Bioactive Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition: Innovations to Improve Health, Performance, and Sustainability

The role of animal nutrition has expanded beyond the supply of essential nutrients, encompassing the use of bioactive compounds that can positively influence animal health, productivity, and welfare. Bioactive feed additives (such as, plant-derived compounds, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids, and other functional ingredients), have emerged as promising tools to improve digestive efficiency, immune modulation, and stress resilience. As concerns grow over antibiotic resistance, environmental sustainability, and the demand for higher-quality animal products, the integration of bioactive compounds into feeding strategies is gaining traction across diverse livestock systems.

This Research Topic aims to address the growing need for scientific insight into the development, application, and mechanisms of action of bioactive feed additives. While several studies have demonstrated their potential, gaps remain in understanding species-specific responses, effective dosages, long-term safety, and interactions with the gut microbiota and immune system. Additionally, the valorization of agro-industrial by-products rich in bioactives presents both opportunities and challenges in formulation and regulation. By consolidating interdisciplinary research efforts, this collection seeks to uncover how these additives can enhance performance, reduce reliance on antibiotics, improve feed efficiency, and promote sustainable and resilient animal production systems.

We welcome a wide range of contributions including Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Identification and characterization of novel bioactive compounds for animal nutrition
• Mechanistic studies on gut health, microbiota, immune modulation, and oxidative stress
• Effects on growth performance, feed conversion, and product quality (meat, milk, eggs, etc.)
• Applications in antibiotic reduction and improvement of animal welfare
• Omics-based approaches to evaluate physiological responses
• Use of fermented feedstuffs and valorized agricultural by-products as functional additives
• Comparative studies across animal species, including ruminants, swine, poultry, aquaculture species, rabbits, equines, companion animals (e.g., dogs, cats), and wildlife or exotic species in managed care settings.

This Research Topic provides a timely platform for researchers, veterinarians, animal scientists, nutritionists, and industry professionals to share innovative findings and contribute to the future of sustainable animal production.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Functional nutrition, Sustainable livestock production, Product quality, Bioactive feed additives

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.