Postbiotics and parabiotics: Emerging functional ingredients in animal feed for gut health, immunity, and productivity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The focus on next-generation functional feed additives continues to rise due to the increasing demand for sustainable livestock production and less dependence on antibiotics, as they can cause antibiotic resistance. The ability of postbiotics and parabiotics to improve immunity, gut health, and overall performance without the risks associated with administering live microbes has helped them stand out from others. This review highlights their modes of action, including immunoregulation, metabolic optimisation, manipulation of the gut microbiota, and restoration of epithelial barrier integrity. Existing evidence of improved growth performance, disease resistance, and nutritional utilisation in companion animals, ruminants, poultry, swine, sheep, & goat and aquaculture. The bioactive compounds producing these effects are additionally determined using metabolomic techniques, while standardisation, cost, and inactivation procedures continue to be issues. Postbiotics and parabiotics are considered future-oriented feed improvements due to their combination of safety, effectiveness, and multifunctionality. To fully utilise them in animal health and production systems, it will be essential to link translational applications with mechanistic advances.
Authors: Endela Yashaswi Athreya, AK Samanta, Dokur Rohith Reddy, Prashanth Kumar Pappu, Golla Vinay Kumar, Sujan Kumar Yeragorla, Bhaskar Jyoti Deka, Lalrinkima ., Banita Pator
Institution: Central Agricultural University
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7163372264
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