Role of Dietary Fiber in Poultry Nutrition

Abstract

Dietary fiber (DF) is an intrinsic component in plant feedstuffs that has been associated with physiological, structural, and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract. DF is composed of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), oligosaccharides, and lignin that scape digestion and enzymatic hydrolysis. In general terms, fiber can be classified as insoluble or soluble based on their solubility in water. Both fiber types have direct nutritional implications in broiler diets. Inclusion of insoluble DF in broiler diets modulates intestinal morphology, digestive organ development, nutrient absorption, growth performance, and intestinal microbiota. Soluble DF is thought to increase intestinal viscosity and is associated with negative changes in intestinal microflora and reduction in nutrient absorption. Nevertheless, there is a group of soluble fibers, integrated by oligosaccharides, that function as prebiotics positively modulating intestinal microbiota. Due to the changes in chemical structure and subsequent variation in functionality, it is a difficult task to assign clear attributes to DF as a whole. Therefore, the following review paper compiles data from research conducted using DF and tries to unify such information into practical decisions to be considered when using DF as a functional nutrient in poultry nutrition.

Cost-Effectiveness of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal as Substitute of Fishmeal in Diets for Layer Chicks and Growers

“…Diets rich in fiber (chitin) are beneficial for feed application due the influence imposed on the mucosa lining of the intestine, in respective of the amount used [59], but insoluble fractions such as fibre have also been reported to favor the resulting effects on the intestinal mucus barrier of chickens [60]. It is common knowledge that the addition of fiber in ration in low levels poses a good effect but levels exceeding 30 g/kg have been shown to negatively impact voluntary uptake of feed and nutrient digestibility [61][62][63], thus poor performance of birds. This explains why formulated poultry diets should not contain more than 3% crude fiber, especially for the younger birds (chicks) to allow for improved feed conversion [64].…”

Managing Gut Microbiota through In Ovo Nutrition Influences Early-Life Programming in Broiler Chickens

“…Establishing an intestinal microbiome may decrease pathogen attachment and colonization in the gut via competitive exclusion ( Figure 1 ), which is thought to be the consequence of several processes, such as binding sites on the gut wall, competition for nutrients, and bioactive metabolites (short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bacteriocins, lactate, and hydrogen peroxide) [ 39 ]. While the proximal gut digests and absorbs the majority of dietary carbohydrates, bacterial communities in the distal gut ferment and break down the indigestible and remaining digestible carbohydrates [ 61 , 62 ]. There are a wide variety of metabolites produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins by bacteria, including SCFAs [ 63 ].…”

Effects of Total Dietary Fiber on Cecal Microbial Community and Intestinal Morphology of Growing White Pekin Duck

“…Nowadays, use of antibiotics has been banned in some countries and gut barrier health is becoming a potential risk for poultry production. Fortunately, the beneficent role of fibers in modulating gut microbiome, stimulating immunity, and promoting gut integrity is noticed ( Singh and Kim, 2021 ; Tejeda and Kim, 2021 ) and inclusion of fibers in poultry diets is becoming a nutritional strategy to protect poultry gut from invasion of pathogen and toxins ( Kheravii et al, 2018 ), although the fiber contents from feedstuffs had lowering-digestibility and antinutrient properties. Likes other avian species, dietary fiber was also beneficial to duck growth and gut health and ducks could adapt to a wide dietary crude fiber range from 3.09 to 7.52% ( Han et al, 2017 ).…”