Role of Plant Secondary Metabolites in Animal Nutrition

Herbs and its metabolites are relatively newer class of feed additives in animal nutrition and their mode of action, use and application is still not yet studied completely. The ban on the antibiotic growth promoters in feeding of livestock resulted in a growing demand and scientific studies for the use of the herbs, herbal extract or residues globally. In recent years, a lot of herbal medicines have already been reported to promote growth and boost immune system in ruminants, pigs, chickens and other animals. Herbal feed additives have found to play a significant role in health and nutrition. The beneficial effects of herbs in farm animals includes improved feed intake and secretion of digestive enzymes, improved feed efficiency, reduced incidence of digestive disturbance etc are mostly due to the presence of different secondary metabolites like tannin, saponin, essential oil etc.. This books explains the effect of saponin and essential oil on different aspects of animal production and heath.