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Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
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Abstract: |
Carotenoids are one of the widespread and ubiquitous lipid-soluble pigments that
produce a wide range of colours which are universally found in various plants, micro-
algae, bacteria and fungi. Recently, interest in using carotenoids as feed ingredients
has increased markedly owing to their bioactive and health-promoting properties.
In terms of applications, carotenoid-rich products are widely available in the form
of food and feed additive, supplements and natural colourants. Carotenoids play a
versatile biological role that contributes to therapeutic effects, including anticancer,
immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and neuroprotec-
tive. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids not only improves the production per-
formance and health of poultry birds, but also enhances the quality of egg and meat.
Several studies have suggested that the supplementation of plant derived carote-
noids revealed numerous health-promoting activities in poultry birds. Carotenoids
reduce the oxidative stress in pre-hatched and post-hatched birds through differ-
ent mechanisms, including quench free radicals, activating antioxidant enzymes and
inhibiting the signalling pathways. Use of carotenoids in poultry feed as a part of
nutrient that confers bird health and improve product quality. Carotenoids play a
critical role for the pigmentation of egg yolk, skin, legs, beak, comb, feather and fat.
Birds consumed carotenoid deficient diet resulting hues of their egg yolk or pale col-
oured skin. Therefore, uniform pigmentation generally indicates the health status
and quality of the poultry products. This review aims to gather recent information re-
garding bioactive properties of carotenoids and highlight pharmaceutical and health
beneficial effects of carotenoids for the poultry industry. Additionally, it explores the
importance of carotenoids as alternative feed ingredients for poultry to boost the
production performance and replace synthetic medicine and nutrients
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