The high demand of chicken meat observed in recent years guarantees a future of sustained growth for the sector. However, the good prospects coexist with important challenges. Thus, the recent ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters due to the risk of transmission of resistance to antibiotics to consumers (Regulation [EC] No. 1831/2003) has led to the search for new additives for prevention of intestinal infections. In this line of research we have studied the role of different probiotics and prebiotics on the structure of the intestinal epithelium (development of villi, microvilli, goblet cell count, identification of M cells and expression of MUC2) and on the epithelial barrier function.

Responsible of the research line

Ruth Ferrer, PhD

Other research line members

Raquel Martin, PhD

Teresa Brufau, PhD