Learn about the NeoGiANT project, which focuses on the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of grape extracts to prevent the need for antibiotics in farmed animals
The inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal production accelerates the loss of effectiveness of these medicines against microorganisms and contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria.
To address this challenge, the NeoGiANT project is developing effective alternatives to the main antibiotics used in livestock – cattle, pigs, poultry and farmed fish – across nutrition, health and reproduction practices. The ultimate objective is to reduce antibiotic use by limiting its use exclusively to the treatment of severe infections, rather than applying it as a routine preventive measure.
An environmentally friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics
By adopting an integrated One Health approach – aiming to improve the health of both animals and humans, who may be affected through the food chain – NeoGiANT seeks to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics.
A core innovation of the NeoGiANT approach lies in its valorisation of wine industry by-products as raw materials. Specifically, the project utilises grape marc – a waste material generated in large quantities during wine production – due to its high content of bioactive and functional polyphenolic compounds.
The use of grape marc aligns with the principles of the circular economy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, as it effectively transforms a readily available agricultural by-product into a resource of significant economic value. This valorisation process reduces organic waste and its associated environmental impact, whilst also promoting sustainable production practices by closing material loops, minimising resource extraction and lowering emissions.
Proven antimicrobial and antioxidant properties
In its initial phase, NeoGiANT has effectively proven, at a pre-industrial scale, a nature-based extraction process for the recovery of polyphenols from white grape marc that is both cost-effective and efficient. These extracts were first obtained and characterised at laboratory scale, and the process was subsequently optimised for small and pre-industrial production levels. Subsequent research efforts have been concentrated on formulating high-value products with proven antimicrobial and antioxidant properties using the extracted polyphenols.
The resulting formulations – targeted at feeding, treatment, and reproduction – have also been developed and tested progressively from lab-scale to pre- industrial scale to ensure efficacy, safety, and scalability in real-world conditions.
Firstly, tailored feeds were formulated for poultry, cattle, swine, and aquaculture species, including zebrafish, seabass, trout, and salmon, using the extracts rich in bioactive compounds. The impact of these functional feeds on animal growth and disease prevention was systematically assessed, with results indicating that the feeds can inhibit microbial growth, positively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and enhance the antioxidant capacity of the animals.
Furthermore, trials in fish revealed trends towards improved growth, reduced feed intake and a significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and condition factor, suggesting improved nutrient utilisation and welfare.
Secondly, treatment products were designed to address common animal diseases, including mastitis, exudative epidermitis, and fish infections. Intramammary formulations targeting mastitis were evaluated for both physical stability and antimicrobial effectiveness. In vivo testing against two of the most prevalent mastitis pathogens in cattle – Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis – demonstrated promising results leading to the development of a truly effective and validated prototype. A notable advantage of these formulations is their potential to treat infections without interrupting milk collection or sales, due to the high potency of the concentrated natural extracts.
For exudative epidermitis, topical treatments were developed and evaluated through activity and toxicity assays. Their antibacterial activity was validated using in vivo infection models with Staphylococcus hyicus. In the aquaculture sector, the capacity of the extracts to enhance disease resistance in fish is currently under investigation, supported by in vivo testing and microbiome analyses focused on antimicrobial resistance dynamics.
Thirdly, the NeoGiANT project is evaluating the application of bioactive extracts as a replacement for conventional antibiotics (e.g., streptomycin, penicillin, gentamycin, tetracycline, polymyxin A) in semen extenders. These extenders, which are essential for preserving semen doses in artificial insemination, are being tested with different formulations and concentrations of the extracts to determine their antimicrobial efficacy and their effects on sperm quality, with a view to validating their use as safe and effective natural alternatives.
The products being developed for feeding, treatment and reproduction purposes represent an innovative strategy that harnesses the potential of bioactive compounds extracted from grape marc. These solutions offer a dual benefit: they address prevalent animal diseases and contribute to the reduction of antimicrobial resistance, while also helping to reduce and valorise a by-product of the wine industry.
Consequently, NeoGiANT products establish the basis for the incorporation of safe, natural extracts as feasible alternatives to conventional antibiotics in animal production systems. To date, up to about eleven tonnes of the feed have been produced for different animal groups, marking a significant step from laboratory-scale trials to pilot industrial production. Moreover, the fish feed formulation is currently being tested by first adopters on marine fish species under real farming conditions, providing valuable insights into the product’s performance and market readiness.
NeoGiANT: Looking ahead
Currently, the NeoGiANT project is undertaking a pre-industrial scale assessment of the sustainability performance of its products using the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The objective of this assessment is to identify environmental and economic hotspots with a view to supporting further optimisation of the formulations and production processes.
Furthermore, NeoGiANT products will be benchmarked against commercially available alternatives to assess their relative environmental and economic performance. The results of this assessment aim to furnish substantiated evidence regarding the sustainability credentials of these solutions.
