Feed Supply Chain Research Articles

Promising Phytogenic Feed Additives Used as Anti-Mycotoxin Solutions in Animal Nutrition.

Mycotoxins are a major threat to animal and human health, as well as to the global feed supply chain. Among them, aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, T-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol, and Alternaria toxins are the most common mycotoxins found in animal feed, with genotoxic, cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects that concern the animal industry. The chronic negative effects of mycotoxins on animal health and production and the negative economic impact on the livestock industry make it crucial to develop and implement solutions to mitigate mycotoxins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mycotoxicosis effect in livestock animals as a result of their contaminated diet. In addition, we discuss the potential of five promising phytogenics (curcumin, silymarin, grape pomace, olive pomace, and orange peel extracts) with demonstrated positive effects on animal performance and health, to present them as potential anti-mycotoxin solutions. We describe the composition and the main promising characteristics of these bioactive compounds that can exert beneficial effects on animal health and performance, and how these phytogenic feed additives can help to alleviate mycotoxins' deleterious effects.

Prioritization of chemical food safety hazards in the European feed supply chain.

Extensive monitoring programs of chemical hazards in the animal feed chain are in place, both organized by public and private organizations. The objective of this review was to prioritize chemical hazards for monitoring in the European animal feed supply chain. A step-wise approach was designed for the prioritization, based on: historical occurrence of the chemicals in animal feed ingredients and animal feeds (in relation to European guidance values or maximum limits in feed); information on transfer of the chemical to edible animal products, and; the extent of human dietary intake of the products and possible adverse human health effects of the chemical. Possible prioritization outcomes were: high (H), medium (M), or low (L) priority for monitoring, or classification not possible (NC) because of limited available data on the transfer of the chemical to edible animal tissues. The selection of chemicals included (with results in parentheses): dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (H); brominated flame retardants (H); per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (H); the heavy metals arsenic (H) and cadmium (H) as well as lead (M) and mercury (M); aflatoxins (H), ochratoxin A (NC), and other mycotoxins (L); pyrrolizidine alkaloids (H) and other plant toxins (NC); organochlorine pesticides (H) and other pesticides (L); pharmaceutically active substances (M); hormones (NC); polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (L), heat-induced processing contaminants (NC), and mineral oils (NC). Results of this study can be used to support risk-based monitoring by food safety authorities and feed-producing companies in Europe.

Mycotoxin management: exploring natural solutions for mycotoxin prevention and detoxification in food and feed.

Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites produced by various fungi, pose a significant threat to food and feed safety worldwide due to their toxic effects on human and animal health. Traditional methods of mycotoxin management often involve chemical treatments, which may raise concerns about residual toxicity and environmental impact. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring natural alternatives for preventing mycotoxin contamination and detoxification. This review provides an overview of the current research on the use of natural products for mitigating mycotoxin risks in food and feed. It encompasses a wide range of natural sources, including plant-derived compounds, microbial agents, and enzymatic control. The mechanisms underlying the efficacy of these natural products in inhibiting mycotoxin synthesis, adsorbing mycotoxins, or enhancing detoxification processes are discussed. Challenges and future directions in the development and application of natural products for mycotoxin management are also addressed. Overall, this review highlights the promising role of natural products as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for combating mycotoxin contamination in the food and feed supply chain.

BEYOND CERTIFICATION: UNDERSTANDING RISKS IN HALAL ANIMAL FEED SUPPLY CHAINS

Animal feed is a crucial point of control in the production of halal animal-based food. Improper feeding practices repeatedly reported in the media have contributed to the issuance of Fatwas on the impermissibility of animals fed with non-halal feed or impurities in 2007. Hence, feeding animals with Halal feed would be a judicious effort to solve these problems. Nevertheless, in the production and supply chain of halal animal feed, numerous risks must be considered concerning the feeds safety, quality, and halal integrity. The use of non-halal ingredients in animal feed can render the animals non-halal for consumption, as stated by the Malaysia National Fatwa. Additionally, even if the feed is initially halal, it can become non-halal through contamination with non-halal additives, equipment, or utensils. Therefore, a halal risk assessment is necessary to identify and analyze potential contamination risks during feed production. This study focuses on analyzing halal risks in animal feed production in Malaysia, employing qualitative research methodology by utilising a library research approach to identify these risks. In addition, the identification of activities involved in the feed supply chain will also help to analyze the risks. Developing a halal risk analysis and risk ranking matrix is essential for creating a Halal Risk Management Plan for feed production. This framework will benefit feed manufacturers by preventing contamination and assisting Halal authorities in establishing specific standards for halal feed production.

308 Awardee Talk: Prevention and mitigation of pathogens in feed and feed manufacturing systems

Abstract Prior to 2013, pathogen transmission through feed was focused primarily on bacteria and biosecurity was used to prevent adulterant entry into the ingredients and the feed mills. Following the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreak in 2013, research focused on pathogen mitigation and control quickly became a subject of interest. Since PEDV, multiple endemic viruses and foreign animal diseases have been found to be transmissible in feed or feed ingredients. As African swine fever virus (ASFV) spread closer to the United States and endemic pathogens are a continued pressure on production systems, it is imperative that prevention measures are included in the feed supply chain and options for mitigation are fully elucidated for times of need. Previous research has demonstrated that preventative measures such as boot baths, lines of separation, showers, and changing clothes are effective measures when appropriately maintained. However, these protocols can seem costly and burdensome to employees, especially when the risk of disease transmission appears low. Employee training is difficult as disease transmission is difficult to visualize and exhibit the importance of each measure. Glo Germ, a florescent substance, is a cost-effective training tool which can demonstrate the efficacy of prevention protocols and can identify areas where biosecurity measures have not been properly utilized. Preventative measures are the first line of defense for feed manufacturing systems, but understanding and using mitigation techniques in the event of contamination can limit pathogen spread and protect the rest of the feed supply chain. Pelleting, as a method of thermal inactivation process, has recently been demonstrated to lessen the quantity of detectable viral RNA and decrease the risk of infection. The pelleting process, however, is a point-in-time mitigant and does not decrease the risk of product re-contamination as feed continues down the supply chain. The use of chemical mitigants, like formaldehyde, medium-chain fatty acids, and organic acids, can decrease the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens with longer-lasting mitigation properties. These mitigants can either be used in the feed itself, or as an addition to flushing batches which help disperse the chemical mitigants throughout the feed manufacturing equipment, thus reducing the risk of product re-contamination. In the event more drastic measures must be taken to eliminate pathogen presence from feed mills, gaseous fumigation and the use of portable heaters show promise as methods to decontaminate feed manufacturing equipment without the use of water or complete equipment breakdown. Overall, effective training and implementation of preventative measures are needed to provide pathogen-free feed to production systems, but continued research in mitigation and mill decontamination will further protect the feed supply chain in the event of pathogen contamination.

112 Nutritional, feed safety, and environmental benefits and limitations of using soybean co-products in swine diets

Abstract Various types of soybean co-products are used in swine diets which have benefits and limitations related to protein quality, environmental impact, and feed safety. To address these concerns for sustainable pork production, methodologies have evolved. Soybean processing and storage methods affecting protein oxidation have been studied less than lipid oxidation. Protein carbonyl concentrations were measured and compared among diverse samples of soybeans and soybean meal from different regions of the US and processed by mechanical or solvent extraction. Mechanically extracted soybean meal had greater concentrations of protein carbonyls than solvent extracted soybean meal which were associated with a greater concentration of residual oil. Soybeans and their co-products also contain antioxidants that may protect against more extensive lipid and protein oxidation. Understanding the interactions between natural antioxidants and oxidation of lipid and proteins in soy co-products is important for optimizing nutritional efficiency and health in sustainable pork production systems. Because soybean meal is a major component of swine diets, its origin and environmental footprint affects the environmental impact of feed, manure, and pork production. Using a spatially explicit lifecycle assessment of feed ingredients and regional manure management programs, we compared the effect of using four feeding programs on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and embedded water consumption in 3 major U.S. pork production regions assuming they would provide equal growth performance and carcass composition. Although environmental impacts varied among regions, the corn-soybean meal feeding program resulted in the greatest land and water use of all grower-finisher feeding programs, and more GHG emissions than feeding low protein amino acid supplemented (LP) diets and diets containing 8% supermarket food waste, but less overall GHG emissions than the distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) feeding program. Results from a subsequent study showed that feeding corn-soybean meal diets optimized growth performance and carcass composition while simultaneously reducing impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use compared with feeding DDGS and LP diets. Lastly, the extended survival of infectious agents such as African swine fever virus in feed ingredients has important implications for biosecurity and prevention of transboundary transmission of swine diseases. We developed a risk-free in situ surrogate non-animal assay (RISNA) to estimate survival of ASFV in various feed ingredients and conditions, and results indicate greater thermal stability than previously observed, and comparable extended survival among corn- and soybean-based ingredients. These new insights will be useful in revising feed biosecurity protocols to prevent introduction and transmission of ASFV in feed supply chains. In conclusion, holistic assessments of feed ingredients, like our evaluation of soybean co-products, are needed to achieve a more sustainable, One Health approach to pork production.

Animal Feed Business Risk Assessment Quantification COVID-19 and Supply Chains Disruptions Losses

Animal Feed Business Risk Assessment Quantification COVID-19 and Supply Chains Disruptions Losses

STRENGTHENING THE WAQF PRODUCTIVE-BASED ECONOMY IN TAKMIRS AND CONGREGATION OF MASJID AL HIDAYAH WONOGIRI WITH THE “ABCD” APPROACH

Every country has a poverty problem. One way to reduce this problem is by empowering communities with a productive waqf model. This service aims to provide education and assistance to the community in managing productive waqf. The object of service is the community at the Al-Hidayah mosque congregation, Wonogiri Village, Kaliwungu District, Semarang Regency. The service approach uses the ABCD model, namely Asset Based Community Development. Community service is carried out in 3 ways, namely conducting FGD, socialization and mentoring. The results showed that the community began to have a good awareness in managing waqf in the form of goat livestock. Although several problems arise such as feed supply chain constraints during the drought and suboptimal kendang facilities. SWOT analysis shows the potential for economic improvement if carried out sustainably.

Biosecurity and Mitigation Strategies to Control Swine Viruses in Feed Ingredients and Complete Feeds.

No system nor standardized analytical procedures at commercial laboratories exist to facilitate and accurately measure potential viable virus contamination in feed ingredients and complete feeds globally. As a result, there is high uncertainty of the extent of swine virus contamination in global feed supply chains. Many knowledge gaps need to be addressed to improve our ability to prevent virus contamination and transmission in swine feed. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge involving: (1) the need for biosecurity protocols to identify production, processing, storage, and transportation conditions that may cause virus contamination of feed ingredients and complete feed; (2) challenges of measuring virus inactivation; (3) virus survival in feed ingredients during transportation and storage; (4) minimum infectious doses; (5) differences between using a food safety objective versus a performance objective as potential approaches for risk assessment in swine feed; (6) swine virus inactivation from thermal and irradiation processes, and chemical mitigants in feed ingredients and complete feed; (7) efficacy of virus decontamination strategies in feed mills; (8) benefits of functional ingredients, nutrients, and commercial feed additives in pig diets during a viral health challenge; and (9) considerations for improved risk assessment models of virus contamination in feed supply chains.

Modern approaches to ensure the welfare of productive animals

Animal welfare is a multifaceted issue of international and state policy, which requires a socio-economic, religious, and cultural approach, must consider international trade features, and must correspond to the vector of development of modern society. The new global plans and challenges of the animal protection community are to help feed the world healthily and sustainably that takes face the needs of people and is safe for animals. The protection and provision of animal welfare depend on the species differences of agricultural and productive animals, which are determined by physiological, biochemical, and behavioral factors, as well as on the differences between climatic zones, which are analyzed in the article. Modern animal husbandry systems must meet the latest knowledge about stress and be based on the science of ethology, comply with the concept of the “Five freedoms” of the welfare of productive animals, based on which a system of clear standards of animal welfare has been developed and implemented as a component of national and international public policy, commerce, and trade. However, animal welfare science continues to develop and deepen our understanding of the interaction between humankind and agricultural species by integrating ethological, physiological, and biochemical methods, methods of assessing the genotype, and its interaction with the environment into the systems for assessing the quality of animal welfare. The assessment includes measuring the artificial impact of farm conditions, microclimate, etc., on the general animal’s welfare and the interaction between individuals in the middle of a limited population. An important factor that has affected animal welfare recently is the restrictions introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected feed supply chains, animal transportation, and limited access to high-quality veterinary services. In recent years, Ukraine has been actively implementing the international experience of animal welfare regulation into domestic legal acts. It continues harmonizing with the European Union's legal system, which covers animals' welfare during their keeping, transportation, and slaughter. A key element on the way to the practical application of the principles of animal welfare is the training of specialists – doctors of veterinary medicine, who would be aware of the importance and necessity of such approaches in their daily professional activities.

Co-gasification of waste triple feed-material blends using downdraft gasifier integrated with dual fuel diesel engine: An RSM-based comparative parametric optimization

Biomass has promising potential as feed material for gasification and subsequent power generation, whereas these sources are seasonal and scattered in the country. Therefore, the consistency of feed material availability and supply chain may be hard to maintain. Gasification with multiple feedstocks, such as biomass-coal-briquette blends, could be one of the practical solutions to mitigate the availability and supply chain problems. Therefore, the present study aims to experiment on an air-downdraft gasifier and use generated producer gas (PG) (, a mixture of gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen produced by incomplete combustion of coal/biomass) for power generation through a dual-fuelled mode CI engine. The three input operating conditions for the gasification-engine experiment were GER (0.1–0.43), engine load (0–100%), and compression ratio (CR) 16–18, with output parameters such as engine brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), gas substitution rate (GSR), engine emission (CO, CO2, HC, NOx), and sound. Further optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to obtain the optimal operating conditions with the goal of maximizing engine performance while minimizing emissions. Based on 48 experimental data sets, ANOVA analysis and RSM-based optimization has been conducted. RSM optimization showed the optimum operational conditions of 0.43 GER, 16 CR, and 100% engine load. The respective performance responses were BP 3.52 kW, BSEC 34.16 MJ/kWh, BTE 21.02%, sound intensity 90.21 db, CO 0.0918% vol., HC 17.41 ppm vol., CO2 2.05 %vol., and NOx 4.55 ppm. The average values obtained for R2 were 95–99% and a 0.72 coefficient of determination. Further, the developed model predicted the output response very closely with the experiment, found to be a 4.4% maximum error. Thus, gasification with triple feed material (biomass-coal-briquette) with engine integration could partially substitute diesel fuel with optimum exhaust emission and noise.

E-Nose Technology for Mycotoxin Detection in Feed: Ready for a Real Context in Field Application or Still an Emerging Technology?

Mycotoxin risk in the feed supply chain poses a concern to animal and human health, economy, and international trade of agri-food commodities. Mycotoxin contamination in feed and food is unavoidable and unpredictable. Therefore, monitoring and control are the critical points. Effective and rapid methods for mycotoxin detection, at the levels set by the regulations, are needed for an efficient mycotoxin management. This review provides an overview of the use of the electronic nose (e-nose) as an effective tool for rapid mycotoxin detection and management of the mycotoxin risk at feed business level. E-nose has a high discrimination accuracy between non-contaminated and single-mycotoxin-contaminated grain. However, the predictive accuracy of e-nose is still limited and unsuitable for in-field application, where mycotoxin co-contamination occurs. Further research needs to be focused on the sensor materials, data analysis, pattern recognition systems, and a better understanding of the needs of the feed industry for a safety and quality management of the feed supply chain. A universal e-nose for mycotoxin detection is not realistic; a unique e-nose must be designed for each specific application. Robust and suitable e-nose method and advancements in signal processing algorithms must be validated for specific needs.

When cointegration is interrupted: Price transmission analysis in the Italian dairy‐feed industry

AbstractWe analyze price transmission dynamics in the under‐investigated feed supply chain, applying a special case of the Threshold Vector Error Correction model where the cointegrating relationship is interrupted. Weekly Italian dairy feed and corn prices are used, finding evidence of asymmetric price transmission when the feed industry's margins are squeezed and highly volatile. The proposed Interrupted Threshold Cointegration model represents a valid complement to existing threshold and regime‐switching techniques, allowing for the application of an agile nonstructural error correction model when standard cointegration tests fail to detect any long‐run relationship between price series. [EconLit Citations: Q11, Q13, C24].

Environmental impacts of the Australian poultry industry. 2. Egg production

Context Eggs, a dietary staple, are a low environmental-impact animal protein, although no quantified analysis has been published for the Australian egg industry. Aims This study determined baseline greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, fossil energy use, freshwater consumption, water stress, and land-occupation impacts for the Australian egg for 2020 and identified hotspots. Methods To understand the environmental credentials of the industry, an attributional life-cycle assessment was conducted using primary data collected from all major Australian production regions. Impacts were reported per kilogram of table eggs and per kilogram of shell- and protein-corrected eggs for cage (C), cage-free (CF) and free-range (FR) production. Monte Carlo analysis was used to assess uncertainty, and results are presented using the means and standard deviations. Key results Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences among all systems were found for GHG and land occupation, and between cage and non-cage systems for fossil energy use. Impacts were 1.2 ± 0.04 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), 10.7 ± 0.2 MJ, 177.2 ± 19.0 L, 84.5 ± 9.6 L H2O-e and 16.0 ± 1.6 m3, and 7.6 ± 0.1 m2/kg C eggs, 1.4 ± 0.03 kg CO2-e, 12.0 ± 0.3 MJ, 190.6 ± 23.1 L, 88.9 ± 10.3 L H2O-e and 17.5 ± 1.9 m3, and 8.1 ± 0.1 m2/kg CF eggs and 1.5 ± 0.04 kg CO2-e, 12.2 ± 0.3 MJ, 204.6 ± 23.9 L, 100.8 ± 10.7 L H2O-e and 19.1 ± 1.8 m3 and 8.7 ± 0.1 m2/kg FR eggs. Land use and direct land use-change emissions associated with imported soymeal were significant, contributing a further 0.6 ± 0.1, 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.1 kg CO2-e/kg C, CF and FR eggs respectively. More efficient feed conversion ratios (FCRs) drove lower impacts in C production. Feed production was the major hotspot, followed by the layer farm and pullet rearing operations. Conclusions Reducing impacts will be most effective through changing diets to reduce reliance on high environmental-impact feed commodities, FCR improvements and energy efficiency measures to reduce housing energy demand. Improved land management is likely to have resulted in isolated small levels of carbon sequestration in Australian cropland over the analysis period, offsetting some GHG emissions. Further reduction in environmental impacts will rely on decarbonisation of feed supply chains and prioritisation of low environmental-impact feed commodities. Implications Being the first industry-wide environmental assessment of Australian egg production, this study has highlighted the need for ongoing assessment to isolate inter-annual variability, determine long-term trends, and investigate pathways to reduce impacts into the future.

How can we possibly resolve the planet's nitrogen dilemma?

Nitrogen is the most crucial element in the production of nutritious feeds and foods. The production of reactive nitrogen by means of fossil fuel has thus far been able to guarantee the protein supply for the world population. Yet, the production and massive use of fertilizer nitrogen constitute a major threat in terms of environmental health and sustainability. It is crucial to promote consumer acceptance and awareness towards proteins produced by highly effective microorganisms, and their potential to replace proteins obtained with poor nitrogen efficiencies from plants and animals. The fact that reactive fertilizer nitrogen, produced by the Haber Bosch process, consumes a significant amount of fossil fuel worldwide is of concern. Moreover, recently, the prices of fossil fuels have increased the cost of reactive nitrogen by a factor of 3 to 5 times, while international policies are fostering the transition towards a more sustainable agro-ecology by reducing mineral fertilizers inputs and increasing organic farming. The combination of these pressures and challenges opens opportunities to use the reactive nitrogen nutrient more carefully. Time has come to effectively recover used nitrogen from secondary resources and to upgrade it to a legal status of fertilizer. Organic nitrogen is a slow-release fertilizer, it has a factor of 2.5 or higher economic value per unit nitrogen as fertilizer and thus adequate technologies to produce it, for instance by implementing photobiological processes, are promising. Finally, it appears wise to start the integration in our overall feed and food supply chains of the exceptional potential of biological nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen produced by the nitrogenase enzyme, either in the soil or in novel biotechnology reactor systems, deserves to have a 'renaissance' in the context of planetary governance in general and the increasing number of people who desire to be fed in a sustainable way in particular.

The Role of Forensic Veterinary Toxicology in Pet Custody Cases.

Forensic veterinary toxicology has become a popular branch of toxicology, dealing with animal cruelty (e.g., malicious poisoning), regulatory issues (e.g., contamination of the feed supply chain), insurance litigation or wildlife poisoning. The current study highlights the importance of the toxicological aspects of animal health-related disagreements in a pet custody case following a divorce. In this study, the custody case of three dogs and a cat was concluded with the aid of toxicological test results that were obtained from the pets' blood samples for the first time in Turkey. The results confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine in one of the blood samples, as alleged by one of the owners. The study also aims to raise the veterinarians', as well as the judicial system members', awareness of drug abuse in pets.

Application of fault tree analysis: Failure mode and effect analysis to evaluate critical factors influencing non‐GM segregation in the US grain and feed supply chain

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveAdventitious presence (AP) or unintentional commingling of genetically modified (GM) grain in non‐GM grain lots is a concern for stakeholders who wish to produce non‐GM grain and grain‐based products. AP that exceeds tolerance levels results in the loss of product marketability as “non‐GM” and subsequent loss of a premium market price. The objective of this study was to evaluate the US commodity corn supply chain using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to assess factors contributing to AP in supply chains that handle both GM and non‐GM products.FindingsSystematic analysis of the farm‐to‐feed supply chain identified key processes and actors involved. FTA identified 27 factors potentially contributing to AP along with their root causes. Ranking of factors using FMEA prioritized 14 factors as “critical” with a comparatively higher likelihood of occurrence and impact on AP levels.ConclusionsAP contributing factors were found across the supply chain, indicating that successful segregation relies on all supply chain participants. Identification and prioritization of critical factors make it possible to target resources to a small number of significant factors to attain low AP levels rather than distributing resources across the entire set of factors.Significance and NoveltyThis study is an initial attempt to provide insights into the assessment and management of AP in the grain and feed supply chain with a novel application of FTA and FMEA techniques.

A Review of Probiotic Applications in Poultry: Improving Immunity and Having Beneficial Effects on Production and Health

Abstract A new class of feed additives and nutritional supplements, known as probiotics, include bacterial, fungal, and yeast cultures from various sources. Overall, probiotics are believed to promote the health and well-being of animals, birds, and humans in a variety of settings. Incorporating probiotics into the diets of cattle and poultry has been demonstrated to improve growth, feed conversion efficiency, immunological responses, and the animal's ability to manage enteric infections. The use of probiotic-enriched chicken feed has been shown to enhance egg production by as much as 30% among laying chickens. Probiotics may be used to fight off harmful microorganisms, create antibacterial compounds (such as bacteriocins or colicins), and alter the immunological response of the host, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pathogenic microbial strains such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Aspergillus, and Saccharomyces are employed in the making of chicken products. The use of subtherapeutic doses of antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, to combat or remove harmful bacteria and promote animal growth and feed efficiency has resulted in the accumulation of antibiotic residues in animal feed as well as the emergence of drug-resistant microbes in the feed supply chain. As a result of public health concerns, there has been a renewed emphasis on the use of probiotics in chicken production rather than antibiotics in recent years. This research examines the effects of probiotics and direct-fed microorganisms (DFM) on chicken health and performance, with a particular emphasis on the favourable effects they have on poultry health and performance.

A Review of Probiotic Applications in Poultry: Improving Immunity and Having Beneficial Effects on Production and Health

Abstract A new class of feed additives and nutritional supplements, known as probiotics, include bacterial, fungal, and yeast cultures from various sources. Overall, probiotics are believed to promote the health and well-being of animals, birds, and humans in a variety of settings. Incorporating probiotics into the diets of cattle and poultry has been demonstrated to improve growth, feed conversion efficiency, immunological responses, and the animal's ability to manage enteric infections. The use of probiotic-enriched chicken feed has been shown to enhance egg production by as much as 30% among laying chickens. Probiotics may be used to fight off harmful microorganisms, create antibacterial compounds (such as bacteriocins or colicins), and alter the immunological response of the host, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pathogenic microbial strains such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Aspergillus, and Saccharomyces are employed in the making of chicken products. The use of subtherapeutic doses of antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, to combat or remove harmful bacteria and promote animal growth and feed efficiency has resulted in the accumulation of antibiotic residues in animal feed as well as the emergence of drug-resistant microbes in the feed supply chain. As a result of public health concerns, there has been a renewed emphasis on the use of probiotics in chicken production rather than antibiotics in recent years. This research examines the effects of probiotics and direct-fed microorganisms (DFM) on chicken health and performance, with a particular emphasis on the favourable effects they have on poultry health and performance.

Assessing global fungal threats to humans.

Fungi are an integral part of the earth's biosphere. They are broadly distributed in all continents and ecosystems and play a diversity of roles. Here, I review our current understanding of fungal threats to humans and describe the major factors that contribute to various threats. Among the 140,000 or so known species out of the estimated six million fungal species on Earth, about 10% directly or indirectly threaten human health and welfare. Major threats include mushroom poisoning, fungal allergies, infections of crop plants, food contamination by mycotoxins, and mycoses in humans. A growing number of factors have been identified to impact various fungal threats, including human demographics, crop distributions, anthropogenic activities, pathogen dispersals, global climate change, and/or the applications of antifungal drugs and agricultural fungicides. However, while models have been developed for analyzing various processes of individual threats and threat managements, current data are primarily descriptive and incomplete, and there are significant obstacles to integration of the diverse factors into accurate quantitative assessments of fungal threats. With increasing technological advances and concerted efforts to track the spatial and temporal data on climate and environmental variables; mycotoxins in the feed and food supply chains; fungal population dynamics in crop fields, human and animal populations, and the environment; human population demographics; and the prevalence and severities of fungal allergies and diseases, our ability to accurately assess fungal threats will improve. Such improvements should help us develop holistic strategies to manage fungal threats in the future.