Postbiotics: Multifunctional Microbial Products Transforming Animal Health and Performance.
- 2025-12-12
- Veterinary sciences 12(12)
- Sahdeo Prasad
- Bhaumik Patel
- Prafulla Kumar
- Rajiv Lall
- PubMed: 41472171
- DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12121191
Postbiotics, which are preparations of inanimate microorganisms and their components, have emerged as a promising functional ingredient in animal health and nutrition. Postbiotics are primarily composed of microbial cell fractions, metabolites, enzymes, vitamins, polysaccharides, and short-chain fatty acids. Unlike probiotics, postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms, which strengthens their greater stability and safety in feed/food formulations. Postbiotics offer several beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and antimicrobial actions. They enhance antioxidant enzymes, neutralize reactive oxygen species, and inhibit lipid peroxidation, thereby protecting tissues from oxidative damage. Postbiotics also inhibit pro-inflammatory molecules like TNF-α and IL-6, while enhancing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, promoting the maturation and function of immune cells, and increasing secretory IgA production. They suppress a variety of pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, etc., both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they increase beneficial gut bacteria and improve the digestion and integrity of the intestine. This article outlines the beneficial effects of postbiotics in animals including poultry, swine, canine, feline, horses, and ruminant animals, either as feed/food or as a supplement. The integration of postbiotics into animal feed improves growth performance, feed conversion ratios, and disease resistance in animals. Thus, the multifunctional benefits of postbiotics make them a valuable tool for healthy companion animals and sustainable livestock production, supporting both animal welfare and productivity without the drawbacks associated with antibiotic growth promoters.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Improved Antioxidant Defense | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Improved Gut Health | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Improved Immune Function | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Improved Oxidative Stress Resistance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Reduced Bacterial Load | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium plantarum | Reduced Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Enhanced Disease Resistance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Improved Feed Conversion Ratio | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Improved Growth Performance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Improved Gut Health | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Improved Immune Function | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Improved Total Antioxidant Status | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Reduced Bacterial Load | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Dried Yeast Fermentate | Reduced Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 | Improved Gut Health | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 | Improved Immune Modulation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 | Reduced Bacterial Load | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 | Reduced Oxidative Stress | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus lysate powder | Enhanced Disease Resistance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus lysate powder | Improved Growth Performance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus lysate powder | Improved Gut Health | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Enhanced Disease Resistance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Improved Feed Conversion Ratio | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Improved Growth Performance | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Improved Gut Health | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Improved Immune Function | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Improved Total Antioxidant Status | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Reduced Bacterial Load | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate | Reduced Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |