Algae-Derived Polysaccharides Promote Growth Performance by Improving Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of dietary algae-derived polysaccharides (ADPs) from Enteromorpha on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal permeability, and antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa of broilers. Three hundred and ninety six day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments containing 0 (Control), 1,000, 2,500, 4,000, 5,500, and 7,000 mg ADP/kg basal diet in a 35 day feeding trial. During day 1–21, compared with the control group, dietary 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP supplementation improved the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Overall (day 1–35), dietary inclusion of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the final body weight and ADG (p < 0.05). Besides, on day 21, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation increased the serum catalase (CAT) and liver total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities (p < 0.05), whereas dietary 1,000–5,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in serum and liver (p < 0.05). On day 35, supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the serum glutathione peroxidase and CAT activities and liver T-SOD activities (p < 0.05). It decreased the MDA level of serum and liver (p < 0.05). Also, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of jejunum and ileum on day 21 (p < 0.05), and dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of duodenum and ileum on day 35 (p < 0.05). On day 21, dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the CAT activities of the duodenum and T-SOD activities of jejunum and ileum and decreased the MDA contents in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05). On day 35, dietary inclusion of 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP reduced MDA contents of duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of ADP at 1,000–7,000 mg/kg decreased serum DAO activities at day 21 and day 35 (p < 0.05), and the serum D-lactic acid concentration was reduced by dietary supplementation of 1,000, 2,500, and 7,000 mg/kg ADP on day 21. In conclusion, dietary ADP exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut health in broilers; based on the studied parameters, the appropriate recommended dose is 1,000–4,000 mg/kg. These findings provided new insights into the potential application of ADP as natural growth promoters in broilers.

Impact of dietary Chlorella vulgaris and carbohydrate-active enzymes incorporation on plasma metabolites and liver lipid composition of broilers

“…Previous studies have shown that the nutritional composition of C. vulgaris may contribute to their effects on mitigating metabolic alterations through different mechanisms [ 36 , 37 ]. Several algae-derived bioactive compounds, like lipids, antioxidants, pigments, vitamins and polysaccharides are known to have beneficial effects on human and animal health [ 38 – 40 ]. In contrast, here, data suggest that both feed carbohydrate-degrading enzymes (Rovabio ® and the pre-selected four-CAZyme mixture) were effective to hydrolyse C. vulgaris cell wall polysaccharides that changed fibre gut profile, thus reducing its anti-hyperlipidaemic activity.…”

Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization, performance, gut health, and on the environment: a review

“…Arabinoxylan from wheat bran has been found to increase the number of goblet cells, which secretes not only mucin but also protein barrier factors, hence protecting intestinal epithelial cells. Similarly, algae-derived polysaccharides supplementation enhanced antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier functions in broiler chickens [ 85 ]. Dietary pectin inclusion upregulated the IL-12 expression in the ileal mucosa to increase interferon-γ production in cecal tonsils and decreased the invasion of sporozoides in ileal enterocytes during infection with Eimeria maxima .…”

Dietary Polyphenol Supplementation in Food Producing Animals: Effects on the Quality of Derived Products

“…The positive effect was reflected in an improvement of the gain-to-feed ratio in pigs, due to an inhibition of pro-inflammatory processes in the intestine and to antimicrobial effects. An improvement in growth performance may be related to the improvement of immune defence and suppression of excessive apoptosis among intestinal epithelial cells, as observed in piglets [64] and poultry [65]. Another action of antioxidants is represented by an improvement of food status and animal feed intake as some plant extracts enhance the flavour and palatability of feed, which improves feed intake and productive performance [66,67].…”