Boosted growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity and disease resistance of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) by single or in combination dietary Bacillus subtilis and xylo-oligosaccharides

In this study, a total of 420 healthy crucian carp (9.77 ± 0.04 g) were randomly divided into CK, B·S, XOS and B·S + XOS group, and cultured for 8 weeks. Results showed that the dietary Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) can significantly increased the final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency and survival rate of crucian carp. Dietary B. subtilis and XOS can significantly increased the activities of catalase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, significantly decreased the contents of malondialdehyde, and significantly increased the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lysozyme and the contents of complement component 3,4 and immunoglobulin M in crucian carp serum. In addition, compared with CK group, the expression levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in B·S, XOS and B·S + XOS group were significantly increased, and the expression levels of TNF-α, HSP90, IL-1β, TLR4 and MyD88 were significantly decreased. Supplementation of B. subtilis and XOS can also improve the intestinal tissue morphology of crucian carp. After injection of 1 × 10⁷ CFU/mL Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila), compared with CK group, the survival rates of the B·S group, the XOS group and the B·S + XOS group were increased by 13.98%, 10.56% and 30.74%, respectively. These results show that dietary B. subtilis and XOS can significantly improve the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity and resistance to A. hydrophila of crucian carp, and the combined effect is better than that of single addition.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 Spores as a Probiotic Feed Supplement on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Diarrhea Score, Intestinal Microbiota, and Excreta Odor Contents in Weanling Piglets

It has been well-documented that the dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis could improve piglet performance. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 spores as a probiotic feed supplement on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, intestinal microbiota, and excreta odor contents in weanling piglets. A total of 150 crossed ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc) weanling piglets (28-days-old), with an average initial body weight of 7.53 ± 1.23 kg, were divided into two treatment groups according to sex and initial body weight (BW) for a 6-week experiment. In each group, fifteen replicate pens consisting of five piglets per pen (three gilts and two barrows) were used in a randomized complete block design. Treatments consisted of (1) CON, a basal diet; (2) BSC, a diet of CON + 300 g Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) C-3102 spores per ton of feed. Supplementation with the B. subtilis C-3102 spores in the diet increased the BW, average daily gain (ADG), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) throughout the whole trial (p < 0.05). Weanling piglets that were fed B. subtilis C-3102 spores had increased dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and energy (E) digestibility compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Lower diarrhea scores were observed in the B. subtilis C-3102 spores group on Day 7 (p < 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that dietary supplementation with B. subtilis C-3102 spores could benefit the BW, ADG, and G:F of weanling piglets and improve the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of the DM, CP, and E.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LFB112 on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Immune, and Serum Biochemical Response in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LFB112 on the growth performance, carcass traits, immune response, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 396 1 day old, mixed-sex commercial Ross 308 broilers with similar body weights were allotted into six treatment groups. The assigned groups were the CON group (basal diet with no supplement), AB (antibiotics) group (basal diet + 150 mg of aureomycin/kg), C+M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 powder with vegetative cells + metabolites), C group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 vegetative cell powder with removed metabolites), M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 metabolite powder with removed vegetative cells), and CICC group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg Bacillus subtilis CICC 20179). Results indicated that chickens in the C+M, C, and M groups had higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.02) compared to the CON group. The C+M group showed the lowest abdominal fat rate compared to those in the CON, AB, and CICC groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, serum IgA and IgG levels in the C+M, C, and M groups significantly increased while declining in the AB group (p < 0.05). B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 supplementation significantly reduced the serum triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine levels, while increasing the serum glucose and total protein (p < 0.05). In conclusion, B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 significantly improved the growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, and blood chemical indices of broiler chickens and may be used as an efficient broiler feed supplement.

Effect of dietary direct-fed microbial and yeast cell walls on cecal digesta microbiota of layer chicks inoculated with nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) has consistently been the most common serotype associated with the foodborne Salmonellosis worldwide. In this study, the effect of a dietary direct-fed microbial (DFM) and yeast cell walls (YCW) under a challenge of nalidixic acid resistant SE strain using layer chicks has been investigated. A total of 160 newly hatched Dekalb White female chicks were randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups (80 birds/treatment), control group (CON) and treatment group (DY). Chicks were fed ad libitum a non–medicated-corn-soy based diet and DY was supplemented with the combination of DFM and YCW. At 8 days of age, 2.1 × 10⁹ CFU/bird of the SE was given to all chicks by oral administration. On 3 days postinoculation (dpi), 20 chicks/group were euthanized and all cecal contents were collected for analysis. On 6, 10, and 14 dpi, the cecal contents were sampled from 16 chicks per group. The number of SE in the cecal contents was counted using culture-based methods. A 16S rRNA-based microbiota analysis was performed for additional microbial profiling. The CON and DY showed difference (P ≤ 0.05) in β diversity throughout the trial. Prevalence of SE in cecal contents was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in DY across all time-points. Lower abundance of Salmonella spp. was also shown in DY by liner discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). DY increased (P ≤ 0.05) diversity of bacterial species in the cecal contents in DY at 10 and 14 dpi. For the SE challenged birds, SE reduction in DY was observed at 3 dpi and until the end of the trial at 14 dpi confirming a numerically larger difference between groups as well as an increase in bacterial species diversity in DY. It could be hypothesized that the SE reduction shown immediately after the challenge and the greater SE reduction shown after 10 dpi may be the synergistic effect of the combined feed additives.

Dietary Bacillus subtilis C-3102 Supplementation Enhances the Exclusion of Salmonella enterica from Chickens

Among the reported probiotic Bacillus strains, B. subtilis C-3102 has the unique potential to improve feed uptake under stress conditions in the broilers, piglets, and cows. In this study, we sought to evaluate the protective effect of feed additive probiotic Bacillus subtilis C-3102 against Salmonella enterica infection of specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks in floor pens in two experiments. In the experiment-1, the chicks in the control group (n=32) were fed a basal diet and those in the C-3102 group (n=32) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1×106 CFU/g of feed for 28 days. On day 7 post-challenge with S. enterica, there was no significant change in the body weight between both the groups throughout the test period, whereas detection rates of S. enterica in the C-3102 group were significantly lower in the cecum and liver on days 21 and 14 post-challenge, respectively. In the experiment-2, minimum dosage of C-3102 cells required to protect Salmonella infection was evaluated using 3 dosages. Chicks were divided into four groups, fed with different dosages of C-3102 (1×106, 5×105, 3×105, and 0 CFU/g of feed), and challenged with S. enterica (2.8×108 CFU/chicken). S. enterica infection was completed within 7 days post- challenge and was almost excluded from the liver and spleen on day 21 post- challenge in the control group. Average values showed a trend for higher infection rates in the control group >3×105>5×105>1×106 CFU/g on days 14 and 21 post-challenge. These results suggest that B. subtilis C-3102 supplementation has the potential to reduce S. enterica infection rates and/or to accelerate the exclusion of S. enterica from the chicks.

Singular effects of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 or Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 1 on the growth, gut morphology, immunity, and stress resistance of red sea bream (Pagrus major)

The beneficial effects of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 1 were tested in red sea bream (Pagrus major) feeds. A basal diet (control) and two other diets were prepared by supplementation with B. subtilis C-3102 (PB) or S. cerevisiae type 1 (PY). After 60 days, both probiotic-supplemented groups exhibited significant enhancement in growth performance, the protein efficiency ratio (PER), and digestive enzyme secretion (protease and amylase) compared to the control group (P<0.05). The anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the intestines exhibited significantly increased values of intestinal fold height (hF), enterocyte height (hE), and microvillus height (hMV) in fish fed PB- or PY-supplemented diets (P<0.05). Serum peroxidase, anti-protease, and bactericidal activities were enhanced significantly in both probiotic-treated groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Serum and mucus lysozyme activities improved significantly in the PB group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Catalase activity was also significantly decreased in both probiotic groups, with relatively lower activity observed in the PY group (P<0.05). Both probiotic groups showed increased tolerance considerably to freshwater exposure (P<0.05). In conclusion, B. subtilis C-3102 and S. cerevisiae type 1 can be used as functional probiotics to enhance the growth performance, digestion capacity, gut morphology, immune response, and stress resistance of the red sea bream with relatively higher efficiency by B. subtilis C-3102.

Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis and bacitracin methylene disalicylate on growth performance, digestibility, blood metabolites, immunity, and intestinal microbiota after intramuscular inoculation with Escherichia coli in broilers

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis (BS) on broiler performance and health after intramuscular inoculation with E. coli and compare its effect with a growth promoter antibiotic. In a completely randomized design manner, 360 male Ross 308 chicks were divided into 6 treatments and 5 replicates of 12 chicks in each replicate. Experimental treatments included control diet, control + E. coli (0.5 mL of culture containing 108 CFU of E. coli/ml), control + 0.1% BS, control + 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), control + E. coli and BS, and control + E. coli and BMD in a factorial arrangement (3 × 2). Addition of BMD or BS to the control diet significantly (P < 0.01) increased body weight and decreased FCR, but E. coli challenge adversely reduced (P < 0.01) body weight and increased FCR, so that the addition of BMD or BS did not compensate growth reduction. E. coli challenged chicks had the lowest vaccine titers for ND, IB, AI, and IBD and the highest were observed in chicks fed BS. The E. coli challenge significantly (P < 0.01) increased albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, ALT, and ALP indices. Addition of BMD and BS decreased albumin and globulin in challenged chick's plasma but had no effect on plasma lipid profile concentration. The E. coli challenge decreased villus height and increased crypt depth and goblet cell numbers significantly (P < 0.01). In birds subjected to BMD or BS, crypt depth decreased and villus height increased (P < 0.01), compared with the control diet. Challenge of E. coli significantly (P < 0.01) increased the bacterial population of E. coli, coliforms, and Salmonella in cecal parts of broilers' intestines. In challenged birds receiving BMD or BS, E. coli, coliform, and Salmonella populations of ceca showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction. Both BMD and BS increased the digestibility of nutrients significantly (P < 0.01), but a reduction was observed in E. coli challenged groups. Results of the study suggest that spore-forming probiotics are partially effective in unsuitable rearing situations such as colibacillosis in which the load of harmful bacteria is high.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 spores as a probiotic feed supplement on growth performance, noxious gas emission, and intestinal microflora in broilers

Bacillus subtilis C-3102 has been used as a direct-fed microbial or probiotic product since 1986 to improve production performance in broilers worldwide. This study was conducted to determine and confirm the effect of B. subtilis C-3102 spore supplementation to feed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass quality, blood profiles, noxious gas emission, and intestinal and excreta microflora in broilers. A total of 816 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (46.06 ± 0.67 g) were used in a 5-wk study with Calsporin, B. subtilis final product (1.0 × 10(9) cfu/g of B. subtilis). Broilers were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments consisting of 16 replicate cages with 17 broilers each: I) CON (control, basal diet), II) BS300 (CON + 300 mg of B. subtilis/kg of feed), and III) BS600 (CON + 600 mg of B. subtilis/kg of feed). Regarding probiotic effect, B. subtilis significantly increased Lactobacillus counts in the cecum, ileal, and excreta, and reduced Escherichia coli counts in the cecum and excreta, compared with CON. In addition, supplementation also tended to reduce Clostridium perfringens counts in the large intestine and excreta, while linearly reducing Salmonella counts in the cecum, ileal, large intestine, and excreta, compared with CON. Regarding growth performance, B. subtilis enhanced ADG in the starter and overall experimental periods, without any effects on feed intake compared with CON. Consequently, feed conversion ratio in the grower-finisher and overall experimental periods decreased significantly. The inclusion of B. subtilis improved the digestibility of DM and gross energy, as well as reducing ammonia emission, compared with CON. No significant difference in breast muscle color, water holding capacity, and drip loss, and relative organ weights, as well as in white blood cells, red blood cells, lymphocyte counts, and IgG amount, were observed. Overall, B. subtilis C-1302 is capable of providing a probiotic effect leading to improved growth performance and feed efficiency, due to the manipulation of intestinal microflora, with minimal side effects in broilers.

Effects of protease, phytase and a Bacillus sp. direct-fed microbial on nutrient and energy digestibility, ileal brush border digestive enzyme activity and cecal short-chain fatty acid concentration in broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of protease and phytase (PP) and a Bacillus sp. direct-fed microbial (DFM) on dietary energy and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens. In the first experiment, Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed diets supplemented with PP and DFM in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The 4 diets (control (CON), CON + PP, CON + DFM, and CON + PP + DFM) were fed from 15–21 days of age. In Experiment 1, significant interaction (P≤0.01) between PP and DFM on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient for starch, crude protein, and amino acid indicated that both additives increased the digestibility. Both additives increased the nitrogen retention coefficient with a significant interaction (P≤0.01). Although no interaction was observed, significant main effects (P≤0.01) for nitrogen-corrected apparent ME (AMEn) for PP or DFM indicated an additive response. In a follow-up experiment, Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed the same experimental diets from 1–21 days of age. Activities of ileal brush border maltase, sucrase, and L-alanine aminopeptidase were increased (P≤0.01) by PP addition, while a trend (P = 0.07) for increased sucrase activity was observed in chickens fed DFM, in Experiment 2. The proportion of cecal butyrate was increased (P≤0.01) by DFM addition. Increased nutrient utilization and nitrogen retention appear to involve separate but complementary mechanisms for PP and DFM, however AMEn responses appear to have separate and additive mechanisms.

Effects of lactulose supplementation on performance, blood profiles, excreta microbial shedding of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli, relative organ weight and excreta noxious gas contents in broilers

This study was to evaluate the effects of lactulose supplementation on performance, blood profiles, excreta microbial shedding of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli, relative organ weight and excreta noxious gas contents in broilers. A total of 720 ROSS 308 broilers with a body weight of 46 ± 0.1 g (1 day of age) were used in a 28-d experiment. Broilers were randomly allotted to 4 experiment diets with 12 replicate pens and 15 birds per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: NC, negative control (without antibiotic); PC, NC + 0.1% tiamulin; L1, NC + 0.1% lactulose; and L2, NC + 0.2% lactulose. Broilers were fed with phase 1 (1-8 day), phase 2 (9-18 day) and phase 3 (19-28 day) diets in the form of mash. During day 1-8, broilers fed the PC and L2 diets had higher (p < 0.05) body weight gain than those fed the NC diet. During day 19-28, broilers fed the L1 and L2 diets had lower (p < 0.05) feed intake than those fed the NC diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was decreased (p < 0.05) in L1 treatment compared with NC treatment. Overall, the FCR was improved (p < 0.05) in all supplementation treatments compared with NC treatment. The apparently metabolizable nitrogen in L1 treatment was higher (p < 0.05) than that in NC treatment at day 28. The excreta Lactobacillus was increased and E. coli was decreased in PC and L2 treatments compared with NC treatment at day 28 (p < 0.05). The excreta NH3, H2S and acetic acid contents were decreased (p < 0.05) in L1 and L2 treatments compared with NC treatment. The relative weight of abdominal fat of broilers fed the PC diet was lowest (p < 0.05) compared with other treatments. In conclusion, this study indicated that dietary supplementation of 0.1% or 0.2% lactulose could improve growth performance, decrease excreta E. coli and excreta NH3 and H2S contents.

The efficacy of the probiotic feed additive Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) in weaned piglets: combined analysis of four different studies

The efficacy of the probiotic feed product, Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) in weaned piglets was evaluated by statistical analysis of the combined results from four different experiments. The body weight, average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality data from these four experiments were tested for homogeneity before being pooled and analysed as a whole, with experiment being included as a blocking factor. Piglets fed diets supplemented with Calsporin® were significantly heavier (3.4%) at 43 days (P < 0.05), their feed intakes decreased by 2.1% and feed efficiency (FCR) improved by 3.2% between 15 and 43 days, although these latter differences were not significant. Over the entire study period (day 1 to 43), significant improvements in daily gain (4.8%) and feed efficiency (6.2%) were observed with Calsporin® supplementation (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that Calsporin® at 30 mg/kg inclusion in commercial-type diets can improve zootechnical performance in weaned piglets.

Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum and Enterococcus faecium strains on internal milieu, antioxidant status and body weight of broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional efficiency of two probiotic strains Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7158 and Enterococcus faecium M 74 given to the drinking water on internal milieu, antioxidant status and body weight of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on hybrid Hybro (n = 180). The feeding period lasted 42 days. Experimental chickens of E1 group received a probiotic preparation in drinking water with concentration of 1 × 10(9) colony forming units (CFU) of L. fermentum CCM 7158 in 1 g of nutrient medium and experimental chickens of E2 group concentration of 2 × 10(9) CFU of E. faecium M 74 in 1 g of nutrient medium. The control group of animals received water without any additives. Triglycerides content in serum mainly with L. fermentum strain against the control group was decreased. Calcium content in both experimental groups and significantly in E. faecium group was increased. Antioxidant status in both probiotic groups was significantly increased. The content of bilirubin in group with E. faecium M 74 was significantly increased. In conclusion, addition of a microbial feed additive (L. fermentum and E. faecium) increased serum calcium and iron level, decreased triglycerides content in blood and slightly increased body weight of broiler chickens.