Instant Insights: Pre- and Probiotics in Poultry Production

This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on pre- and probiotics in poultry production.

The first chapter summarises the safety and efficacy of individual monocultures for prophylactic and/or therapeutic efficacy against Salmonella infections in poultry under both laboratory and field conditions. The chapter also considers the development of novel, cost-effective, feed-stable, direct-fed microbials with potential for widespread utilisation and improved production, delivery and clinical efficacy for animal use.

The second chapter discusses the establishment of prebiotics as a series of feed compounds that serve as specific substrates for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bacteria. The chapter reviews the impact of prebiotics on bird health, GIT function, and prevention of foodborne pathogen GIT colonization. Particular attention is drawn on the impact of prebiotics on the avian intestinal microbiome, cecal microbiome and the avian upper GIT.

The final chapter considers current concerns surrounding the application of probiotics in poultry production, primarily due to mixed experiences of their effectiveness and lack of knowledge regarding the scientific basis for their modes of action. In contrast, prebiotics have been readily accepted by the sector. This chapter summarises recent research on the effects of both types of treatment, their possible modes of action, as well as the strengths and limitations of their use.

Dr Steven C. Ricke is Professor and Director of the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Program (MSABD) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. He was formerly the Donald ‘Buddy’ Wray Chair in Food Safety and Director of the Center for Food Safety in the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. The recipient of numerous awards for his research on poultry meat safety, Professor Ricke is editor of two previous books for Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing: Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat Volume 1: Safety, quality and sustainability (2017) and Improving gut health in poultry (2019).