Decoding Feed-Grade Licorice Extract: A "Green Boost" for Natural Aquaculture and Livestock Farming

I. What is Feed-Grade Licorice Extract?

Feed-grade licorice extract is a natural plant feed raw material or additive prepared from the dried roots and rhizomes of leguminous plant Glycyrrhiza (including Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata or Glycyrrhiza glabra) through water extraction, concentration, drying and other processes. It is a concentrated aggregate of active ingredients in licorice.

Different from food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products, its production standards and application scenarios are designed around the needs of livestock, poultry and aquaculture, which are more in line with the actual pain points of breeding.

It is mostly a brown fine powder with uniform color, and some are liquid, without mold, rancidity and other deterioration phenomena. It contains glycyrrhizic acid with natural sweetness, improving feed palatability for livestock, poultry and aquatic animals. Its core advantage lies in "naturalness" - no chemical synthetic components, in line with the green breeding trend.

II. Core Active Ingredients: The Foundation of Licorice Extract for Aquaculture & Livestock

1. Triterpenoid Saponins (Mainly Glycyrrhizic Acid)

The most core component (6%~14% content), 50 times sweeter than sucrose. It exerts antiviral, anti-inflammatory effects, protects animal liver, reduces drug damage, known as "natural liver protectants".

2. Flavonoids

Over 300 kinds (1%~6% content), including liquiritin and glabridin. It has anti-oxidation, anti-virus effects, scavenges free radicals, enhances animal immunity.

3. Glycyrrhiza Polysaccharide

Composed of glucose, arabinose, etc. It stimulates immune organ development, promotes immunoglobulin secretion, enhances macrophage activity, and reduces disease occurrence.

III. Four Core Efficacies of Antibiotic Alternatives for Livestock

1. Immune Regulation: Building Animal Defensive Barrier

Promotes IgG/IgM secretion, increases T lymphocytes, significantly improves animal resistance. Ideal for green aquaculture feed formulation.

2. Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory: Reducing Disease Risks

Inhibits virus replication, alleviates intestinal/respiratory inflammation, reduces diarrhea and respiratory diseases in livestock and aquatic animals.

3. Antioxidant, Liver and Kidney Protection

Scavenges free radicals, increases antioxidant enzymes activity, repairs liver cells, prevents aquatic animal hepatobiliary syndrome, extends breeding cycle.

4. Promoting Growth and Improving Quality

Improves feed palatability, increases feed intake, enhances nutrient digestion, boosts weight gain rate, reduces feed conversion ratio, and enhances breeding benefits.

IV. Application Guide: Plant-Based Feed Additives for Full-Scenario Breeding

1. Livestock and Poultry Breeding

• Ruminants (cattle, sheep): 4.5% addition enhances immunity and meat quality
• Pigs: Promotes growth, reduces morbidity, improves meat quality of finishing pigs
• Poultry: 600~900mg/kg polysaccharide improves growth performance of broilers

2. Aquaculture

Add 0.1%~0.5% powder to feed for Nile tilapia, rainbow trout, etc. Enhances growth performance, immunity and disease resistance, the best aquaculture health boosters.

V. Purchase & Use Notes for Feed-Grade Licorice Extract

Purchase Points

• Choose products meeting NYSL-1006-2025 and T/TCVMA 0007—2020 standards
• Check glycyrrhizic acid content (liquid ≥0.05% g/100mL)
• Select uniform color, no odor, no mold products

Use Notes

• Strictly control dosage to avoid side effects
• Compatible with astragalus, rheum for synergistic effect
• Store in dry, ventilated warehouse, avoid sunlight
• It is a preventive additive, cannot fully replace antibiotics

VI. Prospect: New Direction for Natural Green Breeding

With the promotion of green breeding, the demand for antibiotic alternatives for livestock and aquaculture is surging. Feed-grade licorice extract, with natural, safe and multi-effective advantages, has become the preferred choice for global breeding industry.

It will achieve precise and efficient application, reduce breeding costs, provide safer livestock and aquatic products, and boost the green and sustainable development of the breeding industry.