Organic acids have been used for decades as forage and grain preservatives and in livestock nutrition. They make an important contribution to feed hygiene, as they suppress the growth of mold and bacterial pathogens. Due to their antimicrobial activity are also effective in maintaining the nutritional value of the feed to ensure animal performance, as well as improving nutrient digestibility, which in turn leads to stable animal health and increased performance. The most commonly used organic acids in feed are propionic, fumarie, formic and lactic acid, with an overall Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.5%. Europe represents the biggest market due removal of sub-therapeutic antibiotics in 2006 (Regulation (EC) N° 1831/2003). This situation has increased the interest in improving intestinal health and nutrient utilization. Different feed additives and nutritional strategies have shown promise in changing and mediating the response and recovery of the animals to various stressors and challenges afterthe AGP's prohibition. The primary effect of antibiotics is antimicrobial and organic acids have several additional effects that go beyond that antimicrobial activity. Organic acids have a clear and significant benefit in weanling piglets and in poultryperformances. This review presents recent studies on the effect of organic acids on enteric diseases, nutrient digestibility, immune response and performance in broilers and piglets.
展开▼
