Feed Additives and Their Use in Monogastric Animal Nutrition

Dear Colleagues,

Feed costs currently constitute approximately 70% of all costs related to animal production. Therefore, solutions are constantly being sought to maximize the use of feed ingredients. Various types of feed additives may be helpful in this respect. Feed additives are compounds and preparations whose introduction into feed improves its properties, most often as a result of palatability, digestibility and absorption of nutrients. Additives also affect animal health, which is particularly important in the context of the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters as additives to feed mixtures. The knowledge and possibilities of using feed additives in animal nutrition, as well as their impact on animal organisms, are constantly being developed. Only comprehensive knowledge, including understanding the mechanisms of action of feed additives, will allow for their effective use and real support for the feed industry.

New-generation exogenous enzymes (which include carbohydrases, proteases and phytases) and emulsifiers (such as glycerols or pectins) are a cost-effective and effective way to increase the digestibility of protein, amino acids, fats, starch, non-starch polysaccharides and phosphorus. Pro-, pre- and synbiotics, as well as salts of organic acids, may be helpful in stabilizing the gastrointestinal microflora. Phytobiotic preparations are characterized by antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Sorbents and detoxifiers known for their binding properties minimize the harmful effects of mycotoxins. In turn, amino acid chelates can increase the bioavailability of microelements.

The scope of this Special Issue covers the use of feed additives in the nutrition of all species of farm animals (poultry, pigs, horses) and the explanation of the potential mechanisms of action of these additives.

This Special Issue welcomes new research in the above-mentioned research areas. In addition, studies assessing potential gaps in the use of feed additives or their mechanisms of action and ways to eliminate such shortcomings, as well as extensive review articles, are also of interest.

Dr. Damian Konkol
Guest Editor

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• enzymes
• emulsifiers
• phytoncides
• detoxicants
• probiotics
• prebiotics
• coccidiostats
• chelates
• organic acids