Fructooligosaccharide as a prebiotic: A substitute for antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production

Abstract

Researchers are investigating the potential of new natural antibiotics and alternative compounds to deal with rising drug resistance among microbial populations. These alternatives are intended to preserve a healthy gut microbiota, hindering pathogenic organisms from attaching in early stages of life. Prebiotics are non-digestible feed components that can act as natural supplements that targeted intestinal microorganisms can use. They provide health benefits for hosts, cutting mortality rates, increasing growth, and improving feed efficiency. Prebiotics may also exert effects on host metabolism and immunity by producing favourable shifts to the gut microbiome. This review examines the impacts of fructooligosaccharides as prebiotics on the gut microbiome and physical composition, focusing particularly on their effect on poultry growth performance. The review will also emphasize knowledge gaps in this field as well as possible directions for future research.