In modern poultry production, every efficiency point matters. Around the world, producers are increasingly turning to natural, science-based solutions that strengthen gut health, improve feed conversion, and enhance flock uniformity.
A recent study published in the German Journal of Veterinary Research (Martin et al., 2023) demonstrated that the use of prebiotics derived from Aspergillus meal (PRI-A-FERM) can significantly enhance growth performance, intestinal integrity, and bone mineralization in broiler chickens.
What Is an Aspergillus Meal Prebiotic?
An Aspergillus meal prebiotic is a functional ingredient obtained from the controlled fermentation of Aspergillus niger. In animal nutrition, it acts as a non-digestible compound that supports beneficial gut microbiota, improving digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall intestinal health.
Unlike antibiotic or synthetic additives, prebiotics work naturally by stimulating the growth of favorable intestinal bacteria, promoting better nutrient use and reducing intestinal permeability.
Key Findings from the Study
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Arkansas and collaborators across Latin America and the Middle East (Martin et al., 2023), evaluated the inclusion of 0.2% Aspergillus meal (PRI-A-FERM) in broiler diets over a 42-day period.
The results were significant:
- Higher body weight and daily weight gain compared to the control group.
- Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR).
- Increased bone strength, ash, calcium, and phosphorus levels.
- Better intestinal integrity, reflected in lower intestinal permeability (FITC-d) and higher peptide YY concentrations.
These findings indicate that Aspergillus meal supplementation can positively influence growth performance, bone development, and intestinal health, while promoting overall animal welfare.
Why It Matters for Poultry Production
Efficient nutrient utilization and intestinal integrity are key factors for sustainable poultry production. By improving gut microbiota balance and digestive efficiency, Aspergillus-based prebiotics help producers achieve more consistent performance, reduce feed costs, and support animal welfare — without relying on antibiotic growth promoters.
The observed improvement in bone mineralization also suggests stronger, healthier birds capable of sustaining optimal growth under commercial conditions.
The growing body of scientific research on Aspergillus-based prebiotics highlights their potential to improve productivity, welfare, and sustainability in modern poultry systems. Studies such as that of Martin et al. (2023) emphasize the importance of intestinal health and nutrient absorption as fundamental pillars of efficient and responsible production.
At Productos Químico Agropecuarios, we continue to follow and share scientific developments that contribute to better animal nutrition and support a more sustainable agricultural future.
Reference:
Martin, K., Laverty, L., Filho, R. L. A., Hernandez-Velasco, X., Señas-Cuesta, R., Gray, L. S., Marcon, R. F. R., Stein, A., Coles, M. E., Loeza, I., Castellanos-Huerta, I., El-Ashram, S., Al-Olayan, E., Tellez-Isaias, G., & Latorre, J. D. (2023). Evaluation of Aspergillus meal prebiotic in productive parameters, bone mineralization and intestinal integrity in broiler chickens. German Journal of Veterinary Research, 3(3), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2023.3.0061
