Nutraceutical Additives Modulate Microbiota and Gut Health in Post-Weaned Piglets

Due to the challenge of weaning pigs and the need to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal feed, there is a growing need to look for nutraceutical alternatives to reduce the adverse effects of the post-weaning period. We evaluate the effect of different feed nutraceutical additives on the microbial communities, gut health biomarkers, and productivity of pigs during the post-weaning period. The study involved 240 piglets weaned on the 21st day of age and randomized to six different diets: D1-BD commercial standard feed, D2-AGP: D1 + 150 ppm zinc bacitracin, D3-MD: D1 + 550 ppm maltodextrin, D4-FOS: D1 + 300 ppm fructo-oligosaccharides, D5-EO: D1 + 70 ppm