The Using of Antimicrobial Peptides in Broiler Feeding

It is well known that alternative food additives are being researched following the prohibition of the addition of antibiotics to poultry feed as growth factors. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as alternatives to antibiotics. AMPs, produced by bacteria, insects, amphibians and mammals, as well as by chemical synthesis. In particular, their natural antimicrobial properties and their low tendency to create resistance in micro-organisms suggest that they might be a good alternative to antibiotics. They are not only effective against bacteria, but are also known to be effective against fungi and viruses. In studies on pigs and broiler chickens, they have been shown to be beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, the immune system, intestinal morphology and gut microbiota. Antimicrobial peptides are small biological molecules formed from 12-60 amino acids. AMPs have been reported to kill bacteria, in particular those showing resistance to multiple antibiotics. AMPs block the development of harmful bacteria while encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria. For instance, it has been reported that sublancin reduces the Clostridium perfringens count while increasing the numbers of Lactobacilli. Furthermore, they have been proved to have a strong effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some of the AMPs used in broiler chicken feeding are sublancin, secropin, magainin, nisin and defensin. These peptides can be used by adding them to feed or to drinking water. This review has attempted to find an answer to the question of whether AMPs added to the feed of broiler chickens can be an alternative to antibiotics by examining previous studies.