The Potential Use of Probiotics to Improve Animal Health, Efficiency, and Meat Quality: A Review

Sarmad G Al-Shawi,Sulaiman K Matarneh,Zena K Al-Younis,Teif A Najm,Asraa Y Yousif,David S Dang

doi:10.3390/agriculture10100452

Sarmad G Al-Shawi, Sulaiman K Matarneh + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10100452

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Journal: Agriculture	Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
Citations: 45	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Utah State University, University of Basrah

Abstract

To address the rapidly growing use of probiotics in animal agriculture, this review discusses the effect of probiotics on animal growth and development, immune response, and productivity. Several benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics in farm animals, such as improved growth and feed efficiency, reduced mortality, and enhanced product quality. While the mechanisms through which probiotics induce their beneficial effects are not well understood, their role in modifying the gastrointestinal microbiota is believed to be the main mechanism. The use of probiotics in fresh and fermented meat products has been also shown to reduce pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms and improve sensory characteristics. Although many benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics, their effectiveness in improving animal performance and product quality is highly variable. Factors that dictate such variability are dependent on the probiotic strain being utilized and its stability during storage and administration/inoculation, frequency and dosage, nutritional and health status as well as age of the host animal. Therefore, future research should focus on finding more effective probiotic strains for the desired use and identifying the optimum dose, administration time, delivery method, and mechanism of action for each strain/host.

Highlights

The increase in demand for animal products due to the growing world population has been an ongoing challenge for the animal production sector worldwide [1]
Due to their ability to inhibit a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms, derived from the environment and diet, the use of probiotics has expanded into the food industry as well [38,47]
Probiotics are suggested to participate in a complex stimulatory mechanism of the innate immune system through increasing expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), which results in the release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) [53]

Summary

Introduction

The increase in demand for animal products due to the growing world population has been an ongoing challenge for the animal production sector worldwide [1]. The use of the latter two practices in commercial animal production has improved the health status and feed efficiency of farm animals, which has led to approximately 18% increase in the overall growth performance [3]. Researchers have been investigating alternative ways to improve the quantity, quality, and homogeneity of farm animals and their products. One such alternative is the supplementation of probiotics, as single or mixed strains, to the diet of farm animals. The aim of this review is to discuss the administration of probiotics in animal feed, either as supplements or additives, and their effect on animal health, growth and productivity, and product quality. We will briefly review the use of probiotics in fresh and fermented meat products

The Gut Microbiota

Proposed Mechanism of Action for Probiotics

Application of Probiotics in Animal Growth and Production

Bifidum

Probiotics Effect on Meat Quality

Findings

Conclusions