~ 572 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; SP-12(8): 572-575 ISSN (E): 2277-7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2023; SP-12(8): 572-575 © 2023 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 01-06-2023 Accepted: 11-07-2023 S Soren Department of Animal Nutrition, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India GP Mandal Department of Animal Nutrition, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India I Samanta Department of Veterinary Microbiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India RN Hansda Department of Veterinary Pathology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Corresponding Author: S Soren Department of Animal Nutrition, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Saccharomyces cerevisiae based postbiotics: Assessment of their effects on the health and productive performance of poultry S Soren, GP Mandal, I Samanta and RN Hansda Abstract As drug resistance in microbial population increases, researchers are investigating novel natural antibiotics and alternative substances that can be employed safely in both humans and animals. These alternatives strive to sustain a healthy gut microbiome and obstruct the adhesion of harmful organisms at premature life milestones. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and their derivatives such as para probiotics and postbiotics have proven to be effective in promoting growth and preventing enteric pathogens. Postbiotics have been observed to possess a range of beneficial properties, including immunostimulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidant abilities, antimicrobial effects and promotion of growth. Nevertheless, there is not much information about how postbiotics can be used in animals or the poultry industry; therefore this review article seeks to bring greater understanding to those possibilities. Keywords: broiler, growth performance, gut health, immune response, postbiotic Introduction The global impact of antibiotics being utilized for the promotion of growth in poultry production has been immense. It has led to a shift in the intestinal flora of chickens, better disease control and immunization capacities (Lee et al., 2012) [2] , but also resulted in unchecked indiscriminate usage of antibiotics resulting in bacterial resistance and antibiotic residue being present in animal products, causing a health hazard for animals and humans alike (Gonzalez Ronquillo et al., 2022) [3] . Due to the necessity of it, European nations and many others have imposed a ban on using antibiotics in animal feed. As a response, alternatives that can still provide high levels of animal production are being looked into and explored (Diarra and Malouin, 2014) [4] . Recently, due to the need for alternatives to traditional antibiotics, there has been extensive research into utilizing animal antibiotic replacements in livestock production (Rafiq et al., 2022) [5] . These include prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, which have been subject to extensive research to tailor more specific and secure biological control products for the industry. Such substitutes can help mitigate antibiotic resistance issues while providing safe and efficient food for animals and humans. Recently, postbiotics have gained vast attention as preferred substitutes for probiotics due to their ability to reproduce the same effects as probiotics without having to use living cells (Choe et al., 2012) [6] . Postbiotics have been found to possess numerous beneficial effects such as improved gut health, which is essential for animal nutrition; prevention of the expansion of pathogenic bacteria allows for optimal nutrient uptake and enhanced growth in livestock (Kareem et al., 2014) [7] ; and potentially even gastro-protective effects mediated by immunomodulation (Kareem et al., 2014) [7] . Thus, postbiotics present a promising avenue in the research of novel biotechnological solutions for animal nutrition. Concept of postbiotics In 2019, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) gathered a team of specialists to assess the meaning and scope of postbiotics. The panel outlined a definition of postbiotics as “preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host” (Salminen et al., 2021) [8] . In order for postbiotic preparations to be successful, they must comprise either inactivated microbial cells or their components, with or without accompanying metabolites that contribute to beneficial outcomes (Yelin et al., 2019) [9] . This consensus from leading experts provides an important framework for understanding these complex preparations and their potential applications.