The addition of lysolecithin to broiler diets improves growth performance across fat levels and sources: a meta-analysis of 33 trials

Research Note: Comparative effects of liquid and dry applications of a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and litter moisture in broilers fed diets of differing energy density

Supplementation of a combination of lysolecithin, a synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides (LEX) in liquid and dry form to broiler diets with different energy levels was investigated to determine their effect on performance, litter quality and subsequent occurrence of footpad lesions. One thousand two hundred and forty-eight-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments for a 42-day study: a basal diet with a normal energy content (NE); NE + 300 g/t LEX in liquid form (LEL); NE + 500 g/t LEX in dry form (LED); a basal diet with low energy (LE, -90 kcal/kg starter, -100 kcal/kg grower, finisher), LE + 300 g/t LEL and a LE + 500 g/t LED. Each treatment consisted of 13 pens of 16 birds each. Diets were fed in 3 phases (starter d 0-10, grower d 11-21, finisher d 22-42). Feed intake and weight were measured on d 0, 10, 21, and 42. On d 42 a litter sample was collected from each pen and 2 birds per pen were assessed for footpad lesions and breast scald. Data were analyzed using JMP 16, with means separation achieved using Tukey's HSD; significance was assumed at P < 0.05. Results showed a higher (P < 0.05) cumulative bodyweight gain with LEX supplementation (NE CON = 2,718 g, NE+LED = 2,829, NE+LEL = 2,895, LE CON = 2,722, LE+LED = 2,787, LE+LEL = 2,893; P = 0.0027). An increased feed intake was observed for the LE diets, however cumulative FCR of LE+LED and LE+LEL remained equal to the NE control (1.657 NE CON, 1.657 LE+LED, 1.623 LE+LEL; P > 0.05), suggesting LEX enabled the birds to compensate for the energy gap. Litter dry matter was significantly improved with both LED and LEL supplementation compared to the control groups, and resulted in lower (P < 0.05) occurrence and severity of footpad lesions and breast scalds. Considering the income over feed cost (IOFC) of the NE treatment as the reference point for comparison, all other treatments improved profitability, with NE+LEL and LE+LEL achieving the greatest IOFC with 154.58 and 175.96 €/1,000 birds respectively. In conclusion, feeding broilers a combination of lysophospholipids, a synthetic emulsifier and monoglycerides resulted in improved bird performance. The use of the LEX also improved litter quality and footpad health, therefore improving animal welfare indicators such as breast scald and footpad measurements.

Physiology of lipid digestion and absorption in poultry: An updated review on the supplementation of exogenous emulsifiers in broiler diets

Lipids are a concentrated source of energy with at least twice as much energy as the same amount of carbohydrates and protein. Dietary lipids provide a practical alternative toward increasing the dietary energy density of feeds for high-performing modern broilers. However, the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids are much more complex than that of the other macronutrients. In addition, young birds are physiologically limited in their capacity to utilise dietary fats and oils effectively. The use of dietary emulsifiers as one of the strategies aimed at improving fat utilisation has been reported to elicit several physiological responses including improved fat digestibility and growth performance. In practical terms, this allows for the incorporation of lipids into lower-energy diets without compromising broiler performance. Such an approach may potentially lower feed costs and raise revenue gains. The current review revisits lipids and the different roles that they perform in diets and whole-body metabolism. Additional information on the process of dietary lipid digestion and absorption in poultry; and the physiological limitation brought about by age on lipid utilisation in the avian gastrointestinal tract have been discussed. Subsequently, the physiological responses resulting from the dietary supplementation of exogenous emulsifiers as a strategy for improved lipid utilisation in broiler nutrition are appraised. Suggestions of nascent areas for a better understanding of exogenous emulsifiers have been highlighted.

Effect of Lipase and Lysolecithin Supplementation with Low Energy Diet on Growth Performance, Biochemical Attributes and Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Muscle of Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary lysolecithin (LYSO) and lipase supplementation on productive performance, nutrient retention, and meat quality of broiler chicken fed a low energy diet. For this purpose, a total of 360 chicks were randomly alienated into six treatments, having six replicates (no = 10) birds each replicate. The dietary treatments were followed as control (CON fed as normal energy diet), LE (CON-100 kcal/kg from BD. basal diet), LIP 0.04 (LE + 0.04% lipase), LYSO 0.04 (LE + 0.04% lysolecithin), LIP + LYSO 0.04 (LE + 0.04% lipase and lysolecithin), and LIP + LYSO 0.08 (LE. + 0.08% lipase and lysolecithin). The birds fed with LIP + LYSO 0.04 exhibited higher weight gain than LYSO 0.08 and CON (p < 0.05), and higher feed intake (F.I.) was also observed in LIP + LYSO 0.04 than CON. However, lipase and emulsifier dietary effects were non-significant on FCR. (p > 0.05). Effects of experimental diets on dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and fat digestibility were also non-significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, the blood biochemical profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL) of the broiler showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Similarly, liver enzymes, AST and A.L.T., were also not statistically significant (p > 0.05) among all dietary treatments. Similarly, supplementation of LIP and LYSO had a non-significant (p > 0.05) effect on breast meat fatty acids composition. Conclusively, adding LIP + LYSO 0.08 to a low energy diet could demonstrate better growth performance and reduce the negative impact of a low-energy diet.

Effect of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier and Monoglycerides on the Apparent Ileal Digestibility, Metabolizable Energy and Growth Performance of Growing Pigs

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of an absorption enhancer containing a combination of lysophospholipids, monoglycerides and synthetic emulsifiers (LEX) on apparent ileal digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), and growth performance of growing pigs. In the digestibility study, 12 male crossbred [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace)] pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 30 kg were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: (1) a positive control (PC) receiving standard diets formulated to 3100 kcal ME/kg, and (2) a negative control formulated with −100 kcal ME/kg and −2.5% AA content vs. PC and supplemented with LEX at 500 g/t. Apparent ileal digestibility of essential AA was significantly increased for lysine, methionine, threonine, histidine, isoleucine and phenylalanine in the LEX treatment (p < 0.05). Average uplift in AA digestibility as a percent of the PC was +1.88%; with greatest improvement for histidine (+4.22%). LEX supplementation effectively compensated energy deficiency of low-density diet and provided additional ME improvement compared to the PC diet (p < 0.05). A second study was conducted to evaluate LEX dose response on the growth performance of pigs fed a low nutrient density diet. Total 450 cross-bred pigs (240 males (castrated) and 210 females) [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace)] with an average initial BW of 7.19 kg were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments: (1) a positive control (PC) formulated with standard specifications, (2) a negative control formulated with −100 kcal ME/kg and −2.5% AA content vs. the PC (NC), (3) NC + LEX at 250 g/t (NC + 250) and (4) NC + LEX at 500 g/t (NC + 500). Results showed significant improvement with LEX supplementation on the final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs of >50 kg body weight. Across the study, NC + 500 significantly increased ADG vs. PC and NC, and significantly reduced FCR compared to all other treatments. FCR of negative control diets improved by 9 and 15 points with the supplementation of 250 g/t and 500 g/t of LEX, respectively (p < 0.05). FCR in the NC + 250 diet was statistically similar vs. PC, which was significantly reduced compared to the NC. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the addition of an absorption enhancer containing a combination of lysophospholipids, monoglycerides and synthetic emulsifiers can improve growth performance in growing pigs, driven by increased nutrient digestibility and retention.

Lysolecithin Improves Broiler Growth Performance through Upregulating Growth-Related Genes and Nutrient Transporter Genes Expression Independent of Experimental Diet Nutrition Level

We investigated the effect and interaction of lysolecithin (LPL) and nutrition level on growth performance, nutrient ileal digestibility, expression of growth-related genes and nutrient transporter genes in broilers. A total of 1280 one day old Ross 308 mixed sex chicks with an average body weight 42.23 ± 2.4 g were randomly allotted into 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (20 replicates per treatment and 16 chickens per replicate) with two types of diet (Normal nutrition treatments starter, grower and finisher diets with ME of 3000 kcal/kg, 3100 kcal/kg and 3200 kcal/kg, respectively, and CP level of 22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively; high nutrition treatments diets with 50 kcal/kg ME and 0.5% CP higher than normal nutrition treatment at each stage). Two levels of LPL supplementation (0 and 500 mg/kg) were also employed. From day 21 to day 35 and full stage of the experiment, the birds fed a high nutrition (HN) diet had a greater body weight gain (BWG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed a normal nutrition (NN) diet (p < 0.05). Besides, lysolecithin increased BWG significantly (p < 0.05). The birds fed a diet with LPL revealed increasing fat digestibility compared to birds fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). LPL significantly increased the ileal digestibility of amino acids, including Ile, Thr, Phe, His, Arg, Tyr, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala (p < 0.05). No interaction was found between LPL and nutrition level in BWG, FCR and nutrient digestibility. In HN diet, the genes expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1), cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) and Y + L amino acid transporter 1 (y+, LAT1) were significantly elevated via LPL supplementation (p < 0.05). In NN diet, LPL significantly increased the genes expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), MYOD1 and y+, LAT1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, upregulating the nutrients transporter gene and growth-related gene expression of the host, independent of nutrition level changes, may be the action mechanism of lysolecithin on growth promotion in animals.

Effects of an emulsifier blend supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and muscle fatty acid profile of broiler chickens fed with different levels of energy and protein

The effects of emulsifier blend (EB) supplementation of diets with various levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) on broiler performance, digestibility, gut morphology, and muscle fatty acid profile were investigated over a 42-d period. Diets were arranged factorially (2 × 2 × 3) and consisted of 2 levels of ME (normal [commercially recommended levels] and low [100 kcal/kg reduction in dietary ME]), 2 levels of CP and limiting amino acids (normal [commercially recommended levels] and low [95% of the normal CP level]), and 3 levels of EB supplementation (0, 1, and 2 g/kg of diet). A total of 1,200 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups (5 pens/treatment with 20 birds/pen). Supplemental EB linearly improved (P < 0.05) final body weight, overall average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio, but the magnitude of the responses was greater in low-ME and low-CP treatments, resulting in significant ME × CP × EB interactions. Similarly, the inclusion of EB in the diet, particularly at 2 g/kg, increased the ileal digestibility of crude protein and crude fat, as well as the AMEn value (P < 0.05), but the response was greater at lower ME concentration, indicating significant ME × EB interactions. Additionally, there were CP × EB interactions (P < 0.05) for duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, indicating that the effect of EB on these responses was more marked at lower dietary CP levels. An increase in dietary EB levels was accompanied by a linear increase in the concentration of total saturated fatty acids and a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in the concentrations of total polyunsaturated fatty acids in both breast and thigh meat. In conclusion, the positive effects of EB supplementation, particularly at a dietary inclusion level of 2 g/kg, were clearly evident in broiler chickens fed with low nutrient diets (−100 Kcal/kg ME and/or −5% CP and limiting amino acids) in terms of growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut morphology.

Sporosarcina aquimarina MS4 Regulates the Digestive Enzyme Activities, Body Wall Nutrients, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites of Apostichopus japonicus

Sporosarcina aquimarina MS4 is a microecological preparation for overwintering Apostichopus japonicus, which has an immune regulation function, but its role in the nutritional regulation of A. japonicus is not clear. This study aimed to describe the effects of S. aquimarina MS4 on the growth, digestion, and body wall nutrition of A. japonicus through feeding experiments and to discuss the potential mechanism of S. aquimarina MS4 regulating gut function through the detection of gut microbiota and metabolites. After 60 days of culture, the growth performance of A. japonicus fed S. aquimarina MS4 (108 cfu/g) significantly improved, and the content of polysaccharide, leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, and docosahexaenoic acid in the body wall significantly increased. Gut microbiota analysis showed that although Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant phyla in all the sea cucumbers, Haloferula and Rubritalea showed significant difference between the group fed with or without S. aquimarina MS4. Metabolomics analysis showed that differential metabolites in the gut were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism. The association analysis of differential metabolites and microbiota showed that the production of some differential metabolites was significantly related to differential microorganisms, which improved the understanding of the function of microorganisms and their roles in the gut of A. japonicus. This study reveals the life activities such as growth and metabolism of A. japonicus, and it provides support for the functional study of the gut microbiome of A. japonicus.

Effects of Dietary Lysolecithin Supplementation during Late Gestation and Lactation on Sow Reproductive Performance, Sow Blood Metabolic Parameters and Piglet Performance

Simple Summary

Lactation is metabolically very demanding, and sows struggle to eat enough to cover their requirements. Use of lysolecithin can improve energy digestibility and retention and may be able to help sows maintain condition and performance during lactation. In the present study supplementation with lysolecithin reduced backfat loss and increased litter growth. There were also impacts of lysolecithin supplementation on glucose and urea metabolism, indicating improved nutrient digestion and absorption, potentially via leptin-regulated mechanisms.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of lysolecithin in sows’ diets during the last three weeks of the gestation period and throughout the lactation period on performance and metabolic parameters. In total 60 sows were allocated to two treatments: (a) CG (control group): the sows were fed commercially control diets; (b) LLG (lysolecithin group): the sows were fed the control diets supplemented with 750 g/t of feed supplemented with lysolecithin (Lysoforte Booster Dry^TM, Kemin Europa N.V., Herentals, Belgium). Backfat was lower in LLG than CG at end of gestation and at weaning (p = 0.030 and 0.044, respectively), while the CG sows mobilized more backfat between day 14 to weaning (p = 0.006). Litter weight at weaning was higher in the LLG (p = 0.027). Fasted glucose levels at day 14 of lactation tended to be lower in LLG compared to CG (p = 0.074). Urea concentrations were higher in LLG than CG at day 14 (p = 0.002). Lysolecithin supplemented sows compared to the control mobilized less tissue during lactation to support lactation demands. In conclusion, lysolecithin supplementation in sows resulted in improved litter weight at weaning without an excessive catabolism of backfat tissue, most probably due to an efficient nutrient utilization, which warrants further investigation.

Effects of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier, and Monoglycerides on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Selected Carcass Traits in Broilers Fed Low-Energy Diets

Simple Summary

Lysolecithin is produced from the enzymatic conversion of lecithin, resulting in a smaller molecule better able to improve the process of digestion of fats and oils than its progenitor. In broiler production, lysolecithin can improve performance when added to nutritionally adequate diets, but also when diets are reformulated to provide lower levels of energy and amino acids. Low-energy diets may provide more ‘space’ for growth improvements, but there is a scarcity of data on the effect of lysolecithin when added to low-energy diets containing only intact fat from raw feed ingredients. Moreover, the ability of pure lysolecithin to improve energy digestion and absorption can be further improved by the addition of synthetic emulsifiers and monoglycerides. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides on growth performance, intestinal morphology, carcass traits, and meat characteristics in broilers fed commercially relevant low-energy diets without added oil. The results revealed that this combination could effectively improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides (LEX) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and selected carcass traits in broilers fed low-energy diets without added oil. Three hundred one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (40.3 ± 3.3 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments with six replicates of 25 birds each and were fed a control low-energy diet without added oil supplemented with 0 and 250 g/t of LEX for 30 days. Growth performance was measured and recorded throughout the study. At slaughter, 60 birds per treatment were used to assess the effect of LEX on the carcass traits. Final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were improved (p < 0.05) in LEX treated birds compared to control. LEX supplementation was linked to higher (p < 0.05) carcass weight and yield and to lower (p < 0.05) abdominal fat and liver weight. Moisture content was higher (p < 0.05) in ground deboned broilers from LEX treatment. Villus height was increased (p < 0.05), and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) in the jejunum of birds treated with LEX. This study demonstrates that supplementation of LEX to a low-energy diet without added oil improved performance, carcass weight and yield, reduced abdominal fat deposition, and improved intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.

Dietary Fiber and Lysolecithin Supplementation in Growing Ducks: Effect on Performance, Immune Response, Intestinal Morphology and Lipid Metabolism-Regulating Genes

Simple Summary

Searching for and introducing unconventional feeds in ducks’ diets has become a major concern. However, low-priced feed ingredients such as rice bran and seed hulls are generally low in energy with high dietary fiber content. Thus, this study focused on the effects of different dietary fiber levels (with or without lysolecithin) on the performance, immune response, expression of some lipid regulating genes, and intestinal morphology of ducks. From our results, increasing fiber level in the diet (with or without the addition of lysolecithin) altered duck performance and intestinal morphology, improved immunity, and lowered serum lipid profile with a modulatory effect on the expression of lipid metabolism-regulating genes.

Abstract

The impact of different dietary fiber (DF) levels (with or without lysolecithin supplementation) on growth performance, immune response, expression of some lipid regulating genes and intestinal morphology was assessed in 408 Pekin ducks for 2 months. Soybean hulls were added to the diet to provide four different levels of DF: 2.4 (control diet), 3.8, 5.3, and 6.7% for the first four groups, respectively, while groups 5 to 8 fed the same four levels of DF with lysolecithin addition. Increasing dietary DF non-significantly reduced (p > 0.05) the ducks’ body weight (BW). However, ducks fed on 3.8% DF showed higher BW and improved feed conversion ratio. Lysolecithin supplementation with different DF did not support growth performance. Increasing DF with or without lysolecithin had no effect on serum lipid profile (p > 0.05). However, serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) concentration was significantly increased with increasing fiber level in diet (p ˂ 0.05). Increasing DF with or without lysolecithin addition increased serum antioxidant activities and improved the immune response in terms of phagocytic and lysozyme activities. The DF level reduced the duodenal villi length and mucosal layer thickness while increased the villi width (p ˂ 0.05). Lysolecithin supplementation to diets ameliorated adverse effects on intestinal morphology. Moreover, DF level in ducks’ diet with or without lysolecithin significantly upregulated the expression of fatty acid synthase and lipoprotein lipase (p ˂ 0.05). Thus, it could be concluded that ducks fed on soybean hulls containing a diet at the level of 4.5% and providing 3.8% fiber level with or without lysolecithin showed the best performance.

Research Note: Intestinal morphology and gene expression changes in broilers supplemented with lysolecithin

Lysolecithin is used as a feed additive to aid fat digestion and absorption in broiler chickens. Previous research has shown that dietary fat source influences how broilers respond to lysolecithin supplementation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lysolecithin on a diet formulated with soybean oil on jejunum morphology and expression of selected genes in broiler chickens. Male Cobb 500 chickens were fed a Control diet or the Control diet supplemented with lysolecithin (TRT) from day of hatch to day 28. Jejunal samples were collected at day 10 for morphological and gene expression analysis. Feeding the TRT diet did not affect BW, villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) or VH/CD ratio compared to Control fed chickens. Differential gene expression in the jejunum was analyzed using a custom microarray. Using a t test, 36 genes were found to be upregulated in TRT fed chickens compared to chickens fed the Control diet. The two most upregulated genes were carbonic anhydrase VII and interleukin 8-like 2, which are associated with healthy intestines. In summary, lysolecithin supplementation in a diet formulated with soybean oil caused no morphological changes but upregulated a number of genes in the jejunum.

Optimizing cost, growth performance, and nutrient absorption with a bio-emulsifier based on lysophospholipids for broiler chickens

Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted to evaluate effects of a lysophospholipid-based bio-emulsifier (LPL) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and energy utilization of broilers as well as the return on investment (ROI). In Exp. 1, 392 chicks were housed in battery cages in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 7 replicates of 7 birds each from d 0 to 21 posthatch. In Exp. 2, 1,400 chicks were allocated in floor pens and fed the same 8 treatments, with 7 replicates and 25 birds each from d 0 to 43 posthatch. Treatments consisted of 6 degummed soybean oil-based diets: positive control (PC1); PC1 formulated with 500 g/ton LPL (PC1+LPL on top); PC1 formulated with 60 kcal LPL matrix (PC1+LPL60); PC1 formulated with 100 kcal LPL matrix (PC1+LPL100); and two negative controls NC-60 and NC-100 with reductions of 60 and 100 kcal/kg ME, respectively. Two other diets were formulated with acid soybean oil: positive control (PC2) and PC2 formulated with 60 kcal LPL matrix (PC2+LPL60). In Exp. 1, performance was evaluated from d 0 to 21, ME and ileal digestibility of DM, CP and energy were determined on d 21. In Exp. 2, growth performance was evaluated from d 0 to 42, and on d 43 carcass and abdominal fat yields were calculated. There were no effects of soybean oil sources in any parameter. Inclusion of LPL increased (P < 0.05) BW gain and ileal digestibility of DM, fat and CP. Broilers fed the PC1+LPL on top diet had increased (P < 0.05) performance, ileal digestibility and energy utilization as well as decreased abdominal fat compared to NC-60 or NC-100. The use of LPL on top had a ROI of 8:1 vs. PC1, considering the gains in revenue of the slaughtered broilers in relation to the investment with LPL in feed. In conclusion, a lysophospholipid-based bio-emulsifier increased performance, digestibility and return on investment of broilers fed standard or reformulated diets.