Importance of Probiotics for Animals Probiotics are a microbial food supplement that can be beneficial to animals by improving their intestinal microbial balance. The probiotics help improve the feed conversion among animals by reducing morbidity or mortality and benefit the consumer through improved product quality. Studies have found that the combination of probiotics with different action mechanisms can also amplify the protective range of biotherapeutic preparations and these probiotics are more effective than the separate components. Probiotics are defined as “a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal balance”. A large volume of studies suggests that the use of probiotics can prevent or treat intestinal disorders. The best-studied probiotics is the lactic acid bacteria, known as Lactobacillus sp and Bifidobacterium sp. Probiotics have also been determined as viable microbial feed supplements believed to stimulate growth and health and beneficially modify the intestine’s ecology. Probiotics can have beneficial effects on the host animal due to improved intestinal microbial balance or the indigenous microflora. Many probiotics mechanisms enhance intestinal health, including stimulation of immunity, inhibition of epithelial and mucosal adherence, competition for limited nutrients, inhibition of epithelial invasion, and production of antimicrobial substances. Efficiency of probiotics on farm animals There are many varied claims made for probiotics, but it is impossible to provide good scientific evidence to support them. Potential beneficial effects of probiotics on farm animals can be:
Resistance against infectious diseases Improve feed conversion