Animal welfare
What are animal vaccine adjuvants?
A rising global population is driving increased demand for farming and meat products, which means that farmers need more animal vaccines with fewer side effects. As a key component of vaccines, alongside the antigens (the active substances), adjuvants are an effective tool for enhancing their efficacy. By slowing the release of antigens and strengthening the stimulation of the immune response, adjuvants reduce the dosage needed to produce the same result from a given vaccine.
Many animal vaccines use mineral oils as adjuvants, which release the antigen gradually to improve efficacy. However, the complex structure of these white mineral oils, typically refined from crude oil, is difficult to break down and can leave residues that might lead to safety concerns. Existing bio-based alternatives also face performance and efficacy challenges.
To address this, Shell has developed next-generation adjuvant oils based on gas-to-liquid technology. This provides adjuvants that deliver high vaccine efficacy with fewer side effects for better animal welfare.*
Shell Ondina X
Exceptional purity
Shell Ondina X oils do not contain polycyclic aromatics or pristane, hopanes or steranes1. They are also virtually free of sulphur and nitrogen compounds.±
Superior safety
Low systemic accumulation and rapid elimination makes vaccines safer for animals, humans and ecosystems.
Smart alternative
GTL animal vaccine adjuvants are more versatile and scalable, making it easier to meet high demand.*
Outstanding properties
Shell Ondina X adjuvant oils provide low viscosity, low accumulation rate and superior pour point performance.
* Shivaprasad P, de Azevedo, E, Carrillo, J-C, Brosell, A: Animal vaccine adjuvants: A new use for gas-to-liquids oils. Shell TechXplorer Digest 2021: 66-70.
±Disclosed anonymously: Use of Synthetic Medicinal White Oils in Animal Vaccines. Research Disclosure database number 666021. Published in the October 2019 paper journal. Published digitally 02 September 2019 12:31 UT.
