Dietary Anti-nutritional Factors and Their Roles in Livestock Nutrition

Abstract

Nutrition is widely recognized as one of the chief factors driving profitability, efficiency, and development of livestock production. Plant-derived feedstuffs are high in macronutrients and micronutrients, but they also possess anti-nutritional factors (ANFs). Anti-nutritional factors are secondary compounds that lower the nutrient content of forages and reduce forage feed intake by livestock. Protease inhibitors, amylase inhibitors, lectins, tannins, mimosine, phytic acid, gossypol, oxalates, cyanogens, saponins, nitrates, alkaloids, and anti-vitamins are some of the most common ANFs found in livestock feed. The ANFs block or interfere with how the animal’s body absorbs other nutrients, resulting in reduced bioavailability of various legumes and cereal components. Thus, ANFs may cause micronutrient malnutrition and mineral deficiencies. Different traditional techniques and methods are used alone or in combination to reduce the ANFs content in livestock feed, such as fermentation, germination, debarking, sterilization, steam sterilization, and soaking. The majority of ANFs found in livestock feeds offer potential health advantages or risks for livestock.