A recent dsm-firmenich case study offers an interesting new perspective on blood carotenoids as biomarkers in poultry nutrition.
In May 2026, dsm-firmenich reported an investigation of two poultry complexes with identical genetics, feed and production systems but significantly different performance. By combining microbiome profiling, blood biomarkers, and production data, they identified important biological differences.
One finding particularly caught our attention at BioAnalyt:
dsm-firmenich reported strong associations between blood carotenoid levels and Lactobacillus species. According to the authors, these findings contributed to recommendations for probiotic inclusion and maintenance of butyrate levels throughout the growth cycle (1).
Why does this matter?
Blood carotenoids reflect more than carotenoid content in feed. Their concentrations are influenced by dietary supply, intestinal availability, absorption and metabolism. The dsm-firmenich findings demonstrate their potential value when interpreted together with microbiome, nutritional and production data.
This is highly relevant for iCheck™ Carotene.
BioAnalyt’s portable photometric system enables rapid quantitative measurement of total carotenoids in biological samples, including blood. This makes repeated measurements possible directly in feeding trials or close to the production environment.
iCheck Carotene does not measure gut health. But it provides rapid access to a blood parameter that dsm-firmenich has now linked to microbiome characteristics in a real-world poultry case.
This opens interesting opportunities for feeding trials, nutritional interventions and precision poultry nutrition.
Measure what reaches the animal and learn from its biological response.
Source:
- https://www.dsm-firmenich.com/anh/news/feed-talks/articles/microbiome-insights-that-improve-poultry-performance.html
