Oxidative stress in animals arises from free radicals produced during normal metabolism and stress conditions, causing progressive damage to cells and tissues. Plant-derived polyphenols offer a compelling strategy to counter this threat - not only by scavenging harmful radicals directly, but also by stimulating the animal's own endogenous defense systems, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD), to build lasting antioxidant resilience.
Free radicals are harmful by-products formed during normal cellular respiration and under stress conditions (e.g. heat, infection, inflammation, environmental changes). They belong to the group of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause significant cellular damage. ROS can induce oxidation of intracellular and extracellular molecules, which affects the viability of cells. In highly productive animals or during periods of stress, cellular metabolic processes in the body are intensified, including oxidative processes, leading to an increased production of free radicals. Vitamin E (in synergy with selenium) can break the radical chain reaction, protecting cellular membranes from being attacked by peroxyl radicals. Some polyphenol plant-based ingredients have been found to have very powerful antioxidant properties in the animal metabolism process and a useful alternative dietary strategy to fulfill the role as biological antioxidant for managing oxidative stress instead of vitamin E.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a crucial endogenous enzymatic antioxidant in the body, acting as the first line of defense against harmful ROS. SOD enzymes catalyze the conversion of superoxide radicals (O₂-) into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, effectively neutralizing these damaging molecules. This detoxification process helps maintain cellular health and prevents oxidative stress-related damage. The hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is removed by other enzymes such as catalase or glutathione peroxidase and converted into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂).
Illustration: Antioxidant donates ion to free radical, so it does not attack healthy cells.
The chemical reactions look like this:
Traditionally, antioxidants such as vitamin E have been used to protect cellular membranes by donating an ion to neutralize the free radical. While vitamin E remains relevant to include in the animal’s diet, plant-derived polyphenols have gained increasing interest as dietary additions. These compounds can also act as radical scavengers, helping to reduce oxidative stress before it damages cells and tissues. In addition, they enhance endogenous defense systems by increasing the production of SOD.
The polyphenol premix Cabanin® CSD contains selected parts from grapes, citrus/orange, black currant and sweet chestnut. These plant and fruit parts contain polyphenols such as: gallic acid, resveratrol, naringenin, and hesperidin. Cabanin® CSD includes a minimum of 9.5% total polyphenols. In scientific animal studies it has been shown to increase endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, and at the same time lower oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) or thiobarbituric acid re-active substances (TBARS) in serum blood samples and on tissue level.
TBARS are a group of substances formed during lipid peroxidation and MDA is a TBAR biochemical marker of oxidative stress that reflects the level of lipid (cell membrane) damage. Research experiments with the polyphenol premix in poultry, pigs and fish showed: SOD activity is significantly increased by using the premix in a dosage from 100-500 mg/kg of complete feed depending on the animal, and the effect is at least equal or even better than similar typical recommended doses of vitamin E.
This suggests that the premix does not just function as an antioxidant but reinforces the animal's own defense mechanisms.
The inclusion of a polyphenol premix in the diet of laying hens at a dosage of 100–500 mg/kg of complete feed has, in a published scientific study, been shown to induce a beneficial shift in the caecal microflora. This benefit is reflected in an improved balance between beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria, characterized by a reduction in the total microbial load alongside a significant increase in beneficial populations such as Lactobacilli and En-terococcus faecium. A more favorable microbial balance reduces en-dotoxin burden and lowers oxidative stress pressure from ROS production. Under these conditions, endogenous antioxidant systems, including SOD, are upregulated as part of the physiological response. With the inclusion of Cabanin® CSD, we observe increased SOD levels together with reduced TBARS/MDA. This combination indicates improved antioxidant capacity alongside lower lipid peroxidation.
Illustration: Antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health and performance in animals
Animals are exposed to oxidative stress through physical activity, crowding, environmental stress (e.g. heat, feed changes) or inflammation. By increasing SOD activity with polyphenols, you may:
Support the body's own defense against oxidative stress
Oxidative stress is an unavoidable challenge in modern animal production, particularly under conditions of high performance and environmental or physiological stress. Strengthening the animal’s own antioxidant defense system is therefore essential for maintaining cellular integrity, health, and productivity. Plant-derived polyphenols, found in the polyphenol premix Cabanin® CSD, offer a powerful and science-based strategy to address this challenge. By scavenging free radicals and, importantly, stimulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, polyphenols go beyond traditional antioxidant support. Research across poultry, pigs, and fish consistently demonstrates increased SOD activity alongside reduced TBARS or MDA, indicating both enhanced protection and reduced cellular damage. In addition, beneficial modulation of gut microflora and reduced endotoxin load further decrease oxidative pressure, creating favorable conditions for sustained antioxidant resilience. Taken together, these findings highlight polyphenols as an effective complementary or partial alternative to vitamin E, particularly above NRC requirements. Through reinforcing natural defense mechanisms, supporting gut health, and reducing oxidative stress, polyphenolbased solutions can contribute to improved animal robustness, performance, and overall wellbeing in today’s demanding production systems.
University research with tilapia has shown that a natural polyphenol product can substitute up to 80% of added vitamins E and C in fish feed.
