Garlic as an alternative supplement in pig nutrition. А review.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of garlic and its extracts in animal husbandry, and in particular in pig nutrition. There are numerous studies that show how garlic positively influences health, productivity and welfare of pigs, while reducing the need for antibiotics and other synthetic additives in animal nutrition. Garlic demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antiviral and antiparasitic activity, exhibits antioxidant effects and helps to remove toxins from the body. It has immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipemic, antihypertensive and anticoagulant properties, and has a beneficial effect on brain function and cardiovascular diseases, mostly expressed in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. The positive impact of garlic as a nutritional supplement in pig farming is expressed in improved pigs’ growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bacterial microbiota and intestinal function, overcoming post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, and reduced ammonia excretion in feces. Garlic powder is a new resource for the future needs of animal husbandry, and in particular of pig nutrition. At the same time, it remains a relatively new field of research. Further scientific studies on the active ingredients of garlic, its biological mechanisms of action and suitable for different categories of pigs forms and concentrations will help expand knowledge and create opportunities for fruitful applications of garlic in pig farming.