Abstract:
A probiotic is a live microbial
feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host animal by improving
its intestinal balance. It has been used as a substitute of antibiotics
that is being used in considerable amounts as growth promoters in broilers
production and is, associated with incalculable risks for human health
resulting from the use of particular feed additives. This article reviews
the scientific data showing that probiotics may positively affect various
physiologic functions in ways that will permit them now or in the future
to be classified as functional foods for which health claims (of enhanced
production or reduction in disease risk) will be authorized. The article
has been prepared under various subheadings including introduction into
probiotics, mode of action including immune enhancement, growth stimulation,
feed conversion ratio, competition for adhesion receptors, digestion
and absorption and health management of diseased animals. The authors
own results have been reviewed including: i) poultry growth is promoted
with the increasing doses of probiotics up to a certain limit. The growth
pattern increased relative to the control, up to 1.0 gram per 10 kg
feed but beyond that the pattern was reversed; ii) no difference could
be detected in feed conversion ratio of broilers as compared to control;
iii) crypt cells proliferation of small intestine increased with the
use of probiotics as compared to control. Present/future aspect of probiotics,
is the last component of the article including; discovery of more probiotic
organisms through genetic engineering.
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