Effects of difructose anhydride III on serum immunoglobulin G concentration and health status of newborn Holstein calves during the preweaning period

Difructose Anhydride and Passive Immunity Effects on Passive Immune Transfer and Performance of Feeding Difructose Anhydride to Neonatal Calves

The objective of this study was to assess the potential effects of supplementing difructose anyhdride III (DFAIII) during the first days of life on the absorption of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and growth performance of calves early in life fed colostrum with a high IgG concentration. Sixty-six healthy new-born Holstein calves were randomly assigned to three treatments consisting of no supplementation (control), supplementation of 12 g/d (DFA12), or 36 g/d (DFA36) of DFAIII during the first 7 d of life via colostrum and milk replacer (MR). Calves were separated from dams at birth and bottle-fed colostrum in two meals, each targeting 2.5 L within the first 18 h of birth. Colostrum had been previously collected from other dams (and preserved frozen) within the first 2 h of calving and had a Brix value ≥32%. Daily consumption of starter concentrate and MR (and colostrum on the first day) were individually monitored. Calves were body weighed using an electronic scale at birth and on a weekly basis thereafter until the end of study at 42 d of age. A sample of colostrum fed to each calf and a blood sample from the jugular vein of the calves were collected at 12 and 24 h of life to determine the IgG concentration. The mean colostrum IgG concentration fed in the current study was 110 ± 33.7 g/L (mean ± SD). No differences in animal performance were found among the treatments. Calves on all treatments consumed the same amount of colostrum with a similar concentration of IgG, and thus the amount of IgG consumed was also similar. Serum IgG concentrations were greater at 24 than at 12 h but did not differ among treatments. However, the apparent efficiency of absorption of colostral immunoglobulins was greater in DFA12 and DFA36 at 12 h of life than in control calves, with no differences observed at 24 h. Even when feeding high-quality colostrum, in terms of IgG concentration, supplementation with difructose anhydride III may pose an additional advantage in promoting the passive transfer of immunoglobulins in neonatal Holstein calves during the first 12 h of life.

Difructose anhydride III: a 50-year perspective on its production and physiological functions

Production and applications of difructose anhydride III (DFA-III) have attracted considerable attention because of its versatile physiological functions. Recently, large-scale production of DFA-III has been continuously explored, which opens a horizon for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This review updates recent advances involving DFA-III, including: biosynthetic strategies, purification, and large-scale production of DFA-III; physiological functions of DFA-III and related mechanisms; DFA-III safety evaluations; present applications in food systems, existing problems, and further research prospects. Currently, enzymatic synthesis of DFA-III has been conducted both industrially and in academic research. Two biosynthetic strategies for DFA-III production are summarized: single- and double enzyme-mediated. DFA-III purification is achieved via yeast fermentation. Enzyme membrane bioreactors have been applied to meet the large-scale production demands for DFA-III. In addition, the primary physiological functions of DFA-III and their underlying mechanisms have been proposed. However, current applications of DFA-III are limited. Further research regarding DFA-III should focus on commercial production and purification, comprehensive study of physiological properties, extensive investigation of large-scale human experiments, and expansion of industrial applications. It is worthy to dig deep into potential application and commercial value of DFA-III.