Food Science of Animal Resources

Food Sci. Anim. Resour. 2023 November 43(6):1111~1127 pISSN : 2636-0772 eISSN : 2636-0780
DOI https://doi.org/10.5851/kosfa.2023.e52 http://www.kosfaj.org

REVIEW Use of Postbiotic as Growth Promoter in Poultry

Industry: A Review of Current Knowledge and
Future Prospects
Muhammad Saeed1,†, Zoya Afzal2,†, Fatima Afzal3, Rifat Ullah Khan4,
Shaaban S. Elnesr5, Mahmoud Alagawany6, and Huayou Chen1,*
1School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
2Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology,
The Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur 63100,
Received May 6, 2023 Pakistan
3Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea
Revised August 23, 2023
Accepted September 7, 2023 4College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary

Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan

5Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University,
*Corresponding author : Huayou Chen
School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
Zhenjiang 212013, China 6Department of Poultry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511,
Tel: +86-13912800258
Fax: +86-0516-83403320 Egypt
E-mail: hyc@ujs.edu.cn

*ORCID
Muhammad Saeed
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5048-5753
Zoya Afzal Abstract Health-promoting preparations of inanimate microorganisms or their components
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0595-819X
Fatima Afzal
are postbiotics. Since probiotics are sensitive to heat and oxygen, postbiotics are stable
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8726-8805 during industrial processing and storage. Postbiotics boost poultry growth, feed
Rifat Ullah Khan efficiency, intestinal pathogen reduction, and health, making them acceptable drivers of
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0924-0479
Shaaban S. Elnesr sustainable poultry production. It contains many important biological properties, such as
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4430-1492 immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory responses. Postbiotics revealed
Mahmoud Alagawany
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8020-0971 promising antioxidant effects due to higher concentrations of uronic acid and due to some
Huayou Chen enzyme’s production of antioxidants, e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1010-8205
and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidases and peroxidases. Postbiotics improve
†
These authors contributed equally to this intestinal villi, increase lactic acid production, and reduce Enterobacteriaceae and fecal
work.
pH, all of which lead to a better immune reaction and health of the gut, as well as better
growth performance. P13K/AKT as a potential target pathway for postbiotics-improved
intestinal barrier functions. Similarly, postbiotics reduce yolk and plasma cholesterol
levels in layers and improve egg quality. It was revealed that favorable outcomes were
obtained with various inclusion levels at 1 kg and 0.5 kg. According to several studies,
postbiotic compounds significantly increased poultry performance. This review article
presents the most recent research investigating the beneficial results of postbiotics in
poultry.

Keywords postbiotic, antibiotic alternatives, mechanism of action, poultry

© Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License
(http://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Food Science of Animal Resources Vol. 43, No. 6, 2023

Introduction
One of the 20th century’s greatest discoveries was the discovery of antibiotics, which made it possible to treat various
diseases more easily. Antibiotics have several uses beyond the prevention and treatment of disease, including improving the
health and well-being of animals used for human consumption (Durso and Cook, 2014). However, with the excessive use of
antibiotics, other threats emerged that included antibiotic resistance in human and animal feed (Ma et al., 2021). Consumers
should be aware that meat and meat products may contain residues that could be harmful to their health and even more
dangerous to humans, as it is not physiologically apathetic even at low concentrations and over extended periods of time
(Zamojska et al., 2021). According to the literature, postbiotics are “non-viable bacterial products or metabolic products
obtained from microorganisms with biological activity in the host” or “the crude cell extracts that benefit the human or
animal consumer when administered orally or topically in sufficient amounts” (Homayouni Rad et al., 2021; Patel and
Denning, 2013; Thanh et al., 2009; Zendeboodi et al., 2020). Postbiotics are considered better than probiotics because
postbiotics contain microorganisms that are incapable of replicating; they are less likely to cause bacteremia or fungemia than
probiotics (Yelin et al., 2019). Furthermore, postbiotics offer several intriguing characteristics, such as different molecular
structures, long shelf lives, and safety doses (Shigwedha, 2014). Postbiotics have good metabolism, absorption, distribution,
and excretion, which could affect many host organs and tissues and perform many biological tasks (Shenderov, 2013).
Therefore, promising antibiotic alternatives are required. The search for other options for improving growth and health
practices has become the leading research endeavor. Poultry producers face the challenge of feeding the world while adhering
to the regulatory mandates of their local jurisdictions. Bird growth and health can be enhanced with dietary manipulation of
feed additives such as prebiotics, postbiotics, probiotics and herbal products (Arain et al., 2018; Arain et al., 2022a;
Klemashevich et al., 2014; Nabi et al., 2020a). In animal production, probiotics are referred to as direct-fed microbials
because they reside in the gut of animals and preferably serve a useful purpose. Prebiotics are composed of constituents the
body cannot digest and are specially designed to promote the development of good bacteria in the gut. Finally, postbiotics are
generally produced by beneficial bacteria of the gut products that must be fed and apply a beneficial effect on the host’s
health. Compared to the host, the intestinal microbiota contains more biochemical reactions and genomes, which significantly
affect the host’s development, health, metabolism, behavior, and immunity. At the same time, the disease caused by microbial
imbalance is known as dysbiosis (Yeoman et al., 2012). Metabolizing host-indigestible feed ingredients is a crucial function
of the gut microbiota. Consequently, the host can utilize feed more efficiently because of the microbiome’s energy utilization
ability. Additionally, the microbiota and metabolites they produce influence signal transduction in the host and regulate their
response (Blacher et al., 2017; Loh et al., 2014).
Since most products have a long shelf life, postbiotics will remain stable during storage and production, but probiotics will
die off. Probiotic strains die at different rates depending on their physiological traits and storage conditions (oxygen levels,
temperature, water activity, duration, etc.). Thus, probiotic product dead cell counts in the last portion of their shelf life are
difficult to generalize (Huber et al., 2005). Postbiotics are considered better than probiotics because postbiotics contain
microorganisms that are incapable of replicating; they are less likely to cause bacteremia or fungemia than probiotics
(albeitextremely rare; Yelin et al., 2019). Today, commercial poultry is regarded as the most available animal protein source
(Arain et al., 2022b; Zuidhof et al., 2014). As the world’s population grows and people shift to diets richer in animal protein,
food animals must be produced safely and efficiently to feed this growing population (Nabi et al., 2020b; Wu et al., 2014).
In contrast to challenged non-treated chickens, Abd El-Ghany et al. (2022) reported postbiotic treatment improved disease

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picture, growth performance, immune system stimulation, bursa/body weight ratio, and intestinal coliform counts compared
to challenged non-treated chickens. Postbiotic compounds—dry or aqueous—improve broiler chicken performance, health,
and immunity against colisepticaemia. Chang et al. (2022) found that L. plantarum postbiotic could replace antibiotic growth
promoters (AGP) by improving gut health, beneficial bacteria colonization, mucin production, tight junction permeability,
and immunity. Taken together, despite published literature on postbiotics being uncertain and lacking some imperative
practical factors, new research has emerged regarding the possible health benefits of inactivated microbe.

Concepts of Postbiotics
The word “postbiotic” originates from Greek for the word “post”, relating to “after”, and “bios”, relating to “life”. There
are many ‘biotic’ families that revolve around microbes (or their substrates), including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and
postbiotics (Vinderola et al., 2022). Live microbes called probiotics are beneficial to the health of the host if administered at
the proper level (Hill et al., 2014). The term postbiotic refers to cell fragments, non-viable or intact microbes, which may or
may not contain metabolites and offer promising health benefits to the body (Vinderola et al., 2022). Through the metabolic
process of bacteria and probiotics, soluble non-viable metabolites are considered postbiotics (Klemashevich et al., 2014;
Tsilingiri et al., 2012). Postbiotics share a similar mechanism of action with probiotics, but as they are non-living organisms,
they are different (Thanh et al., 2009). At the same time, purified metabolites are not considered postbiotics. International
Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) presented the postbiotic’s definition in mid-2021, stating that a
postbiotic is “inanimate microorganisms or their component’s preparation which exert health benefits on the host.” ISAPP
panel also considered other definitions focusing on microbes produced metabolites or other factors before deciding the final
purpose of postbiotic (Salminen et al., 2021). In the different meanings of postbiotics, some stipulations also proved
problematic. In addition, forlive microbes, well-known health benefits do not necessarily expect that the advantage in an
inactivated form will also be achieved. It would also hinder innovation from using such a definition since a probiotic should
be established first, or the starting microbe should be limited to those already found as probiotics before meeting the criteria
for a postbiotic when it is sufficient. There was some confusion regarding whether postbiotics were given to the target host or
were formed in situ by resident microorganisms or administered microorganisms. The path to transformation into food, feed,
and other final products is unclear if definitions do not distinguish between distributed and in-situ products. It turned out that
different purposes required postbiotics to be applied to the gut lumen only (Tsilingiri and Rescigno, 2013), thus eliminating
the opportunity of applying postbiotics to other surfaces. Efficient postbiotics include various Lactobacilli species present in
cytoplasmic extracts and cell wall components that include Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus
fermentum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus delbrueckil subsp. Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus
gasseri, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus Johnsonni (Choi et al., 2006; Cicenia et al., 2016;
Johnson et al., 2019; Kim et al., 2011; Matsuguchi et al., 2003; Tiptiri-Kourpeti et al., 2016; Vidal et al., 2002). The
postbiotic phase includes soluble factors (products or metabolic byproducts), which are produced either as bacterial secretions
or released after lysis, e.g., enzymes, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, teichoic acids, peptides, polysaccharides, cell
surface proteins, and organic acids (Aguilar-Toalá et al., 2018).

Interaction of Postbiotics with Their Hosts

Various populations and even individuals have different gut microbiota compositions. A person’s metabolic and functional

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phenotype is affected by the composition of microbiota present in the gut. It may result in individual differences in health
effects from these biotics (Collado et al., 2009). Different ‘-biotics’ or different individuals may exert diverse effects on the
gut microbiota, as well as can also affect the composition over time. Consequently, adding probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics
and many proposed health effects depend on the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other substances such as
extracellular polysaccharides, functional proteins, microbial fractions, cell lysates, secreted polysaccharides, teichoic acid, pili
type structures and muropeptides derived from peptidoglycans (Konstantinov et al., 2013; Markowiak and Śliżewska, 2017;
O’Grady et al., 2019; Sánchez et al., 2017; Slavin, 2013; Wegh et al., 2017). Fermented matrix produces microbial
metabolites, e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, components of the cell wall, organic acids, or other complex
structures, which affect postbiotic efficacy (Aguilar-Toalá et al., 2018; Konstantinov et al., 2013). The postbiotic composition
may also be affected by food processing methods such as high pressure, irradiation, heat, and sonication (de Almada et al.,
2016). So, postbiotic product composition and their host response are determined by the complete food production process
(Taverniti and Guglielmetti, 2011). Postbiotic effects appear mediated by interactions between microbial products and the
host. Thus, the host immune system can be activated, triggering, e.g., anti-inflammatory responses (Gosálbez and Ramón,
2015). Also, postbiotic compounds from Lactobacilli spp. may apply immunomodulatory action by reducing Th2-associated
cytokines and increasing Th1-related cytokine levels (de Almada et al., 2016). The pili are structures of cell surfaces known
to be part of the cause of the contact between the immune system and bacteria. Pili loss, for example, has been associated
with reduced cell proliferation stimulation and better production of pro-inflammatory markers like IL-8 as well as a reduced
ability of Caco-2 cells to resist radiologically induced bowel injury (Lebeer et al., 2012). Extracellular vesicles and
exopolysaccharides (EPS) are two other products of fermentation associatedwith health-related benefits (Ahmadi Badi et al.,
2017; Korcz et al., 2018). It has been indicated that EPS provides several health benefits, including cardioprotection, antiulcer
properties, antioxidant properties, and the reduction of cholesterol levels (Das et al., 2014; Hongpattarakere et al., 2012). As
well, EPS from Lactobacillus plantarum 70810 restricted BGC-823, hepG-2, and HT-29 tumor cell proliferation in vitro and
were used as antitumor agents (Wang et al., 2014). Similar to probiotics, postbiotics promote broiler growth performance by
increasing gene expression of nutrient transporter (galactose transporter, glucose transporter dependent on Na+ and long-chain
of acyl CoA dehydrogenase genes; Faseleh Jahromi et al., 2016). Among antimicrobial metabolites of postbiotics, organic
acids, and bacteriocins exhibit the ability to reduce the pH and pathogens’ proliferation in the gut (Aguilar-Toalá et al., 2018).

Immunological Response of Postbiotics

According to several investigations, postbiotics have been found to exert immunomodulatory effects similar to those of
probiotics. The cell-free supernatant derived from L. reuteri DSM 17938 exhibited an upregulation in the synthesis of IL-10,
which is a postbiotic cytokine known for its anti-inflammatory properties. IL-10 plays a crucial role in modulating the
immune system by influencing the function of retinoic acid-driven mucosa-like dendritic cells. This upregulation of IL-10
production resulted in subsequent positive effects on T regulatory cells (Haileselassie et al., 2016). Postbiotics have been
linked to immunomodulatory activities because they support the innate and adaptive immune systems, protect the intestinal
mucosal barrier, and inhibit the growth of pathogens with antimicrobial compounds (De Marco et al., 2018). Lactobacilli
postbiotics, comprising pili and protein p40/p75, have been shown to protect the intestinal barrier, stimulate the production of
aggregation factor, bacteriocins, and S-layer proteins, and aid in the killing of pathogens (Teame et al., 2020). Different
amounts of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan, components of bacterial cell walls, may influence their

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immunostimulant activity. It’s possible that these bacteria immunomodulate by upregulating Th1 cytokines and downregulating
Th2 cytokines (Ou et al., 2011). Postbiotics produced from Streptococcus thermophilus may protect the stomach mucosa and
boost the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response by influencing IL-8 production (Marcial et al., 2017). The research
findings revealed that postbiotics, generated after the inactivation of probiotics, exhibited a significantly greater
immunomodulatory effect compared to probiotics (de Almada et al., 2016). Abd El-Ghany et al. (2022) results showed that
feed and water treatments with the postbiotic compound significantly (p<0.05) improved disease prognosis, growth
performance, immune response, bursa of Fabricius/body weight ratio, and intestinal coliform count in challenged chickens.
Finally, the postbiotic substance in a dry or liquid form improves the health, performance, and immunity of colisepticaemic
broiler chickens. Postbiotics and para-probiotics containing a 0.2% active culture of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were
developed for use in broiler starter and finisher diets. The level of IgA in the colon mucosa was considerably changed by
dietary treatments. Significant fluctuations in plasma IgM levels were seen during the finishing phase. Growth hormone
receptor (GHR) and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were increased with the use of postbiotics and para-probiotics
(Danladi et al., 2022).
A postbiotic product known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation–based postbiotic (SCFP) is made up of functional
metabolites that are created using an exclusive S. cerevisiae fermentation method. In commercial poultry, it has been reported
that this product improves gut health and immune function. This is accomplished by lowering corticosterone levels,
heterophil: lymphocyte ratios, and physical asymmetry during stressful events; reducing intestinal lesions and improving
immune function during Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella infections; increasing feed conversion, growth rate, meat yield,
and egg production; and possibly reducing colonization by foodborne pathogens (Gingerich et al., 2021). Postbiotics have
been seen to exert an influence on immunomodulation; nevertheless, further investigation is necessary in order to
comprehensively elucidate the mechanisms behind the immunomodulatory qualities exhibited by postbiotics, which represent
a notable attribute of these substances. The immunomodulatory effects of postbiotics may be attributed to the presence of
several components in their cell walls, including small molecules such as SCFAs, LTA, peptides/proteins, or a combination
thereof (Sun et al., 2018; Vinolo et al., 2011).

Mechanism of Action
Postbiotics can act in five different ways (Salminen et al., 2021): (1) Indirectly, postbiotics may transform the microbiota
such as by quorum quenchingor by carrying quorum sensing molecules (Grandclément et al., 2016) or by having lactic acid,
which is used by some microorganisms to produce butyrate and SCFAs, which are helpful in the microbiota (Laverde Gomez
et al., 2019). The presence of postbiotic adhesions [e.g., fimbriae (Tytgat et al., 2016) and lectins (Petrova et al., 2016)] can
also compete for adhesion sites with resident microbes. (2) Improvement in the function of the intestinal barrier; If sufficient
amounts of SCFAs are present in a postbiotic preparation, they may protect against disruptions caused by lipopolysaccharide
and alter the functions of epithelial barriers (Feng et al., 2018). (3) Alteration by systemic and local immune responses; At
systemic and local levels, immune-modulating activities are typically triggered through molecular patterns associated with
microorganisms that interact with certain PRRs of immune cells. These receptors, for example, receptors of nucleotide-
binding oligomerization domain, C-type lectins, and Toll-like receptors, are responsible for regulating cytokines and immune
responses (Lebeer et al., 2010). (4) Alteration of systemic metabolic response: Enzymes and metabolites on and inside
inactivated microorganisms’ surface in postbiotics may directly affect systemic metabolic responses. In addition to modulating

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the microbiota community structure and interacting with many receptors of the host, bile acids have a variety of downstream
effects on metabolic processes in the host, such as lipids, xenobiotics, glucose, and energy metabolism (Long et al., 2017). (5)
Systemic signaling through the nervous system; When sufficient amounts of metabolites of microbes such as SCFAs are
available in preparation for postbiotic, they release serotonin by stimulating enterochromaffin cells, which then enter the
bloodstream (Iwasaki et al., 2019). The Postbiotic’s mechanism of action is given below in Fig. 1. A non-exhaustive list
represents some examples of microbial effector molecules mediating these systems. By maintaining postbiotics cellular
structure, e.g., by an enhanced affinity for interacting with receptors of the immune system or by improving the time of
residence of active molecules within the host, effector molecules’ activity could be better continued. Within the host, the cell
wall protects against rapid degradation with the help of digestive enzymes and immune attacks. This condition is similar to
the vaccine situation when most pathogenicand toxic parts are deleted or inactivated, but the cellular structure should be
preserved.

Another Beneficial Potential

Disturbing gut microbiota, such as pathogen colonization and proliferation of native pathobionts, led to different diseases
and gut health issues. From a healing point of view, components of postbiotics inhibit pathogens in the gut by competing for
sticking to epithelium and mucosa (Mantziari et al., 2020). Bacteriocin is a tiny antimicrobial peptide that shows inhibitory
action against pathogenic organisms. It may prove a valuable candidate as an antimicrobial agent in food and other
pharmaceutical applications (Simons et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2014). Postbiotic as a growth promoter lead to improve the host’s

Fig. 1. Mechanisms of action of postbiotics.

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health as well as exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative hypocholesterolemic,

and hepatoprotective activity (Aguilar-Toalá et al., 2018). Either alone or in combination, strains of L. plantarum are familiar
postbiotic producers (Thanh et al., 2009). L. plantarum strains exhibited effectiveness in pigs (Loh et al., 2013), rats (Loh et
al., 2009), broiler chickens (Faseleh Jahromi et al., 2016; Kareem et al., 2016, Kareem et al., 2017; Loh et al., 2010; Petrof et
al., 2004; Thanh et al., 2009). According to Choi et al. (2006), L. casei, L. rhamnosus, Lactobacillus brevis, and L.
acidophilus with soluble intracellular polysaccharide fraction can be used as anticancer material because of their selection for
cancer cells of human, and exert an antioxidative effect in the food industry.

Efficacy of Postbiotics with Another Biotic Family

Among some of the excellent antibiotic alternatives, there are some biotic feed additives, including prebiotics, probiotics,
postbiotics, and synbiotics. In addition to improving production and intestinal health and controlling enteric pathogens, they
have also been used to relieve problems caused by antibiotics (Faseleh Jahromi et al., 2016).
To heat and oxygen, many probiotic organisms are sensitive; thus, maintaining their stability is a technological challenge,
but inanimate microorganisms can be stored for an extended period. During storage and industrial processes, postbiotics
possess natural strength, which is their main feature. In geographical regions without reliable cold chains or high ambient
temperatures, postbiotics may be more suitable than probiotics for preserving live microorganisms. During the storage of
most products with extended shelf life, probiotics mostly die. At the end of their shelf life, it is hard to idealize about dead
cells level present in the effects of probiotics, as the rate of death varies depending on storage conditions (oxygen levels, the
activity of water, time and temperature, etc.) and physiological characteristics of strain (Huber et al., 2005).

Promising Effects on Other Animals

Izuddin et al. (2019) concluded that postbiotic supplementation improved the weight gain of lamb, feed consumption,
nutrient digestibility, and consumption. However, ruminal ammonia-N and butyrate concentrations were enhanced, whereas
total VFA and pH were unaffected. Glucose, urea nitrogen, and complete protein in blood were higher in lambs fed
postbiotics. The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood did not differ. Rumen protozoa and methanogens
decreased after postbiotic treatment, but fiber-degrading bacteria improved. Expression of mRNA for hepatic IGF-1 and
ruminal MCT-1 was also increased by using postbiotics (Izuddin et al., 2019).
Additionally, dietary postbiotics reduced serum lipid peroxidation, enhanced serum and ruminal fluid antioxidant actions,
and enzyme production of hepatic antioxidants in postweaning lambs (Izuddin et al., 2020). Moreover, Loh et al. (2009)
demonstrated in rats, growth performance and fecal LAB count were increased, while fecal enterobacteria count was
decreased when LAB metabolites were administered in drinking water (Loh et al., 2009). But Foo et al. concluded that water
consumption may be reduced due to unwanted taste of these metabolites (Foo et al., 2003). Therefore, it was suggested that to
remove the undesirable taste of these metabolites, they should be used in powder form (Loh et al., 2009). In mice, inhibitory
and anti-proliferative activity in carcinoma cells of the colon and cell lines, programmed cell death was demonstrated when
the sonicated L. casei cell suspensions were administered (Tiptiri-Kourpeti et al., 2016). However, in post-weaning piglets,
Lactobacillus plantarum could enhance growth performance, an environment of gut health, and digestibility of proteins when
0.5% metabolite combinations are administered in feed. He also revealed that in piglets, along with increasing parameters of
growth performance, such as overall and average weight gain per day and birth weight, L. plantarum liquid metabolites also

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reduced the production of diarrhea (Loh et al., 2013).

Promising Advantages in the Poultry Industry

As feed additives, postbiotics can be used to improve the performance of growth and health in broilers (Kareem et al.,
2017) and in layers (Choe et al., 2012; Loh et al., 2014). In poultry under heat stress, postbiotics containing L. plantarum
exhibit antioxidative activities (Humam et al., 2019). Additionally, these metabolites improved the quality of the egg and
reduced cholesterol levels of yolk and plasma in layers (Loh et al., 2014). Adding prebiotics and postbiotics containing inulin
to broiler chicken rations improved the feed efficiency and total body weight of the birds and sustained growth factor1,
mRNA expression of GHRs, and intestinal mucosal structure (Kareem et al., 2016). Even under heat stress conditions,
postbiotics produced by L. plantarum in the feed of broiler chickens showed better maintenance of gut microbiota, the
performance of growth, and intestinal morphology (Humam et al., 2019). Postbiotics and insulin together increased IL-6
mRNA expression in broiler chickens and reduced IFN expression and α-gene expression in tumor necrosis factor-induced by
lipopolysaccharide in broiler chickens (Kareem et al., 2017). Abd El-Ghany et al. (2022) illustrated the effects on immunity,
health, growth performance, and broilers’ gut status facing colisepticaemia when feeding stabilized non-viable Lactobacilli
postbiotic. Postbiotic compounds significantly improved the disease picture, enhanced the performance of growth, boosted
immune response, improved bursa to body weight ratio, and reduced the count of coliform in the intestine of challenged
chickens compared to non-treated chickens (Abd El-Ghany et al., 2022). Compared to challenged groups, Johnson’s
experiment revealed significant weight gain and reduced lesion scores in postbiotic-treated broilers (Johnson et al., 2019).
The results of Kalavathy’s experiment demonstrated that supplementing broiler chickens with a mixture of 12 strains of
Lactobacillus had a positive impact. By reducing the total cholesterol of serum, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and
abdominal fat, it improved FCR and growth performance (Kalavathy et al., 2003). Comparing control birds to those treated
with postbiotics and inulin, Kareem predicted a decrease in drip loss and increased the CIE L* of breast muscle. Most carcass
attributes, shear force, and cooking loss did not differ between treatments (Kareem et al., 2015).
As a new feed additive in quail feed, postbiotics can be considered the most effective replacer for AGPs. By modulating
the gut microbiota, Lactobacillus animalis derived from postbiotics can improve performance and promote quail health. It is
possible to balance the gut microbiota of quails by feeding them postbiotic liquid instead of antibiotics (Kareem, 2020).
Within the caeca of commercial layers, Salmonella Enteritidis can be reduced by the addition of probiotics derived from S.
cerevisiae fermentation in feed, which could serve as preharvest food safety barriers. The addition of SCFP in layer’s feed
can help in the decline of Salmonella Enteritidis within commercial laying hens ceca. It can also serve as an additional
preharvest barrier for the safety of food (Gingerich et al., 2021). Thus, Humam et al. (2019) concluded that in broilers,
compared to control groups, postbiotics substantially increased total Lactobacilli counts and other beneficial bacteria but
reduced E. coli, Salmonella, and Enterobacteriaceae counts. Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics supplementation improve
enzyme activity and nitrogen utilization in poultry, which reduces ammonia output. Postbiotics enhance feed efficiency and
reduce bird sickness and mortality, reducing the environmental impact of chicken production (Zhang and Kim, 2014).
Prebiotics and postbiotics can lessen the ecological implications of chicken production by improving feed efficiency and
reducing dung output. Feed is the biggest energy user and emitter in poultry production. Broilers supplemented with
probiotics have reduced ammonia emissions, an unpleasant pollutant that poses environmental risks (Jeong and Kim, 2014;
Zhang and Kim, 2014). Postbiotics reported many functions and advantages in poultry, as shown in Fig. 2. Different authors

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performed experiments by using different inclusion levels of postbiotics, as given below in Table 1.

Fig. 2. Postbiotics perform many functions and advantages in poultry.

Table 1. Effects of postbiotics on poultry health and performance (few examples)

S. No. Postbiotic strain and dose Species/age Results References

1 Postbiotic Culbac® (fermentation Broiler chicks - Postbiotic compound either in a dry Abd El-Ghany et al.
product produced by Lactobacillus 5 wk and/or an aqueous form improved the (2022)
acidophilus species) health, performance, and immunity of
Starter diet: 1 kg/ton, grower and colisepticaemic broiler chickens
finisher diet: 0.5 kg/ton in dry form
and in the aqueous form, 4 mL/L
drinking water
2 0.2% postbiotic and 0.2% paraprobiotic Broiler chicks - Paraprobiotics and postbiotics revealed Danladi et al. (2022)
5 wk a positive influence on the microbiota
by supporting the decrease of harmful
microbes like the Proteobacteria while
increasing beneficial microbes like the
Firmicutes.
- Paraprobiotics or postbiotics can
positively affect the colon mucosa
microbiota.
3 0.1% Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Broiler chicks - L. plantarum postbiotic increased growth Chang et al. (2022)
postbiotics 6 wk performance and mucin production,
postbiotic ameliorated immune status and
tight junction permeability
- It improved beneficial bacteria
colonization and gut health

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Table 1. Effects of postbiotics on poultry health and performance (few examples) (continued)

S. No. Postbiotic strain and dose Species/age Results References

4 1.0% inulin+different levels of Broiler chicks - The level of 1.0% inulin+0.15%
postbiotic (0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 6 wk postbiotic had the optimal level
0.60%) - Combinations of inulin and postbiotic
increased body weight and immune
response

5 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% postbiotic Quails - Postbiotic 0.4% increased body weight Kareem (2020)
derived from Lactobacillus animalis 5 wk and body weight gain
- Postbiotic promoted the health of quails
by modulating gut microbiota

6 Postbiotic product (1 ounce/gallon of Broiler chicks - Postbiotic administration boosts Johnson et al. (2019)
fresh water) 3 wk immunomodulatory responses in the
gut.
- Postbiotic reduces disease pathogenesis
following challenge.

7 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% cell-free Broiler chicks - Postbiotic RI11 augmented plasma Humam et al. (2019)
supernatant (postbiotic: L. plantarum 6 wk glutathione, catalase, and glutathione
RI11) peroxidase, and boosted zonula
occludens-1, mucin 2, IL-10, and
mRNA expression.
- Postbiotic RI11 declined heat shock
protein 70 mRNA expression and
plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-
8, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein.

8 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Layer pullets - SCFP decreased Salmonella Enteritidis Gingerich et al. (2021)
fermentation based postbiotic (SCFP) in the Layer Pullet’s Ceca.
at 1.5 kg/ton (0–21 d) and 1.0 kg/ton - SCFP decreased the proportion of ceca
(22–32 d) with enumerable S. Enteritidis.

9 L. plantarum RG14 and RI11 Broilers - Positively enhanced immune response Kareem et al. (2016)
strains/cell free supernatant - Reduced the proinflammatory
responses,
- Reduced (p<0.05) Enterobacteriaceae
count.

10 L. plantarum RI11, RG14, and RG11 Laying hens - Reduced plasma and yolk cholesterol Choe et al. (2012)
strains/cell free supernatant (postbiotic concentrations
component)

11 L. plantarum strains/cell free Laying hen and - Reduced faecal Enterobacteriaceae

supernatant (postbiotic component) broilers

12 L. plantarum strains/cell free Broilers - Higher growth hormone receptor Thanh et al. (2009)
supernatant (postbiotic component) (GHR) messenger RNA (mRNA)

Beneficial Effects of Postbiotic on Meat and Egg Quality

Because of the use of postbiotics, it is now possible to raise animals, including poultry, without the use of antibiotics,
which has resulted in the production of chicken products such as meat and eggs that are both safe and of high quality all over
the world. Poultry is raised specifically for the purpose of producing meat all over the world because it is tender, low in fat
content, and has a relatively quick production cycle (Haque et al., 2020). Results from Choe et al. (2012) which showed that
the plasma cholesterol concentration decreased in eggs that were administered postbiotics. Postbiotics, specifically RI11,
have the potential to be used as a substitute for antibiotics and natural sources of antioxidants in heat-stressed broilers.

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Postbiotics have also been shown to raise breast meat pH, while simultaneously decreasing shear force and CIE L* (Humam
et al., 2019). With the addition of postbiotics to their diets, broiler chickens showed both an improvement in the quality of the
meat they produced and a decrease in their plasma cholesterol levels (Choe et al., 2012; Loh et al., 2013).When compared to
antibiotics, the effects that postbiotics and inulin had on the quality of the meat were beneficial (Kareem et al., 2015). Poultry
replaces vital food animals worldwide, boosting food security, protein supply, and employment (Reuben et al., 2021). This
study showed that laying hens benefit from postbiotic metabolite combinations from Lactobacillus plantarum strains. All
metabolite combinations increased hen-day egg output (Loh et al., 2014). As the world’s population grows, so does the
demand for meat and eggs. Probiotics/postbiotics may improve their quality. Poultry farming focuses on safe and healthy
products. Probiotics improve animal productivity and quality (Hussein et al., 2020).

Conclusion
It is evident from this article that due to the beneficial microbial influence of postbiotics on health, they can be used in
food, therapeutic approach, and as AGP replacers when administered in adequate amounts in poultry. Poultry postbiotics
improve health, nutrition, and production. They may replace poultry antibiotic growth boosters and other synthetic chemicals.
Their gut microbiome, immune system modulation, and pathogen inhibition will ensure safer meat, egg, and eco-friendly
production, as well as enormous illness treatment cost reduction and bird loss prevention. Sustainable poultry production with
postbiotics will guarantee global food security and safety. There is a need for further research to prevent antibiotic use for
disease prevention and to limit the presence of resistant effects among pathogenic bacteria by using postbiotics. Future
research on prebiotic-postbiotic interaction may improve quality of the meat and performance or uncover new benefits.

Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (2021YFC2103004).

Author Contributions
Formal analysis: Chen H. Writing - original draft: Saeed M, Afzal Z. Writing - review & editing: Saeed M, Afzal Z, Afzal F,
Khan RU, Elnesr SS, Alagawany M, Chen H.

Ethics Approval
This article does not require IRB/IACUC approval because there are no human and animal participants.

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