Prospects of Nano minerals in Poultry Nutrition

Trace minerals are normally used in very minute quantities in animal nutrition but issues like lower bioavailability, antagonism, and higher excretion rates from the body come in the way of their real efficiency. Nano-technology offers opportunities to mediate such issues and helps improve bioavailability of trace minerals. Although, limited literature reports are available on potential usage and effects of nano-particles in poultry nutrition, some convincing evidences suggest that feeding of trace minerals (zinc, copper, silver, selenium, iron, chromium, and manganese) in diets for broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, and quails. Excellent antimicrobial activities exhibited by the nano-particles of Ag, Cu, and Zn, against major poultry pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter, indicate their potential role in effective efficient poultry production. Recent studies have also demonstrated modulation of gut health by nano-particles through increasing abundance of beneficial microbes (Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium) and production of short-chain fatty acids. This review enumerates the production of various nanominerals and their application in poultry production systems.