Search Results (53)

Probiotics have emerged as gut modulators, capable of restructuring microbial communities to enhance animal health and performance. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. It encompasses both ruminant and monogastric species to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation under diverse production environments. Evidence indicates that diet, age, host genetics, and management practices strongly influence gut microbiome composition and function, explaining the context-dependent nature of probiotic efficacy. These interventions improve growth performance, feed efficiency, gut morphology, pathogen resistance, and systemic immune parameters, supporting their potential as sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. However, responses vary and are context-dependent, based on differences in strain specificity, dosage, host physiology, and environmental stress. By explaining how probiotic-mediated modulation translates into improved productivity, reduced antimicrobial dependence, and greater resilience in real-world farming systems, this review highlights their practical value for modern livestock production. Future research should focus on field-based validation, multi-omics approaches to resolve host–microbiota–probiotic interactions, and long-term assessments of animal health, productivity, and environmental impacts. Strategic deployment of probiotics, combined with scalable delivery technologies and regulatory alignment, can enhance resilience, sustainability, and efficiency in livestock production systems. Full article

The cardinal Physiology of Gut Health in monogastric animals such as swine and poultry is vital. It is critical for digestive efficiency, immune status, and production levels. This system is related not only to the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed ingredients contributing to growth and feed utilization efficiency but also to having a strategic microbiota that supports immunity and pathogen resistance, as well as metabolic support. Gut disease, for example, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, diet, or stress, can reduce nutrient digestion and absorption. They can also suppress the immune system and render patients more prone to disease. These are efficiency degradations and increase veterinary and husbandry costs. In addition, nutrient absorption because of deteriorated gut health can affect the environment in different ways: removal of nutrients through leaching and the release of gases (including CH₄ and NH₄). These pressures have led to a focus on the gut in animal research to improve the welfare of animals and ensure sustainable practices in animal production. Recent studies have included the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and other feed additives to enhance the positive effects of the gut microbiota. These are also intervention points to increase nutrient absorption and animal well-being, in turn sustainability. Such approaches are expected to promote a stable microbial community with less dependence on the use of antibiotics, less waste generation, and less environmental impact from animal farming. This review provides a critical evaluation of the current literature on gut health in monogastric livestock, with pigs and poultry as the principal focus. We also considered the impact of gut health on production efficiency and Environmental sustainability. Current progress in nutritional modulation of gut health for increased productivity, enhanced animal welfare, and better profitability are presented. Gut-related biological mechanisms are linked to practical nutritional strategies, and subsequently to animal welfare, production efficiency, and environmental effects, offering a coherent concept for moving from mechanism to system-level sustainability. Full article

As demand for sustainable protein sources grows, edible insects like Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) are gaining attention as functional feed ingredients. This study investigated how dietary inclusion of T. molitor meal affects gut microbiota composition and diversity in laboratory rats. Wistar rats were divided into three diet groups: standard feed, 35% chicken meal, and 35% T. molitor meal. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 4, 6, and 8. Microbial populations were assessed using culture-based methods, and community structure was analyzed at week 9 via Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analyses evaluated microbial diversity and predicted functions. Rats fed T. molitor meal showed significantly reduced counts of total aerobic/anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and coagulase-positive staphylococci. Metagenomics revealed a Firmicutes-dominated microbiota, with enrichment of protein- and cholesterol-metabolizing taxa (e.g., Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, Oscillospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae), and a decline in fiber- and mucin-degrading bacteria like Akkermansia and Muribaculaceae. Functional predictions indicated upregulated amino acid metabolism and chitin degradation. Despite compositional shifts, microbial diversity remained stable, with no signs of dysbiosis. These findings suggest that T. molitor meal supports a safe, functional adaptation of gut microbiota to high-protein, chitin-rich diets, supporting its potential use in monogastric animal nutrition. Full article

The use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) has been a common practice in animal production; however, concerns over microbial resistance have led organizations, such as the FAO, EU, and EFSA, to restrict or ban their use. This has prompted a growing interest in natural alternatives, particularly medicinal herbs, for enhancing animal performance and health. Among these, Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese Skullcap) and Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) have gained attention for their high medicinal value in monogastric animal diets. These plants contain bioactive compounds, such as flavones (baicalin, baicalein, oroxylin A), iridoids (loganin), and saponins (including loniceroside hederagenin), which exhibit a range of biological activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-stress effects. Notably, these herbal extracts are natural, safe, and unlikely to induce microbial resistance. Recent studies suggest that supplementation with S. baicalensis and L. japonica can improve livestock production performance by mitigating oxidative stress. This review aims to highlight the potential application of these plant-based additives in reducing oxidative damage and enhancing productivity in animal agriculture. Full article

Given the restrictions on animal growth promoters, alternative plant-based additives—particularly those rich in phenolic compounds, such as agro-industrial by-products—have been explored. These additives help to mitigate heat stress, which negatively affects productivity by impacting intestinal health and antioxidant status. This study evaluated the effects of individual and combined supplementation of ferulic acid (FA) and grape pomace (GP) on antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as intestinal histomorphometry, in finishing pigs under heat stress. Forty Yorkshire × Duroc pigs were randomly assigned to four treatments: control, 25 mg/kg FA, 2.5% GP, and MIX (FA + GP). FA supplementation increased intestinal villus height, while GP increased villus width in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, and GPx) increased in pigs supplemented with GP (p < 0.05). These results suggest that GP and FA have potential as functional additives in monogastric diets, improving intestinal health and muscle antioxidant status and contributing to growth modulation. Full article

This review explores the potential of Chlorella vulgaris (CLV) as an alternative supplement in animal feed. CLV is rich in essential nutrients including fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. The nutritional composition of CLV can vary depending on factors such as cultivation methods, nutrient availability, light intensity, temperature, water pH, strain, and processing techniques. The rigid cell wall of the microalga limits nutrient accessibility, particularly in monogastric animals. However, processing techniques such as enzymatic treatments can disrupt the cell wall, enhancing nutrient bioavailability and improving its utility as a feed ingredient. Research across livestock species has demonstrated the positive effects of CLV supplementation. For instance, CLV has improved milk production and composition in ruminants, modulated rumen microbiota, enhanced lamb growth, and elevated blood immunoglobulin levels. Moreover, the impact of CLV on ruminal fermentation is dose-dependent, with higher inclusion rates exhibiting more pronounced effects, and it may also play a role in mitigating methane emissions. In poultry, CLV supplementation leads to better growth, feed conversion ratios, immune responses, and meat and egg quality. Similarly, studies on pigs suggest that CLV can benefit immune response and fatty acid profiles, while in rabbits, CLV has been found to reduce oxidative stress and improve immune responses. Additionally, CLV has shown promise in aquaculture, improving feed utilization, immunity, and disease resistance in various fish species. While CLV shows considerable potential, the variability in animal responses and the need for optimized inclusion levels necessitate further species-specific research to elucidate the long-term implications of its inclusion in animal diets. Full article

Integrating algae (microalgae and seaweeds) into monogastric animal diets presents significant opportunities to improve meat quality, safety, and sustainability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the nutritional and bioactive compounds found in key microalgae (e.g., Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina, and Nannochloropsis) and seaweeds (e.g., Ascophyllum nodosum, Ulva), emphasizing their potential benefits for animal health and meat production. Algae-enriched diets substantially increase meat omega-3 fatty acid content and antioxidant capacity, thereby enhancing nutritional value, sensory appeal, and shelf life by mitigating lipid and protein oxidation during storage. Additionally, bioactive compounds in algae demonstrate potent antimicrobial activities capable of reducing pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter, significantly contributing to improved meat safety. Environmentally, algae cultivation reduces dependency on arable land and freshwater, promotes nutrient recycling through wastewater use, and substantially decreases greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional livestock feeds. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including high production costs, scalability concerns, variability in nutrient composition, potential contamination with heavy metals and other toxins, and regulatory constraints. Overcoming these limitations through advancements in cultivation technologies, optimized inclusion strategies, and comprehensive market and regulatory analyses is essential to fully realize the potential of algae in sustainable monogastric livestock feeding systems. Full article

Intestinal fungi, collectively referred to as mycobiota, constitute a small (0.01–2%) but crucial component of the overall intestinal microbiota. While fungi are far less abundant than bacteria in the gut, the volume of an average fungal cell is roughly 100-fold greater than that of an average bacterial cell. They play a vital role in nutrient metabolism and maintaining intestinal health. The composition and spatial organization of mycobiota vary across different animal species and are influenced by a multitude of factors, including age, diet, and the host’s physiological state. At present, quantitative research on the composition of mycobiota in monogastric animals remains scarce, and investigations into the mechanisms underlying their metabolic functions are also relatively restricted. This review delves into the distribution characteristics of mycobiota, including Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kazachstania slooffiae, in monogastric animals, the factors influencing their composition, and the consequent impacts on host metabolism and health. The objective is to offer insights for a deeper understanding of the nutritional significance of intestinal fungi in monogastric animals and to explore the mechanisms by which they affect host health in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea, and obesity. Through a systematic evaluation of their functional contributions, this review shifts our perception of intestinal fungi from overlooked commensals to key components in gut ecosystem dynamics, emphasizing their potential in personalized metabolic control regulation and the enhancement of disease prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

Diets containing higher-amylose-content starches were proved to have some beneficial effects on monogastric animals, such as promoting the proliferation of intestinal probiotics. However, current research on the effects of diets with different starch sources on animals at the extraintestinal level is still very limited. We hypothesized that diets with different starch sources may affect lipid-related gene expression and metabolism in the liver of pigs. This study aimed to use adult pig models to evaluate the effects of diets with different starch sources (tapioca starch, TS; pea starch, PS) on the liver gene expressions and metabolism. In total, 48 growing pigs were randomly assigned to the TS and PS diets with 8 replicate pens/group and 3 pigs per pen. On day 44 of the experiment, liver samples were collected for metabolome and transcriptome analysis. Metabolome data suggested that different starch sources affected (p < 0.05) the metabolic patterns of liver. Compared with the TS diet, the PS diet increased (p < 0.05) some unsaturated fatty acids and several amino acids or peptide levels in the liver of pigs. Moreover, transcriptome data indicated the PS diets elevated (p < 0.05) fatty acid β-oxidation-related gene expression in the liver of pigs, and reduced (p < 0.05) unsaturated fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression. The results of quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the PS diet upregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase very long chain (ACADVL), carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) 1A, and malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MLYCD), and downregulated (p < 0.05) the expression level of cytochrome P450 2U1 (CYP2U1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) in the liver. In addition, the results of a Mantel test indicated the muscle fatty acids were significantly closely correlated (p < 0.05) with liver gene expressions and metabolites. In summary, these findings suggest that diets containing higher amylose starches improved the lipid degradation and the unsaturated fatty acid levels in pig livers, and thus can generate some potential beneficial effects (such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) on pig health. Full article

Oleanolic acid (OLA) has beneficial health effects in animals, but in vivo efficacy in monogastric animals is questioned due to its low bioavailability. To gain further insight on the nutritional effects of OLA it was administered as part of a diet. We investigated digestibility and plasma OLA in pigs and the associated influence on growth, organs, digestibility of nutrients and plasma biochemical profile. Twenty-four crossbred barrows (23.7 ± 1.0 kg BW) were assigned one of three treatments: Control (basal diet without OLA), OLA-1 (basal diet with 260 mg/free OLA) and OLA-2 (basal diet with 260 mg/kg cyclodextrin-OLA). Diets included chromium oxide to estimate digestibility. Blood samples were collected on day 14 for OLA analysis and feces on days 22–24 for determining digestibility. Pigs were slaughtered on day 31 (39.9 ± 2.43 kg BW) and their blood collected for analysis. Growth and organ weights were not affected (p > 0.05). OLA-1 decreased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy (p < 0.05). OLA-2 increased ATTD of dry and organic matter compared with Control pigs (p < 0.05). OLA-1 increased plasma calcium and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05). Ileal digestibility of OLA was not affected (0.88), although OLA ATTD increased in OLA-1 compared to Control pigs (0.75 vs. 0.82; p < 0.05). OLA-1 and OLA-2 increased plasma OLA compared to Control pigs (p < 0.05 and p = 0.083). In conclusion, although the OLA was digested and absorbed, plasma concentration was low (4.29 µg/L), and pig growth, organs and plasma parameters were not affected. Full article

Ruminants exhibit stronger tolerance to gossypol, an anti-nutritional factor, compared to monogastric animals. We transplanted Hu sheep rumen microbiota into male mice to investigate the role of rumen microbiota in animal gossypol tolerance. Thirty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal diet (CK group), gossypol diet (FG group), and rumen microbiota transplantation (FMT group, gossypol diet). The pathological changes in the liver and small intestine of the mice, the organ coefficient, and sperm parameters were analyzed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood and lactate dihydrogen-X (LDH-X) levels in the testicular tissue were also measured. The results showed that body weight, feed intake, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and LDH-X levels in the FMT group increased (p < 0.05) compared with the FG group, while the enzyme activities of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT decreased (p < 0.05). In the FMT group, the injury to liver cells was alleviated, the structure of the small intestine was intact, and the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) were higher than those in the FG group (p < 0.05). And there were no differences in various organ coefficients and sperm deformity rates among the three groups (p > 0.05), but compared with the FG group, mice in the FMT group showed tendencies closer to those in the CK group. Rumen microbiota transplantation relieved the reproductive toxicity and liver damage induced by gossypol in male mice and improved the tolerance of recipient animals to gossypol. Additionally, rumen microbes improved the intestinal structural integrity of recipients. Full article

In recent years, there has been significant attention toward the incorporation of alternative functional feed ingredients in monogastric diets. The objective is to improve sustainability and optimize animal performance both under normal conditions and in heat stress situations. Among these alternatives, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its nutritional composition and potential health benefits. This review aims to investigate the potential utilization of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets and the impact on productive performance parameters. Moreover, the potential prebiotic effects of Jerusalem artichoke on the composition and activity of monogastric gut microbiota are revealed, showing its implications for gut health and reduction in pathogenic bacteria. The incorporation of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets poses several challenges, such as limitation of the dietary inclusion rate. However, there are also future perspectives to consider, such as optimizing processing techniques, evaluating the effects of different cultivars, and exploring potential synergies with other dietary feed ingredients. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the key findings and unique perspectives on the utilization of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets, highlighting its potential as a valuable feed ingredient. Full article

Feed enzymes have been extensively used in livestock diets to enhance nutrient digestion and promote their growth performance. Indeed, recent research has indicated that feed enzymes, notably phytase, protease, and xylanase, function as catalysts, facilitating the breakdown of phytic acid, proteins, and β-1,4-xylan bonds and offering prospective advantages linked to the intestinal well-being and microbiota of young pigs and chickens. Various feed enzymes are currently being added to the diets of swine and broiler chickens. The potential enzymes used in the feed industry include cellulase, β-mannanase, β-glucanases, xylanases, phytases, proteases, lipases, and galactosidases. Though significant research has been conducted on phytase, protease, and xylanase, consistent findings, particularly in terms of improving nutrient digestibility and promoting growth performance of monogastric animals, are still limited. Also, the outcome of recent studies raises the question whether phytase and xylanase could play functional roles beyond increasing nutrient digestibility and intestinal health, such as positively modulating the intestinal microbiota and reducing environmental problems. Therefore, in this review we aimed to address the functional roles of exogenous enzyme activities in monogastric animal diets. Also, we sought to explore the advantages of these enzymes in enhancing the nutritional value of both alternative and conventional feedstuffs. Full article

Microalgae are a renewable and sustainable source of bioactive compounds, such as essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds, that have been documented to have beneficial effects on nutrition and health. Among these natural products, the demand for natural antioxidants, as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, has increased. The antioxidant activity of microalgae significantly varies between species and depends on growth conditions. In the last decade, microalgae have been explored in livestock animals as feed additives with the aim of improving both animals’ health and performance as well as product quality and the environmental impact of livestock. These findings are highly dependent on the composition of microalgae strain and their amount in the diet. The use of carbohydrate-active enzymes can increase nutrient bioavailability as a consequence of recalcitrant microalgae cell wall degradation, making it a promising strategy for monogastric nutrition for improving livestock productivity. The use of microalgae as an alternative to conventional feedstuffs is becoming increasingly important due to food–feed competition, land degradation, water deprivation, and climate change. However, the cost-effective production and use of microalgae is a major challenge in the near future, and their cultivation technology should be improved by reducing production costs, thus increasing profitability. Full article

The microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract are responsible for multiple chains of reactions that affect their environment and modify the internal metabolism, their study receives the name of microbiome, which has become more relevant in recent years. In the near future, the challenges related to feeding are anticipated to escalate, encompassing the nutritional needs to sustain an overpopulated world. Therefore, it is expected that a better understanding of the interactions between microorganisms within the digestive tract will allow their modulation in order to provide an improvement in the immune system, feed efficiency or the promotion of nutritional characteristics in production animals, among others. In the present study, the main effects of experimental diets in production animals were described, emphasizing the diversity of the bacterial populations found in response to the diets, ordering them between polygastric and monogastric animals, and then describing the experimental diets used and their effect on the microorganisms. It is hoped that this study will help as a first general approach to the study of the role of the microbiome in production animals under different diets. Full article