Phytogenic Feed Additives in Poultry: Achievements, Prospective and Challenges.

Nedra Abdelli,David Solà-Oriol,José Francisco Pérez

doi:10.3390/ani11123471

Nedra Abdelli, David Solà-Oriol + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123471

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Abstract

Simple SummaryPlant secondary metabolites and essential oils also known as phytogenics are biologically active compounds that have recently attracted increased interest as feed additives in poultry production, due to their ability to promote feed efficiency by enhancing the production of digestive secretions and nutrient absorption, reduce pathogenic load in the gut, exert antioxidant properties and decrease the microbial burden on the animal’s immune status. However, the mechanisms are far from being fully elucidated. Better understanding the interaction of phytogenics with gastrointestinal function and health as well as other feed ingredients/additives is crucial to design potentially cost-effective blends.Phytogenic feed additives have been largely tested in poultry production with the aim to identify their effects on the gastrointestinal function and health, and their implications on the birds’ systemic health and welfare, the production efficiency of flocks, food safety, and environmental impact. These feed additives originating from plants, and consisting of herbs, spices, fruit, and other plant parts, include many different bioactive ingredients. Reviewing published documents about the supplementation of phytogenic feed additives reveals contradictory results regarding their effectiveness in poultry production. This indicates that more effort is still needed to determine the appropriate inclusion levels and fully elucidate their mode of actions. In this frame, this review aimed to sum up the current trends in the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry with a special focus on their interaction with gut ecosystem, gut function, in vivo oxidative status and immune system as well as other feed additives, especially organic acids.

Highlights

Poultry production is undergoing a continuous challenge to develop management strategies to optimize chickens’ efficiency while limiting food safety concerns
Antimicrobials have been widely used for improving health and growth performance in poultry; the increased public awareness about the risk of developing crossresistance of pathogens to antibiotics has resulted in the gradual removal of antibiotics for therapeutic and prophylactic uses in food animals [1]
The results showed that these effects are both phytogenic composition and inclusion level dependent [116,117], and can range from neutral with no effect [117,118,119] up to beneficial [120,121,122,123,124,125]

Summary

Introduction

Poultry production is undergoing a continuous challenge to develop management strategies to optimize chickens’ efficiency while limiting food safety concerns. Antimicrobials have been widely used for improving health and growth performance in poultry; the increased public awareness about the risk of developing crossresistance of pathogens to antibiotics has resulted in the gradual removal of antibiotics for therapeutic and prophylactic uses in food animals [1]. The shift away from antibiotic supplementation has resulted in a tremendous growth in research focusing on the implementation of effective alternative control methods, management and dietary amendments aiming to improve animal health, welfare, and productivity. The aim of the present review is to summarize the main results of some recent studies evaluating the effect of PFAs supplementation on the major components of bird gastrointestinal health and functionality, with special focus on nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota, immune system, oxidative status and growth performance of broilers and laying hens

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