Prospects of organic acids as safe alternative to antibiotics in broiler chickens diet

Genetically, modern broilers are fast-growing birds which attain the market age at the age of 5 weeks. To maintain optimum production, antibiotics have been commonly included in the diets as growth promoters. However, due to the increase in antimicrobial resistance, their uses have been banned worldwide. To keep the optimum level of production and health in broiler industry, the use of alternative growth promoters such as probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and organic acids has been proposed. Chemically, organic acids are weak acids and only partially dissociate. They are considered safe and have been used for preservation of food for centuries. Nowadays, organic acids have been reported for antibacterial, immune potentiating, and growth promoters in broilers. In this review, the effects of dietary inclusion of organic acids on growth, nutrient digestibility, intestinal integrity, immune system, and antibacterial activity in broilers are discussed.

Automated summary

Modern broilers genetically grow fast and have traditionally used antibiotics as growth promoters, but due to increased antimicrobial resistance, alternative growth promoters like probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and organic acids are now recommended. Organic acids, being weak acids, are safe and have antibacterial, immune-enhancing, and growth-promoting properties. Studies have shown the effects of organic acids on growth, digestion, immune function, and antibacterial activity in broilers.