Aspergillus awamori positively impacts the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative activity and immune responses of growing rabbits

Abstract

In this study, we explored the effects of dietary administration of Aspergillus awamori on the growth, intestinal histomorphology, immune parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity of growing rabbits. The rabbits of 5 weeks of age (body weight, 855 ± 5.53 g) were allotted into four groups (12 rabbits per group) and fed four experimental diets enriched with A. awamori at 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg per kg diet for 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, an equal number of male APRI rabbits (3 months old; 4 groups, 5 rabbits per group) were housed in metabolism cages and fed the test diets for 14 days for the digestibility trial. All A. awamori‐enriched diets induced a significant increase in the average body weight and weight gain of rabbits and significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio. In rabbits fed with A. awamori at 100 or 150 mg per kg diet, protein, lipid and fibber digestibility coefficients significantly increased compared with the control group. Intestinal villi measurements (length and thickness) were also enhanced in all rabbits fed with A. awamori. Adding A. awamori as a food supplement generally did not affect rabbit haematology and blood biochemistry values; however, at 150 mg per kg diet, it significantly increased the levels of haemoglobin and total protein, as well as red blood cell count. Furthermore, all enriched diets significantly increased rabbits’ phagocytic activity and their phagocytic index. Rabbits fed with A. awamori also showed decreased malondialdehyde but increased catalase activity. In conclusion, A. awamori administered as feed supplement at 100–150 mg per kg of growing rabbits’ diet enhances their growth, intestinal health and nutrient digestibility, and it raises the levels of their immune and antioxidative responses.

Probiotic effects of the fungi,Aspergillus nigeron growth, immunity, haematology, intestine fungal load and digestive enzymes of the common carp,Cyprinus carpio

“…The immunomodulatory function of Aspergillus spp. has been also confirmed by many studies in other vertebrates (Abu Hafsa et al, 2016; El‐Deep et al, 2021; Saleh et al, 2017; Takahashi, 2012; Zamanizadeh et al, 2021).…”

“…Neutrophils are one of the first immune components to respond to inflammation (Ellis, 1999). In vertebrates (Abu Hafsa et al, 2016;El-Deep et al, 2021;Saleh et al, 2017;Takahashi, 2012;Zamanizadeh et al, 2021).…”

Aspergillus awamori attenuates ochratoxin A-induced renal and cardiac injuries in rabbits by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and downregulating IL1β, TNFα, and iNOS gene expressions

“…awamori was superior for exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity during the fermentation process due to polyphenol content enhancement of the β-glucosidase enzyme. El-Deep et al ( 2014 ; 2021 ) and Abdelhady et al ( 2017 ) provided an additional explanation for A . awamori antioxidant activity through increasing mRNA expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, SOD, and CAT in broiler chickens and rabbits fed a diet with A. awamori .…”

“…A . awamori supplementation in animal diet modulates digestive enzymes, therefore enhancing the nutrients digestibility (Tamang et al 2016 ), reducing skeletal muscle lipid peroxidation (Saleh et al 2012 and El-Deep et al 2014 ), and improving the immune response of growing rabbits (El-Deep et al 2021 ).…”

Potential of utilizing almond hull extract for filamentous fungi production by submerged cultivation

“…The products of A. awamori are given Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2018). Much research has been done on feeding A. awamori to animals with demonstrated health benefits, including improved growth performance, modified lipid metabolism, meat quality, and immune responses (Abdelhady et al, 2017; El‐Deep et al, 2021; Lee et al, 2017; Li et al, 2019; Saleh et al, 2014). These studies on different animals suggest that A. awamori may potentially play a probiotic role in human food.…”