).

Shelf Life: 24 Months

Package: 25KG/ Bag

Storage: Sealed at dry and ventilated places

Tributyrin is a triglyceride containing three butyrate molecules esterified to glycerol, augments butyrate concentrations after hydrolyzation by pancreatic lipases.

Characteristics of Tributyrin
New generation of butyrate-glycerol ester of butyric acid.
100% bypass stomach.
Delivering butyric acids into small intestine,not need to be coated.
Naturally be found in milk and honey.

Comparison Between Tributyrin & Butyrate Salt

he half-life of butyric acid is 6 minutes. Butyrate is difficult to reach other tissues and organs outside the intestine administered in the form of butyric acid or butyrate.However the half-life of tributyrin is 40min, and the plasma concentration of butyrate can be maintained above 0.1mM for 0.5-4h by oral.

Mechanism & Features

Energy Supplier 

As well known,butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid that is the main energy source of intestinal epithelial cells.More than 70% of the energy for the growth of intestinal epithelial cells is provided by butyric acid. However, tributyrin provides the higest gut-releasing butyric acid value compeared with other butyrate products.

Gut Protection

►Tributyrin promotes the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, repairs damaged mucosa, and expands the surface area for absorbing nutrients.

►Tributyrin promotes the expression of tight junction proteins in the gut, maintains tight junctions between cells, prevents macromolecules such as    bacteria and toxins from entering the body, and maintains the physical barrier function of the gut.

►Tributyrin promotes the secretion of mucin (Muc) and strengthens the intestinal chemical barrier function.

Survival Rate Improved

Tributyrin can promote the synthesis of hemoglobin, improve the ability of oxygen-carrying, strengthen the endogenous life support system, and it could improve the function of mitochondria and promotes the synthesis of ATP,the energy substance that drives the life activity. so as to improve the survival rate or animals.

Anti-Inflammatory & Antibacteria

►By inhibiting the activity of NF-Kb, TNF-α and TLR, Tributyrin could alleviate the inflammatory damage.

►Tributyrin promotes the expression of endogenous defense peptides, which can resisit pathogen and virus broadly.