As global temperatures continue to rise and heat waves become increasingly frequent and prolonged, heat stress has emerged as a critical challenge to animal production systems worldwide. Natac Biotech’s plant-based solutions, including extracts of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), offering natural relief.
Climate projections suggest a continued increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The effects of heat stress on animal health, welfare, and productivity are well-documented and they’re detrimental, becoming more and more pronounced under the influence of climate change.
Heat stress disrupts the stable internal body temperature of animals, leading to a cascade of physiological disturbances. This results in decreased growth rates, lower milk and meat yields, diminished reproductive performance, and an overall decline in animal welfare. It affects a wide range of species, notably ruminants, pigs, and poultry, manifesting in reduced feed intake, altered behaviour, and impaired immune and metabolic functions.
In severe cases, heat stress can even lead to mortality, as evidenced by historical events such as the 2006 heat wave in California which resulted in the death of 30,000 dairy cows.
The economic implications are significant. In the US alone, annual heat stress-related losses in the livestock sector exceed US$2.5 billion with dairy, beef, and pork industries all being affected. Farmers who lose animals due to heat stress experience reduced productivity, and potential impacts on their overall livelihood. This scenario reinforces the urgency for sustainable strategies to protect animal health and ensure food security.
Melissa officinalis as a natural alternative
With synthetic interventions facing growing scrutiny, phytogenic ingredients are gaining attention for mitigating oxidative and psychological stress, which are 2 of the main consequences of heat stress. Natac – a leading manufacturer of phytogenic ingredients with warehouses in Europe and the US – draws on its scientific expertise to develop targeted plant-based solutions, including standardised extracts of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) offering natural alternatives.
The plant-derived compounds of Melissa officinalis offer multifunctional benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and stress-modulating effects for animal health.
Physiological and behavioural impacts of heat stress in animals
Heat stress induces a multifaceted response in animals. At the cellular level, it promotes oxidative stress through excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Concurrently, behavioural changes such as lethargy, agitation, and altered feeding patterns reflect an underlying psychological stress, comparable to anxiety responses observed in humans. These effects converge to impair overall animal performance and increase susceptibility to disease.
Common indicators of heat stress include increased respiratory rate, elevated body temperature, reduced feed intake, behavioural distress, and compromised immunity. Chronic exposure leads to inflammation, oxidative damage, hormonal imbalances, and even gut permeability issues, all of which severely impair productivity.
Melissa officinalis heat stress
From a phytochemical perspective, the active compounds in Melissa officinalis may serve as bioactive compounds capable of mitigating inflammation, oxidative damage, and psychological distress in livestock. Its antioxidant properties are primarily attributed to the presence of polyphenols like rosmarinic acid, showing strong ROS-scavenging capabilities. These compounds could help counteract the oxidative damage induced by heat stress.
Moreover, Melissa officinalis demonstrates anxiolytic and calming effects via modulation of the GABAergic system, as evidenced in both animal models and human clinical trials. By reducing serum corticosterone and enhancing GABA signalling, it improves neurogenesis, behavioural calmness, and stress resilience – traits that could translate into better welfare and performance in heat-challenged animals.
In rodents, Melissa officinalis extract has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, associated with decreased corticosterone and enhanced GABA levels. Clinical trials in humans have confirmed its ability to reduce stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. These properties, although studied in humans and laboratory animals, have mechanistic relevance to farm animal responses under heat stress.
Integrating nature and science for animal agriculture success
In summary, by harnessing natural bioactive compounds of Melissa officinalis, sustainable strategies can be developed to support animal resilience and performance in increasingly stressful environmental conditions. Continued research and application of phytogenic solutions will be essential to meet the demands of a changing climate and ensure the long-term sustainability of animal agriculture.
As such, Natac is dedicated to ongoing research and development, continuously staying ahead of industry trends to provide innovative phytogenic solutions for the feed industry.
Disclaimer: Recognising the benefits of Melissa officinalis, Natac offers a rosmarinic acid-standardised lemon balm extract suitable for animal nutrition, fulfilling its commitment to quality and regulatory compliance.
*The studies referred to in this article were not performed by Natac. References available on request.
