Biotechnological upgrading of palm kernel meal for poultry nutrition: Challenges and opportunities.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Animal Science, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (co-constructed by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Efficient Feeding of Shandong Province; College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271017, China.
- 2Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China.
- 3Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, 13736, Egypt.
- 4Regional Center of Excellence for Avian Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, Togo.
Abstract
In recent years, fluctuations in the cost of traditional feed ingredients for poultry farming have compelled producers to explore alternative raw materials to reduce costs. Palm kernel meal (PKM), a by-product of the palm oil extraction industry, is one such alternative. Although PKM is often deemed a low-quality ingredient for poultry feed due to its low energy density and high content of non-starch polysaccharides, particularly β-mannans, its availability and lower price relative to other meal products make it a viable option. This review highlights the nutritional challenges and demonstrates how biotechnology can convert a cumbersome waste product into a valuable feed ingredient. The data focuses on the use of exogenous enzymes, with an emphasis on the synergistic action of β-mannanases and multicarbohydrase cocktails. The use of solid-state fermentation (SSF) with fungal and bacterial strains was also discussed. These bioprocesses efficiently break down complex fibrous matrices, increase the content of crude protein through microbial biomass synthesis and release bioactive manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) in situ. In vivo studies demonstrate that incorporating processed PKM maintains and improves production performance. The released MOS act as prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, preventing the growth of pathogens, and improving intestinal mucosal architecture. Although biotechnological valorization offers a promising way to transform PKM into a high-value functional ingredient for poultry feed, this technology has certain limitations. These include substrate variability and high scaling costs. Further research is needed into industrial-scale SSF processes, as well as the optimization of eco-efficient enzyme combinations and sequential fermentations.
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BibTeX
@article{mijiyawa2026biotechnological,
title = {{Biotechnological upgrading of palm kernel meal for poultry nutrition: Challenges and opportunities.}},
author = {Ahmed Mijiyawa and Elham Ghashghaei and Uchechukwu Edna Obianwuna and Okasha Hamada and Yendouhamtchié Nadiedjoa and Maxwell Ansong Okai and Lijing Sun and Muhammad Faisal Riaz and Felix Kwame Amevor and Dossêh Jean Apôtre Afayibo and Were Pitala and Hai Lin},
journal = {Poultry science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.psj.2026.107899},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42849231},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biotechnological upgrading of palm kernel meal for poultry nutrition: Challenges and opportunities.
AU - Ahmed Mijiyawa
AU - Elham Ghashghaei
AU - Uchechukwu Edna Obianwuna
AU - Okasha Hamada
AU - Yendouhamtchié Nadiedjoa
AU - Maxwell Ansong Okai
AU - Lijing Sun
AU - Muhammad Faisal Riaz
AU - Felix Kwame Amevor
AU - Dossêh Jean Apôtre Afayibo
AU - Were Pitala
AU - Hai Lin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Poultry science
DO - 10.1016/j.psj.2026.107899
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42849231
AB - In recent years, fluctuations in the cost of traditional feed ingredients for poultry farming have compelled producers to explore alternative raw materials to reduce costs. Palm kernel meal (PKM), a by-product of the palm oil extraction industry, is one such alternative. Although PKM is often deemed a low-quality ingredient for poultry feed due to its low energy density and high content of non-starch polysaccharides, particularly β-mannans, its availability and lower price relative to other meal products make it a viable option. This review highlights the nutritional challenges and demonstrates how biotechnology can convert a cumbersome waste product into a valuable feed ingredient. The data focuses on the use of exogenous enzymes, with an emphasis on the synergistic action of β-mannanases and multicarbohydrase cocktails. The use of solid-state fermentation (SSF) with fungal and bacterial strains was also discussed. These bioprocesses efficiently break down complex fibrous matrices, increase the content of crude protein through microbial biomass synthesis and release bioactive manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) in situ. In vivo studies demonstrate that incorporating processed PKM maintains and improves production performance. The released MOS act as prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, preventing the growth of pathogens, and improving intestinal mucosal architecture. Although biotechnological valorization offers a promising way to transform PKM into a high-value functional ingredient for poultry feed, this technology has certain limitations. These include substrate variability and high scaling costs. Further research is needed into industrial-scale SSF processes, as well as the optimization of eco-efficient enzyme combinations and sequential fermentations.
SN - 0032-5791
SN - 1525-3171
ER -