Meta-analytic study of organic acids as an alternative performance-enhancing feed additive to antibiotics for broiler chickens

Abstract

The effect of organic acids as an alternative to antibiotics on the performance of broiler chickens was evaluated by meta-analysis, identifying and quantifying the main factors that influence results. A total of 51,960 broilers from 121 articles published between 1991 and 2016 were used. Interactions of additives [non-supplemented group (control), organic acids, and growth promoter antibiotics] with microbial challenge (with or without inoculation of pathogenic microorganisms) were studied on performance variables. Moreover, the effects of organic acids, used individually or in blends, were evaluated. Relative values of average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were obtained in relation to control: ΔADG and ΔADFI, respectively. Analysis of variance-covariance revealed lower ADG with organic acids when compared to antibiotics (P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction between the additives and the challenge on feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.01) and on viability (P < 0.05). Without challenge, organic acids improved broilers’ FCR (P < 0.01), presenting results similar to antibiotics (P > 0.05). Under challenge, the organic acids were again effective on FCR (−5.67% in relation to control, P < 0.05), but they did not match antibiotics (−13.40% in relation to control, P < 0.01). Viability was improved only under challenge conditions, and only by antibiotics (+4.39% in relation to control, P < 0.05). ADG (P < 0.05) and FCR (P < 0.01) were increased by blends of organic acids, but not by the organic acids used alone (P > 0.05). ADFI and production factor were not influenced by the treatments (P > 0.05). ΔADFI of organic-acid supplemented group showed a linear influence on ΔADG, which increases 0.64% at every 1% increase in ΔADFI. In conclusion, organic acids can be utilized as performance enhancing, but the results are lower than those found with antibiotics, particularly under microbial challenge. The blends of organic acids provide better results than the utilization of one organic acid alone.

Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids by Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydroxycarbonylation

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] In addition to all these uses,carboxylic acids serve as central building blocks for the preparation of derivatives like carboxylate salts,a nhydrides,e sters,n itriles, and amides. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In addition to all these uses,carboxylic acids serve as central building blocks for the preparation of derivatives like carboxylate salts,a nhydrides,e sters,n itriles, and amides.…”

“…Carboxylic acids are of major importance in organic chemistry and industry.B ecause of the specific physical characteristics of this functional group (acidity,p olarity, surface properties) numerous applications exist for materials, pharmaceuticals,a grochemicals,c oatings,t he food industry, cosmetic ingredients,d isinfecting products,a nd other manufactured chemicals. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In addition to all these uses,carboxylic acids serve as central building blocks for the preparation of derivatives like carboxylate salts,a nhydrides,e sters,n itriles, and amides. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] There is ac ontinuing interest in new applications of organic acids and their market is expected to grow by more than 5%from 2017 to 2022 to reach aprojected value of more than $11 billion by 2022.…”

Prediction equations for energy values of animal meals obtained using meta-analysis

“…Many studies can be found in the literature establishing prediction equations for the energy values of a number of ingredients (NRC, 1994;Nascimento et al, 2009;Rostagno et al, 2017). However, the obtained results are only applicable to a group of feedstuffs, since one experiment alone reflects only the experimental conditions in which it was developed (Polycarpo et al, 2017).…”

Fast and slow-growing breeds: characterisation of broiler caecal microbiota development throughout the growing period

“…Moreover, due to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, society is pressing for a reduction in antibiotic administration by nding effective alternatives to control infectious diseases at farm level [21][22][23][24]. Some of these alternatives are feed additives (prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytogenics and metals), alternative medical treatments (antibacterial vaccines, immunomodulatory agents, antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophages) and, nally, different broiler growth systems [25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Although the bene cial effects of many of these alternatives have been demonstrated in vitro, the general consensus is that the effect of these products depends on the farm, management and animal characteristics, such as the breed selected [19,23,32].…”