During her PhD studies, Despoina Georgaki overall addressed two major challenges, antimicrobial resistance development and global warming, by investigating use of the enzyme fucosidase for enhancing pig growth performance, gut microbial ecology and health, as well as reducing methane emission. Fucosidase cleaves fucose from the mucus layer, lining the intestine, and the released sugar molecule may then act as substrate for beneficial gut bacteria and enhance gut health by stimulating propionate production. Propionate producers may further suppress methane producers by competing for hydrogen; a common substrate for the two groups of microorganisms. Despoina Georgaki’s work covered both mechanistic in vitro laboratory studies and in vivo animal trials, evaluating effects of in-feed fucosidase administration to pigs from weaning to slaughter.

The findings offer new insights into the potential of the specific enzyme for simultaneously impacting multiple aspects of pig performance, health, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The PhD study was completed at Animal and Veterinary Sciences, AU Viborg, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday 11 December 2025 at 10:00
Place:  Auditorium, AU Viborg, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele
Title of PhD thesis: THE IMPACT OF FUCOSIDASE ON REDUCING METHANE EMISSION AND IMPROVING GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND GUT HEALTH IN PIGS.
Contact information: Despoina Georgaki, e-mail: despina.georgaki@gmail.com, tel.: +4571647912
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Susana Maria Martin Orue, Department of Animal and Food Science, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
Professor Dennis Sandris Nielsen, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Senior Researcher Mogens Larsen (chair), Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Ruminant Nutrition Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Senior Researcher Ole Højberg, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Gut & Host Health Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Senior Researcher Nuria Canibe, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Gut & Host Health Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.

It will be possible to view the exam Deltag i mødet nu , for questions please contact Ole Højberg at ole.hojberg@anivet.au.dk