Feed additives in Animal Nutrition

The livestock sector not only contributes significantly to essential food proteins but also plays a crucial role in food security and economic development. Within this sector, nutrition is vital for animal health, productivity, and product quality. Feed additives, which are not nutritional elements or compounds, are incorporated into animal diets to improve their health, feed efficiency, and overall well-being. They are particularly significant for optimizing feed conversion efficiency, reducing nutrient waste, and decreasing antibiotic usage in animal production systems (Huyghebaert et al., 2011). Recent innovations, like next-generation additives including probiotics and prebiotics, have gained attention for their ability to sustain a healthy gut microbiota. The recent rise in demand for meat and dairy products globally, along with increasing consumer awareness regarding food quality and safety, has underscored the importance of feed additives. They not only aid in disease prevention and modulation of immune responses but also improve carcass quality. Thus, feed additives are integral to modern livestock feeding, fostering productivity, profitability, and overall animal welfare.