Nutraceuticals as components of sustainable poultry production systems for food and nutrition security in Africa: a review

Abstract

Poultry production plays a key role in reducing food and nutrition insecurity in developing countries. However, as the poultry industry continues to grow, its future is in doubt due to economic, environmental, and social sustainability challenges. To address these challenges, poultry production practices must be optimized for food security, human health, economic viability, and environmental stewardship. At the core of this sustainability endeavour are the substantial nutritional and health requirements of birds that are raised intensively. Nutrient-dense feed resources such as maize and soybeans are indispensable in most poultry production systems in Africa, yet these grains are also direct nutrient sources for humans. This has increased their demand and prices on the world market. In addition, frequent disease outbreaks pose viability challenges that are traditionally mitigated using antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). However, this practice has led to the undesirable propagation of antibiotic-resistant microbes and production of antibiotic residue-containing poultry products. Alternatives to AGPs such as phytogenic products are required to address some of these challenges. Phytogenics contain nutraceuticals that can boost feed efficiency, bird immunity, and product quality without the negative outcomes associated with AGPs, thus promoting sustainable poultry production. However, phytogenics have not been widely adopted in the poultry industry for a variety of reasons, which are interrogated in this review. The objective of this paper is to explore and evaluate the role of nutraceuticals in sustainable poultry production systems and how they can be used to enhance food and nutrition security in Africa. Optimal usage of phytogenics has the potential to sustain poultry meat and egg production as primary animal protein sources for a growing global human population, especially in developing countries.