Effects of Laetiporus sulphureus-Fermented Wheat Bran on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Digesta Characteristics in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a Laetiporus sulphureus-fermented wheat bran (LS) supplementation on the microbiota and digesta characteristics of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups fed with a corn–soybean-based diet (control), and the control diet being replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB) and 5% LS, respectively. Each group had four replicates and 20 birds per pen. Metagenomics analysis results of the ileum microbiota showed that, at the family level, the 5% LS groups had over 40% higher Lactobacillaceae compared to the control group in a mean difference comparison. Heat maps showed that, at the phylum level, the population of Firmicutes was higher and Proteobacteria was lower in the ileum of 5% LS compared to the control group. Results of the stack column plots of the top ten OTUs at the family level showed that a 5% LS and 5% WB supplementation altered the broiler microbiota distribution by increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae. Cecal microbiota analysis showed that the 5% LS-supplemented group had approximately 5% and 3% higher Veillonellaceae and Lactobacillaceae, respectively. Stack column plots of the top ten OTUs indicated that the distribution of cecal bacteria in each group was not markedly different. Both the ileum and cecum digesta in the 5% LS supplementation group had a slight and not significant elevation on the total VFA, while the pH values and ammonia nitrogen were significantly lowered compared to the control and 5% WB groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the 5% LS supplementation group had a significantly higher lactic acid concentration in both the ileum and cecum compared to the control and 5% WB groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a 5% LS supplementation could potentially enhance the feed conversion ratio and European Broiler Index (EBI) of broilers by elevating the family Lactobacillaceae and suppressing the phylum Proteobacteria’s population, thus creating changed intestinal environments that may potentially favor the growth and health of the broilers.

Effects of feeding solid-state fermented wheat bran on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens

“…During the fermentation process, various essential nutrients are produced, such as vitamins, organic acids, amino acids, and small-size peptides, which may further increase the nutritional value of by-products ( Feng et al, 2007 ; Chen, 2010 ), thereby extending the use of by-products such as WB in the poultry industry. Previous studies of fermented WB mainly focused on indicators such as growth performance, intestinal health, immune performance, and economic benefits, whereas systematic evaluation of the nutritional value of fermented bran in poultry has not been widely conducted ( Wanzenböck et al, 2020 ; Lin and Lee, 2020 ). Accurately quantifying the efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization of fermented soybean meal has led to the wide use of this material in the industry ( Soumeh et al, 2019 ; Ping et al, 2020 ).…”

Effects of Solid-State Fermented Wheat Bran on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Intestinal Morphology and Microflora in Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Broiler Chickens

“…Zhao et al [17] found that fermentation of wheat bran by Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus increased the content of water extractable arabinoxylan by 3-4 times, increased the content and bioavailability of soluble dietary fiber and total free phenolic, and degraded over 20% of phytic acid. Additionally, adding 5% dry fermented wheat bran (FWB) to broilers (Ross 308) diets improved the growth performance, increased the Lactobacillus counts in ileum, and maintained the beneficial intestine environment [18]. Zhang et al [19], Lee et al [20] and Teng et al [21] found that the solid-state fermented wheat bran had promoting effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and anti-inflammation in broiler chickens.…”

Intestinal Microbiota, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Oxidative Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Mushroom Waste Compost By-Products

“…When stimulated by pathogenic bacteria, the animal initiates an immune response, which leads to a cytokine storm. However, excessive inflammation can reduce animal performance and even lead to death [ 14 , 15 ]. On the other hand, when the oxidative pressure is high, animals are not able to eliminate the damage caused by free radicals to cells and/or organs [ 16 ].…”