ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2025 41 One of the most critical determinants of gut health is the diversity of the gut microbiome. A diverse microbiome with beneficial microbes acts as a protective barrier covering the gut, thus preventing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Promoting a diverse gut microbiome supports the gut health of the animal and improves gut integrity, resulting in a large surface area so the animal can absorb nutrients efficiently. MRF is a natural extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has been comprehensively researched in poultry. Dietary MRF as a natural substitute to in-feed antibiotics has been shown in several research and commercial studies to promote bird gut health, performance, welfare, and resilience by supporting the immune system, improving nutrient absorption, and protecting against harmful bacteria. MRF – MANY MODES OF ACTION These beneficial responses have been attributed to the effects of dietary MRF to optimize gut health and microbial diversity. Research has shown that MRF can influence microbiome diversity by changing the β-diversity and increasing α-diversity, indicating a healthier gut environment with less pathogenic bacteria and more short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. Additionally, research has shown that MRF can prevent pathogen colonization in the gut, enhance intestinal morphology, favorably modulate the gut microbiota and microbial metabolism, and stimulate immune development and function. By supporting and maintaining gut health, this ultimately helps improve overall bird health and performance. This has recently been documented in a meta-analysis by Salami et al. (2024), which used data from 27 studies. The paper’s objective was to examine the impact of MRF on broiler performance and the implications for greenhouse gas emissions from chicken production. Performance Meta-analysis results showed that broiler performance was significantly improved by MRF when compared to a control (Figure 1). Final body weight increased by Average daily gain improved by Average feed intake increased by Feed conversion ratio improved by Mortality decreased by 21.1% 2.2% 4.7% 6.3% 4.2% Figure 1
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