Plasma in Animal Blood: Nutritional Benefits and Applications

What is Plasma?

Plasma is the liquid part of blood. It comprises about 55% of total blood volume. The primary components of plasma include water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products. The main proteins found in plasma are albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen. These proteins serve various functions, such as maintaining osmotic pressure and supporting immune responses.

Composition of Plasma

1. Water: Approximately 91-92% of plasma is water.
2. Proteins:
   • Albumin: Helps regulate osmotic pressure.
   • Globulins: Involved in immune function.
   • Fibrinogen: Essential for blood clotting.
3. Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate help maintain fluid balance and pH levels.
4. Nutrients: Glucose, amino acids, and lipids provide energy and building blocks for cells.
5. Waste Products: Urea and creatinine are removed from the body through urine.

The Process of Obtaining Plasma

Obtaining plasma involves several steps:

1. Blood Collection: Blood is collected from animals during slaughter.
2. Anticoagulation: Anticoagulants are added to prevent clotting.
3. Centrifugation: The blood is spun at high speeds to separate plasma from cellular components.
4. Spray-Drying: The separated plasma is dried into a powder form known as Spray-Dried Animal Plasma (SDAP).

Benefits of Spray-Dried Animal Plasma (SDAP)

SDAP retains the nutritional properties of plasma while enhancing its usability in various applications. This ingredient is rich in essential amino acids and bioactive compounds.

Nutritional Advantages

1. High Digestibility: SDAP is easily digestible, making it suitable for young animals.
2. Rich Amino Acid Profile: Contains essential amino acids like lysine and threonine.
3. Bioactive Components: Includes immunoglobulins that support immune health.

Functional Properties

1. Emulsifying Agent: Helps improve texture in pet food.
2. Binding Agent: Enhances moisture retention.
3. Prebiotic Effects: Supports gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria.

Applications in Animal Nutrition

In Pet Food

SDAP is increasingly used in pet food formulations due to its palatability and nutritional benefits.

Benefits for Pets

1. Enhanced Flavor: Animals find SDAP more palatable than other protein sources.
2. Improved Health Outcomes: Studies show that pets consuming SDAP exhibit better overall health.

In Livestock Diets

Plasma also plays a significant role in livestock nutrition.

Benefits for Livestock

1. Growth Promotion: Animals fed SDAP show improved weight gain.
2. Reduced Mortality Rates: Particularly beneficial for young or stressed animals.

Specific Uses in Different Species

1. Swine Nutrition: SDAP helps improve growth rates in piglets, especially those recovering from disease challenges like PRRSV (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus).
2. Poultry Nutrition: Enhances growth performance and immune response in chickens.
3. Aquatic Animals: Used to improve health outcomes in fish farming.

Safety Considerations

Using SDAP must comply with safety regulations to prevent contamination with pathogens like swine influenza virus (SIV). Regulatory bodies ensure that only safe sources of animal plasma are utilized.

Conclusion

Plasma from animal blood serves as a valuable resource in nutrition for both pets and livestock. Its rich composition provides numerous benefits that enhance growth, immunity, and overall health outcomes. As research continues to explore its potential applications, plasma remains an integral component of modern animal nutrition practices. 

For more pearls of Vets Wisdom:

https://wiseias.com/partitioning-of-food-energy-within-animals/