Short and Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives as a Natural Strategy in the Control of Necrotic Enteritis and Microbial Homeostasis in Broiler Chickens.

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has historically been the most important prophylactic strategy for the control of Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by some Clostridium perfringens toxin types in poultry. During the last five decades, AGPs have also been supplemented in feed to improve body weight gain and feed efficiency as well as to modulate the microbiome (consisting of microbes and their genes both beneficial and potentially harmful) and reduce enteric pathogens, among other benefits. New regulatory requirements and consumer preferences have led to strong interest in natural alternatives to the AGPs for the prevention and control of illnesses caused by enteric pathogens. This interest is not just focused on the direct removal or inhibition of the causative microorganisms but also the improvement of intestinal health and homeostasis using a range of feed additives. A group of promising feed additives is short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) and their derivatives. The use of SCFA and MCFA, including butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, has shown strong effects against NE in broilers both at experimental and commercial levels. These fatty acids also benefit intestinal health integrity and homeostasis. Other effects have also been documented, including increases in intestinal angiogenesis and gene expression of tight junctions. Chemical modifications to improve stability and point of release in the intestine have been shown to improve the efficacy of SCFA and MCFA and their derivatives. The aim of this review is to give an overview of SCFA, MCFA and their derivatives, as an alternative to replace AGPs to control the incidence and severity of NE in poultry.
Competing Interests: Commercial companies employed several of the authors of this paper, at the time of the writing of this paper, as follows: L-MG-O employed by Alura Animal Health and Nutrition, VY-M by Okuo, A. Ballou by Iluma Alliance, and M. Parini by Silo. Alura Animal Health and Nutrition is a company that sells therapeutic and prophylactic antibiotics and anticoccidials as well as natural health alternatives including SCFA and MCFA for animal husbandry. Okuo sells food safety products for processing plants. Iluma is involved in formulation services, sale of vitamin and mineral premixes as well as health products for animal agriculture. Silo sells vitamins, amino acids, fiber compounds, SCFA and MCFA. None of these companies exclusively sells SCFA and MCFA. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2021 Gomez-Osorio, Yepes-Medina, Ballou, Parini and Angel.)