Nutrition & Food

·

Review

Fungi Can Replace Soy and Fishmeal in Chicken Feed

Fungi Can Replace Soy and Fishmeal in Chicken Feed

Aspergillus, Oyster mushroom, Enoki

What they found

A review found fungi like Pleurotus in broiler diets had neutral or positive effects on growth, immunity and gut health.

A review found fungi like Pleurotus in broiler diets had neutral or positive effects on growth, immunity and gut health.

How solid is it?

Review

Review

Narrative review

Narrative review

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Aspergillus, Pleurotus, Flammulina

Aspergillus, Pleurotus, Flammulina

Compound

β-glucans, chitin, phenolics

β-glucans, chitin, phenolics

Published in

Archives of Animal Nutrition

Archives of Animal Nutrition

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

GROWING & GOURMET

GROWING & GOURMET

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Fungi-Fed Chickens

Fungi-Fed Chickens

This comprehensive review explores how filamentous fungi—like Aspergillus, Pleurotus, and Flammulina—can sustainably replace soy and fishmeal in broiler chicken diets. Mushroom fruiting bodies, mycelia, and even spent substrate (a byproduct of mushroom farming) were tested. Results from multiple feeding trials showed either neutral or positive effects on broiler growth, immune response, gut health, and meat quality. Bioactive compounds like β-glucans, chitin, and phenolics played key roles by supporting beneficial gut microbes and enhancing nutrient uptake. Though not all fungi had the same impact, using mushroom waste as feed could reduce environmental costs and support circular agriculture.

This comprehensive review explores how filamentous fungi—like Aspergillus, Pleurotus, and Flammulina—can sustainably replace soy and fishmeal in broiler chicken diets. Mushroom fruiting bodies, mycelia, and even spent substrate (a byproduct of mushroom farming) were tested. Results from multiple feeding trials showed either neutral or positive effects on broiler growth, immune response, gut health, and meat quality. Bioactive compounds like β-glucans, chitin, and phenolics played key roles by supporting beneficial gut microbes and enhancing nutrient uptake. Though not all fungi had the same impact, using mushroom waste as feed could reduce environmental costs and support circular agriculture.

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