Noble Vetscience and ICC Animal Nutrition jointly organized a technical workshop titled “Immune Connection” on December 12, 2024, at Jetwing Blue, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The workshop brought together leading Feed millers, Integrators and Nutritionists, with nearly 40 participants from across India. The primary objective was to create awareness about immunosuppressive diseases in poultry, emphasize the importance of immunity, and demonstrate the prevention of such diseases through yeast cell derivatives like β-glucan and MOS. A practical session on evaluating yeast quality using a specialized yeast demo kit was also conducted.
The event commenced with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony and a rendition of Ganesh Vandana, symbolizing an auspicious start. Mr. Debaraj Das – COO of Baramati Agro, led the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.Dr. Ankur Hazorika, Export Manager and Business Head, Noble Vetscience welcomed and introduced the esteemed guests, after which Dr. Rajib Dutta – Technical Business Manager, ICC South Asia, delivered the formal opening and warm welcome address.
To honour the esteemed guest speakers in the Indian traditional way, Dr. Jyoti Nandardhane – Business Head, Noble Vetscience and Dr. Arjun Madnurkar – Nutritionist, Noble Vetscience led the proceedings, presenting shawls and Sri Phal as tokens of respect and gratitude. Dr. Rajib Dutta, along with Dr. Fernando Braga, Global Marketing Manager, ICC Brazil, provided a brief yet engaging introduction to ICC Animal Nutrition and outlined the workshop’s central theme, setting the stage for the technical sessions to follow.
Technical Sessions
The technical sessions commenced with an insightful presentation by Dr. Nitin Kurkure, Director of Research at Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur. Dr. Kurkure, a leading veterinary pathologist, began with an overview of the avian immune system, emphasizing how immunosuppressed birds are highly vulnerable to diseases. His presentation covered the current scenario of immunosuppressive diseases in poultry, particularly in India, and their economic impact. He focused on key diseases such as:
- Chicken Infectious Anemia (CIA)
- Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD)
- Marek’s Disease (MD)
- Avian Leukosis (AL)
- Avian Reovirus (ARV)
- Mycotoxicosis
Dr. Nitin Kurkure elaborated on infectious and non-infectious immunosuppressive agents, disease transmission, pathogenesis, and diagnostic methods. He stressed the critical need to build robust immunity in poultry to mitigate financial losses and disease risks.
Following this, Dr. Melina Bonato, Global Technical and R&D Manager at ICC Animal Nutrition, delivered a compelling session on “ImmunoWall – A Key to Immunonutrition.” Dr. Melina Bonato explained the significance of immunonutrition and immunonutrients, focusing on the mode of action (MOA) of MOS and β-glucan. She detailed the immunomodulatory benefits of yeast derivatives, their role in pathogen control, and their contribution to gut integrity.
Demonstration of Yeast Quality
The workshop included a hands-on demonstration led by Dr. Fernando Braga and Dr. Melina Bonato. They introduced the singularity of ethanol yeast and its BetaACTIVE technology, which ensures a higher concentration of β-glucan. Dr. Melina Bonato highlighted the superior benefits of Ethanol yeast over Baker’s and Brewer’s yeast, including its ability to:
- Immunomodulation
- Action on pathogens
- Intestinal integrity
The session also featured a comparative analysis of ImmunoWall with other yeast cell wall products available in the Indian market. Dr. Melina Bonato presented findings on critical parameters of ImmunoWall such as digestibility, pH and heat tolerance, and the ability to bind enteropathogens and mycotoxins. She further shared results from various trials conducted on ImmunoWall, including its effectiveness in immunomodulation, pathogen and mycotoxin binding, and its role in enhancing intestinal integrity.
Using a specialized yeast demo kit, Dr. Fernando Braga demonstrated the quality differences between various yeast cell wall samples. Participants actively engaged in assessing particle size, homogeneity, color, consistency, and the presence of foreign residues. The demonstration allowed attendees to visibly distinguish between pure and impure samples, providing a unique, hands-on learning experience. Dr. Fernando Braga further showcased the solubility of yeast cell wall products, where ImmunoWall exhibited the highest insoluble fraction, reaffirming its superior quality.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Dr. C.S. Saraf, Director, Noble Vetscience summarized the workshop, expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic participation despite attendees’ demanding schedules. The workshop’s key takeaway was clear: strengthening poultry immune system is vital to combat immunosuppressive diseases and ensure sustainable economic gains.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where participants and guest speakers were honoured with mementos as tokens of appreciation.
Mr. Rohan Sovani, Director, Noble Vetscience delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of the speakers, organizers, and participants who made the workshop a memorable and impactful success.
The day ended on a delightful note with a Sri Lankan traditional cultural program, followed by a networking dinner. Attendees enjoyed the vibrant cultural performances, which offered a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, while also fostering connections among participants.
The workshop not only provided valuable technical insights but also created a platform for collaboration and shared learning, leaving participants enriched and inspired to adopt innovative practices for poultry health and nutrition.
