Applications and Action Mechanisms of Yucca schidigera Extract in Livestock, Poultry and Aquatic Animals

Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) is a plant-derived feed additive rich in steroidal saponins, polyphenols, and polysaccharides, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and ammonia-binding properties. This review systematically synthesizes the major bioactive components, core mechanisms of action, including modulation of the Nrf2/ARE and NF-κB pathways, regulation of ruminal fermentation and ammonia-nitrogen metabolism, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and the species-specific application effects of YSE in pigs, poultry, ruminants, and aquatic animals. Most studies have shown that YSE can improve growth performance, reproductive efficiency, and product quality while concurrently reducing ammonia and methane emissions. However, the magnitude and consistency of these benefits vary considerably across species, dosage, and experimental conditions, with most evidence derived from controlled trials rather than commercial-scale validation. By integrating cross-species dose–response data and identifying critical knowledge gaps, including product standardization, long-term safety, and economic feasibility under commercial conditions, this review provides a theoretical and practical foundation for the evidence-based application of YSE as a sustainable feed additive. In the context of global efforts to reduce antibiotic use and mitigate environmental pollution from livestock production, YSE represents a promising, multifunctional tool for advancing ecological and low-carbon animal husbandry.