The increasing global demand for sustainable livestock production necessitates alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, with postbiotics emerging as a viable solution due to their stability, safety and bioactive properties. This review synthesizes research on postbiotics-non-viable microbial components or metabolites, such as those derived from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Products (SCFP), Aspergillus oryzae and Lactobacillus spp. and their effects on ruminant health and productivity. Findings indicate that postbiotics enhance rumen fermentation by stabilizing pH, increasing volatile fatty acid production and modulating microbial populations, particularly fibrolytic bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Immunomodulatory benefits include reduced inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and improved gut barrier function, achieved through the upregulation of tight junction proteins. Species- and dose-dependent responses are evident, with dairy cows showing improved nutrient digestibility and immunity, while beef cattle exhibit variable outcomes in rumen fermentation. Postbiotics also demonstrate antimicrobial effects, reducing pathogens like Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. Despite promising results, efficacy depends on the formulation, dosage and the animal’s physiological stage. This review highlights postbiotics as a strategic tool to enhance ruminant performance while aligning with One Health principles, though further research is needed to optimize their application across production systems.
The global livestock sector is under increasing pressure to meet the rising demand for animal-derived protein while addressing critical challenges related to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), feed efficiency and environmental sustainability [1-3]. Historically, antibiotics have been widely used in animal production not only for disease control but also as growth promoters [4-6]. However, the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has led to stringent regulatory restrictions, including the European Union’s ban on antibiotic growth promoters in 2006 [7,8] and the U.S. FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive in 2017 [9]. These measures highlight the urgent need for sustainable alternatives that enhance animal health and productivity without contributing to AMR.
One of the major challenges in modern ruminant production is the disruption of gut microbiota due to high-concentrate diets, which can lead to Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA), liver abscesses and systemic inflammation [10]. Such conditions not only impair animal performance but also increase susceptibility to pathogens
such as Salmonella and Fusobacterium [1,9,11,12]. In this context,
postbiotics are gaining significant attention as a novel category of
“biotics,” offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics in
livestock production, particularly for ruminants. The International
Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines
postbiotics as “a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/
or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”
[13]. Postbiotics are generated through the fermentation of
probiotics, where these probiotics produce bioactive compounds
during anaerobic fermentation [14]. Extraction methods include
centrifugation, ultrafiltration, chromatography and mass
spectrometry [15]. This means they are non-living products,
often derived from microbial fermentations, comprising cellular
components, metabolites and fermentation end products [13,16].
Unlike live probiotics, postbiotics are more stable and safer, as they
do not contain live microorganisms, thereby reducing the risk of
gut-to-blood bacterial translocation or the acquisition of antibioticresistant
genes [17,18]. They also have a longer shelf life and are
not inactivated by chemicals or drugs [6], making them particularly
suitable for inclusion in animal feed [1,19].
The multifaceted chemical composition of postbiotics highlights
their profound biological relevance in ruminant nutrition and
gut health [20]. Postbiotics encompass a wide range of bioactive
compounds and metabolites, each contributing distinct functional
attributes that influence host physiology, microbial ecology
and immune modulation [21,22]. The strategic application of
postbiotics in ruminant diets hinges on a nuanced understanding of
their chemical constituents and mechanistic pathways. Short-Chain
Fatty Acids (SCFAs), particularly acetate, propionate and butyrate
(Figure 1), serve as essential energy substrates for enterocytes
and exhibit systemic anti-inflammatory effects, thereby enhancing
intestinal barrier integrity-a critical factor in mitigating metabolic
stress in high-producing ruminants [21,23-25]. Organic acids,
including lactic and phenylacetic acids, exert a bacteriostatic
effect by modulating luminal pH, thus selectively inhibiting
pathogenic colonization while fostering commensal microbiota
proliferation [26,27]. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) and bacteriocins
further exemplify the dual role of postbiotics in pathogen exclusion
and immune priming. EPS such as β-glucans enhance mucosal
immunity through receptor-mediated signalling [28,29], while
bacteriocins, such as nisin, provide targeted antimicrobial activity
without disrupting symbiotic microbial consortia [2,30,31]. The
presence of B vitamins and antioxidant enzymes within postbiotic
matrices (Figure 1) also suggests a synergistic role in ameliorating
oxidative stress, a common constraint in intensive production
systems [28,32,33].
Fgure 1:The diverse and complex chemical composition of postbiotics underpins their wide range of biological
activities.
The efficacy of postbiotics depends on their source and
compositional profile [11]. For instance, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
Fermentation Products (SCFP) have been extensively validated in
dairy cattle, where their metabolite-rich composition improves
fibre digestibility, enhances feed efficiency, reduces lactic acid
accumulation, and promotes beneficial microbial populations in
the rumen [34,35] and lactation performance [36-39]. Similarly,
Lactobacillus plantarum RG14 metabolites demonstrate significant
benefits in young ruminants by improving nutrient digestibility
and inhibiting pathogenic bacteria through lowered intestinal
pH and the formation of protective biofilms [22], highlighting the
strain-specific nature of postbiotic effects [22]. Recent research
has expanded our understanding of postbiotic applications across
different ruminant species and production stages [1,5,17,40]. In
dairy cows, SCFP supplementation has been shown to mitigate
SARA by stabilizing ruminal pH and enhancing Volatile Fatty
Acid (VFA) production [41,42]. In calves, postbiotics improve
immune function and reduce diarrhea incidence [5,43-45], while
in beef cattle, they enhance feed efficiency and liver health [46].
Additionally, postbiotics exhibit immunomodulatory properties,
reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress markers such
as Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein
(LBP) [17,32,39,47-52]. Although significant progress has been
made, there are still gaps in optimizing postbiotic formulations
for various production systems and in understanding their
long-term effects on rumen microbiome dynamics. The primary
objective of this review is to synthesize existing knowledge on
postbiotic applications in ruminant nutrition, focusing on their
impact on rumen fermentation and animal health. This work aims
to contribute to the development of sustainable strategies that
enhance animal health, productivity, and food safety while aligning
with the “One Health” paradigm.
Effects of postbiotics on rumen fermentation and animal
health
The efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products
in stabilizing ruminal pH during dietary stress is well-documented
(Table 1). In lactating Holstein cows subjected to SARA challenges,
SCFP supplementation (14-38g/d) consistently mitigated pH
fluctuations and lactate accumulation, while enriching fibrolytic
taxa (Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae) essential for fibre
degradation [34,42,53,54]. This microbial shift correlated with
increased acetate production and reduced proteolytic activity,
enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency. SCFP’s benefits were
dose-dependent; for example, higher doses (38g/d of SCFPb-
2X) amplified rumen resilience during high-starch feeding by
attenuating propionate metabolism and stabilizing the Firmicutes:
Bacteroidetes ratio [34,42]. On the other hand, steers receiving a
combination of liquid (11mL/100kg BW) and dry SCFP (12g/d)
showed a 28.8% decrease in ruminal NH₃-N, accompanied by an
increase in valerate, indicating enhanced peptide metabolism
[41,52]. Such findings accentuate SCFP’s role in optimizing
fermentation stoichiometry, though responses vary with delivery
method and basal diet composition [55-59].
Table 1:Effects of postbiotics on rumen fermentation parameters.
Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms
Beyond rumen modulation, SCFP exerts systemic
immunoregulatory effects (Table 2). Transition cows supplemented
pre-and postpartum (19g/d) exhibited reduced Serum Amyloid A
(SAA) and LPS-binding protein, suggesting mitigation of endotoxin
translocation [60]. This aligns with Guo et al. [34], who found that
SCFPb-2X (38g/d) downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines
(IL-6, TNF-α) by 25-30% during SARA, while elevating the antiinflammatory
cytokine IL-10. The mechanistic link involves
enhanced gut barrier integrity, as evidenced by the upregulation of
tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1) in mid-lactation cows
[51]. Similarly, Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (3-6g/d)
reduced plasma LBP and IL-6 in lactating Holsteins, corroborating
the anti-inflammatory potential of fungal metabolites [32].
Intriguingly, Ferguson et al. [61] reported a reduced incidence
of mastitis with SCFP, while Thomas et al. [62] observed no such
effect-A discrepancy potentially attributable to herd health status
or basal diet differences (Table 2).
Table 2:Effects of postbiotics on animal health and immune function.
Interaction between postbiotics and the rumen
microbiome
Postbiotics are gaining significant attention as a novel category
of “biotics,” offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics
in livestock production, particularly for ruminants [63-66]. The
interaction between postbiotics and the rumen microbiome has
been the topic of several studies due to their potential to enhance
ruminant productivity while mitigating environmental impacts
[67]. Recent studies demonstrate that postbiotics exert species
and stage-specific effects on rumen fermentation and microbial
ecology. In goats, yeast-derived postbiotics (Probisan Ruminants)
administered at 3.75g/d during late lactation increased propionate
production by 21% and improved the acetate-to-propionate ratio,
suggesting enhanced energy utilization [37,68,69]. Similarly, lambs
supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum RG14 postbiotics
exhibited a selective reduction in Enterobacteriaceae without
disrupting total bacterial populations, indicating targeted
antimicrobial activity against potential pathogens [22,70-72]. These
findings highlight the capacity of postbiotics to modulate microbial
communities in a manner that supports host health and metabolic
efficiency. In young ruminants, postbiotic supplementation has
shown promise in boosting immune defences. Calves receiving
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Products (SCFP) at 1-2g/
d demonstrated improved resistance to respiratory and enteric
pathogens, with notable reductions in Salmonella-induced diarrhea
and lung pathology [73,74]. However, responses vary with the
dietary context, as evidenced by beef heifers on high-grain diets
showing improved fermentation profiles with SCFP, whereas midfattening
Angus steers exhibited no significant changes in rumen
parameters [75,76].
This highlights the importance of dosage, dietary composition
and physiological stage in determining the efficacy of postbiotics.
Beyond immediate performance benefits, postbiotics influence
rumen microbial ecology in ways that enhance long-term feed
efficiency [20,23,77]. Studies in newly weaned lambs have revealed
that postbiotics increase weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and
populations of fibrolytic bacteria, while reducing protozoa and
methanogens [22]. In vitro work further supports these observations,
demonstrating that postbiotics from L. plantarum RG14 enhance
organic matter digestibility and volatile fatty acid production
without compromising rumen pH [78]. Such improvements in
fermentation efficiency are critical for optimizing feed conversion in
production systems. A particularly compelling aspect of postbiotic
supplementation is its potential to reduce methane emissions. By
suppressing methanogen populations, postbiotics directly lower
methane output [22]. Additionally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
postbiotics promote microbial stability, fostering lactate-utilizing
and fibrolytic bacteria while mitigating subacute ruminal acidosis
[42]. This stabilization of rumen microbiota not only improves
animal health but also redirects metabolic hydrogen toward
propionate synthesis rather than methanogenesis [77,79]. The
resulting shift in fermentation pathways aligns with broader goals
of sustainable livestock production. The mechanisms underlying
these effects involve intricate microbial interactions. Postbiotics
modulate the rumen microbiome’s composition and functional
dynamics, enhancing fermentation efficiency while reducing
environmental pollutants [80]. As research progresses, a deeper
understanding of these interactions will enable more targeted
applications, ensuring that postbiotics are utilized optimally
across different production systems. For farmers and nutritionists,
these findings offer practical strategies to improve both animal
performance and environmental sustainability.
The growing body of research stresses the potential of
postbiotics as a viable alternative to antibiotics in ruminant
nutrition, offering benefits in rumen fermentation, immune
modulation and overall animal health. Postbiotics, particularly
those derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus
spp., demonstrate consistent improvements in rumen pH stability,
volatile fatty acid production, and nutrient digestibility, while
mitigating subacute ruminal acidosis and reducing pathogenic
bacterial loads. Their immunomodulatory effects, including
reduced inflammatory markers and enhanced gut barrier function,
further support their role in promoting animal health without the
risks associated with live probiotics or antimicrobial resistance.
However, the efficacy of postbiotics varies depending on factors
such as dosage, animal species and physiological stage, highlighting
the need for standardized protocols. While current findings are
promising, further large-scale, long-term studies are necessary
to validate these effects across diverse production systems.
The integration of postbiotics into ruminant diets aligns with
sustainable livestock production goals, offering a science-backed
strategy to enhance productivity while addressing global concerns
over antimicrobial resistance.
Future directions and research gaps
Despite the demonstrated benefits, critical gaps remain in
postbiotic research, particularly regarding optimal dosing, speciesspecific
responses and long-term metabolic impacts. Future studies
should prioritize in vivo trials evaluating postbiotic efficacy in
methane mitigation, feed efficiency and immune function under
varying dietary conditions. Additionally, the economic feasibility
of large-scale postbiotic production must be assessed to facilitate
industry adoption. Mechanistic insights into rumen-microbepostbiotic
interactions, particularly in relation to methanogen
suppression and volatile fatty acid dynamics, warrant deeper
investigation. Standardized methodologies for postbiotic
characterization and application will be essential to maximize their
potential in sustainable ruminant production systems.
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Professor, Chief Doctor, Director of Department of Pediatric Surgery, Associate Director of Department of Surgery, Doctoral Supervisor Tongji hospital, Tongji medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Senior Research Engineer and Professor, Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Interim Dean, College of Education and Health Sciences, Director of Biomechanics Laboratory, Sport Science Innovation Program, Bridgewater State University