Dietary supplementation with fermented Mao-tai lees beneficially affects gut microbiota structure and function in pigs

Abstract

Gut microbiota positively contribute to livestock nutrition and metabolism. The manipulation of these microbes may improve animal health. Some feed additives improve livestock health and metabolism by regulating gut microbiota composition and activity. We fed hybrid pigs diets supplemented with 0% (control), 5% (treat 1), 10% (treat 2), or 15% (treat 3) fermented Mao-tai lees (FML) for 90 days. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bioamines, and microbial communities found in colonic contents were analyzed to investigate microbiota composition and metabolic profiles. Concentrations of straight-chain fatty acids (e.g., acetate, propionate, and butyrate) and tyramine increased with FML supplementation content. Contrary to the minor effects of 5% and 10% FML on gut microbiota, 15% FML influenced beta diversity (Jaccard or Bray–Curtis dissimilarity) but not alpha diversity (number of operational taxonomic units and Shannon diversity) of pig gut microbial communities compared to the control group. Notably, 15% FML animals were characterized by a higher abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria ( Lactobacillus and Akkermansia ) but lower abundances of potential pathogens ( Escherichia ). Numerous genes associated with metabolism (e.g., starch, sucrose, and sulfur-compounds metabolism) showed a higher relative abundance in the 15% FML than in the control group. Additionally, most Phascolarctobacterium , Treponema , Prevotella , and Faecalibacterium bacterial markers in the 15% FML group were positively correlated with straight-chain fatty acid concentrations, suggesting that these bacteria are likely associated with SCFA production. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the beneficial effects of 15% FML on fermentation of undigested compounds and gut microbiota composition in the colon. Thus, 15% FML supplementation in pig feed may possibly represent a way to optimize pig colon health for livestock farming. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13568-019-0747-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Microbiome Analysis Investigating the Impacts of Fermented Spent Mushroom Substrates on the Composition of Microbiota in Weaned Piglets Hindgut

“…Roseburia, SCFA producers, acidifies the intestinal environment, thus conducive to the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibits the proliferation of harmful bacteria (66,67). Like our study, Roseburia was also enriched in the 15% fermented Mao-tai lees group (68). Moreover, the abundance of E. coli decreased after feeding an FSMS diet.…”

The Impacts of Dietary Fermented Mao-tai Lees on Growth Performance, Plasma Metabolites, and Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites of Weaned Piglets

“…In the present study, dietary 2–6% FML supplementation had no significant effect on the abundances of Clostridium clusters IV and Lactobacillus of the weaned pigs. However, our previous studies showed that dietary 15% FML supplementation could increase the abundance of Lactobacillus of the growing-finishing pigs ( Li et al, 2019 ). This discrepancy might be related to the different doses of FML supplementation and the age of pigs.…”

“…Our previous studies also confirmed that dietary 15% FML supplementation could decrease the abundance of potential pathogen Escherichia spp. in pigs at different ages ( Li et al, 2019 ). These findings suggested that dietary FML supplementation, particularly 4% FML, could regulate the balance of intestinal microflora.…”

“…Then, the incubated mixture was added into 0.5‰ acid protease and 0.5‰ neutral protease and further incubated at pH 5.0 and 60°C for 12 h. After fermentation, the fermented products were dried using a fluidized bed dryer at 40°C, pulverized, screened through a 0.45-mm mesh, and packed for use. The determined nutrient levels (%) of FML based on dry matter content (92.97%) were as follows: ash, 9.28; CP, 23.96; ether extract (EE), 5.39; crude fiber (CF), 17.67; ADF, 38.06; NDF, 47.28; Ca, 0.53; P, 0.55; and gross energy (GE), 18.29 MJ/Kg (Li et al, 2019).…”

“…However, the effects of dietary supplementation with DDGS on plasma metabolites and intestinal microbiota and their metabolites have not been elucidated yet. Our previous studies showed that supplementing 15% fermented Mao-tai lees (FML) to growing-finishing pigs’ diets could improve the gut health via increasing the abundance of putative beneficial microbiota and straight-chain fatty acid concentrations, and decreasing the abundances of potential pathogens in the colon ( Li et al, 2019 ). Therefore, we hypothesized that the FML could be used as a cost-effective alternative for feedstuff of weaned piglets owing to its beneficial to plasma and intestinal metabolites and intestinal microbiota.…”