Revolutionizing Poultry Nutrition: Microencapsulation of Phytobiotic-Probiotic Blends as a Sustainable Alternative to Antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance poses a global challenge in poultry production, necessitating innovative solutions. This study explores the potential of a novel microencapsulated phytobiotic-probiotic blend (MPPB) combining curcumin, gingerol, Lactobacillus plantarum , and inulin encapsulated in calcium alginate. MPPB supplementation improved body weight gain (BWG) by 17% and feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 21.5%, outperforming antibiotics. Gut health indicators, including villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, increased by 30%, and microbial diversity improved significantly, with Lactobacillus spp. increasing by 45% and Clostridium spp. decreasing by 40%. Oxidative stress markers showed a 37% reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a 46% increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of MPPB as a sustainable and effective alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming.