Currently, the “gut health” term is receiving a lot of attention since it is one of the critical elements determining the ideal animal performance. Due to the ban of Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) in the European Union, the studies evaluating several methods to improve gut health have increased. And there is social pressure to use alternative feed additives because the rise in awareness among customers results in a higher demand for antibiotic-free or “organic” poultry products. There are various available alternative feed additives (pro-, pre-and synbiotics, phytogenics, and organic acids) that are considered safe and welcomed by consumers. Most of the studies on their efficacy have concentrated mainly on their influence on growth performance, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity, or digestibility.
An integral and intact gut barrier is vital for gut health maintenance. Still, studies about the effects of feed additives on specific elements of the intestinal barrier are scarce. However, a recent study by Patra (2019) established that “Phytogenics (PFAs) are a promising group of feed additives that has the potential to directly improve gut barrier function in addition to exhibiting other positive effects on gut health”. It was also described that: Gut health is a complex issue, the improvement of which requires multitarget action. Plant extracts,
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AUTHORS
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