Organic Acid Innovations in Poultry Nutrition
Summary
The phasing out of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry husbandry has driven the development of organic acids as versatile feed additives. These compounds, ranging from short‐chain fatty acids such as formic and butyric to tricarboxylic acids like citric, serve multiple roles including pH reduction in the gastrointestinal tract, preservation of feedstuffs, selective inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and modulation of the resident microbiota. Advances in delivery systems, notably microencapsulation techniques, enable targeted release in the distal gut, thereby maximising local efficacy and minimising degradation in the upper digestive tract. Beyond antimicrobial action, organic acids contribute to enhanced nutrient digestibility, stimulate villus growth and upregulate tight junction proteins, reinforcing gut barrier integrity. These physiological effects translate into improved feed conversion, growth performance and immune resilience. The global significance of these innovations lies in their capacity to reduce reliance on antibiotics, lower foodborne pathogen risks and support sustainable intensification of poultry production. Practical applications now include customised blends tailored to broilers or layers, integration with phytogenic compounds and strategic deployment during periods of immunological or environmental stress.
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Organic Acid Innovations in Poultry Nutrition publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in organic acid innovations in poultry nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Organic acid: A weak, carboxyl‐containing acid used in feed to lower gut pH, suppress pathogens and support digestion.
Feed conversion ratio: The mass of feed consumed divided by the mass of weight gained, indicating production efficiency.
Gut microbiota: The community of bacteria, archaea and fungi inhabiting the intestinal tract, critical for nutrient metabolism and immune function.
Tight junction proteins: Intercellular complexes (e.g. occludin, claudin) that regulate paracellular permeability and maintain epithelial barrier integrity.
Encapsulation: A process of coating active feed additives to protect them from degradation and control their release site and rate within the gut.
References
- Dietary supplemental coated essential oils and organic acids mixture improves growth performance and gut health along with reduces Salmonella load of broiler chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2023).
- Applications of Organic Acids in Poultry Production: An Updated and Comprehensive Review. Agriculture (2024).
- Citric Acid Promotes Immune Function by Modulating the Intestinal Barrier. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
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