A Review on Bioactive Peptides and Their Potential Health Benefits and Applications in Poultry.

Bioactive peptides are short chains of amino acids with specific biological activities, sourced from proteins in various natural sources such as food, animal tissues, and microbial cultures. They offer potential health benefits including antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities. Researchers are exploring their potential applications in medicine alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics, as well as in the food industry as substitutes for synthetic additives. Bioactive peptides can be derived from a diverse array of natural sources including milk, eggs, fish, plants, and microbial proteins, making them a promising area of research. In poultry nutrition, bioactive peptides have demonstrated remarkable benefits. They exhibit antimicrobial activity, which contributes to better gut health and reduced risk of infections. Additionally, they can enhance growth performance by improving nutrient absorption and utilization, and may play a role in alleviating stress in poultry, leading to improved overall health and performance. Various studies have highlighted the positive effects of bioactive peptides derived from different sources such as soybean, cottonseed, and canola meal on broiler growth, feed conversion ratio, and health indicators. The potential of bioactive peptides as functional nutrients in poultry nutrition and health management is indeed promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]