Does algae β-glucan affect the fecal bacteriome in dairy calves?

Peach palm shells (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) bioconversion by Lentinula edodes: Potential as new bioproducts for beef cattle feeding

This paper aims to develop and assess the in vitro effects on ruminal fermentation and greenhouse gas parameters of new bioproducts for beef cattle diets, carried out by solid-state fermentation of peach palm shells colonized by Lentinula edodes (SSF) and after Shiitake mushroom cultivation in axenic blocks (SMS). In vitro experiments were performed to assess the in vitro gas production, digestibility, and fiber degradation of formulated total diets. Bioproducts presented high β-glucans (9.44---11.27 %) and protein (10.04---8.35 %) contents, as well as similar digestibility to conventional diets. SMS diet had the lowest methane and carbon dioxide (19.1 and 84.1 mM/g OM) production, and the SSF diet presented lower carbon dioxide production (98.9 mM/g OM) than other diets, whereas methane was similar. This study highlighted a sustainable use of byproducts for beef cattle diets, promising for digestibility, nutritional value, β-glucans incorporation, and environmental impact mitigation, favoring the circular bioeconomy.

Growth Performance and Fecal Microbiota of Dairy Calves Supplemented with Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria as Probiotics in Mexican Western Family Dairy Farming

Probiotic supplementation in dairy cattle has achieved several beneficial effects (improved growth rate, immune response, and adequate ruminal microbiota). This study assessed the effects on the growth parameters and gut microbiota of newborn dairy calves supplemented with two Lactobacillus-based probiotics, individually (6BZ or 6BY) or their combination (6BZ + 6BY), administrated with the same concentration (1 × 109 CFU/kg weight) at three times, between days 5 and 19 after birth. The control group consisted of probiotic-unsupplemented calves. Growth parameters were recorded weekly until eight weeks and at the calves' ages of three, four, and five months. Fecal microbiota was described by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. Although no significant effects were observed regarding daily weight and height gain among probiotic-supplemented and non-supplemented calves, correlation analysis showed that growth rate was maintained until month 5 through probiotic supplementation, mainly when the two-strain probiotics were supplied. Modulation effects on microbiota were observed in probiotic-supplemented calves, improving the Bacteroidota: Firmicutes and the Proteobacteria ratios. Functional prediction by PICRUSt also showed an increment in several pathways when the two-strain probiotic was supplemented. Therefore, using the three-administration scheme, the two-strain probiotic improved the growth rate and gut microbiota profile in newborn dairy calves. However, positive effects could be reached by applying more administrations of the probiotic during the first 20 days of a calf's life.

Mushroom β-glucans: application and innovation for food industry and immunotherapy

Among the most important sources of β-glucans are edible and medicinal mushrooms. These molecules are components of the cellular wall of basidiomycete fungi (mushrooms) and can be extracted even from the basidiocarp as the mycelium and its cultivation extracts or biomasses. Mushroom β-glucans are recognized by their potential effects as immunostimulants and immunosuppressants. They are highlighted as anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, adjuvant in diabetes mellitus, mycotherapy for cancer treatment, as well as adjuvants for COVID-19 vaccines. Due to their relevance, several techniques of β-glucans extraction, purification, and analysis have already been described. Despite the previous knowledge of β-glucans' benefits for human nutrition and health, the main information about this topic refers to the molecular identification, properties, and benefits, as well as their synthesis and action on cells. Studies on biotechnology industry applications (product development) and the registered products of β-glucans from mushrooms are still limited and more common for feed and healthcare. In this context, this paper reviews the biotechnological production of food products containing β-glucans from basidiomycete fungi, focusing on food enrichment, and presents a new perspective on fungi β-glucans' use as potential immunotherapy agents. KEY POINTS: • Mushrooms' β-glucans for product development in the biotechnology industry • Biotechnological production of food products containing mushrooms' β-glucans • Basidiomycete fungi β-glucans are used as potential immunotherapy agents.

Effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on gut microbiota of yellow-feathered broilers

β-1,3/1,6-glucan as a prebiotic improves immune performance in animals. These functions are closely related to the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on gut microbiota structure. However, the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on the gut microbiota structure of broilers is unclear. The aim of this study was to confirm the effects of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on the cecal microflora structure of yellow-feathered broilers. This study monitored the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) level of Escherichia coli in feces of yellow-feathered broilers by standard broth dilution method and mastered the AMR level of chickens selected. The effects of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on gut microbiota were investigated by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that the number of isolated multidrug-resistant E. coli strains accounted for 98.41%. At 14, 21, and 28 days of age, supplemented of 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.1% β-1,3/1,6-glucan in yellow-feathered broiler diets significantly altered gut microbial composition, and beneficial bacteria Alistipes, Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium were significantly increased. These findings provide guidance and recommendations for β-1,3/1,6-glucan as a broiler feed additive to improve the growth of broilers.

Comparative study of different liquid diets for dairy calves and the impact on performance and the bacterial community during diarrhea

The liquid diet composition can affect dairy calves' performance and diarrhea incidence. The effect of three liquid diets on performance, incidence of diarrhea, and microbial community during diarrhea occurrence in dairy calves were evaluated. At birth, 35 dairy calves (20 male and 15 female) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments-refrigerated whole milk (WM), acidified whole milk (AWM), and milk replacer (MR). Intake, fecal score, and rectal temperature were evaluated daily, and performance and blood parameters were evaluated weekly during the preweaning period. Fecal samples from diarrheic calves were collected, and one initial and one final sample for each episode were selected. The bacterial community was assessed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform and analyzed using the DADA2 pipeline. Calves fed WM had higher body weight at weaning, average daily gain, body measurements, and concentration of blood metabolites. The AWM-fed calves had a lower rectal temperature and fever days. Moreover, the MR-fed calves had lower beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration and a higher incidence of diarrhea. The fecal bacterial community of diarrheic calves showed dissimilarity among the AWM and the other treatments. At the compositional level, we observed a higher abundance of Fusobacterium and Ruminococcus genera (AWM), Prevotella (WM), and Lactobacillus (MR). In the AWM and MR diarrheic calves' feces, we also observed some beneficial bacterial genera. The performance and incidence of diarrhea of dairy calves were influenced by the liquid diet consumed and the bacterial composition of diarrhea.

Beta-Glucan Alters Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites in Pre-Weaning Dairy Calves

The present study aims to evaluate the alterations in gut microbiome and plasma metabolites of dairy calves with β-glucan (BG) supplementation. Fourteen healthy newborn dairy calves with similar body weight were randomly divided into control (n = 7) and BG (n = 7) groups. All the calves were fed on the basal diet, while calves in the BG group were supplemented with oat BG on d 8 for 14 days. Serum markers, fecal microbiome, and plasma metabolites at d 21 were analyzed. The calves were weaned on d 60 and weighed. The mean weaning weight of the BG group was 4.29 kg heavier than that of the control group. Compared with the control group, the levels of serum globulin, albumin, and superoxide dismutase were increased in the BG group. Oat BG intake increased the gut microbiota richness and decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. Changes in serum markers were found to be correlated with the plasma metabolites, including sphingosine, trehalose, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol sulfate, and gut microbiota such as Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, Alistipes, and Bacteroides. Overall, these results suggest that the BG promotes growth and health of pre-weaning dairy calves by affecting the interaction between the host and gut microbiota.

Recent Advancements and Future Perspectives of Microalgae-Derived Pharmaceuticals

Microalgal cells serve as solar-powered factories that produce pharmaceuticals, recombinant proteins (vaccines and drugs), and valuable natural byproducts that possess medicinal properties. The main advantages of microalgae as cell factories can be summarized as follows: they are fueled by photosynthesis, are carbon dioxide-neutral, have rapid growth rates, are robust, have low-cost cultivation, are easily scalable, pose no risk of human pathogenic contamination, and their valuable natural byproducts can be further processed. Despite their potential, there are many technical hurdles that need to be overcome before the commercial production of microalgal pharmaceuticals, and extensive studies regarding their impact on human health must still be conducted and the results evaluated. Clearly, much work remains to be done before microalgae can be used in the large-scale commercial production of pharmaceuticals. This review focuses on recent advancements in microalgal biotechnology and its future perspectives.