Role of Mushroom as Dietary Supplement on Performance of Poultry

ABSTRACT

The objective of this review is to summarize the effect of commonly used mushrooms (particularly Pleurotus ostreatus or oyster mushroom, Agaricus bisporus or Button mushroom, Lentimula edodes or shiitake mushroom, and Ganoderma lucidum or reishi mushroom) in poultry diets on performance of broilers and layers. It can be concluded from different studies that mushrooms and their polysaccharides can play important roles in poultry production: (1) Polysaccharides in mushrooms may act as immune enhancers or immunomodulators and show antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic bioactivities; (2) phenolic compounds of mushrooms may act as antioxidants; (3) mushrooms in broiler's diet may be used as growth promoters as an alternative to antibiotics; (4) mushrooms in the diet may improve egg production and quality; (5) mushrooms may be used as a safe and effective alternative for inducing molt, enhancing immunity, reducing Salmonella growth, and returning to egg production. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of mushrooms to improve productive performance in chickens and to illuminate the possible modes of action related to the gut ecosystem and the immune response.

KEYWORDS:

• antioxidant
• broiler growth
• egg production
• egg quality
• immunity
• mushroom

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sohail Hassan Khan

Sohail Hassan Khan, PhD in Animal Nutrition Assistant Nutrition Chemist, Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Research interests: Animal nutrition, Poultry Science.

Nasir Mukhtar

Nasir Mukhtar, PhD in Animal Nutrition Assistant Professor, Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Research interests: Animal nutrition, Poultry Science.

Javid Iqbal

Javid Iqbal, PhD in Poultry Science Visiting Faculty Member Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Research interest: Poultry Science.