The article reviews the role of antioxidants and their use as additives in feed for various types of farm animals and poultry. Incoming antioxidants activate protection. This protection is based on preventing the leakage of free electrons in mitochondria by cleaning intermediate radicals with vitamins, glutathiones, uric acid, bilirubin, ubiquinone, etc. Damaged molecules are restored and removed and the synthesis of new molecules is activated. Feed additives of natural origin are characterized

more »

... by a high content of antioxidants. The use of these additives can improve the efficiency of animal and poultry farming. Facts about the presence of natural antioxidants in plants are outlined in the review. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids forming the basis of natural antioxidants play a vital role in preventing diseases associated with both oxidative stress, which produces free radicals, and as inhibitors of pathogenic microflora. Organoleptic changes affecting the period of storing occur during the oxidation of livestock products during storage. The presence of antioxidants limits the degree of oxidation of livestock products. Synthetic antioxidants are forbidden in many countries although they are effective in inhibiting oxidation in food. A natural alternative to traditional synthetic antioxidants for the purpose of using them as preservatives for livestock products is becoming more preferable, since until now the harm for the consumer from the action of natural antioxidants in comparison with synthetic ones has not been proved: natural antioxidants effectively slow down lipid oxidation.