This study evaluated the field effectiveness of commercially available microbial and prebiotic feed additives in improving gut microbiota, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, odor indicators, and slurry characteristics in swine farms. Four farms r...
This study evaluated the field effectiveness of commercially available microbial and prebiotic feed additives in improving gut microbiota, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, odor indicators, and slurry characteristics in swine farms. Four farms received different additives, and fecal and slurry samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA–based metataxonomic profiling alongside measurements of SCFAs and environmental odor parameters. Supplementation led to farm-specific but notable shifts in microbial communities, including increases in beneficial taxa and reductions in potential odor-associated taxa. LEfSe analysis identified taxa contributing to pre–post differences, demonstrating distinct restructuring patterns depending on additive type and baseline microbiota. All farms showed decreases in ammonia and amine concentrations, with the prebiotic-treated farm exhibiting the greatest odor-mitigation effect. Improvements in slurry properties and SCFA composition further suggested enhanced microbial fermentation activity. Overall, microbial and prebiotic feed additives demonstrated the potential to modulate gut microbial ecology, promote beneficial fermentation, and reduce odor emissions under real farm conditions. These findings provide field-based evidence supporting their practical applicability and environmental value for sustainable swine production.