Review on natural growth promoters available for improving gut health of poultry: An alternative to antibiotic growth promoters

Abstract

'Gut health' is a term currently gaining much more attentions in veterinary literature especially in poultry. It covers multiple positive aspects of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as the effective digestion by absorption of food, absence of GI illness, normal and stable intestinal microbiota, effective immune status and a state of well-being. Any disturbance or imbalance in above said aspects may influence the gut health. Thus it is necessary to maintain the balance of all possible associated factors related to gut health. Although till date this is being achieved in poultry farming by Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs). However, the growing concern over the transmission and the proliferation of resistant bacteria in human via the food chain has led to a ban of Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) in livestock feed within the European Union since, 2006. As a result, new commercial additives derived from nature have been examined as part of alternative feed strategies for the future. Such products have several advantages over commonly used commercial antibiotics since they are residue free and recognized as safe items in the food industry. Certain natural alternatives recognized by scientific community as Natural Growth Promoters (NGPs) to preserve and maintain the balance of gut microbiota in poultry are summarized in present communication. The article is also enriched with possible mechanisms of action of NGPs with relevant examples by citing research results obtained by various authors in past and current years.