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Review
. 2023 Feb 17:13:206-215.
doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.02.002. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Applications and prospects of functional oligosaccharides in pig nutrition: A review

Nian Liu  1 , Haibo Shen  1 , Fan Zhang  1 , Xiang Liu  1 , Qinrui Xiao  1 , Qian Jiang  1 , Bie Tan  1 , Xiaokang Ma  1
Affiliations
Review

Applications and prospects of functional oligosaccharides in pig nutrition: A review

Nian Liu et al. Anim Nutr. .

Abstract

Oligosaccharides are low molecular weight carbohydrates between monosaccharides and polysaccharides, which consist of 2 to 20 monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They have the effects of promoting growth, regulating immunity, improving the structure of intestinal flora, and are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. With the comprehensive implementation of the antibiotic prohibition policy in China, oligosaccharides as new green feed additive have been paid more attention. Oligosaccharides can be divided into the following 2 categories according to their digestive characteristics: one is easy to be absorbed by the intestine, called common oligosaccharides, such as sucrose and maltose oligosaccharide; the other is difficult to be absorbed by the intestine and has special physiological functions, called functional oligosaccharides. The common functional oligosaccharides include mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and so on. In this paper, we review the types and sources of functional oligosaccharides, their application in pig nutrition, and the factors limiting their efficacy in recent years. This review provides the theoretical basis for further research of functional oligosaccharides, and the future application of alternative antibiotics in pig industry.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Functional oligosaccharides; Growth performance; Immune performance; Intestinal health; Pig nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, and there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the content of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The beneficial effects of functional oligosaccharides on the intestinal health of weaned piglets through interaction with intestinal microbes. Functional oligosaccharides are broken down by specific enzymes secreted by beneficial bacteria in the gut to produce short-chain fatty acids that maintain intestinal health. SCFAs = short-chain fatty acids.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Antioxidant function of functional oligosaccharides. SOD = superoxide dismutase; CAT = catalase; GSH-Px = glutathione peroxidase; ROS = reactive oxygen species; RNS = reactive nitrogen species.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effects of functional oligosaccharides on the health of sows. Dietary functional oligosaccharides can improve the intestinal microbiota structure of sows, improve the feed intake and nutrient digestion and absorption, so as to improve the antioxidant capacity and non-specific immunity of sows, and further promote the body health of weaned piglets.
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