**3.2 Prebiotics**

These are non digestible food ingredient/supplement that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth of some or all of the non pathogenic organisms (bacteria) in the gut or colon of the animal. Prebiotics beneficially affects the host by stimulating the growth and activity of harmless bacteria, indicating a synergistic effect with probiotics. Prebiotics also help in inhibiting the colonization of pathogenic bacteria.
