Effects of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids on Production, Meat Quality, and Microbial Attributes—A Review

Autor: Rubina Tünde Szabó, Mária Kovács-Weber, Ágnes Zimborán, Levente Kovács, Márta Erdélyi
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Molecules, Vol 28, Iss 13, p 4956 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1420-3049
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28134956
Popis: The non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials in poultry production contributes to the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both birds and humans. Antibiotics are known to enhance feed efficiency and promote the growth and weight gain of poultry. New regulatory requirements and consumer preferences have led to a reduced use of antibiotics in poultry production and to the discovery of natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. This interest is not only focused on the direct removal or inhibition of causative microorganisms but also on the prevention of diseases caused by enteric pathogens using a range of feed additives. A group of promising feed additives is composed of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFAs and MCFAs) and their derivatives. MCFAs possess antibacterial, anticoccidial, and antiviral effects. In addition, it has been proven that these acids act in synergy if they are used together with organic acids, essential oils, or probiotics. These fatty acids also benefit intestinal health integrity and homeostasis in broilers. Other effects have been documented as well, such as an increase in intestinal angiogenesis and the gene expression of tight junctions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of SCFAs and MCFAs as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters and to summarize the current findings in the literature to show their possible benefits on production, meat quality, and gut health in poultry.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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