Managing Gut Health-Natural Growth Promoters as a Key to Animal Performance

Gut health is based on a well-balanced microflora which protects the host from pathogenic invasion, thus having a beneficial impact on the overall health status of the animal. Since antibiotic growth promoters are increasingly excluded in modern animal nutrition, alternative concepts have been developed in order to maintain gut health. Several natural alternatives, referred to as Natural Growth Promoters (NGP), have been identified as effective and safe alternatives in antibioticfree feeding systems. All these products have the potential to beneficially affect gut health and growth performance. This book highlights the most important categories of NGP: Acidifiers, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, feed enzymes, phytogenies and immune stimulants. Particular focus is placed on their characterisation, mode of action and potential benefits in different animal species, including pigs, poultry, fish, shrimp and ruminants. Tobias Steiner graduated from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, where he also obtained his PhD in animal nutrition. Since 2005, he has been based in Austria as technical manager for Natural Growth Promoters at one of Europe’s leading feed additives manufacturers.