Effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharides, as alternatives for an antibiotic, on the cecal microbial ecosystem in broiler chickens

Abstract

An in vivo experiment was conducted to study the potential prebiotic effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharide extracts, Lentinus edodes extract (LenE), Tremella fuciformis extract, and Astragalus membranaceus Radix extract, on chicken growth and the cecal microbial ecosystem, as compared with the antibiotic Apramycin (APR). This investigation was carried out in terms of a dose-response study. The chickens were naturally infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum prior to the experiment. The BW gain, cecal pH, viscosity, and predominant microbial populations were measured 1 wk after the extract and APR treatments. The extracts and APR significantly stimulated growth of the chickens infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The average BW gain of the groups fed with the extracts was significantly lower than that of the antibiotic group. The extracts had no significant effect on cecal pH. However, cecal viscosity and microbial populations were significantly affected by feeding extracts and antibiotic. In contrast to APR, the extracts stimulated the number of the potentially beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli), while reducing the number of the potentially harmful bacteria (Bacteroides spp. and Escherichia coli). Of the 3 extracts, LenE was associated with the most cecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. With each increase in the LenE dose, birds tended to have higher BW gain and total aerobe and anaerobe counts. Numbers of predominant cecal bacteria, in particular, E. coli, bifidobacteria, and lactobacilli, were significantly increased with increases in the LenE dose. It would seem that these specific mushroom and herb polysaccharide extracts hold some promise as potential modifiers of intestinal microbiota in diseased chickens.

Effect of Mint Leaves with or without Enzyme Supplementation on Blood Biochemistry, Carcass Characteristics and Sensory Attributes of Broiler Chicken

“…These herbal plants exert positive effects on growth and health of animals probably by their immuno stimulatory properties (Guo et al, 2004).…”

<b>Appraisal of purple coneflower (<i>Echinacea purpurea</i>) extract on production performance, internal organs, and gut microflora of japanese quail

“…Different levels of EP extract decreased ileal Coliforms population of quails, but ileal Clostridia population of birds consumed EP extract was not different from control group. Guo et al (2004aGuo et al ( , 2004bGuo et al ( , 2004c found that plants derivatives promoted the growth performance, decreased the populations of coliforms and C. perfringens, and boosted both cellular and humoral immune responses of chickens infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum or Eimeria tenella. Jamroz and Kamel (2002) reported that the dietary plant derivatives diminished Escherichia coli population comparing to the control birds.…”

Harinas de hojas de plantas aromáticas como fitoterapéuticos en pollos de engorda

“…Guo et al (2004) obtuvieron resultados equivalentes a los extractos de virginiamicina y hierbas chinas. El uso y efecto de los aceites esenciales, en las dietas para pollos de engorda, han sido documentados en los últimos años (Lee et al, 2003).…”