Effect ofBacillus SubtilisSpore (GalliPro®) Nutrients Equivalency Value on Broiler Chicken Performance

Probiotics in Poultry Nutrition as a Natural Alternative for Antibiotics

Since the early 1950s, antibiotics have been used in poultry for improving feed efficiency and growth performance. Nevertheless, various side effects have appeared, such as antibiotic resistance, antibiotic residues in eggs and meat, and imbalance of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Consequently, it is essential to find other alternatives that include probiotics that improve poultry production. Probiotics are live microorganisms administered in adequate doses and improve host health. Probiotics are available to be used as feed additives, increasing the availability of the nutrients for enhanced growth by digesting the feed properly. Immunity and meat and egg quality can be improved by supplementation of probiotics in poultry feed. Furthermore, the major reason for using probiotics as feed additives is that they can compete with various infectious diseases causing pathogens in poultry's gastrointestinal tract. Hence, this chapter focuses on the types and mechanisms of action of probiotics and their benefits, by feed supplementation, for poultry health and production.

Insights in the Development and Uses of Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Poultry and Swine Production

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rise and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. To address this global public health threat, many countries have restricted the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and promoted the development of alternatives to antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine and animal farming. In food-animal production, acidifiers, bacteriophages, enzymes, phytochemicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and antimicrobial peptides have shown hallmarks as alternatives to antibiotics. This review reports the current state of these alternatives as growth-promoting factors for poultry and swine production and describes their mode of action. Recent findings on their usefulness and the factors that presently hinder their broader use in animal food production are identified by SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis. The potential for resistance development as well as co- and cross-resistance with currently used antibiotics is also discussed. Using predetermined keywords, we searched specialized databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Antibiotic resistance cannot be stopped, but its spreading can certainly be hindered or delayed with the development of more alternatives with innovative modes of action and a wise and careful use of antimicrobials in a One Health approach.

Effects of drinking water supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri, and a mixture of reuterin and microcin J25 on the growth performance, caecal microbiota and selected metabolites of broiler chickens

Background

Since the overuse of antibiotics in animal production has led to a selection of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that affect humans and animals as well. Scientists are therefore searching for novel natural alternatives to antibiotics. In this study Lactobacillus reuteri and a combination of reuterin and microcin J25 (RJ) were evaluated as promoters of growth and modulators of the cecal microbiota and metabolite profiles in broiler chickens. One-day-old Cobb 500 male broilers were distributed to 8 treatments: negative control (without antibiotic), positive control (bacitracin), three concentrations of RJ and three doses of L. reuteri plus glycerol. The birds (2176, 34 per pen, 8 pens per treatment) were reared for 35 d.

Results

The body weight of the bacitracin and 5 mmol/L reuterin combined with 0.08 μmol/L microcin J25 (10RJ) treatment group was significantly higher than that of the negative control group (P < 0.05). L. reuteri had no significant effect on broiler growth. MiSeq high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA showed clustering of cecal microbial operational taxonomic unit diversity according to treatment. The influence of bacitracin and 10RJ on bacterial community overall structure was similar. They promoted Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae, increased the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and decreased the abundance of Bacteroides and Alistipes, while the negative control condition favored Bacteroidaceae and Rikenellaceae. Furthermore, 10RJ increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acid in the cecum and changed the metabolome overall.

Conclusions

These overall suggest that 10RJ can promote a host-friendly gut environment by changing the cecal microbiome and metabolome. This combination of natural antimicrobial agents in the drinking water had a positive effect on broiler growth and may be suitable as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-022-00683-6.

Bacillus-based probiotics affect gut barrier integrity in different ways in chickens subjected to optimal or challenge conditions

Dietary supplementation with spore-forming Bacillus-based probiotics represents an efficient means to improve gut health while maintaining good broiler performance. This study investigated the potential of two probiotic products in chickens subjected to optimal (Experiment 1) and Clostridium perfringens-challenged (Experiment 2) conditions. The treatments in Experiment 1 were as follows: (i) CON (no probiotic additive), (ii) One-strain Pro (supplemented with Bacillus licheniformis) or (iii) Multi-strain Pro (supplemented with a multistrain Bacillus-based probiotic). The treatment groups in Experiment 2 received the same diets as those in Experiment 1 but were subjected to C. perfringens challenge. Both experiments lasted 35 days. Both products marginally affected broiler performance in the optimal or challenge conditions. In Experiment 1, Multi-strain Pro upregulated the mRNA expression level of 11 out of 15 selected genes, whereas in Experiment 2, this was less evident, and One-strain Pro was more effective. The multistrain probiotic was effective in maintaining gut morphostructure indices and increasing gut wall thickness, which was particularly evident in challenged birds. Neither additive induced bacterial activity (assessed by measuring enzymatic activity and short-chain fatty acid production) in the cecum, and Multi-strain Pro maintained the cecal butyrate concentration in challenged birds as in the challenged CON treatment, in which butyrate concentration was significantly higher than in the One-strain Pro treatment. Our findings indicated that the activity of these single- and multistrain probiotic products varies depending on rearing conditions, and the effect is highly strain- and product-specific. However, the multistrain probiotic apparently had more beneficial effects than the one-strain probiotic in the maintenance of gut functional status under optimal and challenge conditions.

Genome assisted probiotic characterization and application of Bacillus velezensis ZBG17 as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens

The present study describes genome annotation and phenotypic characterization of Bacillus velezensis ZBG17 and evaluation of its performance as antibiotic growth promoter substitute in broiler chickens. ZBG17 comprises 3.89 Mbp genome with GC content of 46.5%. ZBG17 could tolerate simulated gastrointestinal juices prevalent in the animal gut. Some adhesion-associated genomic features of ZBG17 supported the experimentally determined cell surface hydrophobicity and cell aggregation results. ZBG17 encoded multiple secondary metabolite gene clusters correlating with its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Interestingly, ZBG17 completely inhibited Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli within 6 h and 8 h in liquid co-culture assay, respectively. ZBG17 genome analysis did not reveal any genetic determinant associated with reported safety hazards for use as a poultry direct-fed microbial. Dietary supplementation of ZBG17 significantly improved feed utilization efficiency and humoral immune response in broiler chickens, suggesting its prospective application as a direct-fed microbial in broiler chickens.

Live Bacterial Prophylactics in Modern Poultry

Commercial poultry farms frequently use live bacterial prophylactics like vaccines and probiotics to prevent bacterial infections. Due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in poultry animals, a closer examination into the health benefits and limitations of commercial, live prophylactics as an alternative to antibiotics is urgently needed. In this review, we summarize the peer-reviewed literature of several commercial live bacterial vaccines and probiotics. Per our estimation, there is a paucity of peer-reviewed published research regarding these products, making repeatability, product-comparison, and understanding biological mechanisms difficult. Furthermore, we briefly-outline significant issues such as probiotic-label accuracy, lack of commercially available live bacterial vaccines for major poultry-related bacteria such as Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens, as well research gaps (i.e., probiotic-mediated vaccine adjuvancy, gut-brain-microbiota axis). Increased emphasis on these areas would open several avenues for research, ranging from improving protection against bacterial pathogens to using these prophylactics to modulate animal behavior.

Probiotics in poultry feed: A comprehensive review

The use of antibiotics to maintain animal well-being, promote growth and improve efficiency has been practised for more than 50 years. However, as early as the 1950s, researchers identified concern on the development of resistant bacteria for the antibiotics streptomycin and tetracycline used in turkeys and broilers respectively. These findings laid the groundwork for agricultural officials to impose stricter regulatory parameters on the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds. Probiotics are live micro-organisms included in the diet of animals as feed additives or supplements. Commonly known as a direct-fed microbial, probiotics provide beneficial properties to the host, primarily through action in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the animal. Supplementation of probiotics in the diet can improve animal health and performance, through contributions to gut health and nutrient use. For instance, supplementation of probiotics has been demonstrated to benefit farm animals in immune modulation, structural modulation and increased cytokine production, which positively affect the intestinal mucosal lining against pathogens. Bacillus subtilis has been a popular bacterium used within the industry and was shown to improve intestinal villus height. Increasing the villus height and structure of the crypts in the GIT allows for the improvement of nutrient digestion and absorption. Tight junctions maintain important defences against pathogenic bacteria and cellular homeostasis. Heat stress can be a major environmental challenge in the poultry industry. Heat stress causes the bird to fluctuate its internal core temperature beyond their comfort zone. To overcome such challenges, poultry will attempt to balance its heat production and dissipation through behavioural and physiological adaptation mechanisms.

A novel Bacillus based multi-strain probiotic improves growth performance and intestinal properties of Clostridium perfringens challenged broilers

There is a necessity for the implementation of in-feed probiotics in the poultry production industry, following strict regulations around the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). Bacillus spp. are becoming an attractive alternative because of their functionality and stability. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a novel multi-strain Bacillus based probiotic on growth performance and gut health in male Ross 308 broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens Type A. Broilers on a 4 phase feeding program were fed diets containing either a standard metabolizable energy (ME) (100%) or a reduced ME (98%) level. The test probiotic was compared to an un-supplemented negative control and a commercial benchmark product as positive control over a 35 D feeding trial, using a 2 × 3 factorial experimental design. Chicks were inoculated with a once-off dose of C. perfringens on day 14. Growth performance was measured weekly to calculate body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Villi histomorphology, gut lesions, and liver weight were assessed at day 35. Broilers fed the reduced ME diet with the test probiotic achieved higher final BWs (P = 0.037) and FCR (P = 0.014) than the negative control. Broilers fed the standard ME diet with the test probiotic showed improved (P = 0.001) FCR than the negative control from day 21 onwards. Increased duodenal villi height (P = 0.012) and villi height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum (P < 0.0001) and jejunum (P = 0.0004) were observed in broilers fed the reduced ME diet containing the test probiotic. Additionally, the test probiotic resulted in significantly reduced relative liver weights in both ME groups. Consequently, the results suggest that the novel multi-strain Bacillus based probiotic enhanced broiler performance and improved gut health and is thus attractive as an alternative to AGP's in broiler production.

Effects of probiotic lactic acid bacteria on growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological indices, humoral immunity, and IGF-I gene expression in broiler chicken

The effects of screened lactic acid bacteria strains were evaluated on growth performance, humoral immunity, and IGF-1 gene expression in broiler chickens. The three dietary groups of negative control fed basal diet, the native LAB probiotic group (NP), and PrimaLac commercial LAB probiotic (PC) were studied. The results revealed that NP and PC diets significantly improved feed conversion ratio and increased body weight, as well as relative weight of carcass compared with group fed NC diet (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte level was significantly increased in birds fed NP and PC (P < 0.01), while serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased compared with the NC (P < 0.05). Significant increases were observed in antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus of vaccinated birds (P < 0.03), and morphological analysis of ileum revealed significant increases (P < 0.05) in the villus height and villus height/crypt depth in birds fed NP and PC compared with the NC. The dietary significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05), while Escherichia coli (P < 0.04) populations were significantly decreased, and also, the expression of IGF-1 gene in liver tissue of broilers fed NP and PC was significantly increased compared with the NC (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the identified native LAB strains can be used commercially as a low-cost probiotic in poultry industry of Iran.

Comparison of single- and multi-strain probiotics effects on broiler breeder performance, egg production, egg quality and hatchability

1. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of multi-strain probiotic (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus 2.5 × 10⁷ cfu/g, Lactobacillus casei 2.5 × 10⁷ cfu/g, Bifidobacterium thermophilum 2.5 × 10⁷ cfu/g and Enterococcus faecium 2.5 × 10⁷ cfu/g) and single-strain probiotic (Pediococcus acidilactici 1 × 10¹⁰ cfu/g) on broiler breeder performance and gastrointestinal health. 2. A completely randomised trial was conducted using 300 broiler breeder hens (Ross 308) aged 51 weeks old which were randomly allocated to 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates per treatment in a 10 week trial. Treatments included (1) the basal diet a negative control, (2) basal diet supplemented with 0.1 g/kg multi-strain probiotic (MS), (3) basal diet supplemented with 0.1 g/kg single-strain probiotic (SS), (4) basal diet supplemented with 0.1 g/kg of both of probiotics (MS+ SS) and (5) positive control basal diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg oxytetracycline antibiotic (OX). 3. Body weight, egg production, yolk weight, eggshell thickness and weight, Haugh unit, fertility and hatchability were determined. Results showed that dietary treatments had no significant effect on total hen house or total hatching egg production, egg weight, yolk colour index, shell weight, mortality, body weight, fertility, hatchability, oviduct and stroma weight or number of large and small yellow follicles (P > 0.05). None of the jejunum morphological parameters, apparent ileal digestibility of protein and ileal Lactobacillus population were influenced by supplemental probiotics (P > 0.05), although ileum Escherichia coli count was reduced by inclusion of dietary probiotics (P < 0.05). 4. It was concluded that although both probiotic treatments reduced coliforms, they did not improve broiler breeder performance or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) function.

Hematological parameters and selected intestinal microbiota populations in the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens fed basal diet supplemented with multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals on the hematological parameters and selected intestinal microbiota populations in the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 240 one-day-old Indonesian indigenous crossbred chicks were raised for 10 weeks. The chicks were distributed to one of four groups, i.e., chicks receiving basal diet without any additive (CONT), chicks receiving basal diet with 0.04% of zinc bacitracin (AGP), chicks receiving basal diet with 0.01% of commercial probiotic Bacillus subtilis preparation (PROB1), and chicks receiving basal diet with 0.5% of multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals (PROB2). Blood was collected on the week 8, while the internal organs and eviscerated carcasses were collected on the week 10.

Results:

PROB2 tended (p=0.09) to have a lower body weight (BW) compared to CONT chicks. Feed conversion ratio was higher (p<0.05) in PROB1 and PROB2 compared to CONT birds. The number of thrombocytes tended (p=0.09) to be higher in CONT than in other groups. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus vaccine was higher (p<0.05) in PROB1 and PROB2 than in CONT group. Serum triglyceride concentration was lower (p<0.05) in PROB2 than in other birds. AGP chicks had lower (p<0.05) serum total protein and globulin concentrations than CONT and PROB1 chicks. Serum albumin level was lower (p<0.05) in PROB2 than in CONT and PROB1 birds. Albumin to globulin ratio tended (p=0.06) to be higher in AGP than in other birds. Lactose-negative Enterobacteriaceae tended (p=0.07) to be lower in PROB1 and PROB2 than in CONT group. PROB1 and PROB2 tended (p=0.06) to have greater lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population than in CONT and AGP birds.

Conclusion:

Multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals was able to improve immune response and control the potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, the additive could not improve the growth performance of the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens.