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

The Optimal Supplementation of Fermented Product Produced by Bacillus subtilis Strain LYS1 with High Surfactin Yield for Improving Growth Performance, Intestinal Villi Morphology, and Tibial Bone Strength in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the physiochemical characterizations of the fermented product (FP) produced by the high-yield surfactin strain Bacillus subtilis LYS1 (LYS1), as well as its effects on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, tibial bone characteristics, and clinical blood biochemistry in broilers. Accordingly, the optimal supplementation of FP for improving growth performance, intestinal villi development, and tibial bone strength in broilers was elucidated using a broken-line quadratic (BLQ) ascending model. Three hundred and sixty 0-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks, with equal numbers of both sexes, were randomly assigned to dietary supplementation of 2.5% fish meal or 0, 1, 1.5, 2, or 2.5% FP. Each treatment had six replicates, and the experimental period was 5 wk. The LYS1 count, surfactin content, and surfactin composition of the FP were 9.1 log CFU/g, 11.23 mg/g, and C12 to C18, respectively. The FP-supplemented groups improved feed intake, weight gain (WG), and production efficiency factor at 0 to 5 weeks old (p < 0.05) compared with the 0% group. The villus height/crypt depth (V/C) in the jejunum and ileum of the FP-supplemented groups was higher than in the 0% group (p < 0.05). The tibiotarsal index, Ca, and P in the tibia showed a linear effect with increased FP supplementation (p < 0.05). Moreover, the tibiotarsus weight/length index (TWLI) showed a quadratic effect with increased FP supplementation (p < 0.05). The optimal supplementation of FP for WG, V/C in the jejunum and ileum, and TWLI was 1.8, 1.9, and 1.6%, respectively. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1 to 2.5% LYS1 FP in broilers can improve their growth performance and the development of intestinal villi. Moreover, 1.9% is the optimal supplementation of LYS1 FP in the diet, based on the fitting results obtained with the BLQ model.

Influence of Fermented Broccoli Residues on Fattening Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Meat Properties of Finishing Pigs

The study determined the impacts of dietary fermented residues' (FBR) inclusion on growth, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics, and meat properties in fattening pigs. Seventy-two robust pigs were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, thirty-six pigs each). Each group was subjected to a 52-day trial, during which they received either a corn-soybean meal-based diet or diet enhanced with a 10% addition of FBR. Consequently, adding 10% FBR caused a significant decrease in the digestive utilization of crude dietary components in fattening pigs (p < 0.05) but showed no significant impact on the growth performance. Additionally, FBR inclusion increased the marbling scores (p < 0.05) and total antioxidant functions (p < 0.05) of muscle tissues, indicating improved meat quality. Gender affected backfat depth, with barrows showing thicker backfat depth. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 10% FBR in finishing pigs influenced the meat quality by improving the marbling score and antioxidant performance while reducing digestibility without compromising growth performance.

Molecular strategies to enhance the keratinase gene expression and its potential implications in poultry feed industry

The tons of keratin waste are produced by the poultry and meat industry which is an insoluble and protein-rich material found in hair, feathers, wool, and some epidermal wastes. These waste products could be degraded and recycled to recover protein, which can save our environment. One of the potential strategy to achieve this target is use of microbial biotreatment which is more convenient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly by formulating hydrolysate complexes that could be administered as protein supplements, bioactive peptides, or animal feed ingredients. Keratin degradation shows great promise for long-term protein and amino acid recycling. According to the MEROPS database, known keratinolytic enzymes currently belong to at least 14 different protease families, including S1, S8, S9, S10, S16, M3, M4, M14, M16, M28, M32, M36, M38, and M55. In addition to exogenous attack (proteases from families S9, S10, M14, M28, M38, and M55), the various keratinolytic enzymes also function via endo-attack (proteases from families S1, S8, S16, M4, M16, and M36). Biotechnological methods have shown great promise for enhancing keratinase expression in different strains of microbes and different protein engineering techniques in genetically modified microbes such as bacteria and some fungi to enhance keratinase production and activity. Some microbes produce specific keratinolytic enzymes that can effectively degrade keratin substrates. Keratinases have been successfully used in the leather, textile, and pharmaceutical industries. However, the production and efficiency of existing enzymes need to be optimized before they can be used more widely in other processes, such as the cost-effective pretreatment of chicken waste. These can be improved more effectively by using various biotechnological applications which could serve as the best and novel approach for recycling and degrading biomass. This paper provides practical insights about molecular strategies to enhance keratinase expression to effectively utilize various poultry wastes like feathers and feed ingredients like soybean pulp. Furthermore, it describes the future implications of engineered keratinases for environment friendly utilization of wastes and crop byproducts for their better use in the poultry feed industry.

Impact of fermented feed of soybean hulls and rapeseed cake on immunity, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota in Chahua chicken

The present study investigated the effects of replacing part of the basal diet with 2-stage fermented feed (FF) (soybean hulls:rapeseed cake (2:1, m/m)) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of Chahua chicken. A total of 160 Chahua chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups to receive a control diet or diet with 5%, 10%, or 15% of the basal diet replaced by FF, respectively for 56 d. The results showed that FF significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of Chahua chickens (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Chahua chicken receiving the diet added with 15% FF significantly increased (P < 0.05). Chahua chicken in both the 10% and 15% groups showed increased serum IgG and IgM and decreased malondialdehyde. Serum interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma significantly increased in all FF groups. Compared with the CON group, higher ileal villus height (VH) was found in the 10% FF group. Treatment with FF significantly increased the ileal villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio, jejunal VH, and jejunal VH/CD ratio while reducing ileal and jejunal CD. The modified gut microbiota composition was observed in the Chahua chicken fed a diet containing FF, in particular, with the increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus. The abundance of Lactobacillus significantly increased in the 10% and 15% FF groups (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between Lactobacillus and VH (R = 0.38, P = 0.10, Figure 3B), AH/CD ratio (R = 0.63, P = 0.003), and a negative correlation with CD (R = -0.72, P = 0.001). These results indicate that FF improves immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health and consequently enhances growth performance in Chahua chicken.

The Effects of Fermented Feed on the Growth Performance, Antioxidant Activity, Immune Function, Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activity, Morphology, and Microflora of Yellow-Feather Chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented feed on growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune function, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, morphology, and microflora of yellow-feather chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old female yellow-feathered (Hexi dwarf) chickens were randomly divided into two treatment groups, with six replicates per group and 20 chickens per replicate. The control group (CK) received a basal diet, whereas the experimental group was fed a basal diet of +2.00% fermented feed (FJ). The trial lasted for 22 days. Compared with the CK, (1) the growth performance was not affected (p > 0.05); (2) immunoglobin a, immunoglobin g, immunoglobin m, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 were affected (p < 0.05); (3) liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were higher (p < 0.05); (4) trypsin activity in the duodenum and cecal Shannon index were increased (p < 0.05); (5) the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in cecum was increased (p < 0.05); (6) the abundance of dominant microflora of Bacteroides as well as Clostridia UCG-014_norank were increased (p < 0.05). In summary, the fermented feed improved the growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune function, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, morphology, and microflora of yellow-feather chickens.

Effects of dietary β-glucan and rice fermented on growth performance, fatty acids, and Newcastle disease immune response in turkey broilers

Poultry production has been developing in Vietnam with challenges of disease. Thus, feed additive should be investigated not only growth but also health enhancement. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented rice (FR) and β-glucan on turkey's growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune and fatty acid (FA) profiles. A total of 180 turkey chicks aged 1-56 days were randomly assigned to five sextuplicate groups and the birds had ad libitum feed and water access throughout the experiment. The five treatment groups were given the same diet with different proportions of FR and β-glucan. Broilers supplemented with 4% β-glucan and 4% FR presented the highest and second-highest growth performance, respectively. The 4% β-glucan and 4% FR treatments resulted in the highest carcass characteristic values without significantly affecting the breast or thigh meat pH or cooking loss. The 4% β-glucan and 4% FR treatments maximally increased the Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titers at 28, 42 and 56 days, respectively as well as thymus organ index. The foregoing treatments did not significantly affect the blood profiles relative to the control. However, the 4% FR treatment lowered the blood cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). The total FA profiles did not significantly differ among treatments. Nevertheless, both the β-glucan and FR treatments increased the MUFA levels compared to that of the control (p > 0.05). Hence, the dietary administration of 4% β-glucan and FR to turkey broilers could effectively improve their growth performance and immunity.

Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of a Novel Tetraphenolic Compound as a Potential Antioxidant

A novel antioxidant containing four hydroxyl groups, namely 2,2'-(2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl)bis(hydroquinone) (MPBHQ), was synthesized using hydroquinone and methylallyl alcohol as the raw materials, phosphoric acid as the catalyst, and toluene as the solvent system. The structure of MPBHQ was characterized by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that MPBHQ has a good radical scavenging effect, as measured by the ORAC assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABST radical scavenging assay, and Rancimat test. In fatty acid methyl ester and lard without exogenous antioxidants, MPBHQ showed better antioxidant performance than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), hydroquinone (HQ), tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), and propyl gallate (PG), meeting the need for a new antioxidant with better properties to ensure the oxidative stability of lipids and biodiesel.

Effects of Kadsura coccinea L. Fruit Extract on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Immunity, Antioxidant, Intestinal Morphology and Flora of White-Feathered Broilers

This study aimed to determine whether adding Kadsura coccinea fruit extract to the diet of broilers could replace antibiotics. For this study, 300 one-day-old AA white feathered broilers were divided into five groups (no sex separated), with six repetitions per group (n = 10), as follows: blank control group (basal feed, CK group), positive drug (basal feed + 300 mg/kg aureomycin, PD group), and Kadsura coccinea low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups (basal feed + 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg of Kadsura coccinea fruit extract, LD group, MD group and HD group). The experiment period was divided into early (1−21 days) and late (22−42 days) stage. We found that supplementation with Kadsura coccinea fruit extract in the diet significantly improved the growth performance of broilers (p < 0.05), reduced the feed to meat ratio (p < 0.05), reduced the fat percentage (p < 0.05), while had no significant effect on meat quality (p > 0.05) and Kadsura coccinea fruit extract could promote the development of immune organs to different extents, enhance antioxidant capacity, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px in serum were significantly increased (p < 0.05), improve the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. Finally, Kadsura coccinea fruit extract increased the relative abundance of probiotics and beneficial bacteria (Bacteroidales, NK4A214, Subdoligranulum and Eubacterium hallii) (p < 0.05) and reduced the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (Erysipelatoclostridium) (p < 0.05) in the gut of broilers. Compared with positive drug group, most of the indexes in the medium-dose group were better or had similar effects. We believe that Kadsura coccinea fruit extract can be used as a potential natural antibiotic substitute in livestock and poultry breeding programs.