Phytogenic Dietary Alternatives in Swine Nutrition
Summary
Phytogenic dietary alternatives, derived from herbs, spices and other plant materials, have emerged as viable substitutes for in-feed antibiotics in swine production. These natural bioactive compounds—including essential oils, polyphenols, saponins and alkaloids—exert multifaceted effects on the gastrointestinal ecosystem, host immunity and metabolic status. By modulating gut microbiota composition, reinforcing intestinal barrier integrity and attenuating inflammatory signalling, phytogenics can enhance nutrient digestibility, growth performance and overall animal welfare. Moreover, their antioxidant properties help to mitigate oxidative stress associated with intensive husbandry and weaning transitions. As global regulations on antibiotic use tighten, the strategic incorporation of phytogenic feed additives offers a sustainable approach to optimise pig health, reduce disease incidence and maintain productivity in diverse production systems.
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Phytogenic Dietary Alternatives in Swine Nutrition publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytogenic dietary alternatives in swine nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phytogenic compounds: Plant-derived bioactive substances used as feed additives to support gut health and performance in livestock.
NF-κB signalling pathway: A central intracellular cascade that regulates inflammatory and immune responses in intestinal tissues.
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4): An immune receptor on intestinal cells that recognises bacterial components and can trigger inflammatory signalling.
Goblet cells: Mucus-secreting epithelial cells in the intestine that contribute to barrier function and protection against pathogens.
References
- Quercetin Increases Growth Performance and Decreases Incidence of Diarrhea and Mechanism of Action in Weaned Piglets. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2024).
- The Effect of an Essential Oil Blend on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Microbiota in Early-Weaned Piglets. Nutrients (2023).
- Impact of a Phytogenic Feed Additive on Diarrhea Incidence, Intestinal Histomorphology and Fecal Excretion of F4-Fimbriated Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Post-Weaning Piglets. Stresses (2025).
- Phytochemicals as antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and enhance host health. Veterinary Research (2018).
- Phytogenic Compounds as Alternatives to In-Feed Antibiotics: Potentials and Challenges in Application. Pathogens (2015).
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