Applications of Organic Acids in Poultry Production: An Updated and Comprehensive Review

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors tried to review the application of organic acids in the poultry production. There are several points need to be improved and addressed. The line number is missing, please add the line number so that the reviewers can easily point out the problem.

Abstract: "Feed" should not be in bold.

Figure 1 should put near the paragraph when first mentioned, furthermore, is there only three different inorganic acids used for the feed additive OAs? please confirm.

In the section 2 "the different effects of OAs supplementation for poultry", there is only one table just listed all the different OAs, it  should be summarized and provide the organized information, in this format, it is unacceptable and just list up all the relevant publication. 

Moreover, it should has relevant discussion and description, only list a table like this is not acceptable. 

The abbreviations appear in the table should be explained as a note, for example, "BWG", "BW", "FI" and so on. Please restructure and reorganize the table 1.

What the arrows mean should be explained in the note as well.

The section 2.3 "Carcass traits" is rather weak, as stated in the title that it is a comprehensive review, the content should be broaden and please expand this section. 

It would be interesting to add a section on the mechanism of organic acids in poultry production.

The conclusion is too general, please provide the main findings and summarize the manuscript. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English is ok

Author Response

Thank you so much

Please, find the attachment.

Best regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author

The manuscript reviews roles of organic acids as preservative in poultry feed, as well as their roles in improving health status broilers. Moreover, the manuscript discusses the effect of organic acids on growth performance and immunity system and possibility of using OAs as an alternative to antibiotics.

The manuscript is well prepared and covered wide applications for organic acids in poultry sector.

 

General comments

 

-There are tens of review article published in the same topic in 2024. Can the author explain the added value for such type of article?

·       Organic acids in poultry industry: a review of nutritional advancements and health benefits

·       H Du, I Sarwar, S Ahmad, I Suheryani… - World's Poultry …, 2024 - Taylor & Francis

·       Organic Acids as Antibiotics Alternatives in Poultry Field: Recent Advances

·       WA Abd El-Ghany - 2024 - preprints.org

·       Potential of Organic Acids, Essential Oils and Their Blends in Pig Diets as Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters

-Line numbering is missing which complicates the traceability of comments

- Page 2 paragraph 2, line 1: OAs have been added to minimize contamination, OAs minimize contamination or minimize the impact of contamination

- Page 2 paragraph 2, line 2: OAs dosage to prevent the growth of pathogens, it is not sharp dose, depends the type of organic acid.

 

-In Table 1. It is better to add at which level of additives or treatment the mentioned effect occurred

- In Table 1. Space should be introduced before β-cymene

Author Response

Thank you so much

Please, find the attachment.

Best regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript addresses an important and timely topic in the field of animal nutrition, focusing on the use of organic acids as alternatives to antibiotics in poultry feed. The paper is well-structured and generally well-written. The authors have provided a comprehensive overview of the benefits of organic acids, including their effects on growth performance, nutrient utilization, immune response, and microbial load in poultry. However, there are areas where the manuscript could be improved to enhance its clarity and depth. Overall, the manuscript requires revisions before it can be considered for publication. Suggestions and comments are detailed below:

 

1. The European Union's ban on antibiotic growth promoters is mentioned as a driving force for seeking alternatives. Is there similar regulatory pressure or consumer demand in other parts of the world? Would it be useful to include a brief overview of the global regulatory landscape regarding the use of OAs and antibiotics in animal feed?

 

2. The introduction notes that OAs promote the production of prebiotics and probiotic lactic acid bacteria. How do these mechanisms compare with those of antibiotics in terms of efficacy?

 

3. While the introduction highlights the benefits of OAs, it does not address potential challenges or limitations in their use, such as variability in efficacy depending on environmental conditions or interactions with other feed components. Should these aspects be discussed to provide a more balanced view?

 

4. Optimize the details of the diagrams, such as aligning the arrows in Figures 1 and 3

 

 

 

Author Response

Thank you so much

Please, find the attachment.

Best regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have addressed the reviewers’ comments and have improved the review substantially.