1
|
Yi W, Liu Y, Fu S, Zhuo J, Wang J, Shan T. Dietary novel alkaline protease from Bacillus licheniformis improves broiler meat nutritional value and modulates intestinal microbiota and metabolites. Anim Microbiome 2024; 6:1. [PMID: 38184648 PMCID: PMC10770948 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00287-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different types of exogenous protease supplements have a positive impact on animal performance, but their effects on the nutritional value of meat and the gut microbial community of broilers have not been extensively studied. The objective of this investigation was to determine the impact of supplementation with a novel alkaline protease derived from Bacillus licheniformis (at doses of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g/t) on the fatty acid and amino acid profiles, inosine monophosphate (IMP) levels, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content found within the breast muscle, as well as the impact on the cecal microbiota and metabolites. RESULTS Supplementation with 200-400 g/t of the novel protease resulted in a significant elevation in the concentration of essential amino acids (P < 0.001), flavor amino acids (P < 0.001), and total protein (P = 0.013) within the breast muscle. Results derived from the 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis of the cecal content revealed that the novel protease reshaped the cecal microbial and metabolite profiles. In particular, it led to increased relative abundances of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Alistipes, and Eubacterium, while simultaneously causing a reduction in the metabolites of D-lactic acid and malonic acid. Moreover, correlation analyses unveiled significant relationships between distinct microbes and metabolites with the contents of IMP, fatty acids, and amino acids in the broiler's breast muscle. CONCLUSION In summary, the novel protease regulated the intestinal microbial community and metabolism, thereby inducing changes in the compositions of fatty acids and amino acids profiles, as well as IMP levels in broiler meat. These alterations significantly contributed to the enhancement of the nutritional value and flavor of the meat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuzhou Yi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Feed and Animal Nutrition, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanjie Liu
- Jinan Bestzyme Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Shijun Fu
- Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, China
| | - Jianshu Zhuo
- Jinan Bestzyme Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd, Jinan, China
| | | | - Tizhong Shan
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Feed and Animal Nutrition, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khurajog B, Disastra Y, Lawwyne LD, Sirichokchatchawan W, Niyomtham W, Yindee J, Hampson DJ, Prapasarakul N. Selection and evaluation of lactic acid bacteria from chicken feces in Thailand as potential probiotics. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16637. [PMID: 38107571 PMCID: PMC10725671 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used as probiotics in poultry production due to their resilience to low pH and high bile salt concentrations, as well as their beneficial effects on growth performance and antagonistic activity against enteric pathogens. However, the efficacy of probiotics depends on strain selection and their ability to colonize the host's intestine. This study aimed to select, identify, and evaluate LAB strains isolated from chicken feces in Thailand for potential use as probiotics in the chicken industry. Methods LAB strains were isolated from 58 pooled fresh fecal samples collected from chicken farms in various regions of Thailand, including commercial and backyard farms. Gram-positive rods or cocci with catalase-negative characteristics from colonies showing a clear zone on MRS agar supplemented with 0.5% CaCO3 were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The LAB isolates were evaluated for acid (pH 2.5 and pH 4.5) and bile salt (0.3% and 0.7%) tolerance. Additionally, their cell surface properties, resistance to phenol, antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, and presence of antimicrobial resistance genes were determined. Results A total of 91 LAB isolates belonging to the Pediococcus, Ligilactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Lactobacillus genera were obtained from chicken feces samples. Backyard farm feces exhibited a greater LAB diversity compared to commercial chickens. Five strains, including Ligilactobacillus salivarius BF12 and Pediococcus acidilactici BF9, BF14, BYF20, and BYF26, were selected based on their high tolerance to acid, bile salts, and phenol. L. salivarius BF12 and P. acidilactici BF14 demonstrated strong adhesion ability. The five LAB isolates exhibited significant cell-cell interactions (auto-aggregation) and co-aggregation with Salmonella. All five LAB isolates showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity against Salmonella strains, with P. acidilactici BYF20 displaying the highest activity. None of the LAB isolates exhibited beta-hemolytic activity. Whole genome analysis showed that L. salivarius BF12 contained ermC, tetL, and tetM, whereas P. acidilactici strains BF9 and BF14 carried ermB, lnuA, and tetM. Conclusion The selected LAB isolates exhibited basic probiotic characteristics, although some limitations were observed in terms of adhesion ability and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, requiring further investigation into their genetic location. Future studies will focus on developing a probiotic prototype encapsulation for application in the chicken industry, followed by in vivo evaluations of probiotic efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamas Khurajog
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yuda Disastra
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lum Dau Lawwyne
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wandee Sirichokchatchawan
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Animal Pathogens (DMAP), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Waree Niyomtham
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Animal Pathogens (DMAP), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jitrapa Yindee
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Animal Pathogens (DMAP), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - David John Hampson
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nuvee Prapasarakul
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science., Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Animal Pathogens (DMAP), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang R, Qin S, Yang C, Niu Y, Feng J. The protective effects of Bacillus licheniformis against inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage in broilers with necrotic enteritis induced by Clostridium perfringens. J Sci Food Agric 2023; 103:6958-6965. [PMID: 37309567 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus licheniformis is a gram-positive bacterium that has strong environmental adaptability and can improve the growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant function of broilers. The current study aimed to elucidate the protective capability of B. licheniformis against inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage in broilers with necrotic enteritis (NE) induced by Clostridium perfringens (CP). RESULTS The results showed that B. licheniformis enhanced the final body weight in broilers compared with that of broilers in the CP group after the stress of infection (P < 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis reversed the decreased levels of serum and jejunum mucosa immunoglobulins and anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduced the values of villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and mitigated the increased levels of serum d-lactic acid and diamine oxidase in CP-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, B. licheniformis modulated the expression levels of genes involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway, the NLRP3 inflammasome activation pathway, and the sirt 1/Parkin signalling pathway in CP-challenged broilers. Compared with the CP challenge group, the B. licheniformis-treated group exhibited reduced abundance values of Shuttleworthia and Alistipes and enhanced abundance values of Parabacteroides in the caecal contents (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Bacillus licheniformis improved the final body weight and alleviated the inflammatory response and intestinal barrier function damage in birds with NE induced by CP by maintaining intestinal physiological function, enhancing immunity, regulating inflammatory cytokine secretion, modulating the mitophagy response, and increasing the abundance of beneficial intestinal flora. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songke Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caimei Yang
- Key Agricultural Research Institute of Veagmax Green Animal Health Products of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Vegamax Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Niu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Khan S, Khalid A, Yang R, Khalid F, Zahid MH, Liu H, Zhang Y, Wang Z. Effect of Bacillus subtilis Supplemented Diet on Broiler's Intestinal Microbiota and TLRs Gene Expression. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2023:10.1007/s12602-023-10144-9. [PMID: 37709981 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis supplementation on gut microbiota diversity, digestive enzyme activity, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression in broiler chickens. A total of 240 "817" crossbred broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four groups: control (basal diet, BD), group I (BD + 300 g/d B. subtilis at 1.08 × 107 CFU/kg), group II (BD + 600 g/d B. subtilis at 2.16 × 107 CFU/kg), and group III (BD + 900 g/d B. subtilis at 3.24 × 107 CFU/kg). Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant improvements in the abundance of specific microorganisms in the treatment groups, with distinct variations in the core microorganisms between the groups. Notably, protease activity in the ileum was significantly increased in groups II (22.59%; p < 0.01) and III (14.49%; p < 0.05) compared to that in the control group. Moreover, significant up-regulation of TLR1A and TLR7 expression was observed in jejunum and cecum of the treated groups. Additionally, the TLR1B expression in the ileum was significantly increased. Furthermore, TLR2A and MyD88 transcription levels were significantly elevated in the jejunum, liver, spleen, and kidneys of experimental groups. Modulations in the expression of various TLR's (TLR2B, TLR3, TLR4, TLR15, and TLR21) were also observed in different organs. The spleen and kidney of B. subtilis-supplemented chickens exhibited upregulated expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis in broiler chickens improved the gut microbiota diversity and significantly upregulated TLR's expression in various organs. B. subtilis could be a valuable feed additive, contributing to improved disease management and overall health in broiler chickens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salman Khan
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Anam Khalid
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Ru Yang
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Fatima Khalid
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Muhammad Hamza Zahid
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Haozhe Liu
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Yunhua Zhang
- School of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China.
| | - Zaigui Wang
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Obianwuna UE, Agbai Kalu N, Wang J, Zhang H, Qi G, Qiu K, Wu S. Recent Trends on Mitigative Effect of Probiotics on Oxidative-Stress-Induced Gut Dysfunction in Broilers under Necrotic Enteritis Challenge: A Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040911. [PMID: 37107286 PMCID: PMC10136232 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut health includes normal intestinal physiology, complete intestinal epithelial barrier, efficient immune response, sustained inflammatory balance, healthy microbiota, high nutrient absorption efficiency, nutrient metabolism, and energy balance. One of the diseases that causes severe economic losses to farmers is necrotic enteritis, which occurs primarily in the gut and is associated with high mortality rate. Necrotic enteritis (NE) primarily damages the intestinal mucosa, thereby inducing intestinal inflammation and high immune response which diverts nutrients and energy needed for growth to response mediated effects. In the era of antibiotic ban, dietary interventions like microbial therapy (probiotics) to reduce inflammation, paracellular permeability, and promote gut homeostasis may be the best way to reduce broiler production losses. The current review highlights the severity effects of NE; intestinal inflammation, gut lesions, alteration of gut microbiota balance, cell apoptosis, reduced growth performance, and death. These negative effects are consequences of; disrupted intestinal barrier function and villi development, altered expression of tight junction proteins and protein structure, increased translocation of endotoxins and excessive stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines. We further explored the mechanisms by which probiotics mitigate NE challenge and restore the gut integrity of birds under disease stress; synthesis of metabolites and bacteriocins, competitive exclusion of pathogens, upregulation of tight junction proteins and adhesion molecules, increased secretion of intestinal secretory immunoglobulins and enzymes, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune response and the increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and immune boost via the modulation of the TLR/NF-ĸ pathway. Furthermore, increased beneficial microbes in the gut microbiome improve nutrient utilization, host immunity, and energy metabolism. Probiotics along with biosecurity measures could mitigate the adverse effects of NE in broiler production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uchechukwu Edna Obianwuna
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nenna Agbai Kalu
- Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810211, Nigeria
| | - Jing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Haijun Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Guanghai Qi
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kai Qiu
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shugeng Wu
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu X, Ma A, Zhi T, Hong D, Chen Z, Li S, Jia Y. Dietary Effect of Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 on Chicken Meat Quality, Amino Acid Profile, and Volatile Compounds. Foods 2023; 12:foods12020288. [PMID: 36673380 PMCID: PMC9858446 DOI: 10.3390/foods12020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are being used in diets to improve the quality of chicken meat. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent on the meat quality, amino acids, and volatile compounds of chicken. The experiment was carried out with 160 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chickens, rearing for 42 d. The chickens were randomly divided into two groups of 8 replicates each, with 10 chickens in each group. No supplement was added to the basal diet in the control group and Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent was added to the diet of the experimental group. At the end of the experiment, the meat quality, meat chemical composition, amino acid composition, and volatile compounds of chicken were determined. The results showed that pH (p < 0.05), pressing loss (p < 0.05), cooking loss (p < 0.05), and shear force (p < 0.01) were notably decreased, the percentage of breast meat (p < 0.01), protein content (p < 0.05) were visibly increased, and remarkable changes were observed in the amino acid composition (change in seven amino acids) and volatile compounds profile (an increase of about 20-fold in the contents of 1-octen-3-ol and hexanal). In summary, it was found that Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent can be used as a novel and effective feed supplement to improve the nutritional quality and flavor characteristics of broilers.
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu X, Ma Z, Wang Y, Li L, Jia H, Zhang L. Compound probiotics can improve intestinal health by affecting the gut microbiota of broilers. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad388. [PMID: 37982805 PMCID: PMC10724112 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics, as a widely used additive, have played a unique advantage in replacing antibiotic products. As a result, the probiotic effects on broiler development, intestinal flora, intestinal barrier, and immunity were assessed by this investigation. Four hundred and eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to 4 groups of 5 replicates with 24 broilers each. The control was fed only a basal corn-soybean meal diet. Probiotics I, probiotics II, and probiotics III were fed basal diet and 1, 5, and 10 g/kg compound probiotics (Lactobacillus casei: Lactobacillus acidophilus: Bifidobacterium = 1:1:2), respectively. We found that broilers in the compound probiotic group exhibited better growth performance and carcass characteristics compared with control, especially among probiotics III group. The intestinal barrier-related genes relative expression of Claudin, Occludin, MUC2, and ZO-1 mRNA in the probiotic group increased at 21 and 42 d compared with control, especially among probiotics III group (P < 0.05). The early gut immune-related genes (TLR2, TLR4, IL-1β, and IL-2) mRNA increased compared with control, while the trend at 42 d was completely opposite to that in the earlier stage (P < 0.05). Among them, probiotics III group showed the most significant changes compared to probiotics II group and probiotics I group. Select probiotics III group and control group for 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing analysis. The 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing results demonstrated that probiotics increased the relative abundance of beneficial microbes such as o_Bacteroidales, f_Rikenellaceae, and g_Alistipes and improved the cecum's gut microbiota of 42-day-old broilers. Additionally, adding the probiotics decreased the relative abundance of harmful microbes such as Proteobacteria. PICRUSt2 functional analysis revealed that most proteins were enriched in DNA replication, transcription, and glycolysis processes. Therefore, this study can provide theoretical reference value for probiotics to improve production performance, improve intestinal barrier, immunity, intestinal flora of broilers, and the application of probiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhenhua Ma
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Yanfei Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Li Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Hao Jia
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Lihuan Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory for the Modernization of TCVM, College of Life and Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Qiu K, He W, Zhang H, Wang J, Qi G, Guo N, Zhang X, Wu S. Bio-Fermented Malic Acid Facilitates the Production of High-Quality Chicken via Enhancing Muscle Antioxidant Capacity of Broilers. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11. [PMID: 36552518 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malic acid, an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a promising acidifier with strong antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bio-fermented malic acid (BFMA) on promoting the body health, performance and meat quality of broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatments with six replicates in each. Every replicate had 12 chicks. Four experimental diets contained 0, 4, 8, and 12 g/kg BFMA, respectively. During the 42-day trial, mortality was recorded daily, feed intake and body weight of each replicate being recorded every week. Blood samples were collected on days 21 and 42 for chemical analysis. After slaughter at the age of 42 days, the carcass traits and meat quality of the broilers were measured, breast muscle samples were collected for the determination of antioxidant capacity, and cecal digesta were pretreated for microbiota analysis. Dietary BFMA significantly increased feed intake and daily gain, and decreased feed conversion ratio and death and culling ratio of the broilers at the earlier stage. The water-holding capacity of breast muscle indicated by the indexes of dripping loss and cooking loss was significantly increased by BFMA, especially at the addition level of 8 g/kg. Dietary BFMA significantly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and contents of immunoglobulin A and glutathione, and increased contents of immunoglobulin G and M in serum of the broilers. The contents of glutathione, inosinic acid, and total antioxidant capacity and the activities of glutathione-Px and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased by dietary BFMA, with the level of 8 g/kg best. The diversity of cecal microbiota of broilers was obviously altered by BFMA. In conclusion, as one of several acidifiers, addition of BFMA in diets could improve the performance and body health of broilers, probably by reinforcing immunity and perfecting cecal microbiota structure. As one of the intermediates of the TCA cycle, BFMA increases the water-holding capacity of breast muscle of broilers, probably through reducing lactate accumulates and enhancing antioxidant capacity.
Collapse
|