The use of phytogenic additives in livestock nutrition as an alternative to
classical feed additives has shown promising results in improving animal performance
and product quality while avoiding the negative effects of antibiotics on animal health,
product quality, and human health. This book reviews the recent advances in
photogenic nutrition and its application in animal nutrition as a means of antibiotic
replacement and eco-friendly feed additives. This chapter summarizes the outcomes of
the 11 chapters reviewed, and their possible applications in animal nutrition. Numerous
possible alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters can be used in mono-gastric animal
nutrition, including thyme, rosemary, milk thistle seeds, turmeric, phytogenic, essential
oils, bee pollen, and propolis. These alternatives and eco-friendly feed additives serve
as sources of bioactive ingredients such as flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenols [1–4].
To date, the results have been inconclusive because of the different factors involved in
animal responses, such as strain and age of the animal, health conditions, housing
conditions, environmental status, part of the plant, type of plant product (leaves, seeds,
and roots), drying methods, extraction methods, water vs. organic solvents, dose of
administration, and methods of delivery (feed and water). Thus, further studies are
needed to identify the dose, bioactive substances, and application root to develop
commercial products on an individual basis and/or mixed agents that need to be tested.
These promising additives may partially or completely replace antibiotic growth
promoters and overcome the possible problems caused by the withdrawal of antibiotics
from the feed additives market [2, 5, 6]. The use of phytogenic feed supplements in
farm animal nutrition as a substitute for classical feed additives has shown promising results in enhancing animal performance and product quality, while avoiding the
negative effects of antibiotics on human and animal health, product quality, and food
security and safety.
Keywords: Bioactive substances, General recommendations, Livestock, Photogenic
