ONION MEAL AND ONION EXTRACTS (Allium cepa L.) AS NATURAL GROWTH PROMOTERS FOR USE IN POULTRY PRODUCTION: A REVIEW

The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive understanding of the potential use of onion extracts (Allium cepa L.) as growth promoters in poultry production. The threat of antibiotic residues in poultry meat products to the human population, prohibit the use of antibiotics as feed additives and calls for the need to explore alternatives to synthetic growth promoters. Some attempt has been made to improve poultry performance and health condition through feeding the animal root tubers such as garlic, onions, and ginger. Root tubers contain various phytochemical compounds, flavonoids, and phenolic acids with confirmed anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and growth promoting properties. Bioactive compounds in root tubers influence animal growth performance through enhanced digestibility and by altering gut health. The use of these tubers and their extracts has been shown to have non-toxic and nonpathogenic effects on birds; hence these tubers could be an alternative to antibiotics. Therefore, the onion bulb shows a tremendous potential as a natural growth promoter and a phytogenic natural feed additive alternative to synthetic growth promoters.

Automated summary

The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive understanding of the potential use of onion extracts as growth promoters in poultry production. Some attempts have been made to improve poultry performance and health condition through feeding root tubers such as onions, which contain bioactive compounds that can enhance digestibility and alter gut health.