The Potential Use of Probiotics to Improve Animal Health, Efficiency, and Meat Quality: A Review

Sarmad G. Al-Shawi, David S. Dang, Asraa Y. Yousif, Zena K. Al-Younis, Teif A. Najm and Sulaiman K. Matarneh
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Sarmad G. Al-Shawi: Food Science Department, Agriculture College, Basrah University, Basrah 00964, Iraq
David S. Dang: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Asraa Y. Yousif: Animal Production Department, Agriculture College, Basrah University, Basrah 00964, Iraq
Zena K. Al-Younis: Food Science Department, Agriculture College, Basrah University, Basrah 00964, Iraq
Teif A. Najm: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Sulaiman K. Matarneh: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: To address the rapidly growing use of probiotics in animal agriculture, this review discusses the effect of probiotics on animal growth and development, immune response, and productivity. Several benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics in farm animals, such as improved growth and feed efficiency, reduced mortality, and enhanced product quality. While the mechanisms through which probiotics induce their beneficial effects are not well understood, their role in modifying the gastrointestinal microbiota is believed to be the main mechanism. The use of probiotics in fresh and fermented meat products has been also shown to reduce pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms and improve sensory characteristics. Although many benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics, their effectiveness in improving animal performance and product quality is highly variable. Factors that dictate such variability are dependent on the probiotic strain being utilized and its stability during storage and administration/inoculation, frequency and dosage, nutritional and health status as well as age of the host animal. Therefore, future research should focus on finding more effective probiotic strains for the desired use and identifying the optimum dose, administration time, delivery method, and mechanism of action for each strain/host.

Keywords: probiotic; gut microbiota; immune response; growth; efficiency; meat quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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