L-theanine: an astounding sui generis amino acid in poultry nutrition

L-theanine (γ-Glutamylethylamide) is a nonprotein water soluble amino acid (AA) mostly found in leaves of Camellia sinensis (green tea). This is a key component of green tea and is considered as the most abundant form of total AAs in green tea (i.e., about 50%). L-theanine is an exclusive taste ingredient of tea producing an attractive flavor and aroma in tea. It has biological effects such as antioxidant, growth promoter, immune booster, anti-stresser, hepatoprotective, antitumor, antiaging, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antianxiety activities that are worth noticing. It could reduce the oxidative impairment by reducing the synthesis of reactive oxygen species, oxidative parameters, and lipid damage as well as increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The oral ingestion of L-theanine enhanced γδ T-cell proliferation. Therefore, it is being considered an essential compound of green tea that has the ability to improve immune function. The L-theanine can be used as a potential treatment for hepatic injury and immune-related liver diseases via the downregulation of the inflammatory response through the initiation of nitric oxide synthesis and glutathione production which are likely to be critical for the control of hepatic diseases as well as for the improvement of immune function. In addition, it could be used as a best natural feed additive with a potent antistressor by decreasing the levels of corticosterone, dopamine, and noradrenaline. After systematically reviewing the literature, it is noticed that most studies were carried out on mice, pig, human, and butterfly; while dietary supplementation studies of L-theanine in animal and poultry especially among broilers are very limited because of less awareness of this AA. So, the aim of this review is to encourage the veterinarian and poultry researchers to conduct more research at the molecular level about this AA to expose its more beneficial effects and its mechanism of absorption for potential use of this unique green tea AA in poultry nutrition.