Impacts of Solid-State Fermented Barley with Fibrolytic Exogenous Enzymes on Feed Utilization, and Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The present and future high demand of common cereals as corn and wheat encourage the development of feed processing technology that allows for the dietary inclusion of other cereals of low nutritional value in poultry feeding. Barley grains contain anti-nutritional factors that limit their dietary inclusion in the poultry industry. The treatment of barley with solid-state fermentation and exogenous enzymes (FBEs) provides a good alternative to common cereals. In this study, barley grains were subjected to solid-state microbial fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. This study aimed to assess the impact of FBEs on growth, feed utilization efficiency, immune modulation, antioxidant status and the expression of intestinal barrier and nutrient transporter-related genes. One-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308, n = 400) comprised four representative groups with ten replicates (10 chicks/replicate) and were fed corn-soybean meal basal diets with inclusions of FBEs at 0, 5, 10 and 15% for 38 days. Solid-state fermentation of barley grains with fibrolytic enzymes increased protein content, lowered crude fiber and reduced sugars compared to non-fermented barley gains. In consequence, the group fed FBEs10% had the superior feed utilization efficiency and body weight gain (increased by 4.7%) with higher levels of nutrient metabolizability, pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and low digesta viscosity. Notably, the group fed FBEs10% showed an increased villi height and a decreased crypt depth with a remarkable hyperactivity of duodenal glands. In addition, higher inclusion levels of FBEs boosted serum immune-related parameters and intestinal and breast muscle antioxidants status. Intestinal nutrient transporters encoding genes (GLUT-1, CAAT-1, LAT1 and PepT-1) and intestinal barriers encoding genes (MUC-2, JAM-2, occludin, claudins-1 and β-defensin 1) were upregulated with higher dietary FBEs levels. In conclusion, feeding on FBEs10% positively enhanced broiler chickens’ performance, feed efficiency and antioxidant status, and boosted intestinal barrier nutrient transporters encoding genes.

Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom: A Promising Feed Supplement in Poultry Farming

“…The incorporation of feed (soybean and rapeseed) produced by SSF expands the availability of beneficial probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp., which has been substantiated to induce the production of immunoglobulin in broilers [107]. Ibrahim et al [108] found that the incorporation of fermented barley in the feed was found to stimulate lysozyme activity in broiler serum [108], aligning with similar results reported by Zhu et al [109], who found an increase in serum lysozyme activity with fermented feed supplementation [109]. It is noteworthy that lysozyme, recognized as an antimicrobial enzyme, serves as a crucial factor in disrupting the cell walls of pathogenic bacteria [110].…”

Dietary Curcumin Modulating Effect on Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Immune-Related Response of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Imidacloprid Insecticide

“…The body weight was then calculated each week by dividing the total bird weights by the number of birds in each group. According to procedures outlined by Kishawy, et al [68] and Ibrahim, et al [69], the total body weight gain (TBWG), total feed intake (TFI), total feed conversion ratio (TFCR), and final body weight (FBW) per each replicate for the entire experimental period were estimated.…”

Growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with amylase and protease enzymes individually or combined

“…It has been discovered that the incorporation of amylase into poultry diets improves the utilization of dietary carbohydrates, resulting in enhanced growth performance, feed efficiency, and body weight gain (BWG) ( Ibrahim et al , 2023 ). Yuan et al (2018) reported amylase supplementation in combination with protease, or glucoamylase improves the digestibility of starch and the biodiversity of the intestinal microbes and increases the growth rate of broilers.…”