Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides from Pomegranate Peel and Their Role in Poultry Gut Health
PRAVEEN M
The poultry industry has traditionally relied on antibiotic growth promoters to improve feed efficiency and productivity, but concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and food safety have encouraged the use of natural alternatives. Gut health plays a crucial role in poultry performance, with intestinal microbiota influencing digestion, immunity, and disease resistance. Prebiotics have emerged as effective non-antibiotic feed additives due to their ability to selectively stimulate beneficial gut microorganisms. Fruit processing by-products are gaining attention as sustainable sources of prebiotic oligosaccharides, particularly pomegranate peel, which is rich in pectin and dietary fiber. Enzyme-assisted extraction offers an efficient and eco-friendly approach for converting these polysaccharides into bioactive oligosaccharides. These compounds enhance gut microbial balance and short-chain fatty acid production, thereby supporting intestinal health and promoting antibiotic-free poultry production systems.