Prebiotics and Probiotics in Feed and Animal Health

Abstract

The ban of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) has been a challenge for animal nutrition, increasing the need to find alternative methods to control and prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. The elimination of antibacterials in animal nutrition has had adverse consequences on the production, health, and welfare of animals. Much research has been focused on the development of antibiotic alternatives to maintain or improve animal health and performance. Modulation of the gut microbiota with zoo-technical feed additives such as prebiotics and probiotics for host protection to support animal husbandry, including livestock, poultry, and fish farming, is the key to maximize productivity and maintain animal health and welfare. This chapter describes the classes of available prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics alternatives to increase productivity and aid performance in several food-producing animals. For farm animals, optimal combinations of various alternatives coupled with good management and husbandry practice, better housing conditions, and improvement of biosecurity measures are essential.