Nowadays, many dietary supplements are available to be fed to young farm animals such as broilers, turkeys, piglets and calves in order to improve their intestinal health and growth performance. Despite the fact that non-pharmacological feed additives in general do not reach the efficacy of antibiotics as growth promoters, the proper choice and use of a dietary supplement may improve livestock productivity.
NDVSU, Jabalpur M.P, India
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
NDVSU, Jabalpur M.P, India
INTRODUCTION
The gastrointestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem made up of a multitude of bacterial species, some of which are potentially pathogenic, while others are considered good for the host. The beneficial microorganisms that live in the hindgut influence gastrointestinal functionality and the host’s health in general. Nowadays, many dietary supplements are available to be fed to young farm animals such as broilers, turkeys, piglets and calves in order to improve their intestinal health and growth performance. Despite the fact that non-pharmacological feed additives in general do not reach the efficacy of antibiotics as growth promoters, the proper choice and use of a dietary supplement may improve livestock productivity.
PROBIOTIC
The term “probiotic” comes from two Greek words (“pro” and “bios”) and it means “for life”. Probiotics are “live strains of strictly selected microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Efficacy of probiotic preparations depends on numerous factors. For that reason proper selection of bacterial strains and application of a correct dose are highly important. Due to their beneficial effect on health and stimulation of growth, probiotics are broadly used in animal feeds, particularly for pigs and poultry. Probiotic cultures used as feed additives must meet some specific criteria. Certain probiotic microorganisms can enhance the function of intestinal barrier through modulation of the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal and tight junction proteins and thereby influencing the intestinal mucosal cell–cell interactions and also cellular “stability”
Probiotic products may contain one or more selected microbial strains. Microorganisms used as feed supplements in the EU are mostly bacteria. Most Bacillus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Streptococcus. Also some fungi and yeast strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces species are probiotics.
PREBIOTIC
The prebiotic concept was first initiated in 1995. Many different nutrients, such as pectins, cellulose and xylanes favour development of various intestinal microorganisms. Prebiotics should not be extensively metabolised, but should induce targeted metabolic processes, thus bringing health benefits to the host’s ecosystem. The best documented benefits are associated with the use of indigestible oligosaccharides, such as fructans and galactans.
Among prebiotic substances there are: non-absorbable carbohydrates (oligosaccharides and polysaccharides), peptides, proteins, and lipids. Legumes, fruit and cereals are natural sources of prebiotics. However, many similar substances are synthesized using industrial chemical and enzymatic methods. Some commonly used prebiotics are: FOS, oligofructose, trans-galacto-oligosaccharides (TOS), gluco-oligosaccharides, glico-oligosccharides, lactulose, lactitol, malto-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, stachyose and raffinose. Various feed additives are used in studies on the effect of prebiotics on the gastrointestinal microbiota and general health condition of pigs. A combination of Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus genus bacteria with FOS in symbiotic products seems to be the most popular.
SYMBIOTICS FOR ANIMALS
The animal gastrointestinal tract, besides being the environment for a huge number of microorganisms, plays also a significant immunological role and constitutes the most important barrier protecting the host from toxins, pathogens, and consequences of their action, namely inflammation. Currently available data regarding effects of symbiotic on animal health are insufficient and require further studies. However, they clearly indicate the effective synergistic action of probiotics and prebiotics in reduction of populations of bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens.
The rumen is the most vital microbial ecosystem with the majority of fiber-degrading groups belonging to Fibrobacter, Ruminococcus, Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides together with major groups such as Prevotella, Selenomonas, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Megasphaera.
GLOBAL PROBIOTICS MARKET
Interest and demand for probiotics are increased all over the world, driven by promising new products in the market and by consumers looking for safe therapeutic and preventive health benefits. The major factors driving the growth of the global probiotic market include growing health consciousness of the population and the availability of probiotics in the form of dietary supplements. In 1999, the Agri-food trade in Europe boasted a 48% increase in turnover with probiotic products. Indeed, the global use of probiotic ingredients, supplements and food is seen as a rapidly expanding market. Global sales of probiotic ingredients, supplements and foods amounted to USD 21.6 billion in 2010 and USD 24.23 billion in 2011. Based on a new market statement available by Transparency Market Research, “Probiotics Market (Dietary Supplements, Animal Feed, Foods & Beverages): Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Growth and Forecast”, the global market of probiotic is anticipated to achieve USD 31.1 billion by 2015 as well as a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% over the previous 5-year period. It will be predictable to reach USD 44.9 billion in 2018. Asia-Pacific and Europe lead the global probiotics market owning to its demand, whereas Asia-Pacific is also expected to be the most promising market in the near future. Asia-Pacific is the probiotics market leader, with an anticipated to reach CAGR of 7.0% from 2013 to 2018. In Asia-Pacific, China and Japan lead the market income for probiotics. Also India and other regions are showing significant growth.
CONCLUSION
The animal gastrointestinal tract, besides being the environment for a huge number of microorganisms, plays also a significant immunological role and constitutes the most important barrier protecting the host from toxins, pathogens, and consequences of their action, namely inflammation. Currently available data regarding effects of symbiotic on animal health are insufficient and require further studies. However, they clearly indicate the effective synergistic action of probiotics and prebiotics in reduction of populations of bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens. Feeds containing probiotic organisms are a great hope for that field of the food industry.
About Dr. Shivangi Singh
Dr. Shivangi Singh is currently working as veterinary Doctor at GVK Gujarat. She did her graduation in veterinary sciences and master’s degree in animal nutrition from College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Rewa, NDVSU, Jabalpur M.P, India. Dr. Singh also attends almost 5 national and international conferences, training and symposium.
About Mohit Bharadwaj
Mohit Bharadwaj currently perusing his doctoral research from college of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttrakhand, India. He did his graduation in Animal Husbandry and Dairying and master degree in Animal Nutrition, from SHUATS University Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. In view of publications, he has published ten popular articles, five-research paper. Bharadwaj also attended almost ten national and international conferences, training and symposium. He has experience of six month teaching and currently involved in various research work .
About Dr. B.C Mondal
Dr. B.C. Mondal is the Professor in the Department of the Animal nutrition, college of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. He possesses M.VSc and Phd in Animal Nutrition. Dr. Mondal is actively engaged in teaching, research and extension work. Dr. Mondal has about 22 year experience in the field of animal nutrition and has authored many scientific papers. He is life member of various scientific societies.
About Dr. Sankhanath Koley
Dr. Sankhanath Koley is the Associate Professor in the Dept. of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University), Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. He possesses Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition. Dr. Koley is actively engaged in teaching and research and has authored many scientific papers and books.
