β-Glucanase-producing bacterial culture improves performance and nutrient utilization and alters gut morphology of broilers fed a barley-based diet

Barley, an Undervalued Cereal for Poultry Diets: Limitations and Opportunities

Simple Summary

With the ever-increasing demand for poultry products, the continuous supply of conventional cereal grains such as maize has become a challenge. Barley has been recognised as a potential alternative feed ingredient that can replace common cereal grains in poultry diets. However, due to several limitations such as the presence of various anti-nutritive factors and the variability in nutrient composition and quality, the use of barley in poultry diets remains comparatively low. The previous findings on the optimum use of barley in poultry diets are also inconsistent primarily due to differences in research methodologies. The importance of using accurate nutrient profiles for specific barley cultivars to formulate barley-based diets is emphasised in this review. Moreover, the need to adapt feed processing conditions suitable to different barley cultivars to increase the inclusion of barley in poultry diets is highlighted in this review.

Abstract

The supply of conventional cereal grains, especially of maize, will be a significant constraint to the future growth of the poultry industry. Various alternative feed ingredients are being tested to replace maize in poultry diets. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one such feed ingredient, the use of which remains limited in poultry diets due to its low metabolisable energy, presence of anti-nutritive, soluble non-starch polysaccharides and consequent inter-cultivar variability. Differences in research methodologies used in published studies have also contributed to the inconsistent findings, preventing a good understanding of the nutritional value of barley for poultry. The importance of using accurate nutrient profiles, specifically metabolisable energy and digestible amino acids, for specific barley cultivars to formulate barley-based diets is emphasised. Nutritionists should also pay close attention to feed processing conditions tailored to the specific barley cultivars to increase the barley inclusion in poultry diets.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LFB112 on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Immune, and Serum Biochemical Response in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LFB112 on the growth performance, carcass traits, immune response, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 396 1 day old, mixed-sex commercial Ross 308 broilers with similar body weights were allotted into six treatment groups. The assigned groups were the CON group (basal diet with no supplement), AB (antibiotics) group (basal diet + 150 mg of aureomycin/kg), C+M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 powder with vegetative cells + metabolites), C group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 vegetative cell powder with removed metabolites), M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 metabolite powder with removed vegetative cells), and CICC group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg Bacillus subtilis CICC 20179). Results indicated that chickens in the C+M, C, and M groups had higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.02) compared to the CON group. The C+M group showed the lowest abdominal fat rate compared to those in the CON, AB, and CICC groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, serum IgA and IgG levels in the C+M, C, and M groups significantly increased while declining in the AB group (p < 0.05). B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 supplementation significantly reduced the serum triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine levels, while increasing the serum glucose and total protein (p < 0.05). In conclusion, B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 significantly improved the growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, and blood chemical indices of broiler chickens and may be used as an efficient broiler feed supplement.

Effect of Lactobacillus Species Probiotics on Growth Performance of Dual-Purpose Chicken

Introduction

In-feed probiotics are becoming attractive alternatives to antibiotics in the poultry industry due to the ever-growing strict prohibitions on antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animal production.

Methods

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus paracaseis sparacasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on the growth performance of 120 day-olds randomly selected Sasso dual-purpose chicken. They were divided into four groups with two replicates per group and 15 chicks per replicate. The treatments were T₁ (control), T₂ (supplement diet with 4g probiotic), T₃ (supplement diet with 2g probiotic), T₄ (supplement diet with 1g probiotic). The experimental feeding trials were conducted after two weeks adaptation period.

Results

The present findings revealed that the chickens supplemented with Lactobacillus species probiotics during the first week of age have shown higher body weight than control (p < 0.05). The feed intake of week one of T₂ and T₃ were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the T₁ (control). However, there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in feed intake in the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^{t h} weeks of all treatment groups. The present result showed that there was a significant body weight gain (p< 0.05) in all probiotic fed groups than the control group. The highest body weight gain was observed in chickens found in the T4 treatment group. Whereas the body weight gains significantly higher and improved the feed conversion (p<0.05) in the T₂ and T₄ than the T₁ (control). However, the feed conversion ratio was significantly influenced by probiotic inclusion in T₃ as compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Overall, the results suggest that Lactobacillus paracaseis sparacasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus have a positive effect on the growth performance of broilers.

Influence of inclusion level of barley in wheat-based diets and supplementation of carbohydrase on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and gut morphometry in broiler starters

1. The influence of barley inclusion level and supplementation of a multi-component non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme on performance and nutrient utilisation in broilers was investigated. Normal-starch hulled barley was evaluated with five levels of inclusion (0, 141, 283, 424 and 565 g/kg) in a wheat-based diet and two levels of enzyme supplementation (0 and 150 g/tonne of feed; a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of 10 dietary treatments). All diets were equivalent in metabolisable energy and digestible amino acid contents. A total of 400, one-d old male broilers (five cages/treatment; eight birds/cage) were used in the experiment.2. Regardless of enzyme supplementation, weight gain (WG) increased up to 283 g/kg of barley and was reduced afterwards (P < 0.01). Increasing levels of barley resulted in greater (P < 0.001) gain per feed (G/F). Enzyme addition increased WG (P < 0.05) and G/F (P < 0.001) at each barley inclusion level.3. Birds fed diets with 0 and 565 g/kg barley showed the lowest and highest (P < 0.001to 0.05) digestibility for all nutrients measured, respectively. Digestibility of all nutrients was improved by enzyme supplementation at each barley inclusion level (P < 0.05). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy improved with increasing inclusion of barley (P < 0.001) and supplemental enzyme (P < 0.01). Increasing inclusion of barley increased the relative weight of gizzard (P < 0.001) and reduced jejunal digesta viscosity (P < 0.001). Supplemental enzyme (P < 0.001) reduced digesta viscosity.4. The optimum inclusion level of barley, with respect to growth performance, was 283 g/kg of diet. Increasing barley inclusion improved nutrient and energy utilisation, possibly through lowered digesta viscosity and better function of the gizzard. Feed efficiency and nutrient and energy utilisation can benefit from carbohydrase supplementation in barley-based diets, regardless of barley inclusion level.

The effect of carbohydrases or prebiotic oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and development of small intestine and immune organs in broilers fed nutrient-adequate diets based on either wheat or barley

BACKGROUND

Non-starch polysaccharides are large complex molecules and are found in cereal grains. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of carbohydrase enzymes or prebiotic oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and weight of organs associated with the immune system in broilers fed wheat- or barley-based diets.

RESULTS

In wheat-based diets, feed intake was lower (P < 0.05) following xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation, whereas in barley-based diets feed intake was greater (P < 0.05) following β-glucanase supplementation. Gross energy digestibility was improved (P < 0.01) when either level of xylanase was added to wheat diets. Ileal digestible energy was greater (P < 0.01) in wheat diets including an additive compared with the control diet. In wheat diets, bursa weight was lower (P < 0.05) following xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation compared with the control treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed that supplemented carbohydrases or prebiotic oligosaccharides could alter the development of immune organs or small intestine without any significant effect on growth performance in broilers receiving nutrient-adequate diets. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The Bacillus subtilis and Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotics Influences Intestinal Mucin Gene Expression, Histomorphology and Growth Performance in Broilers

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of commercial monostrain and multistrain probiotics in diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology and mucin gene (MUC2) expression in broiler chicks. Three hundred seventy-eight 1-d-old male Arian broiler chicks were allocated in 3 experimental groups for 6 wk. The birds were fed on a corn-soybean based diet and depending on the addition were labeled as follows: control-unsupplemented (C), birds supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (BS) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) based probiotics. Each treatment had 6 replicates of 21 broilers each. Treatment effects on body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and biomarkers such as intestinal goblet cell density, villus length, villus width, and mucin gene expression were determined. Total feed intake did not differ significantly between control birds and those fed a diet with probiotics (p>0.05). However, significant differences in growth performance were found. Final body weight at 42 d of age was higher in birds fed a diet with probiotics compared to those fed a diet without probiotic (p<0.05). Inclusion of Bacillus subtilis based probiotic in the diets also significantly affected feed conversion rate (FCR) compared with control birds (p<0.05). No differences in growth performance were observed in birds fed different types of probiotic supplemented diets. Inclusion of lactic acid bacteria based probiotic in the diets significantly increased goblet cell number and villus length (p<0.05). Furthermore, diets with Bacillus subtilis based probiotics significantly increased gene expression (p<0.05), with higher intestinal MUC2 mRNA in birds fed diet with probiotics compared to those fed the control diet. In BS and LAB probiotic fed chicks, higher growth performance may be related to higher expression of the MUC2 gene in goblet cells and/or morphological change of small intestinal tract. The higher synthesis of the mucin gene after probiotic administration may positively affect bacterial interactions in the intestinal digestive tract, intestinal mucosal cell proliferation and consequently efficient nutrient absorption.

Intestine-specific expression of the β-glucanase in mice

Guan, L.-Z., Xi, Q.-Y., Sun, Y.-P., Wang, J.-L., Zhou, J.-Y., Shu, G., Jiang, Q.-Y. and Zhang, Y.-L. 2014. Intestine-specific expression of the β-glucanase in mice. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 287–293. The β-glucanase gene (GLU, from Paenibacillus polymyxa CP7) was cloned into a specific expression plasmid (MUC2-GLU-LV). Transgenic mice were prepared by microinjection. Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA extracted from the tail tissue of transgenic mice showed that the mice carried the β-glucanase gene. Northern blot analysis indicated that β-glucanase was specifically expressed in the intestine of the transgenic mice. The β-glucanase activity in the intestinal contents was found to be 1.23±0.32 U mL−1. The crude protein, crude fat digestibility of transgenic mice were increased by 9.32 and 5.09% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with that of the non-transgenic mice, while moisture in feces was reduced by 12.16% (P<0.05). These results suggest that the expression of β-glucanase in the intestine of animals offers a promising biological approach to reduce the anti-nutritional effect of β-glucans in feed.

The effect of partial replacement of soyabean meal with sunflower meal on ileal adaptation, nutrient utilisation and growth performance of young turkeys

1. A 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effect of graded levels of sunflower meal (SFM; 0, 70, 140 and 210 g/kg) and enzyme supplementation on gut morphology, nutrient utilisation and growth performance of young turkeys from 0 to 8 weeks of age. The enzyme supplement used in the study contained non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-degrading activities and supplied 500 U pectinase, 40 U cellulase, 1600 U xylanase, 800 U glucanase, 200 U mannanase, 20 U galactanase per kg diet. 2. The use of SFM resulted in an increase in the height and width of intestinal villi, and a linear decrease in crypt depth. Dry matter digestibility and energy metabolisability decreased in groups fed diets with a moderate (140 g/kg) and high (210 g/kg) SFM content. 3. A decrease in dry matter digestibility and energy metabolisability was most likely the reason for a reduction in body weights of 8-week-old turkeys fed on diets containing 140 g/kg (from 4 x 17 to 4 x 01 kg) and 210 g/kg (from 4 x 17 to 3 x 93?kg) of SFM. 4. The addition of enzyme resulted in a slight increase in villus height, a significant increase in the number of goblet cells and an increase in digestibility coefficients for crude fat. 5. The results of this study demonstrate that turkey diets can be effectively supplemented with high-quality sunflower meal at a concentration of approximately 70 g/kg. It should be noted, however, that at 8 weeks of age the body weight of turkeys fed on diets containing 140 and 210 g/kg of SFM could be lower by 4 and 6%, respectively, than in those receiving the soyabean meal-based diets.

Cloning of exo-β-1,3-glucanase gene from a marine yeast Williopsis saturnus and its overexpression in Yarrowia lipolytica

The exo-β-1,3-glucanase structural gene (WsEXG1 gene, accession number: FJ875997.2) was isolated from both the genomic DNA and cDNA of the marine yeast Williopsis saturnus WC91-2 by inverse PCR and RT-PCR. An open reading frame of 1,254 bp encoding a 417 amino acid protein (isoelectric point: 4.5) with calculated molecular weight of 46.2 kDa was characterized. The promoter of the gene (intronless) was located from -28 to -77 and had one TATA box while its terminator contained the sequence AAGAACAATAAACAA from +1,386 to +1,401. The protein had the Family 5 glycoside hydrolase signature IGLELLNEPL and a fragment with the sequence of NLCGEWSAA, where the Glu-310 (E) was considered to be the catalytic nucleophile. The WsEXG1 gene was overexpressed in Yarrowia lipolytica Po1h and the recombinant WsEXG1 was purified and characterized. The molecular weight of the purified rWsEXG1 was 46.0 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified rWsEXG1 were 5.0°C and 40°C, respectively. The purified rWsEXG1 had high exo-β-1,3-glucanase activity. Therefore, the recombinant β-1,3-glucanase may have highly potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Purification and molecular characterization of exo-beta-1,3-glucanases from the marine yeast Williopsis saturnus WC91-2

The extracellular beta-1,3-glucanases in the supernatant of cell culture of the marine yeast Williopsis saturnus WC91-2 was purified to homogeneity with a 115-fold increase in specific beta-1,3-glucanase activity as compared to that in the supernatant by ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography, and anion-exchange chromatography. According to the data from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 47.5 kDa. The purified enzyme could convert laminarin into monosaccharides and disaccharides, but had no killer toxin activity. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 4.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was significantly stimulated by Li+, Ni2+, and Ba2+. The enzyme was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, iodoacetic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, and 1,10-phenanthroline. The Km and Vmax values of the purified enzyme for laminarin were 3.07 mg/ml and 4.02 mg/min ml, respectively. Both matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and DNA sequencing identified a peptide YIEAQLDAFEKR which is the conserved motif of the beta-1,3-glucanases from other yeasts.