What are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are indigestible compounds that enhance the effects of probiotics by regulating the number and activity of beneficial bacteria found in the intestines. They are nutrients that bacteria consume.

Prebiotics have effects such as regulating digestion, increasing vitamin synthesis and mineral absorption, reducing the risk of colon cancer and cholesterol levels, and strengthening the immune system. They increase the viability and reproduction rate of probiotics in the intestines. For this reason, it is important to use prebiotics and probiotics together as synbiotics to benefit from their synergistic effects and achieve better performance.

Additives classified as prebiotics include; mannanoligosaccharides (MOS), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), alpha-galacto-oligosaccharides (α-GOS), galactosyl-lactose, inulin, enzymatically hydrolyzed inulin (oligofructose), and synthetic fructose.

Inulin

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber. Its primary beneficial effect is the prevention of ketosis disease. It is highly beneficial for calf growth and intestinal health. It promotes animal development, feed efficiency, and increases meat and milk production. It increases the formation of volatile fatty acids produced in the rumen that provide energy to ruminants. As in humans, it promotes the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and reduces harmful bacteria. Administration to ewes in the final stages of pregnancy is beneficial in preventing pregnancy toxemia. It has hepatoprotective effects. When added to the ration of dairy cows in the final stages of pregnancy, it improves the quality of colostrum. The energy it provides prevents sudden weight loss in postpartum cows and enables them to return to estrus in the shortest possible time.

MOS

It has been reported that the addition of Lactobacillus acidophilus to dairy cow rations increases milk yield. Like probiotics, prebiotics have positive effects on the immune system. However, in addition to accelerating the proliferation of beneficial bacteria together with the natural microflora in the intestinal tract, MOS binds to bacterial fimbriae that enable pathogenic microorganisms to adhere to the surface of intestinal epithelial cells, thereby preventing pathogens from adhering to the intestinal tract and initiating infection.

Academic Research on Prebiotics

Prebiotics, Synbiotics and their Use in Veterinary Medicine
Prebiotic Use in Quail
Aquaculture – Prebiotics and MOS
Ruminant Probiotic-Prebiotic-Enzyme Use