Quercetin as a Bioactive Feed Additive in Poultry and Rabbits: New Research Offers Critical Insights

Strategic Insights -

A new study has shed light on the potential of quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid found in various plant-based foods, as a sustainable and functional additive in animal nutrition. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from Damanhour University in Egypt, explores the impact of quercetin on growth efficiency, intestinal health, antioxidant, immune function, and the quality of animal-derived foods in poultry and rabbits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid, has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, making it a promising additive in animal nutrition.
  • In rabbits, dietary supplementation with quercetin (25-100 mg/kg diet) has been associated with enhanced feed efficacy, meat composition, and gut microbial balance.
  • In poultry, including broilers and laying hens, quercetin (up to 200 mg/kg) has been found to enhance growth under normal and heat stress conditions, improve meat and egg quality, and modulate oxidative stress markers and gut microbiota.
  • The effects of quercetin are connected to its ability to control the activity of genes involved in inflammation, antioxidant enzymes, and the immune system in the gut.
  • The review emphasizes the potential of quercetin to improve the nutritional and functional quality of meat and eggs, making it highly relevant for human health and food sustainability.
  • The study recommends further research to define optimal dosages and explore synergistic effects with other natural additives.
  • The research team, led by Mahmoud Abo Ghanima, identified the need for more studies to fully understand the effects of quercetin on animal health and efficiency.

Statistics:

  • The study found that quercetin supplementation in rabbits resulted in enhanced feed efficacy, meat composition, and gut microbial balance.
  • In poultry, quercetin supplementation increased growth efficiency by 10-20% under normal conditions and 15-30% under heat stress conditions.
  • The review highlights the potential of quercetin to improve the nutritional and functional quality of meat and eggs, making it a promising natural additive in animal nutrition.

Sources:

  • Quercetin as a bioactive feed additive: nutritional, antioxidant, and gut health implications in poultry and rabbits. Veterinary and Animal Science, 2025;29:100487.
  • Mahmoud Abo Ghanima, Dept. of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, Egypt.
  • Ayman Abd El-Aziz, Mahmoud Kamal, Ahmed K. Aldhalmi, Mohammad M. H. Khan, and Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack, co-authors of the study.