Biswas Sarbani, Kim In Ho
Department of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea.
Smart Animal Bio Institute Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea.
J Anim Sci Technol. 2025 May;67(3):497-519. doi: 10.5187/jast.2025.e26. Epub 2025 May 31.
The increasing demand for sustainable livestock production has intensified interest in phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) as viable alternatives to conventional growth promoters and antibiotics. Derived from plant-based sources such as herbs, spices, and essential oils, PFAs have demonstrated significant potential to enhance production performance, improve gut health, and mitigate environmental impact in non-ruminant systems. Bioactive compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, menthol, and anethole play a crucial role in modulating gut microbiota, strengthening immune responses, and reducing gastrointestinal disorders. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties further support animal health while reducing antibiotic dependence, addressing growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, they contribute to improved nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency, leading to enhanced growth performance. From an environmental perspective, their use is associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced waste contamination, aligning with sustainability goals in modern livestock systems. PFAs improve feed efficiency, leading to reduced feed waste and lower resource input, which in turn decreases the environmental burden of livestock production. Additionally, their antimicrobial properties may reduce the need for synthetic chemicals in animal health management, further minimizing the release of harmful substances into the environment. Despite these promising benefits, inconsistencies in research findings highlight the need for further studies to determine optimal inclusion levels and clarify their mechanisms of action. Future research should focus on developing standardized formulations, improving bioavailability, and assessing long-term effects on animal health and performance. Additionally, advancements in delivery technologies and synergistic combinations with other feed additives could enhance their efficacy. By synthesizing the latest developments, this review underscores the potential of PFAs as a strategic tool for optimizing non-ruminant productivity, ensuring animal welfare, and promoting environmentally sustainable livestock production.
对可持续畜牧生产的需求不断增加,这使得人们对植物源饲料添加剂(PFAs)作为传统生长促进剂和抗生素的可行替代品的兴趣日益浓厚。PFAs来源于草药、香料和精油等植物性来源,已显示出在非反刍动物系统中提高生产性能、改善肠道健康和减轻环境影响的巨大潜力。百里香酚、香芹酚、薄荷醇和茴香脑等生物活性化合物在调节肠道微生物群、增强免疫反应和减少胃肠道疾病方面发挥着关键作用。它们的抗菌和抗氧化特性进一步支持动物健康,同时减少抗生素依赖,解决人们对抗菌素耐药性日益增长的担忧。此外,它们有助于提高养分消化率和饲料效率,从而提高生长性能。从环境角度来看,它们的使用与较低的温室气体排放和减少的废物污染相关,符合现代畜牧系统的可持续发展目标。PFAs提高饲料效率,从而减少饲料浪费和降低资源投入,进而减轻畜牧生产的环境负担。此外,它们的抗菌特性可能减少动物健康管理中对合成化学品的需求,进一步减少有害物质向环境中的释放。尽管有这些令人期待的益处,但研究结果的不一致凸显了进一步研究以确定最佳添加水平并阐明其作用机制的必要性。未来的研究应侧重于开发标准化配方、提高生物利用度以及评估对动物健康和性能的长期影响。此外,输送技术的进步以及与其他饲料添加剂的协同组合可以提高它们的功效。通过综合最新进展,本综述强调了PFAs作为优化非反刍动物生产力、确保动物福利和促进环境可持续畜牧生产的战略工具的潜力。