Hydrolyzable tannins in local Thai plants: Potential applications as poultry feed supplements: A systematic review

Vet World Vol.18 July-2025 Article - 25

Systematic Review

Veterinary World, 18(7): 2051-2063

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2025.2051-2063

Tanakamol Mahawan^1,2,3

, Pornchai Pornpanom^1,2

, Surya Nur Rahmatullah⁴

, Tuempong Wongtawan^1,2

, and Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij^1,2

1. Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

2. One Health Research Center, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

3. Research Center for Theoretical Simulation and Applied Research in Bioscience and Sensing, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

4. Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, Mulawarman University, Samarinda 75119, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: The global shift toward antibiotic-free poultry production necessitates sustainable alternatives to conventional growth promoters. Hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) from plants have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gut-modulatory effects, making them promising feed additives. However, reliance on imported tannins from temperate species limits access for tropical producers, especially in Thailand. This study aimed to systematically evaluate locally available Thai plant species as alternative sources of HTs for poultry feed, with a focus on their biological activities, economic feasibility, and practical integration potential.

Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search (2020–2024) was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Thai citation index. Studies assessing Thai plant-derived HTs and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gut health effects were included in the study. A total of 21 studies covering 24 plant species were analyzed. Data extraction included tannin type, target microbes, experimental outcomes, and yield/economic feasibility, assessed through a validated scoring system.

Results: Gallic and ellagic acids were the predominant bioactive compounds reported. HT-rich extracts demonstrated strong antimicrobial effects against 19 pathogenic bacterial species and enhanced the growth of beneficial gut microbiota, including Lactobacillus spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Manihot esculenta (cassava) and Senna siamea (Siamese cassia) emerged as top candidates based on both bioactivity and economic feasibility. In vivo studies, although limited, supported their positive impact on gut health in broilers.

Conclusion: Thai HT-rich plants, particularly cassava and Siamese cassia, show strong potential as sustainable feed additives in poultry production. These species offer dual benefits: antimicrobial and gut-modulatory effects and reduced reliance on expensive imported tannins. However, more standardized extraction protocols and large-scale in vivo trials are essential to validate efficacy, optimize dosage, and ensure feed safety.

Keywords: antibiotic alternatives, antimicrobial activity, ellagic acid, gallic acid, gut health, hydrolyzable tannins, Manihot esculenta, poultry feed, Senna siamea, sustainable agriculture, Thai plants.

How to cite this article: Mahawan T, Pornpanom P, Rahmatullah SN, Wongtawan T, and Thomrongsuwannakij T (2025) Hydrolyzable tannins in local Thai plants: Potential applications as poultry feed supplements: A systematic review, Veterinary World, 18(7):2051-2063.

Received: 25-03-2025 Accepted: 24-06-2025 Published online: 27-07-2025

Corresponding author: Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij E-mail: Thotsapol.th@wu.ac.th

DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2051-2063

Copyright: Mahawan, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.