Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products Improve Growth Performance and Intestinal Gut Morphology in Broilers under Clostridium perfringens Challenge

Comparative Effects of Antibiotic and Antimicrobial Peptide on Growth Performance, Gut Morphology, Intestinal Lesion Score, Ileal Microbial Counts, and Immune Status in Broilers Challenged with Necrotic Enteritis

This experiment aimed to compare the efficacy of an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with a conventional antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) during necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge in broilers. In total, 720 1-day-old exclusively male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were allocated to five treatments, each with six replicates of 24 birds (n = 144/treatment), for 35 days. The treatments were as follows: (1) uninfected control (UC) with basal diet, (2) infected control (IC) with C. perfringens challenge and basal diet, (3) CP-AGP with C. perfringens challenge and 200 g/ton enramycin throughout trial, (4) CP-AMP1 with C. perfringens challenge and 200 g/ton AMP in all phases, and (5) CP-AMP2 with C. perfringens challenge and 300 g/ton AMP throughout experiment. To induce NE, the birds were predisposed with 10 × coccidia vaccine (day 15) followed by oral gavage of C. perfringens type G (1 ml; 1 × 108 CFU/ml/bird) at days 19 and 20. The results showed that AMP supplemented at 300 g/ton of diet improved body weight gain and FCR in both non-challenge (days 1-14) and challenge phases (days 15-35) as compared to the infected control (P < 0.05). Moreover, it also enhanced the livability and production efficiency factor (P < 0.0001). AMP at 300 g/ton also reduced NE lesion scores, and coccidia oocyst shedding, and positively affected intestinal morphology, gut microbial balance, immune organ weights, and HI titers against Newcastle disease (P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that AMP at 300 g/ton of diet could effectively mitigate NE and may be used as a viable substitute for AGPs in broiler diets during the NE challenge.

Bacillus licheniformis suppresses Clostridium perfringens infection via modulating inflammatory response, antioxidant status, inflammasome activation and microbial homeostasis in broilers

Pathogenic bacteria infection, especially Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), markedly threatened the health of animals, and further caused huge economic loss. In this study, Bacillus licheniformis HJ0135 (BL) was used. Oxford cup bacteriostatic test and inhibitory rate test were conducted to evaluate the antibacterial ability of BL. Results showed the strongest inhibitory role of BL on C. perfringens (P < 0.05). Afterwards, 540 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers (32.7 ± 0.2 g) were randomly allocated into 3 groups, including CON group (basal diet), CP group (basal diet + 1 × 109 CFU C. perfringens in gavage), and BL + CP group (basal diet containing 7.5 × 106 CFU/g BL + 1 × 109 CFU C. perfringens in gavage). At d 70, broilers in the CP and BL + CP groups were treated with C. perfringens by continuously oral administration for 5 d. The experiment lasted for 75 d. The serum, immune organs, jejunal mucosa, and cecal contents were collected for analysis. In vivo experiment showed that BL supplementation markedly improved (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, thymus index, serum immunoglobins and antioxidases, reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines of C. perfringens-infected broilers. Furthermore, the increased jejunal injury and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, decreased gene expressions of tight junction proteins in the jejunal mucosa were significantly alleviated (P < 0.05) by BL. More importantly, the activation of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was inhibited (P < 0.05) by BL to further attenuate jejunal damage. Besides, BL supplementation markedly increased (P < 0.05) the cecal isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid. Microbial analysis showed that BL changed the composition and relative abundances of microbiota in the cecal contents (P < 0.05), especially the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria including Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Megamonas, Faecalibacterium, and Lactobacillus, which further protected against C. perfringens-induced jejunal inflammation in broilers. Our study laid a theoretical basis for the application of probiotics in lessening C. perfringens-related diseases in poultry farming.

Surfactin from Bacillus subtilis enhances immune response and contributes to the maintenance of intestinal microbial homeostasis

Surfactin, a lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Bacillus spp., has emerged as a promising bioactive compound due to its potent inhibitory effects on bacterial and viral pathogens. This showcases its potential as a non-antibiotic strategy for managing infectious diseases. Our investigation reveals that surfactin administration significantly promotes weight gain and improves immune organ indices in mice, reflecting enhanced immunity and gut health. Surfactin augments phagocytic function in peritoneal macrophages and boosts proliferative responses in splenic lymphocytes post-chicken red blood cell immunization. Furthermore, it increases intestinal villi height, indicative of superior nutrient absorption. It elevates mucin secretion and expression of intestinal mucosal proteins, such as secretory IgA, Muc1, and Muc2, and tight junction proteins claudin-1, occludin, and Zo-1 in the jejunum and colon. Crucially, surfactin modifies the gut microbiota composition by reducing Escherichia coli populations and ameliorating cyclophosphamide-induced gut dysbiosis. Our data suggest that oral surfactin could be a valuable therapeutic modality to alleviate immune suppression and gut damage, proposing a new pathway for immunomodulatory treatment.

IMPORTANCE

The potential of surfactin as a microbial surfactant extends beyond its surfactant properties, impacting immune regulation and gut health. As the need for alternatives to traditional antibiotics continues to grow, surfactin's ability to enhance host defense mechanisms against common pathogens without directly targeting them with antibiotics offers a strategic advantage. Understanding how surfactin shapes the immune landscape and the gut microbiome can inform innovative interventions against immunosuppression and intestinal impairment, particularly in contexts such as cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity.

Evaluating the efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus derived postbiotics on growth metrics, Health, and Gut Integrity in broiler chickens

Continuous use of antibiotics in poultry feed as growth promoters poses a grave threat to humanity through the emergence of antibiotic resistance, necessitating the exploration of novel and sustainable alternatives. The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus in broiler birds. The postbiotics were harvested by culturing probiotic bacteria from the stock cultures at the required temperature and duration under laboratory conditions and supplemented to broilers via feed. For experimentation, 480-day-old CARI-Bro Dhanraja (slow-growing broiler) straight-run chicks were randomly split up into six groups. Treatment groups diets are as follows: T1- Basal diet (BD)+0.2%(v/w) MRS Broth/ uninoculated media; T2 - BD + Antibiotic (CTC); T3- BD + Probiotic; T4, T5 & T6 - BD + postbiotics supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% (v/w) respectively. The chicks were raised under an intensive, deep litter system with standard protocol for 6 weeks. Results showed that 0.2% of postbiotics (T4) had significantly (P < 0.001) higher body weight (1677.52 g) with better FCR (1.75) and immune response. Postbiotic supplementation altered various serum attributes positively, in this study. Significant (P < 0.001) reductions in total plate counts (TPC), coliform counts, and maximum Lactobacillus counts were recorded in all postbiotic-supplemented groups. The villus height (1379.25 μm), width (216.06 μm) and crept depth (179.25 μm) showed significant (P < 0.001) improvement among the treatment groups on the 21st and 42nd day of the experimental trial, with the highest value in the T4 group (0.2% postbiotic supplementation). Jejunal antioxidant values also noted significantly (P < 0.001) higher values in T4 group. The study concludes that 0.2% postbiotic supplementation can act as a substitute to antibiotic growth promoters and also combat the disfavour activity of probiotics in broilers.

Multi-Omics Revealed Resveratrol and β-Hydroxy-β-methyl Butyric Acid Alone or in Combination Improved the Jejunal Function in Tibetan Sheep

Previous research studies confirmed that both resveratrol (RES) and β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyric acid (HMB) improved growth performance by altering intestinal microbiota. However, the mechanism underlying of RES and HMB on intestinal function remains unclear in ruminant. In this study, supplements of RES and HMB alone or in combination were evaluated as promoters of antioxidant capacity, immune response and barrier function, and modulators of the microbiota and metabolite profiles in the jejunum of Tibetan sheep. A total of 120 two-month-old Tibetan rams were randomly divided into four treatments (n = 30 per treatment), which were supplemented with a basal diet with 1.5 g RES/d (RES group), 1.25 g HMB/d (HMB group), 1.5 g RES/d plus 1.25 g HMB/d (RES-HMB group), and without additions (Control group). The results showed that RES and HMB improved the antioxidant capacity (CAT, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC), immunity (IgA, IgG, and IgM), and digestive enzyme activity (α-amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsin) of the experimental lambs (p < 0.05). Additionally, jejunal morphology including villus width, villus height, and muscle layer thickness exhibited a significant difference when rams were fed diets supplemented with RES and HMB (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the determination of fermentation parameters showed that the butyrate concentration in the RES-HMB group was greater than those in the C and RES groups (p < 0.05). When compared to the C group, barrier-related gene expression (MUC-2, ZO-1, and IL-10) was significantly increased in the RES-HMB group (p < 0.05). Dietary RES and (or) HMB supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Methanobrevibacter, Actinobacteriota and Bacillus (p < 0.05). The abundance of differential bacteria was positively associated with butyrate concentration (p < 0.05). Metabolome analysis revealed that alpha ketoglutarate, succinic semialdehyde, and diacetyl as well as butanoate metabolism pathways connected to the improvements in butyrate concentration by RES and (or) HMB supplementation. Collectively, our results suggested that RES and (or) HMB supplementation improved butyrate concentration via regulating the microbial community (Methanobrevibacter, Actinobacteriota and Bacillus) and metabolism (alpha ketoglutarate, succinic semialdehyde, and diacetyl), thus contributing to jejunal morphology, antioxidant capacity, immune response, digestive enzyme activity, and barrier function.

Impact of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products on Growth and Productivity in Heat-Stressed Laying Ducks

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of various concentrations of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) on the growth and productivity of laying ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) subjected to heat stress during eight weeks of a feeding trial. A total of 150 one-day-old Brown Tsaiya ducks of both sexes were divided into five groups, with each group having three replicates and 10 ducks each for evaluation of growth performance. The treatment groups received dietary supplements of BLFP at levels of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, along with a group receiving flavomycin (F) at 5 ppm, all over a 24-week period. The fermentation process in this study utilized a B. licheniformis strain (ATCC 12713) for the production of the spores through solid-state fermentation. The control group was given a basal diet consisting of yellow corn and soybean meal. The results showed that as compared to the flavomycin group, ducks in the 0.3% BLFP group had significantly higher body weights and better feed conversion rates. In addition, during the three weeks, the BLFP group showed higher feed consumption as compared to the control group. The jejunum villi length was significantly increased in the 0.2% BLPF group as compared to the control and flavomycin groups. This study also found that the flavomycin group had a significantly higher egg conversion rate, while the 0.1-0.3% BLFP groups had improved feed intake and the 0.3% group had significantly enhanced egg yolk color. Additionally, the 0.2% BLFP group showed substantial decreases in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in the liver as well as an uptick in the tight junction protein Occludin gene expression in the colon when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the expression of the heat shock protein 70 in the gut upregulated in the 0.1% and 0.2% BLFP groups. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate that dietary supplementation of 0.2% BLFP is an ideal concentration to increase gut morphology, alleviate inflammatory response, and promote gut integrity in heat-stressed laying ducks.

Management and control of coccidiosis in poultry - A review

Poultry coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by an intracellular parasitic protozoan of the genus Eimeria. Coccidia-induced gastrointestinal inflammation results in large economic losses, hence finding methods to decrease its prevalence is critical for industry participants and academic researchers. It has been demonstrated that coccidiosis can be effectively controlled and managed by employing anticoccidial chemical compounds. However, as a result of their extensive use, anticoccidial drug resistance in Eimeria species has raised concerns. Phytochemical/herbal medicines (Artemisia annua, Bidens pilosa, and garlic) seem to be a promising strategy for preventing coccidiosis, in accordance with the "anticoccidial chemical-free" standards. The impact of herbal supplements on poultry coccidiosis is based on the reduction of oocyst output by preventing the proliferation and growth of Eimeria species in chicken gastrointestinal tissues and lowering intestinal permeability via increased epithelial turnover. This review provides a thorough up-to-date assessment of the state of the art and technologies in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in chickens, including the most used phytochemical medications, their mode of action, and the applicable legal framework in the European Union.

The fermented product of high-yield surfactin strain Bacillus subtilis LYS1 improves the growth performance and intestinal villi morphology in broilers

This study aimed to select Bacillus spp. for surfactin production by solid-state fermentation and to investigate the physiochemical characterizations of the fermented product (FP) and its effect on growth performance, carcass trait, intestinal morphology, and clinical blood biochemistry of broilers. Accordingly, the correlations between the functional components of FP and the growth performance of broilers are elucidated. Four hundred eighty 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to dietary supplementation of 2.5% fish meal, 2.5% unfermented product, or 2.5% FP produced by Bacillus subtilis LYS1 (LYS1), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Da16, B. subtilis Lo6 (Lo6), B. subtilis NSN7, B. subtilis subsp. natto N21, or B. subtilis N12. Each treatment had 6 replicates. The experimental period was 5 wk. Results showed that the Lo6 showed the highest protease activity among all fermented groups. The LYS1 showed the highest surfactin yields (10.69 mg/g) among all fermented groups (P < 0.05). The weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and production efficiency factor (PEF) of LYS1 group were significantly better than unfermented group at 0 to 3 and 0 to 5-wk-old (P < 0.05). The Bacillus-like counts and surfactin content of FP were moderately correlated to WG (0.7 > r > 0.3), FCR (-0.3 > r > -0.7), and PEF (0.7 > r > 0.3) at 0 to 3 and 0 to 5-wk-old (P < 0.05). The protease activity of FP was moderately correlated to WG (0.7 > r > 0.3), FCR (-0.3 > r > -0.7), and PEF (0.7 > r > 0.3) at 0 to 3-wk-old (P < 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum of fish meal group and LYS1 group were higher than unfermented group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LYS1 shows the highest surfactin yields. Diets supplemented with 2.5% LYS1 FP can improve the growth performance and the development of intestinal villi in broilers. Moreover, this study proves that the surfactin content, Bacillus-like counts, and protease activity of FP show a correlation to the growth performance of broilers.

Immune-enhancing Effects of Chitosan-fermented Feed Additive on Broiler Chickens and Subsequent Protection Conferred against Experimental Infection with Salmonella Gallinarum

Benefits chitosan-fermented feed additives (CFFAs) particularly in the regulation of the immune system and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, we investigated the immune-enhancing and bacterial clearance effects of CFFA (fermented by Bacillus licheniformis) on broiler chickens Salmonella Gallinarum challenge. We administered 2% or 4% CFFA evaluated its immune-enhancing effects using several immunological experiments, including examination of lysozyme activity, lymphocyte proliferation, and expression of cytokines. We also evaluated the bacterial clearance effects of CFFA against S. Gallinarum. CFFA administration markedly enhanced lysozyme activity, lymphocyte proliferation, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma in the spleen. In broilers challenged with S. Gallinarum, the clinical signs of S. Gallinarum infection and the number of viable bacterial colonies in the feces and tissues decreased in both CFFA groups. Therefore, CFFAs could be good candidates for feed additive to improve nonspecific immune responses and bacterial clearance.

Bacillus licheniformis: A Producer of Antimicrobial Substances, including Antimycobacterials, Which Are Feasible for Medical Applications

Bacillus licheniformis produces several classes of antimicrobial substances, including bacteriocins, which are peptides or proteins with different structural composition and molecular mass: ribosomally synthesized by bacteria (1.4-20 kDa), non-ribosomally synthesized peptides and cyclic lipopeptides (0.8-42 kDa) and exopolysaccharides (>1000 kDa). Different bacteriocins act against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, fungal pathogens and amoeba cells. The main mechanisms of bacteriocin lytic activity include interaction of peptides with membranes of target cells resulting in structural alterations, pore-forming, and inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis. DNase and RNase activity for some bacteriocines are also postulated. Non-ribosomal peptides are synthesized by special non-ribosomal multimodular peptide synthetases and contain unnatural amino acids or fatty acids. Their harmful effect is due to their ability to form pores in biological membranes, destabilize lipid packaging, and disrupt the peptidoglycan layer. Lipopeptides, as biosurfactants, are able to destroy bacterial biofilms. Secreted polysaccharides are high molecular weight compounds, composed of repeated units of sugar moieties attached to a carrier lipid. Their antagonistic action was revealed in relation to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Exopolysaccharides also inhibit the formation of biofilms by pathogenic bacteria and prevent their colonization on various surfaces. However, mechanism of the harmful effect for many secreted antibacterial substances remains unknown. The antimicrobial activity for most substances has been studied in vitro only, but some substances have been characterized in vivo and they have found practical applications in medicine and veterinary. The cyclic lipopeptides that have surfactant properties are used in some industries. In this review, special attention is paid to the antimycobacterials produced by B. licheniformis as a possible approach to combat multidrug-resistant and latent tuberculosis. In particular, licheniformins and bacitracins have shown strong antimycobacterial activity. However, the medical application of some antibacterials with promising in vitro antimycobacterial activity has been limited by their toxicity to animals and humans. As such, similar to the enhancement in the antimycobacterial activity of natural bacteriocins achieved using genetic engineering, the reduction in toxicity using the same approach appears feasible. The unique capability of B. licheniformis to synthesize and produce a range of different antibacterial compounds means that this organism can act as a natural universal vehicle for antibiotic substances in the form of probiotic cultures and strains to combat various types of pathogens, including mycobacteria.

Recent Trends on Mitigative Effect of Probiotics on Oxidative-Stress-Induced Gut Dysfunction in Broilers under Necrotic Enteritis Challenge: A Review

Gut health includes normal intestinal physiology, complete intestinal epithelial barrier, efficient immune response, sustained inflammatory balance, healthy microbiota, high nutrient absorption efficiency, nutrient metabolism, and energy balance. One of the diseases that causes severe economic losses to farmers is necrotic enteritis, which occurs primarily in the gut and is associated with high mortality rate. Necrotic enteritis (NE) primarily damages the intestinal mucosa, thereby inducing intestinal inflammation and high immune response which diverts nutrients and energy needed for growth to response mediated effects. In the era of antibiotic ban, dietary interventions like microbial therapy (probiotics) to reduce inflammation, paracellular permeability, and promote gut homeostasis may be the best way to reduce broiler production losses. The current review highlights the severity effects of NE; intestinal inflammation, gut lesions, alteration of gut microbiota balance, cell apoptosis, reduced growth performance, and death. These negative effects are consequences of; disrupted intestinal barrier function and villi development, altered expression of tight junction proteins and protein structure, increased translocation of endotoxins and excessive stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines. We further explored the mechanisms by which probiotics mitigate NE challenge and restore the gut integrity of birds under disease stress; synthesis of metabolites and bacteriocins, competitive exclusion of pathogens, upregulation of tight junction proteins and adhesion molecules, increased secretion of intestinal secretory immunoglobulins and enzymes, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune response and the increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and immune boost via the modulation of the TLR/NF-ĸ pathway. Furthermore, increased beneficial microbes in the gut microbiome improve nutrient utilization, host immunity, and energy metabolism. Probiotics along with biosecurity measures could mitigate the adverse effects of NE in broiler production.

Differential effects of Bacillus subtilis- and Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal antioxidant and barrier function gene expression, cecal microbiota community, and microbial carbohydrate-active enzyme composition in broilers

This study investigated the differential effects of Bacillus subtilis-fermented products (SFPs) and Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (LFPs) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal gene expression, cecal microbiota community, and microbial carbohydrate-active enzyme composition of broilers. In total, 160 one-day-old unsexed Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups (with 8 replicates per group and 5 chicks per replicate): control (CON), enramycin (ENM), SFP, and LFP groups, which were fed a basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg ENM, basal diet supplemented with 10⁸ colony-forming units (CFU) of B. subtilis spores per gram of feed, and basal diet supplemented with 10⁸ CFU of B. licheniformis spores per gram of feed, respectively. LFP treatment resulted in a higher (P < 0.01) body weight at the age of 35 d and higher average daily gain over 15 to 35 (P < 0.05) and 1 to 35 (P < 0.05) d of age than did the CON and SFP treatments. The average villus heights in the jejunum were longer (P < 0.05) in the LFP group than those in the SFP group. Moreover, the LFP group exhibited a higher jejunal barrier function gene expression (mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin) and cecal antioxidant gene expression (superoxide dismutase) than did the CON group (P < 0.05). A principal coordinate analysis of cecal microbiota and carbohydrate-active enzyme composition demonstrated distinct clustering among the groups. Lactobacillus crispatus abundance in the cecal digesta was higher (P < 0.01) in the SFP group than in the CON and LFP groups. Finally, microbial glycosyltransferase 2 gene expression in the cecal digesta was higher in the LFP group than in the CON and ENM groups. In conclusion, LFPs can improve the growth performance, increase intestinal barrier function and antioxidant gene expression, and modulate cecal microflora composition and carbohydrate-active enzyme composition of broilers. The overall effect of LFPs on growth promotion in broilers was superior to that of SFPs.

Probiotics as a Friendly Antibiotic Alternative: Assessment of Their Effects on the Health and Productive Performance of Poultry

Antibiotics have been used to maintain the overall health of poultry by increasing production efficiency, promoting growth, and improving intestinal function for more than 50 years. However, they have a number of side effects, such as antibiotic resistance, gut dysbiosis, destruction of beneficial bacteria, and the potential to spread diseases to humans. In order to address the aforementioned issues, a lot of effort is put into the development of antibiotic alternatives. One of them is the use of probiotics that can be added to the feed in order to increase poultry performance and avoid the aforementioned problems. Probiotics are live microorganisms consumed as feed additives or supplements. They function in the poultry gastrointestinal tract to benefit the host. Probiotics improve growth performance, bone health, meat and eggshell quality. The addition of probiotics to the diet also positively affects the immune response, intestinal microflora, and disease resistance. Careful selection of probiotic strains is of utmost importance. This review focuses on the significance of probiotics as a potential antibiotic-free alternative and the way in which they can be used as supplements in poultry feed for boosting production and safeguarding health.

Effects of Fermenting the Plant Fraction of a Complete Feed on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Antioxidant Functions, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Microbiota of Broilers

Simple Summary

Fermented feed is an effective way to replace antibiotics in poultry. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different levels of fermented feeds on growth performance, nutrient utilization, antioxidant function, meat quality, and intestinal microorganisms of broilers. The current research results showed that adding 10% fermented feed significantly improved the growth performance in 1–21 days, and adding 5% fermented feed significantly improved the growth performance in 1–42 days. Adding 15% fermented feed significantly improved the metabolic rate of the birds in 19–21 days and significantly increased the monounsaturated fatty acid concentration in the chickens. Adding fermented feed significantly reduced the cholesterol content in the chickens. In a word, adding 10% fermented feed significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio in 1–21 days and adding 5% fermented feed significantly improved the average daily gain and the average daily feed intake in 1–42 days. In addition, consuming fermented feed improved the meat quality of broilers.

Abstract

We investigated the effects of fermenting the plant fraction of a solid complete feed (FPFF) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, meat quality, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens. The plant-based fraction of the complete feed was fermented using Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis. A total of 240, 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each comprised of six replicates. The groups were fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet (basic diet) or the same diet supplemented with 5%, 10%, or 15% FPFF for 6 weeks. As results, adding 10% fermented feed significantly improved the growth performance in 1–21 days, and adding 5% fermented feed significantly improved the growth performance in 1–42 days. Adding 15% fermented feed significantly improved the metabolic rate of the birds in 19–21 days and significantly increased the monounsaturated fatty acid concentration in the chickens. Adding fermented feed significantly reduced the cholesterol content in the chickens. In conclusion, adding 10% fermented feed significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio in 1–21 days and adding 5% fermented feed significantly improved the average daily gain and the average daily feed intake in 1–42 days. In addition, consuming fermented feed improved the meat quality of broilers.

Effect of Bacillus species–fermented products and essential oils on growth performance, gut morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid levels, and microbiota community in broilers

In this study, the effects of Bacillus species–fermented products (synbiotics [SYNs]) and essential oils (EOs) on the growth performance, gut morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, and microbiota of broilers were investigated. A total of 180 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments as follows: basal diet (control group), basal diet plus enramycin (10 mg/kg; A group), basal diet plus SYNs (3 × 10¹¹ CFU spore/kg of feed; SYN group), basal diet plus EOs (100 mg/kg; EO group), and basal diet plus SYNs and EOs (SYN + EO group), with 6 replicate cages per treatment group and 6 birds per cage. The SYN+EO treatment resulted in a higher (P = 0.003) average daily gain at 1 to 14 d of age than did the control and EO treatments. SYNs had a significant effect on the average daily gain at 1 to 14 d (P < 0.001) and 1 to 35 d (P = 0.045) of age. EOs had a significant effect on the villus height of the duodenum (P = 0.015) and jejunum (P = 0.027). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mucin 2 (MUC2) mRNA expression in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in the SYN + EO group was higher (P < 0.001) than that in any of the other groups. The SYN+EO treatment resulted in higher (P < 0.001) 2-methylbutyric acid and 3-methylbutyric acid levels in the cecal digesta of the broilers than did the control treatment. Cecal species evenness in the SYN + EO group was higher (P < 0.001) than that in the control group. The abundance of the phylum Firmicutes in the cecal digesta of the broilers was higher (P < 0.001) in the SYN+EO group than in the control group. SYNs had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus in the cecal digesta of the broilers. The abundance of the genus Lactobacillus was positively associated with 2-methylbutyric acid and 3-methylbutyric acid levels. The 2-methylbutyric acid and 3-methylbutyric acid levels were positively correlated with the villus height of the duodenum and ileum. These results suggest that simultaneous supplementation with SYNs and EOs can increase the average daily gain, improve gut health–associated gene expression, increase SCFA levels, and modulate the gut microbiota composition of broilers.

Effectiveness of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products and Their Derived Antimicrobial Lipopeptides in Controlling Coccidiosis in Broilers

Simple Summary

Coccidiosis is an important health problem in broilers, caused by infection with a highly contagious intestinal parasite of the genus Eimeria. Anti-coccidial drugs are widely used for the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. However, multi-resistance coccidia is a potential threat to poultry production. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, on the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Results demonstrate that BLFPs and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, exhibit anti-coccidial activity in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, for the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Broilers were fed BLFP at 1.25 and 5 g/kg under Eimeria tenella challenge. At the end of experiment (35 days), the growth performance, survival rate, cecal morphology, cecal lesion scores, oocyst-count index, and anti-coccidial index were analyzed. The effects of the BLFP-derived surfactin on oocyst sporulation and sporozoite morphology in Eimeria species were also investigated in vitro. Results showed that BLFP supplementation at 1.25 and 5 g/kg improved cecal morphology and increased the survival rate of broilers under E. tenella challenge. Supplementation with 1.25 g/kg of BLFP reduced the lesion scores in the cecum of E. tenella-challenged broilers, while the oocyst-count index was reduced in broilers given 5 g/kg of BLFP. The anti-coccidial index of the 1.25 g/kg of BLFP-treated group was greater than 160, compared with the E. tenella-challenge-only group. Furthermore, surfactin inhibited Eimeria oocyst sporulation and disrupted sporozoite morphology. These results demonstrate that BLFPs and their derived antimicrobial lipopeptide, surfactin, exhibit anti-coccidial activity in vitro and in vivo. BLFP may be used as a natural feed additive for the prevention of coccidiosis in broilers, and 1.25 g/kg can be considered the optimum dosage.

A Review of the Effects and Production of Spore-Forming Probiotics for Poultry

Simple Summary

Spore-forming probiotics are widely used in the poultry industry for their beneficial impact on host health. The main feature that separates spore-forming probiotics from the more common lactic acid probiotics is their high resistance to external and internal factors, resulting in higher viability in the host and correspondingly, greater efficiency. Their most important effect is the ability to confront pathogens, which makes them a perfect substitute for antibiotics. In this review, we cover and discuss the interactions of spore-forming probiotic bacteria with poultry as the host, their health promotion effects and mechanisms of action, impact on poultry productivity parameters, and ways to manufacture the probiotic formulation. The key focus of this review is the lack of reproducibility in poultry research studies on the evaluation of probiotics’ effects, which should be solved by developing and publishing a set of standard protocols in the professional community for conducting probiotic trials in poultry.

Abstract

One of the main problems in the poultry industry is the search for a viable replacement for antibiotic growth promoters. This issue requires a “one health” approach because the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in poultry can lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which is a concern not only in animals, but for humans as well. One of the promising ways to overcome this challenge is found in probiotics due to their wide range of features and mechanisms of action for health promotion. Moreover, spore-forming probiotics are suitable for use in the poultry industry because of their unique ability, encapsulation, granting them protection from the harshest conditions and resulting in improved availability for hosts’ organisms. This review summarizes the information on gastrointestinal tract microbiota of poultry and their interaction with commensal and probiotic spore-forming bacteria. One of the most important topics of this review is the absence of uniformity in spore-forming probiotic trials in poultry. In our opinion, this problem can be solved by the creation of standards and checklists for these kinds of trials such as those used for pre-clinical and clinical trials in human medicine. Last but not least, this review covers problems and challenges related to spore-forming probiotic manufacturing.

Effective Microorganisms (EM) Improve Internal Organ Morphology, Intestinal Morphometry and Serum Biochemical Activity in Japanese Quails under Clostridium perfringens Challenge

The effect of effective microorganisms (EM) on internal organ morphology, intestinal morphometry, and serum biochemical activity in Japanese quails under Clostridium perfringens challenge was determined. After 30 days of EM addition, one group of quails was orally inoculated with Clostridium perfringens. The second group did not receive EM and was inoculated with C. perfringens. In the gut, EM supplementation reduced the number of lesions, enhanced gut health, and protected the mucosa from pathogenic bacteria. EM showed an anti-inflammatory effect and fewer necrotic lesions in villi. In the internal organs, EM showed a protective effect against a typical lesion of C. perfringens infection. Necrosis and degeneration of the hepatocytes, necrosis of bile ducts, and bile duct proliferation were more severe in the infected group without EM. Morphometric evaluation showed significantly higher villi in the jejunum after EM addition. A greater crypt depth was observed in the C. perfringens group. Biochemical analysis of the blood indicated lower cholesterol on the 12th day of the experiment and between-group differences in total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin levels in the EM group. Further studies are needed to improve EM activity against pathologic bacteria as a potential alternative to antibiotics and to develop future natural production systems.

Effect of Fermented Products Produced by Bacillus licheniformis on the Growth Performance and Cecal Microbial Community of Broilers under Coccidial Challenge

This study investigated the effects of fermented products produced by Bacillus licheniformis (fermented products) on the growth performance and cecal microbial community in broilers exposed to coccidial challenge. A total of 108 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments. Each treatment was distributed into six replicate cages with six birds each. The treatments consisted of a basal diet without treatment (NC), basal diet plus coccidial challenge (PC), and basal diet plus the coccidial challenge and 1 g/kg of fermented products (FP). The results indicated that FP increased the average daily gain of broilers at 21 to 35 days of age compared with the PC group (p < 0.05). The anti-coccidia index in the FP group was elevated compared with the PC group (p < 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis showed significant segregation in bacterial community composition in the cecal digesta among the groups. The genus Lactobacillus was more abundant in the cecal digesta of the FP group compared with the PC group (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus in the cecal digesta and growth performance (body weight, average daily gain, and average feed intake). Furthermore, the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus in the cecal digesta was positively associated with the cecal short-chain fatty acid levels (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isobutyric acid). These findings suggest that fermented products produced by B. licheniformis can ameliorate the average daily gain of broilers exposed to coccidial challenge. B. licheniformis-fermented product supplementation increases anti-coccidial activity and modulates gut microbiota composition by increasing beneficial microbes and decreasing harmful microbes in broilers under coccidial challenge.

The Effect of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products and Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome on Litter Performance Traits, Milk Composition, and Fecal Microbiota in Sows

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) and postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) on litter performance traits, milk composition, and fecal microbiota in sows in a commercial farrow to finish pig farm. Fifty multiparous cross-bred pregnant sows were randomly assigned to two groups in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments comprised a basal diet (pregnancy and nursery diet) as control and basal diet supplemented with 1.5 g/kg of BLFP. Sows with PDS in the two groups were further verified 12 h post-partum. Results show that the piglet body weight at weaning was increased in sows fed the BLFP compared to those fed the control diet. The milk fat content of prepartum sows was reduced in sows fed the BLFP. Postpartum sows with PDS had increased milk solid content compared with healthy sows. Microbial composition and species relative abundance analysis indicated distinct bacterial clusters between the groups. The abundance of the family Prevotellaceae in the feces decreased in sows with PDS. BLFP increased the average abundance of the genus (Eubacterium) coprostanoligenes group in feces of sows. These findings demonstrate that BLFP in the diet of sows can improve the piglet body weight at weaning and modulate the fecal microbiota of sows. PDS also has an impact on milk composition and fecal microbiota in sows.

Evaluation of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Feed Additive as an Antibiotic Substitute: Effect on the Growth Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, and Cecal Microbiota in Weaning Piglets

This study investigated the potential of a Bacillus licheniformis-fermented feed additive (BLF) as an antibiotic substitute in weaning piglets. Ninety-six crossbred piglets were randomly allotted into four treatments with three replicate pens per treatment and eight pigs per pen. Piglets were fed diets as follows: a basal diet as control, a basal diet supplemented with bacitracin (30 mg/kg of bacitracin methylene disalicylate), a basal diet supplemented with BLF (1 g/kg of the Bacillus licheniformis-fermented feed additive), and a basal diet supplemented with bacitracin and BLF (15 mg/kg of bacitracin methylene disalicylate and 0.5 g/kg of the Bacillus licheniformis-fermented feed additive). The results showed that replacing all or half the bacitracin with BLF both reduced the incidence of diarrhea in weaning piglets from day 1 to 14. Principal coordinates analysis and a species abundance heat map showed that distinct clusters were formed between groups. Replacing all the bacitracin with BLF reduced bacterial evenness in the cecal digesta of weaning piglets, while the inhibitory effect on bacterial evenness was reversed in the group treated with bacitracin in combination with BLF. These results indicated that the half replacement of bacitracin with BLF was able to decrease the incidence of diarrhea and modify cecal microbiota composition in weaning piglets, suggesting that a Bacillus licheniformis-fermented feed additive has good potential as a suitable alternative to antibiotics use in the swine industry.