Abstract

The risk of bacteria acquiring resistance to specific antibiotics led to a ban of antibiotics as growth promoters in European Union (EU) since January 2006. In recent decades, organic acids (acidifiers)have been used as potential alternatives to antibiotics in monogastric animals’ diets in order to improve growth performance and prevent diseases. The probable mode of actions of organic acids includes reducing the digesta pH value in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), regulating the balance of microbial populations in the gut, stimulating the secretion of digestive enzyme and promoting the growth and recovery of the intestinal morphology. Moreover, acidifiers appear to have antimicrobial activity, by controlling the bacterial populations in the gut, increasing activity of proteolytic enzymes, and inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Dietary organic acids can actually become an alternative solution to antibiotics, in order to improve health status and performance in livestock. The purpose of this review is to summarize the beneficial effects of using organic acids in monogastric (pig and rabbit)animals’ diets.

Key words: Acidifiers, organic acids, effect, growth performance, health status, pig, rabbit.