Natural improvement of piglet rearing results: Discover the power of Umami Boost

Regulations and market pressure in pig farming

In the dynamic environment of pig production, feed cost control and piglet quality determine the profitability of the entire rearing process. For farmers, combining efficiency with increasing expectations around welfare and sustainability is becoming essential.

The key role of prestarters and starters

Achieving a uniform litter of healthy piglets requires the use of top-quality prestarters and starters that prepare their digestive systems for high feed intake and utilization during fattening. Good piglet feed should provide all essential functional values, stimulate feed intake, and minimize health problems, including diarrhea.

In response to these challenges, HiProMine developed Umami Boost – an innovative, functional feed component that helps increase feed intake, supports healthy piglet development, and improves rearing results, while ensuring economic efficiency.

What is Umami Boost and how does it work?

A new standard in feed

Umami Boost is a functional feed component based on processed Hermetia illucens larvae. Its effectiveness relies on the synergistic action of the bioactive compounds it contains, which support piglet health and development, as well as on its unique palatability, ensuring high feed intake.

Lauric acid – a natural anti-pathogen barrier

One of the key functional components of Umami Boost is lauric acid (C:12), naturally present in high amounts in Hermetia illucens larvae. It supports immunity, metabolism, and the digestive health of animals. It shows strong antibacterial activity, as confirmed by studies on its effectiveness against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, and Escherichia coli.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) – gut support

Another important bioactive component is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In Hermetia illucens, dozens of genes encode different types of AMPs, including cecropins and defensins, which show strong antimicrobial activity. Studies confirm their effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizoctonia solani, Salmonella spp., Streptococcus suis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presence of AMPs in Umami Boost contributes to improved digestibility of feed nutrients and significantly reduces the risk of diarrhea in piglets, which is crucial during the early rearing period. Additionally, AMPs have been observed to increase the height of intestinal villi in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, thereby expanding the absorptive surface of the intestine.

Chitin – natural detox and microbiome support

Chitin, a natural animal-derived fiber, is another valuable component of Umami Boost. Chitin has the ability to bind toxic substances such as heavy metals and mycotoxins, which is important for detoxifying the animal’s body. Moreover, it shows prebiotic properties, supporting colonization of the digestive tract microbiome by beneficial probiotic bacteria, improving intestinal peristalsis, and modulating immune status by increasing plasma immunoglobulin levels in piglets. It also demonstrates antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizopus oryzae, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli.

Importantly, in the pig digestive system there are natural AMCase mRNAs encoding chitinase, the enzyme that breaks down chitin. For this reason, part of the chitin is also digested and can be used as an energy source.

Umami taste – the key to increased feed intake

The umami taste significantly stimulates feed intake and optimizes piglet digestion — learn more in the article.

Improved piglet rearing performance – evidence from farms

The effectiveness of Umami Boost has been confirmed in numerous in vivo trials conducted under farm conditions, including studies on a large group of nearly 20,000 piglets. Results clearly indicate significant improvement in key rearing parameters.

Regarding weight gains, piglets fed diets containing Umami Boost showed clearly better outcomes. Combined results from extensive farm trials on more than 2,000 piglets showed that total weight gain was 15.4% higher, and body weight at day 68 was 20% higher in experimental groups compared with contro

Higher feed intake and reduced piglet mortality

Feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) also improved significantly. Total feed intake by piglets fed diets supplemented with Umami Boost was 13.4% higher (combined across conducted trials) compared with the control group. At the same time, lower FCR was recorded, indicating more efficient feed utilization. The difference across the entire piglet population consuming feed with Umami Boost in farm trials was 6%. Extensive tests on over 20,000 piglets.

One of the most significant benefits is reduced piglet mortality. Using Umami Boost in feed reduced mortality by more than 50% during the prestarter period compared with the control group. This is extremely important from an economic perspective, allowing farmers to earn up to tens of thousands of PLN annually, depending on herd size.

Cellular and structural support for the intestines

Umami Boost also supports animal health at the cellular and metabolic level. Studies of piglet ileum microstructure showed a positive impact on development, including a 24% increase in goblet cell numbers, a 7% increase in absorptive surface area, and an 8% thickening of the mucosa. This translates into better nutrient absorption and overall intestinal condition.

Benefits in blood biochemistry

Biochemical analyses of blood indices in piglets fed diets with Umami Boost showed favorable changes, such as a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 32% reduction in ALT enzyme. In addition, a 15% decrease in blood urea concentration and a 17% increase in albumin levels were recorded. The reduction of ammonia in the small intestine digesta by 23% and in feces by 11%, as well as a 16% decrease in blood urea, indicate improved digestion and protein utilization, reducing the animal’s metabolic load.

Furthermore, digestibility tests confirmed an improvement in total and intestinal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fat in feeds containing Umami Boost.

Benefits for feed producers

Introducing Umami Boost into piglet diets brings tangible benefits for both feed manufacturers and farmers, optimizing production processes and increasing profitability.

For feed producers, Umami Boost provides a complete, functional solution that allows them to create an innovative, modern, and most importantly effective offer for farmers.

For farmers, the benefits of using Umami Boost translate directly into increased profitability and healthier herds. Better weight gains and lower FCR mean more efficient feed utilization and faster achievement of target body weights. Healthier piglets, in turn, mean lower treatment costs and fewer losses due to mortality. A healthy start to fattening results in better final production outcomes for the entire cycle. In addition, Umami Boost contributes to more uniform litters, which is extremely important for piglet producers, facilitating herd management and production planning. Lower piglet mortality directly affects the number of animals available for further rearing and breeding, which has key economic importance. Furthermore, Umami Boost is an environmentally friendly solution, with a lower carbon footprint than standard protein sources.

Summary

Umami Boost is a comprehensive and functional feed component that naturally improves piglet rearing performance. Through the synergistic action of lauric acid, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), chitin, and the unique umami taste, this product effectively supports gut health, strengthens immunity, and optimizes feed intake. Research-confirmed benefits include significantly better weight gains, lower FCR, reduced mortality, and improved overall animal health status. Umami Boost is a true “Game Changer” in piglet nutrition, offering feed producers and farmers not only measurable zootechnical benefits but also potential economic savings and a positive environmental impact.