Microbial-Based Strategies for Eco-Friendly Odor Management and Enhanced Environmental Sustainability in Poultry Production

Zubaida Amir Al-Heety ¹, Ali Kareem Al-Nasseri ¹*

Probiotics provide a sustainable, natural approach to mitigate poultry odors, improving environmental quality, community health, and eco-friendly farming practices.

Abstract

Odor emissions from poultry farms, primarily consisting of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds, present persistent challenges to environmental quality, human health, and community acceptance of poultry operations. Conventional odor mitigation strategies, such as chemical additives and ventilation systems, often fall short due to high costs, secondary pollution, and limited long-term effectiveness. In recent years, probiotics—beneficial microorganisms that enhance gut health—have emerged as a promising, eco-friendly alternative for odor management. Probiotics modulate the gastrointestinal microbial community, improve nutrient absorption, and enhance feed efficiency, collectively reducing nitrogen excretion and suppressing the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria in manure. Strains of Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Saccharomyces have demonstrated significant potential in lowering odorous compounds through enzymatic degradation and competitive exclusion. Beyond odor control, probiotic supplementation contributes to improved bird health, enhanced immune function, and overall farm productivity, aligning with growing consumer demand for sustainable and antibiotic-free poultry production. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms by which probiotics influence odor generation, highlights key experimental findings supporting their efficacy, and identifies challenges in strain selection, dosage optimization, and long-term implementation. By integrating probiotics into poultry management practices, farms can reduce environmental impact, improve air quality, and maintain better community relations, ultimately advancing sustainable and responsible poultry production. Probiotic-based interventions thus represent a viable pathway toward environmentally friendly, health-conscious, and economically beneficial poultry farming.

Keywords: Poultry odor, probiotics, ammonia emissions, microbial modulation, sustainable poultry production

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