The pursuit of sustainable and efficient animal production systems has intensified global interest in microbiota-targeted nutritional strategies. This review synthesizes current research on prebiotics and probiotics, selectively utilized microbial substrates and beneficial live microorganisms, respectively, that confer health benefits, across major livestock and aquaculture sectors, including poultry, swine, ruminants, fish, and shrimp. It examines the fundamental role of host-specific gut microbiomes in regulating health and productivity and elucidates how prebiotics, alone or in synergistic formulations with probiotics, modulate these microbial communities. Mechanisms of action involve enhanced nutrient digestibility, improved intestinal morphology and barrier integrity, selective stimulation of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium), suppression of pathogens (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Vibrio), and potentiation of innate and humoral immune responses. Consistent evidence demonstrates that microbiota-targeted interventions improve key zootechnical indicators, including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass quality, while enhancing animal welfare and resilience to environmental and physiological stressors. A pivotal finding is their ability to reduce reliance on antimicrobial agents, addressing antibiotic resistance and aligning with consumer demand for ethical and natural production systems. Furthermore, this review highlights the valorisation of agro-industrial by-products (e.g., fruit pomace, cereal brans) and novel substrates such as Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) as functional, cost-effective sources that embed animal nutrition within a circular bioeconomy framework. By integrating multidisciplinary findings from terrestrial and aquatic species, this review concludes that microbiota-based functional nutrition is indispensable for advancing next-generation sustainable animal production, uniting productivity, environmental stewardship, and animal welfare while supporting safe, ethical, and climate-resilient food systems worldwide. Probiotic and prebiotic integration in swine, poultry, cattle, and aquaculture systems. Supports animal health, feed efficiency, and sustainable by-product use, aligning with SDG 2 and SDG 12. Repurposing agro-industrial residues as novel prebiotics closes the resource loop, reinforcing the circular economy.
This review systematically summarizes the core mechanisms by which probiotics modulate meat quality, feed efficiency and small intestinal and cecal health in pigs and broilers via the gut–muscle axis, nutrient metabolic axis, and immune regulatory axis and elucidates the heritable effects of host genetics on shaping the gut microbiome.
The search for effective antibiotic alternatives has intensified in broiler production as consumer expectations, regulatory pressures, and disease challenges continue to shape modern poultry systems. Bacillus-based probiotics have gained particular interest because their spore-forming ability ensures feed stability and survival through feed processing and gastrointestinal transit. This review consolidates current knowledge on how Bacillus probiotics influence gut ecology, physiology, and productivity in broilers, while also emphasizing their practical relevance in commercial settings. Evidence from controlled trials shows that well-characterized Bacillus strains act through multiple coordinated mechanisms, although their efficacy is highly strain-specific. These include modulation and stabilization of the intestinal microbiota, suppression of pathogenic bacteria via competition and antimicrobial metabolite production, enhancement of digestive efficiency through enzyme secretion, and stimulation of beneficial fermentation processes. These effects are often linked to improved villus structure, strengthened epithelial barrier function, and modulation of local and systemic immune responses. Improvements in growth performance and feed efficiency have been reported in numerous studies, particularly under disease challenge or environmental stress, although responses vary with probiotic strain, supplementation strategy, and production conditions. Additionally, these probiotics have shown protective effects during necrotic enteritis challenge, reducing lesion severity and pathogen load. However, results vary across studies, influenced by strain type, dose, diet, challenge status, and farm conditions. Proper strain selection, quality control, verification of spore viability, and safety assessment are essential for reliable commercial application. In summary, current evidence supports the use of well-characterized Bacillus-based probiotics as safe and biologically effective feed additives that promote gut health, improve production efficiency, and contribute to sustainable antibiotic-reduced broiler production. Their multifaceted activity profile fits well with antibiotic-free nutrition strategies, although further research is needed to clarify strain-specific actions and optimize application protocols.
M. Naeem, D. Bourassa· Probiotics and Antimicrobial...· 1 citation
The first part of this review synthesizes current evidence on probiotics as tools for nonspecific prevention of infectious fish diseases and technology-oriented health management in aquaculture. Infectious risks associated with intensive fish production and immunological features of fish that determine the effectiveness of microbiota-oriented interventions are outlined. Feed-based and water-applied probiotics, synbiotics, paraprobiotics, postbiotics, and functional microbial communities used in biofloc systems are reviewed. Major mechanisms of action include competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of antimicrobial metabolites, modulation of intestinal, skin and gill microbiota, strengthening of barrier functions, immunomodulation, improved digestion and feed conversion, and stabilization of the microbiological status of the aquatic environment. Particular attention is paid to probiotic biocontrol of saprolegniosis and other oomycete infections, including the limitations of translating in vitro antagonism into field-level protection. Technological approaches to strain selection, fermentation, stabilization, microencapsulation and delivery through feed or water are summarized. The evidence indicates that probiotics are best regarded as a fundamental background component of fish health and biosecurity programs, whose effectiveness is strongly dependent on strain identity, host species, husbandry conditions and rigorous validation under controlled and production settings.
M. Manoyan, A. N. Ivanova, A. Panin et al.· Agrarian science· 0 citations
The global poultry industry faces a major transition driven by bans on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and rising antimicrobial resistance threats. This has intensified the search for effective, sustainable alternatives to maintain productivity, animal health, and food safety. This review provides a comprehensive overview of next-generation probiotics (NGPs) and their evolving role in poultry production, highlighting their mechanisms of action, technological advancements, and applications for improving performance and health. Recent studies were systematically reviewed, covering conventional and NGPs, multi-omics-driven strain identification strategies, engineered microbial systems, and advanced delivery technologies. Key functional aspects, including gut microbiota modulation, immune responses, pathogen control, and productivity metrics were thoroughly assessed. NGPs exhibit enhanced capabilities over traditional probiotics, including improved gut colonization, targeted antimicrobial activity, and precise host immune modulation. Advances in synthetic biology, microencapsulation, and synbiotic formulations enhance their efficacy and stability. Additionally, NGPs also demonstrate significant potential in improving growth performance, feed conversion ratios, intestinal integrity, and enteric pathogen resistance. However, challenges such as strain-specific variability, regulatory constraints, and limited field-level validation persist. NGPs offer a promising and sustainable strategy for modern poultry production. Future integration with precision microbiome engineering, artificial intelligence, and sustainable farming will be essential to realize their full potential and ensure widespread adoption.
T. Al-Surrayai, S. Shreaz, H. Al-Khalaifah· Microorganisms· 0 citations
As the world grapples with rising cases of metabolic disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, and immune-related disorders, gut health has become a pressing health and food technology issue. In this context, traditional fermented soybean products such as doenjang, natto, cheonggukjang, and tempeh in Asia are being reevaluated not only as sources of probiotics but also as providers of postbiotics, the non-viable microbial products and metabolites implicated in gut health. This PRISMA-guided narrative review examines the role of postbiotics produced in fermented soybean foods in maintaining gut microbiota balance, gut barrier function, and inflammation regulation, and explores their technological potential in functional food development. The study followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the literature was searched through Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar from 2010 to 2025. Selected studies emphasized metabolic byproducts of Bacillus and Rhizopus species, their mucosal protective mechanisms, anti-inflammatory effects, and processing compatibility. Findings indicate that γ-PGA and SCFA exhibit barrier-regulating and immunomodulatory functions, while enzymes such as nattokinase and bacteriocins play roles in inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms and supporting microbial ecosystem balance. Due to their stability under refrigerated, acidic, and heat conditions, postbiotics are suitable for incorporation into functional foods and supplements. However, human clinical evidence remains limited, and future work should address dosage, standardization, and fermentation parameters. This review positions traditional fermented soybean foods as a promising platform for next-generation gut health functional foods, with relevant implications for food formulation and processing.
E. Park, K. H. Kwon· Journal of Food Technology R...· 0 citations
The review highlights the need to integrate multi-omics datasets, computational modelling, and precision livestock technologies to develop robust, scalable, and economically viable microbiome management strategies for sustainable livestock production, environmental stewardship, and overall global food security.
Shalu Singh, Yashesh Singh, Jagjiwan Ram et al.· Archives of Current Research...· 0 citations
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