Garlic derivatives (PTS and PTS-O) differently affect the ecology of swine faecal microbiota in vitro

Activity of propyl-propane-thiosulfinate and propyl-propane-thiosulfonate against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Organosulfur compounds derived from plants of the Allium genus, such as propyl-propane-thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl-propane-thiosulfonate (PTSO), have been proposed as an alternative in antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to compare the activity of these substances with other antibiotics against clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant (CAR-R) and carbapenem-susceptible (CAR-S) Gram-negative bacteria. A total of 126 clinical isolates of CAR-R and 155 CAR-S bacteria were selected, including Enterobacterales, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. The antibiotic susceptibility of all isolates was assessed using the microdilution and Kirby-Bauer methods for PTS, PTSO, amoxicillin/clavulanate, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Both PTS and PTSO demonstrated in vitro bactericidal activity against CAR-R Enterobacteriaceae and A. baumannii, with no significant difference in activity compared to their response against CAR-S isolates. However, both compounds were less active against P. aeruginosa than against any of the other bacteria, regardless of their resistance to carbapenems. In all cases, the minimum inhibitory concentration values of PTSO were significantly lower than those of PTS. These findings offer valuable information about the potential antibacterial use of these substances, particularly against infections that currently have limited therapeutic options.

In Vitro Activity of Allium cepa Organosulfur Derivatives against Canine Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae

BACKGROUND

The increase of multi-resistant bacteria, especially Staphylococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae, constitutes a challenge in veterinary medicine. The rapid growth of resistance is outpacing antibiotic discovery. Innovative strategies are needed, including the use of natural products like Allium species (Allium sativum L. and Allium cepa L.), which have been used empirically for centuries to treat infectious diseases in humans and farm and aquaculture animals due to their antibacterial properties.

METHODS

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of two Allium-derived compounds, propyl propane thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), against multi-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (n = 30) and Enterobacteriaceae (n = 26) isolated from dogs referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Madrid.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results indicated the in vitro efficacy of PTSO/PTS against the tested bacterial strains, and 56.7% of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and 53.8% of Enterobacteriaceae showed sensitivity to PTS and PTSO compared with classic antibiotics. In addition, 50% of S. pseudintermedius strains resistant to erythromycin, ibofloxacin, difloxacin and orbifloxacin and 50% of Enterobacteriaceae strains resistant to tetracycline and doxycycline were sensitive to PTS and PTSO. Although studies are needed to verify their efficacy in vivo, the combined use of PTS and PTSO exhibits promise in enhancing bacterial sensitivity against S. pseudintermedius and Enterobacteriaceae infections, providing a first insight into the potential of both compounds in veterinary practice.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phyto-L, Thiosulfonate from Allium spp. Containing Supplement, against Escherichia Coli Strains from Rabbits

Colibacillosis, caused by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), is one of the most common diseases in rabbit farms, resulting in economic losses due to mortality and decrease in production. Until recently, antimicrobials were used to both treat and prevent disease on livestock farms, leading to the possible risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the selection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, interest in alternative control methods, such as the use of natural substances, has increased in the scientific community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Phyto-L (Pro Tech s.r.l.), a product containing organosulfur compounds (OSCs) such as propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium spp., against 108 strains of E. coli isolated from rabbits with colibacillosis from 19 farms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Phyto-L were assessed. Bacterial suspensions with a charge of 10⁸ CFU/mL, corresponding to those found in the rabbit gut under pathologic conditions, were tested with different concentrations from 20 to 0.15 μL/mL of Phyto-L. For each strain, the MIC and concentrations above the MIC were plated on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) without Phyto-L to assess the MBCs. MIC and MBC values ranged from 1.25 to 5 μL/mL and 1.25 to 20 μL/mL, respectively, depending on the strain tested. The data showed an interesting antibacterial activity of Phyto-L against EPEC strains. Therefore, this product could be effective in preventing colibacillosis in field application, especially considering that 10⁴-10⁵ CFU/g of feces is the amount of E. coli usually found in the gut contents of rabbits under physiological condition.

Beneficial Effects of Daily Consumption of Garlic and Onion Extract Concentrate on Infectious Respiratory Diseases in Elderly Resident Volunteers

Aging is a biological process with high susceptibility to several infections. This risk increases in older patients in residential care facilities (RCF). Thus, there is a clear demand for developing preventive interventions with new therapeutic compounds that combine efficacy and safety. This could be the case of compounds derived from plants of the genus Allium spp. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a combination of a garlic and onion extract concentrate standardized in organosulfur compounds derived from propiin on the incidence of respiratory tract infections in elderly patients of RCF. Sixty-five volunteers were selected at random to receive a placebo or a single daily dose of the extract for thirty-six weeks. Different clinical visits were performed to evaluate the main respiratory diseases with an infectious origin, as well as the associated symptoms and their duration. The extract showed a clinical safety profile and significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory infections. Moreover, the treatment decreased the number and duration of the associated symptoms compared with the placebo group. For the first time, we demonstrated the protective effect of Alliaceae extract in respiratory infectious diseases in elderly healthy volunteers, which could be used prophylactically against the most common infectious respiratory diseases.

The Effect of Encapsulated Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTSO) on Apparent Ileal Digestibility and Productive Performance in Broiler Chickens

This study analyzed the effects of different dietary doses of encapsulated propyl propane thiosulfonate (Pe-PTSO) on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and productive performance in broilers. A total of 100 one-day-old Cobb 500 were housed in battery cages for 20 days. At 10 days of age, the birds were assigned to one of five diets: negative control (P0), 250 mg/kg of Pe-PTSO (P250), 500 mg/kg of Pe-PTSO (P500), 750 mg/kg of Pe-PTSO (P750), and positive control, nicarbazin-narasin (ION). Titanium dioxide was the external marker, which was added to the diets from day 17 to 20. In the birds fed the P250 diet, there was a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the AID values for amino acids and energy compared to those that consumed the P0 diet. Furthermore, the P250 diet significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) the average daily weight gain compared to the P0 diet. No significant differences were observed between treatments in average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. In summary, the inclusion of 250 mg of encapsulated PTSO per kg in broiler chickens diet improved the digestibility of amino acids and energy, as well as weight gain.

Analytical Platform for the Study of Metabolic Pathway of Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium spp

The present work is focused on the development of an analytical platform to elucidate the metabolic pathway of PTSO from onion, an organosulfur compound well-known for its functional and technological properties and its potential application in animal and human nutrition. This analytical platform consisted of the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole with time-of-flight MS (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) in order to monitor volatile and non-volatile compounds derived from the PTSO. For the extraction of the compounds of interest, two different sample treatments were developed: liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) for GC-MS and UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, respectively. Once the analytical platform was optimised and validated, an in vivo study was planned to elucidate PTSO metabolisation, revealing the presence of dipropyl disulfide (DPDS) in liver samples with concentrations between 0.11 and 0.61 µg g^-1. The DPDS maximum concentration in the liver was observed at 0.5 h after the intake. DPDS was also present in all plasma samples with concentrations between 2.1 and 2.4 µg mL^-1. In regard to PTSO, it was only found in plasma at times above 5 h (0.18 µg mL^-1). Both PTSO and DPDS were excreted via urine 24 h after ingestion.

Antibacterial and Antiparasitic Activity of Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfinate (PTS) and Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium cepa against Gilthead Sea Bream Pathogens in In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

The use of phytogenic extracts is considered a sustainable strategy for the prevention of fish diseases, including Alliaceae as a potential option due to their variety of bioactive compounds. In this study, we analyzed the antibacterial and antiparasitic potential of propyl-propane-thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl-propane-thiosulfonate (PTSO) from onions. The in vitro activity against Pseudomonas anguilliseptica, Tenacibaculum maritimum, and Photobacterium damselae of both compounds was tested. In addition, the viability of Sparicotyle chrysophrii larvae was evaluated. Moreover, a diet that consisted of a blend of PTS/PTSO (ALLIUM) was used. A total of 90 gilthead sea bream juveniles were tested against P. damselae subsp. Piscicida after 12 weeks of dietary administration. Furthermore, 150 fish with a rate of 10-15 parasites/fish were fed for 21 days and the number of gill parasites was recorded. All strains were sensitive to both compounds. PTSO showed the highest inhibitory effect against all target strains, while PTS showed higher effectiveness against S. chrysophrii. Fish from ALLIUM group presented the highest probability of survival, increasing up to 91.1%, whereas in the control group, the probability of survival was 66.7%. The number of parasites in the gilthead sea bream decreased in the ALLIUM group over time. These results suggest the inclusion of PTS and PTSO in feed as a natural strategy to prevent antibacterial and antiparasitic fish diseases.

Garlic-derived organosulfur compounds regulate metabolic and immune pathways in macrophages and attenuate intestinal inflammation in mice

Scope: Garlic is a source of bioactive phytonutrients that may have anti‐inflammatory or immunomodulatory properties. The mechanism(s) underlying the bioactivity of these compounds and their ability to regulate responses to enteric infections remains unclear.

Methods and Results: This study investigates if a garlic‐derived preparation (PTSO‐PTS) containing two organosulfur metabolites, propyl‐propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), and propyl‐propane thiosulfinate (PTS), regulate inflammatory responses in murine macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) in vitro, as well as in a model of enteric parasite‐induced inflammation. PTSO‐PTS decreases lipopolysaccharide‐induced secretion of TNFα, IL‐6, and IL‐27 in macrophages. RNA‐sequencing demonstrates that PTSO‐PTS strongly suppresses pathways related to immune and inflammatory signaling. PTSO‐PTS induces the expression of a number of genes involved in antioxidant responses in IEC during exposure to antigens from the parasite Trichuris muris. In vivo, PTSO‐PTS does not affect T. muris establishment or intestinal T‐cell responses but significantly alters cecal transcriptomic responses. Notably, a reduction in T. muris‐induced expression of Tnf, Saa2, and Nos2 is observed.

Conclusion: Garlic‐derived organosulfur compounds exert anti‐inflammatory effects in macrophages and IEC, and regulate gene expression during intestinal infection. These compounds and related organic molecules may thus hold potential as functional food components to improve gut health in humans and animals.

The Allium Derivate Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate Exerts Anti-Obesogenic Effects in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

Allium species and their organosulfur-derived compounds could prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction, as they exhibit immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. Here, we report the anti-obesogenic potential and dose-dependent effects (0.1 or 1 mg/kg/day) of propyl propane thiosulfinate (PTS) in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. The obesogenic diet increased body weight gain and adipocyte size, and boosted inflammatory marker (Cd11c) expression in the adipose tissue. Conversely, PTS prevented these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the higher dose of PTS improved glucose and hepatic homeostasis, modulated lipid metabolism, and raised markers of the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue. In the colon, the obesogenic diet reduced IL-22 levels and increased gut barrier function markers (Cldn3, Muc2, Reg3g, DefaA); however, the highest PTS dose normalized all of these markers to the levels of mice fed a standard diet. Gut microbiota analyses revealed no differences in diversity indexes and only minor taxonomic changes, such as an increase in butyrate producers, Intestimonas and Alistipes, and a decrease in Bifidobacterium in mice receiving the highest PTS dose. In summary, our study provides preclinical evidence for the protective effects of PTS against obesity, which if confirmed in humans, might provide a novel plant-based dietary product to counteract this condition.

Beneficial Effects of Organosulfur Compounds from Allium cepa on Gut Health: A Systematic Review

Dietary changes affect the composition and structure of gut microbiota (GM) in animals and humans. One of the beneficial effects of consuming products derived from plants is the positive influence on immunity and gastrointestinal health. Species belonging to the genus Allium contain many organosulfur compounds (OSCs) that have been widely studied showing their biological properties and beneficial effects on intestinal health and GM. This is the first systematic review of OSCs from Allium performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and it is based on the evidence that we found in literature about the benefits on the GM and intestinal health demonstrated by OSCs from Allium, and specifically from onion. OSCs from Allium cepa have shown a significant antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the intake of OSCs from onion was able to modulate the composition of GM, increasing the beneficial bacterial populations in animal models. Moreover, the beneficial effects observed in murine models of colitis suggest that these compounds could be suitable candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or reverse the dysbiosis caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Despite the evidence found both in vitro and in vivo, we have not found any article that tested OSCs different from allicin in clinical trials or dietary intervention studies in humans. In this sense, it would be interesting to conduct new research that tests the benefits of these compounds in human GM.

Allium Extract Implements Weaned Piglet's Productive Parameters by Modulating Distal Gut Microbiota

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has risen as a global threat for human health. One of the leading factors for this emergence has been the massive use of antibiotics growth-promoter (AGPs) in livestock, enhancing the spread of AMR among human pathogenic bacteria. Thus, several alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, or phytobiotics have been proposed for using in animal feeding to maintain or improve productive levels while diminishing the negative effects of AGPs. Reducing the use of antibiotics is a key aspect in the pig rearing for production reasons, as well as for the production of high-quality pork, acceptable to consumers. Here we analyze the potential use of Allium extract as an alternative. In this study, weaned piglets were fed with Allium extract supplementation and compared with control and antibiotic (colistin and zinc oxide) treated piglets. The effects of Allium extract were tested by analyzing the gut microbiome and measuring different productive parameters. Alpha diversity indices decreased significantly in Allium extract group in caecum and colon. Regarding beta diversity, significant differences between treatments appeared only in caecum and colon. Allium extract and antibiotic piglets showed better values of body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than control group. These results indicate that productive parameters can be implemented by modifying the gut microbiota through phytobiotics such as Allium extract, which will drive to drop the use of antibiotics in piglet diet.

Allium-Based Phytobiotic Enhances Egg Production in Laying Hens through Microbial Composition Changes in Ileum and Cecum

Phytobiotics (bioactive compounds extracted from plants) are one of the explored alternatives to antibiotics in poultry and livestock due to their antimicrobial activity and its positive effects on gut microbiota and productive properties. In this study, we supplemented a product based on garlic and onion compounds in the diet to laying hens at the beginning of their productive life (from 16 to 20 weeks post-hatching). The experimental group showed a significant increase in the number of eggs laid and in their size, produced in one month compared to the control. This increase in production was accompanied by microbiota changes in the ileum and cecum by means of high throughput sequencing analyses. These bacterial shifts in the ileum were mainly the result of compositional changes in the rare biosphere (unweighted UniFrac), while in the cecum, treatment affected both majority and minority bacterial groups (weighted and unweighted UniFrac). These changes in the microbiota suggest an improvement in food digestibility. The relative abundance of Lactococcus in the ileum and Lactobacillus in the cecum increased significantly in the experimental group. The relative abundance of these bacterial genera are known to have positive effects on the hosts. These results are very promising for the use of these compounds in poultry for short periods.

Effect of Allium Extract Supplementation on Egg Quality, Productivity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Laying Hens

Simple Summary

The growing interest in phytogenic products for use in feed, especially in the poultry sector, is mainly due to the improvement in the productivity parameters and gut microbiota modulation properties. For this reason, phytogenic products are becoming excellent candidates as alternatives to the use of antibiotics in animal production to mitigate the negative effects derived from their use. The aim of this study is to explore the ability of allium extract (containing garlic and onion), used as an ingredient in laying hen feed, to improve performance. The promising results obtained in the present study suggest that Allium spp. extracts had the potential to be used in feeding laying hens to improve productivity, without affecting egg quality, and to modulate the gut microbiota.

Abstract

The use of allium extract containing propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) as hen feed supplement was evaluated to demonstrate its positive effect on egg production and intestinal microbiota modulation. The study was carried out on 90 laying hens whose feed was supplemented with allium extract for 28 days. Nutritional properties of eggs were not affected, whereas an improvement in productivity was observed based on the increase weight of eggs. In addition, a modulator effect on intestinal microbiota was confirmed by the increase in Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., as well as by the reduction in Enterobacteriaceae populations. Finally, the preservation of egg composition was checked by monitoring the content of PTSO, using a new analytical method consisting of the use of solid phase extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Consequently, based on current results, Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds such as PTSO added to the diet had a beneficial effect on the microbiota and would seem to be a possible alternative to increase productivity, while not affecting the biochemical composition of egg. However, further studies on the effects of allium extract as feed supplement are necessary.

Effect of Alliaceae Extract Supplementation on Performance and Intestinal Microbiota of Growing-Finishing Pig

Simple Summary

The increasing interest in phytogenics for use with livestock, especially swine and poultry, is mainly due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, growth-promoting, and gut microbiome modulation properties, which makes them ideal candidates to mitigate the negative effects of the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in the European Union. We tested the ability of Allium spp. extract (containing garlic and onion), one of the best-known phytogenics, used in pig feed, to improve growth performance through modulation of the microbiome and changes in the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids in the gut tract. The promising results obtained in the present study suggested that Allium spp. extracts had the potential to be used in feeding pigs to improve growth performances by modulating the microbiota and metabolism of short-chain fatty acids.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether an Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds, such as propyl thiosulfonate (PTSO), added to the feed of growing-finishing pigs at 5 g/kg enhances growth performance or affects the fecal microbiome, the levels of short-chain fatty acids, or the antioxidant capacity of the animals. Fifty male growing pigs (large white) of 23.07 ± 2.87 kg average body weight were randomly allotted to two treatments in a 103-day trial. The trial was divided into two periods, an initial growing phase (56-days) and a finishing phase (47-days). Two dietary treatments for each phase (growing and finishing) were used: a control diet (CON) and an experimental diet consisting of the control diet to which 5 g/kg of Allium spp. extract was added to substitute sepiolite (GAR). Throughout the study, body weight, average daily gain (kg/day, ADG), feed intake (kg/day), and feed conversion ratio (kg/kg) were measured, while the backfat thickness and muscle depth were determined at the end of the study. Besides, feces samples were taken for bacterial counts by means of real-time PCR and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile determination, and the antioxidant capacity was assessed in serum and saliva. In the animals receiving Allium spp. extract (5 g/kg) in the feed, ADG increased (p < 0.05) throughout the trial, Salmonella spp. and Clostridium spp. counts in feces had decreased (p < 0.05) when measured on day 56, and, by day 103, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and Enterobacteriaceae counts had decreased (p < 0.05) and Lactobacillus spp. counts had increased (p < 0.01) in feces. Regarding the SCFA profile in feces and antioxidant capacity measured in serum and saliva, supplementation with Allium spp. extract significantly increased the levels of propionic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids and the percentage of total branched fatty acids, while the c2/c3 and (c2 + c4)/c3 ratios were lower (p < 0.05) in feces; the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity levels in serum were significantly higher in the same pigs on day 103 than on day 0. Consequently, based on the current results, Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds, added to the diet at 5 g/kg, had a beneficial effect on the microbiota and would seem to be a possible alternative for increasing the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. However, further studies on the effects of Allium spp. supplementation on carcass quality are necessary.

Dietary Supplementation with Sugar Beet Fructooligosaccharides and Garlic Residues Promotes Growth of Beneficial Bacteria and Increases Weight Gain in Neonatal Lambs

The proper development of the early gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota is critical for newborn ruminants. This microbiota is susceptible to modification by diverse external factors (such as diet) that can lead to long-lasting results when occurring in young ruminants. Dietary supplementation with prebiotics, ingredients nondigestible and nonabsorbable by the host that stimulate the growth of beneficial GIT bacteria, has been applied worldwide as a potential approach in order to improve ruminant health and production yields. However, how prebiotics affect the GIT microbiota during ruminants’ early life is still poorly understood. We investigated the effect of milk supplementation with a combination of two well-known prebiotics, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from sugar beet and garlic residues (all together named as “additive”), exerted on preweaned lamb growth and the composition of their fecal microbiota, by using 16S rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing. The results showed a significant increase in the mean daily weight gain of lambs fed with the additive. Lamb fecal microbiota was also influenced by the additive intake, as additive-diet lambs showed lower bacterial diversity and were significantly more abundant in Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus and Veillonella. These bacteria have been previously reported to confer beneficial properties to the ruminant, including promotion of growth and health status, and our results showed that they were strongly linked to the additive intake and the increased weight gain of lambs. This study points out the combination of FOS from sugar beet and garlic residues as a potential prebiotic to be used in young ruminants’ nutrition in order to improve production yields.

Effect of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and garlic (Allium sativum) product mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs

Context Dietary supplementation with a single feed additive or a combination of different feed additives as growth promoters has been researched extensively. However, few studies have tested the combined use of probiotics (yeast culture) and phytogenics (garlic products) in pigs. Aims The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a mixture of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oil (YGM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs. Methods Two hundred [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] finishing pigs (50.37 ± 1.89 kg) were randomly allotted into two dietary treatments on the basis of bodyweight (BW) and sex for a 10-week feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (CON) and CON containing 0.1% of YGM. The YGM was composed of 54.5% of yeast culture, 40% of garlic extract powder and 5.5% of garlic essential oil. There were 20 replicated pens per treatment, with five pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen. Pig BW was measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Feed consumption was recorded daily during the experiment, on a pen basis, to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Key results Dietary YGM supplementation resulted in a higher (P &lt; 0.05) final BW and ADG than in the control groups. Pigs fed YGM supplementation diet led to a higher (P &lt; 0.05) digestibility of dry matter (DM) than in CON. The emission of hydrogen sulfide gas from faeces was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased in pigs fed YGM diets; however, ammonia and total mercaptan emissions were not influenced. There were no differences in meat-quality parameters between the two treatments. Conclusions Dietary YGM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on BW and ADG and DM digestibility, reduced hydrogen sulfide gas emission, and did not have any adverse effects on meat-quality parameters that are related to consumer acceptance. Implications The study has provided a basis and insight for future research on application of a combination of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oils, as an alternative to antibiotics in finishing pig diets.

Effects of different vehiculization strategies for the allium derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate during dynamic simulation of the pig gastrointestinal tract

This paper evaluates the bioavailability of allium derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) in the pig gastrointestinal tract by means of an in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal tract simulator system (GITSS). The GITSS is based on a membrane bioreactor comprising a continuous stirred-tank reactor connected in series to a continuous plug-flow tubular reactor. Bioavailability values have been evaluated for different vehiculization strategies, including mere carriers such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate (a nonionic surfactant also known as Tween 80) and encapsulation matrices (β-cyclodextrin vs. mono- and di-glycerides of edible fatty acids mixed with hydrogenated sunflower oil) and compared with the absorption of free PTSO. The net absorbed amount of PTSO in the GITSS when Tween 80 was used as a carrier was over 3.5 times higher than the one for free PTSO. Neither the encapsulated PTSO in β-cyclodextrin nor by means of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids plus a vegetable oil succeeded to improve absorption values for free PTSO. These promising results indicate that Tween 80 provides an interesting and high resistance to the PTSO molecule against the simulated digestive conditions in the stomach, and thus it enables favorably the subsequent absorption process of PTSO along the intestine.

Possibilities of early life programming in broiler chickens via intestinal microbiota modulation

The strong selection in search for a higher growth rate in broilers has resulted in adverse effects such as metabolic disorders, low responsiveness of the immune system, and decreased resistance to pathogens. On the other hand, newly hatched chicks rely mostly on innate immune responses until their gut gets colonized with microbiota. In consequence, early access to active substances or bacteria (pre- and post-hatch) is particularly relevant here because in broilers much of the immune system development occurs early in life. Therefore, early stimulation of beneficial microflora is critical, as it affects, to a great extent, the entire life-span of an individual, and also because the nutritional manipulations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome to enhance productivity and health are rather limited by the resilience of the ecosystem once established in the chicken´s gut. Early life or developmental programming is based on the assumption that the development of diseases later in life can be modulated by perturbations or environmental exposures during critical pre- or early post-natal life. Substances such as plant derivatives, Na butyrate, pre- and probiotics, and β-glucans have been shown to induce beneficial microbiological and immunological changes within the GIT, and therefore are potential candidates to be used as tools to manipulate GIT functionality in the young chicken. Accordingly, substances as these might represent promising candidates to study intestinal microbiota/immune system modulation in broilers´ early stages of breeding. In ovo-delivered prebiotics and synbiotics have been shown to have no adverse effect on the development of the immune system in exposed chickens, while being able to affect lymphoid-organs' morphology in chickens. In ovo procedures have also been proposed as means of promoting a healthy microflora in embryonic guts and stimulating maturation of the cellular and humoral immune responses in central and peripheral immune organs, including those in the GIT. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the potential usefulness of the instruments currently available to induce early life programming in broilers.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfinate and Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfonate Derived from Allium spp. against Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Human Samples

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro antibacterial activity of two compounds derived from Alliaceae, PTS (propyl-propane-thiosulfinate), and PTSO (propyl-propane-thiosulfonate), with that of other antibiotics commonly used against bacteria isolated from humans.

Materials and Methods

A total of 212 gram-negative bacilli and 267 gram-positive cocci isolated from human clinical samples and resistant to at least one group of antibiotics were selected. In order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) to various antibiotics as well as PTS and PTSO, all isolates underwent broth microdilution assay.

Results

PTS showed moderate activity against Enterobacteriaceae with MIC₅₀ (and MBC₅₀) and MIC₉₀ (and MBC₉₀) values of 256-512 mg/L, while PTSO showed greater activity with MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values of 64-128 mg/L and MBC₅₀ and MBC₉₀ values of 128-512 mg/L. These data show the bactericidal activity of both compounds and indicate that PTSO was more active than PTS against this group of bacteria. Both compounds showed lower activity against P. aeruginosa (MIC₅₀ = 1024 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 2048 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 2048 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 2048 mg/L, for PTS; MIC₅₀ = 512 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 1024 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 512 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 2048 mg/L, for PTSO) compared to those obtained in others nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (MIC₅₀ = 128 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 512 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 128 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 512 mg/L, for PTS; MIC₅₀ = 64 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 256 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 64 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 256 mg/L, for PTSO) and also indicate the bactericidal activity of both compounds against these groups of bacteria. Finally, the activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis, and S. agalactiae was higher than that observed against enterobacteria, especially in the case of PTSO (MIC₅₀ = 8 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 8 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 32 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 64 mg/L, in S. aureus; MIC₅₀ = 4 mg/L, MIC₉₀ = 8 mg/L, MBC₅₀ = 8 mg/L, and MBC₉₀ = 16 mg/L, in E. faecalis and S. agalactiae).

Conclusion

PTS and PTSO have a significant broad spectrum antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacteria isolated from human clinical samples. Preliminary results in present work provide basic and useful information for development and potential use of these compounds in the treatment of human infections.

Toxicological evaluation of an Allium-based commercial product in a 90-day feeding study in Sprague-Dawley rats

Proallium AP(®) is a commercial Allium extract intended to be used in active food packaging as the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of some organosulfur compounds are well known. However, there is little information on its toxicity and the Scientific Committee on Food (UE) requires the safety assessment of substances used in food contact materials. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct for the first time a subchronic oral toxicity study of Proallium AP(®) with groups of 10 males and 10 females Sprague-Dawley rats fed a diet containing 0, 25, 100, 400 mg/kg/d for 90 days. No treatment-related clinical signs or mortality were noted. Besides, no treatment-related effects with regard to any of the toxicological biomarkers considered were observed, including biochemical, haematological and histopathology parameters. In conclusion, the non-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for Proallium AP(®) in rats was determined to be a dietary dose of 400 mg/kg/d under the present experimental conditions, a value 500-fold higher than the exposure derived from its potential use in active packaging.

Intakes of garlic and dried fruits are associated with lower risk of spontaneous preterm delivery

Several studies have found associations between microbial infections during pregnancy and preterm delivery (PTD). We investigated the influence of food with antimicrobial and prebiotic components on the risk of spontaneous PTD. A literature search identified microbes associated with spontaneous PTD. Subsequently, 2 main food types (alliums and dried fruits) were identified to contain antimicrobial components that affect the microbes associated with spontaneous PTD; they also contained dietary fibers recognized as prebiotics. We investigated intake in 18,888 women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (MoBa), of whom 950 (5%) underwent spontaneous PTD (<37 gestational weeks). Alliums (garlic, onion, leek, and spring onion) [OR: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.94), P = 0.005] and dried fruits (raisins, apricots, prunes, figs, and dates) [OR: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.94); P = 0.005] were associated with a decreased risk of spontaneous PTD. Intake of alliums was related to a more pronounced risk reduction in early spontaneous PTD (gestational weeks 28-31) [OR: 0.39 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.80)]. The strongest association in this group was with garlic [OR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.25-0.89)], followed by cooked onions. Intake of dried fruits showed an association with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) [OR: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.95)]; the strongest association in this group was with raisins [OR: 0.71 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.92)]. The strongest association with PPROM in the allium group was with garlic [OR: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.97)]. In conclusion, intake of food with antimicrobial and prebiotic compounds may be of importance to reduce the risk of spontaneous PTD. In particular, garlic was associated with overall lower risk of spontaneous PTD. Dried fruits, especially raisins, were associated with reduced risk of PPROM.

Garlic derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate is effective against broiler enteropathogens in vivo

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of dietary supplementation with the garlic (Allium sativum)-derived product propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTS-O) on the intestinal log(10) number of copies of enteropathogens in broiler chickens, together with their intestinal morphology and growth performance. The additive had no significant effect on feed intake at any dose assayed. In experiment 1 (1 to 21 d of age), the BW of chickens fed on 45 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet was higher (P < 0.01) than that of controls. Birds fed on diets containing 45 and 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet had improved (P < 0.01) feed:gain ratios compared with the controls at 21 d of age. Ileal villus height, width and surface area, mucosal thickness, and muscular layer thickness were considerably greater (P < 0.01) than control values in chickens fed 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet. The Clostridium perfringens log(10) number of counts was not significantly affected at any dose assayed. The inclusion of PTS-O at both concentrations (45 and 90 mg/kg of diet) resulted in lower (P < 0.01) log(10) number of copies of ileal Salmonella spp. and crop enterobacteria and Escherichia coli. The inclusion of 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet also resulted in lower (P < 0.01) enterobacteria and E. coli log(10) numbers of copies in the ileal and cecal contents, respectively. The number of copies of Campylobacter jejuni was not significantly affected. In experiment 2 (15 to 28 d of age), lower (P < 0.01) log(10) number of copies of Salmonella spp. and C. jejuni were determined in the ileal contents of chickens fed on diets containing 135 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet. The addition of 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet lowered (P < 0.01) only the number of copies of ileal Salmonella spp. This investigation confirmed previous in vitro data and showed that PTS-O lowered the intestinal numbers of enteropathogens and improved the ileal histological structure and productive parameters of broilers.

Effect of garlic powder on the growth of commensal bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract

Garlic (Allium sativum) is considered one of the best disease-preventive foods. We evaluated in vitro the effect of a commercial garlic powder (GP), at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% (w/v), upon the viability of representative gut bacteria. In pure culture studies, Lactobacillus casei DSMZ 20011 was essentially found to be resistant to GP whereas a rapid killing effect of between 1 and 3 log CFU/ml reduction in cell numbers was observed with Bacteroides ovatus, Bifidobacterium longum DSMZ 20090 and Clostridium nexile A2-232. After 6h incubation, bacterial numbers increased steadily and once the strains became resistant they retained their resistant phenotype upon sub-culturing. A colonic model was also used to evaluate the effect of GP on a mixed bacterial population representing the microbiota of the distal colon. Lactic acid bacteria were found to be more resistant to GP compared to the clostridial members of the gut microbiota. While for most bacteria the antimicrobial effect was transient, the lactobacilli showed a degree of resistance to garlic, indicating that its consumption may favour the growth of these beneficial bacterial species in the gut. Garlic intake has the potential to temporarily modulate the gut microbiota.