Herbal Feed Additive: Role in Livestock Production
Nutan Chauhan
Animal Nutrition Division
NDRI, Karnal
nutanc03@gmail.com
Introduction
Dairy cow nutrition affects not just milk output but also product quality, animal health, and dairy system environmental implications (NRC, 2001). To address the global demand for dairy products, nutritional solutions that maximise milk production efficiency while also enhancing animal and environmental welfare are required. Low molecular weight secondary metabolites have evolved in a wide spectrum of plant species. Plant-derived compounds having nutraceutical qualities, known as phytogenic feed additives, have been studied in a variety of livestock production systems. To begin with, there is increasing interest in using herbal feed additives in animal production as a result of the rise in microbial resistance to antibiotics and the ramifications for human health. The second is a reaction to consumer pressures to eliminate all non-plant xenobiotic agents from animal diets. Herbal feed additives serve an important function in animal nutrition and health. These molecules, in general, allow plants to interact with their surroundings and may serve as a defence system against physiological and environmental stress, as well as predators and diseases. Apart from hazardous chemicals, numerous of these secondary plant metabolites have been demonstrated to have beneficial impacts in food and animal metabolism. The majority of these active secondary plant metabolites fall into the isoprene derivatives, flavonoides, and glucosinolates groups, and many of them have been proposed as antibiotics or antioxidants. Herbs generate their initial activity as flavour in farm animal feed and can thus alter eating patterns, digestive fluid output, and overall feed intake. Herbs or phytochemicals can alter bacteria selectively through antimicrobial activity or a positive enhancement of microflora eubiosis. The majority of herbal feed additives work against bacteria by denaturing and coagulating proteins in the bacterial cell wall structure. Activation of feed intake and secretion of digestive secretions, immunological stimulation, antibacterial, coccidiostatic, anthelmintic, antiviral or anti-inflammatory activity, and antioxidant qualities may all contribute to the beneficial benefits of herbs or botanicals in farm animals.
The herbal feed additives exert their beneficial effects by:
- Effect on animal performance
Following the restriction on antibiotics, more herbs are being utilised as feed additives to help animals develop faster. Various herbs and spices have different effects on digestion processes due to the broad diversity of active components. The majority of them increase saliva production. Curcuma, cayenne pepper, ginger, anise, mint, onions, fenugreek, and cumin increase bile acid synthesis in the liver and bile acid excretion, which improves lipid digestion and absorption. Plant herbs including garlic (Allium sativum), lemongrass, and peppermint (Mentha piperita) are commonly used as antibacterial agents and to maintain the microbial environment of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in tropical areas. Garlic was found to boost growth rate, digestibility, and carcass characteristics in livestock when used as an alternative growth promoter.
- Herbal feed additives as antimicrobial supplements
Allium sativum, Angelica dahurica, Anguisorba officinalis, Artemisia argyi, Coptis chinensis, Geranium thunbergii, Hydrastis canadensis, Phellodenron amurense, Polygonum cuspidatum, Scutellria baicalensis, and Sophora flavesens have all been researched for their antimicrobial properties. These herbs contain antimicrobial flavonoid components such as baicalin, baicalein, limonene, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, or eugenol, as well as other supporting herbs. These herbs are antibacterial against Salmonella spp. and E. coli, as well as gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. The active ingredients in herbal feed additives alter the fatty acid composition, which can affect microbe survival by increasing hydrophobicity.
- Herbal feed additives as anti-inflammatory
Curcuma, red pepper, black pepper, cumin, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, mint, and ginger extracts were found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Phenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids are the main anti-inflammatory active chemicals. Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral, and anti-proliferative properties of flavonoids have long been known. Chamomile, marigold, licorice, and anise are the most well-known plants and spices with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Herbal feed additives as antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that assist delay and inhibit lipid oxidation, and when added to meals, they aid to reduce rancidity, prevent hazardous oxidation products from forming, and retain nutritional quality. Several studies have found that antioxidant-rich plants are beneficial to health and disease prevention, and that their consumption reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. The content of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, proanthocianidins, phenolic acids, phenolic terpenes) and some vitamins in medicinal plants may be connected to their antioxidant activity (E, C and A).
- Herbal feed additives as immune-stimulant
Herbs and spices high in flavonoids, vitamin C, and carotenoids are generally beneficial to the immune system. Echinacea, liquorice, garlic, and cat’s claw are plants that contain chemicals that have immune-stimulatory characteristics. These herbs can boost lymphocyte, macrophage, and NK cell activity, as well as promote phagocytosis and induce interpheron production. Essential oils derived from medicinal plants boost the immune system and can alter the mucosa of the duodenum, resulting in positive effects on the animal.
- Herbal feed additives as coccidiostat
Some plant extracts have been shown to have anti-parasitic effects in chickens, particularly coccidian parasites. Curcumin, a phenolic molecule derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, acts as an anticoccidial agent by acting as an antioxidant on the immune system.
Advantages of Herbal Feed Additives
Selection and feeding of herbal feed additives over other feed additives is due to:
- Natural component of feeds
- Absence of residual effects
- Eco-friendly
- Least problem of drug resistance
Limitations of Herbal Feed Additives
- Due to their complicated makeup, they are difficult to quantify and standardise.
- Harvesting procedure and storage conditions may affect the composition of plants
- Some ingredients are thermos- labile, thus less stable
- Anti-nutritional factors and microbial contamination can have a significant impact on the usage of herbal feed additives.
Conclusion
It is vital to keep farm animals healthy in order to obtain healthy animal products. The use of natural-source additives in animal and human nutrition has been promoted for the past decade. Herbs and spices can be added to feed as dried plants, portions of plants, or extracts to get beneficial effects.
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/concept-of-feed-additives-in-livestock/
