With the increase in regulations regarding the use of antibiotic growth promoters and the rise in consumer demand for poultry products from ‘Raised Without Antibiotics’ or ‘No Antibiotics Ever’ flocks, the quest for alternative products or approaches has intensified in recent years. A great deal of research has focused on the development of antibiotic alternatives to maintain or improve poultry health and performance. This review describes the potential for the various alternatives available to increase animal productivity and help poultry perform to their genetic potential under existing commercial conditions. The classes of alternatives described include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytogenics, antimicrobial peptides, hyperimmune egg antibodies, bacteriophages, clay, and metals. A brief description of the mechanism of action, efficacy, and advantages and disadvantages of their uses are also presented. Though the beneficial effects of many of the alternatives developed have been well demonstrated, the general consensus is that these products lack consistency and the results vary greatly from farm to farm. Furthermore, their mode of action needs to be better defined. Optimal combinations of various alternatives coupled with good management and husbandry practices will be the key to maximize performance and maintain animal productivity, while we move forward with the ultimate goal of reducing antibiotic use in the animal industry.

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Alternatives to antibiotics for maximizing growth performance and feed efficiency in poultry: a review.

Use of antibiotics in broiler production: Global impacts and alternatives.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of organic acids as substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters because of the fear of antibiotic resistance and the implications for human health. Organic acids and their salts have been used in poultry diets and drinking water for decades and seem to elicit a positive response in growth performance. An important objective of dietary acidification is the inhibition of intestinal bacteria competing with the host for available nutrients, and a reduction of possible toxic bacterial metabolites resulting in the improvement of nutrient digestibility, thereby ameliorating the performance of birds and enhancing the specific and non-specific immunity in poultry. Literature shows that short-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids and other organic acids have more or less pronounced antimicrobial activity, depending on both the concentration of the acid and the bacterial species that is exposed to the acid. The possible mechanisms contributing to t...

Recent advances in the role of organic acids in poultry nutrition

The use of antibiotics in the feeds of cultured aquatic animals to mitigate infectious diseases or to boost growth performance is commonly practised. In recent years, the prophylactic use of antibiotics has been criticized which eventually led to their ban in animal production by many countries. In view of the current restrictions on antibiotic use, there is a critical need to evaluate alternatives. One potential substitute for antibiotic growth promoters in aquafeeds is organic acids and/or their respective salts. The use of dietary organic acids in the culture of aquatic animals has been the focus of much research and commercial interest recently. This review provides a comprehensive compilation of the current knowledge on the use of organic acids in aquafeeds, with emphasis on its impacts on growth, nutrient utilization, mineral availability, gut microbiota and disease resistance. Many studies have reported that some organic acids can significantly enhance the growth performance and health status of fish. Contradictory results have also been reported, which seems to depend on the aquatic animal species, type and concentrations of organic acids and the culture conditions used. Recent research indicating the beneficial impact of dietary organic acids on shrimp growth and health is highlighted. Possible mechanisms of action of these functional feed additives are discussed. Strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of dietary organic acids are given. This review aims to contribute to the sustainability of global aquaculture production by providing a viable alternative to harmful antibiotics, thereby meeting the growing consumer demand for antibiotic-free seafood products.

The utilization and mode of action of organic acids in the feeds of cultured aquatic animals

Towards the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens with in-feed antibiotics phasing-out worldwide

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of organic acids on the performance, intestinal histomorphology, and blood biochemistry of broiler chicken. The birds in the control (T(1)) group were fed the basal diet whereas in other treatment groups basal diet was supplemented with 2% butyric acid (T(2)), 3% butyric acid (T(4)), 2% fumaric acid (T(4)), 3% fumaric acid (T(5)), 2% lactic acid (T(6)), and 3% lactic acid (T(7)). Broiler chicken fed diets supplemented with organic acids had significantly (P < .05) improved body weight gains and feed conversion ratio. No effect (P < .05) on cumulative feed consumption was observed. The addition of organic increased villus height in the small intestines but the differences were not significant (P < .05) in case of the ileum. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were increased (P < .05) but no effect (P < .05) on the concentration of serum glucose and cholesterol, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) was observed. The results indicated that the organic acid supplementation, irrespective of type and level of acid used, had a beneficial effect on the performance of broiler chicken.

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Effect of dietary supplementation of organic acids on performance, intestinal histomorphology, and serum biochemistry of broiler chicken.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of organic acids on the performance, gut health and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. Results indicated that the birds fed diets supplemented with organic acids showed significantly (p 0.05) among all the treatment groups. Addition of organic acids in broiler diets increased the villus height in all the segments of small intestines but the differences were non-significant (p>0.05) in case of ileum. No effect (p>0.05) on carcass characteristics was observed among all treatments except for length and weight of small intestines which were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the groups fed supplemental organic acids.

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Response of broiler chicken to dietary supplementation of organic acids

The effect of organic acids was evaluated in broiler chickens on their carcass characteristics. Birds were divided into seven groups. In the control group, birds were fed diets without any acids (T1) while same diet of experimental groups were supplemented with 2% butyric acid (T2), 3% butyric acid (T4), 2% fumaric acid (T4), 3% fumaric acid (T5), 2% lactic acid (T6) and 3% lactic acid (T7). The body weight gains were improved (p 0.05) effect on carcass characteristics of broiler chicken except length and weight of small intestine which were significantly (p<0.05) increased as compared to control.

Gulam Ahmad Bhat

Papers

Effect of dietary supplementation of organic acids on performance, intestinal histomorphology, and serum biochemistry of broiler chicken.

Response of broiler chicken to dietary supplementation of organic acids

Effect of organic acids on carcass characteristics of broiler chicken