Prebiotics and alternative poultry production

Abstract

Alternative poultry production systems continue to expand as markets for organic and naturally produced poultry meat and egg products increase. However, these production systems represent challenges associated with variable environmental conditions and exposure to foodborne pathogens. Consequently, there is a need to introduce feed additives that can support bird health and performance. There are several candidate feed additives with potential applications in alternative poultry production systems. Prebiotic compounds selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial gastrointestinal microorganisms leading to improved health of the host and limiting the establishment of foodborne pathogens. The shift in the gastrointestinal microbiota and modulation of fermentation can inhibit the establishment of foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella . Both current and potential applications of prebiotics in alternative poultry production systems will be discussed in this review. Different sources and types of prebiotics that could be developed for alternative poultry production will also be explored.

Pioneer colonizers: Bacteria that alter the chicken intestinal morphology and development of the microbiota

“…Gone are antibiotics once used to promote animal growth and prevent disease; replaced by probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids or essential oils. Some of these same feed additives have been shown to be comparable to growth-promoting antibiotics in improving intestinal development, animal growth, and pathogen exclusion or control ( Gadde et al, 2017 ; Ricke, 2021 ; Abd El-Hack et al, 2022 ). These additives have been shown to alter the chicken gastrointestinal microbiome ( Dittoe et al, 2018 ; Khan et al, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2021 ).…”

Review on probiotics and prebiotics' in healthcare poultry's prevention of intestinal bacterial infection

“…Prebiotics strengthen immunity and lower bird mortality by stopping pathogen damage and transmission [14] . Prebiotics have a wide range of mechanisms and activities related to the GIT microbiota of poultry, and it appears that multiple bacteria are engaged in their usage [60] . However, there's proof of additional microbiota-neutral interactions as well.…”

“…Prebiotics' precise method of action to lower pathogenic infections cannot be pinpointed [26] . Prebiotics have been shown to confer pathogen resistance through a number of possible mechanisms, the most prominent of which is directly linked to the beneficial bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract [60] . That's mostly due to the fact that these bacteria release a number of hydrolases that monogastric animals are unable to produce.…”

Communicating the utility of the microbiome and bioinformatics to small flock poultry producers

“…Consequently, numerous feed additives have been suggested and to some extent implemented for pasture flock poultry production. These include both prebiotics and probiotics which have been the subject of several reviews ( Ricke, 2015b , 2021a ; Jeni et al, 2021a ). To determine the efficacy of potential pathogen reducing feed additives, the mode of action within the gastrointestinal tract ( GIT ) of the bird must be understood.…”