Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, and Spleen Immunity in Broiler Chickens Fed Berry Pomaces and Phenolic-Enriched Extractives

Abstract

This study evaluated the performance, gut microbiota, and blood metabolites in broiler chickens fed cranberry and blueberry products for 30 days. A total of 2,800 male day-old broiler Cobb-500 chicks were randomly distributed between 10 diets: control basal diet; basal diet with bacitracin (BACI); four basal diets with 1 and 2% of cranberry (CP1, CP2) and blueberry (BP1, BP2) pomaces; and four basal diets supplemented with ethanolic extracts of cranberry (COH150, COH300) or blueberry (BOH150, BOH300) pomaces. All groups were composed of seven replicates (40 birds per replicate). Cecal and cloacal samples were collected for bacterial counts and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Blood samples and spleens were analyzed for blood metabolites and gene expressions, respectively. The supplementation of COH300 and BOH300 significantly increased the body weight (BW) during the starting and growing phases, respectively, while COH150 improved (P < 0.05) the overall cumulated feed efficiency (FE) compared to control. The lowest prevalence (P = 0.01) of necrotic enteritis was observed with CP1 and BP1 compared to BACI and control. Cranberry pomace significantly increased the quinic acid level in blood plasma compared to other treatments. At days 21 and 28 of age, the lowest (P < 0.05) levels of triglyceride and alanine aminotransferase were observed in cranberry pomace and blueberry product-fed birds, respectively suggesting that berry feeding influenced the lipid metabolism and serum enzyme levels. The highest relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae was found in ceca of birds fed CP2 (P < 0.05). In the cloaca, BOH300 significantly (P < 0.005) increased the abundances of Acidobacteria and Lactobacillaceae. Actinobacteria showed a significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation with feed intake (FI) and FE in COH300-treated birds, whereas Proteobacteria positively correlated with the BW but negatively correlated with FI and FE, during the growing phase. In the spleen, cranberry products did not induce the release of any pro-inflammatory cytokines but upregulated the expression of several Das et al. Cranberry and Blueberry in Broiler genes (IL4, IL5, CSF2, and HMBS) involved in adaptive immune responses in broilers. This study demonstrated that feed supplementation with berry products could promote the intestinal health by modulating the dynamics of the gut microbiota while influencing the metabolism in broilers.

Gut Microbiota-Polyphenol Interactions in Chicken: A Review

“…Polyphenols may exert effects on gut morphology. Feeding broilers with essential oils containing polyphenols caused an increase in villus height in the duodenal section of the gut [52]. This report was also supported by another study that concluded that hesperidin, genistein, and some flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba leaves increased absorptive surfaces of the small intestine by modifying its length, crypt depth, and villus width in broilers with lipopolysaccharide stress [53].…”

Dried berry pomace as a source of high value-added bioproduct: drying kinetics and bioactive quality indices

“…Reque et al [13] and Tagliani et al [9] have positioned blueberry pomace, an industry by-product, as a valuable source of fiber with antioxidant capacity. Work performed by,Das et al [14] and Islam et al [15] have shown beneficial effects on intestinal health and immunity of including berry pomace as a broiler chicken feed additive., Juskiewicz et al [16] reported the effects of dietary dried fruit pomaces on turkey health while,Hassan et al [2] reviewed studies showing that grape pomace could be a promising feed additive as an antimicrobial alternative to antibiotic in livestock production.…”

“…Previously, our work examining the bioactivity of berry pomace and its application as an antibiotic alternative in poultry feed utilized berry pomace that had been freeze dried to remove water and obtain a shelf stable product. [14,15] Freeze drying is an effective drying method as materials undergoing freeze drying are not exposed to high temperatures, minimizing destruction of any bioactive compounds present. Despite the advantages freeze drying offers on product quality, long drying times and high operating costs are significant disadvantages.…”

Research Note: Effects of supplementing cranberry and blueberry pomaces on meat quality and antioxidative capacity in broilers

“…Starter (day 1–14), grower (14–28), and finisher (28–35) diets were formulated with wheat, barley, and corn as the principal cereals and soya meal as protein concentrates to meet the Cobb nutritional requirements. The detailed compositions for these diets were described in the article by Das et al. (2020) .…”

“…Pomaces are mass-produced as by-products from fruit processing, and they can be used as an alternative feedstuff to potentially replace antibiotics. Das et al. (2020) have reported that the supplementation of cranberry pomace ( CRP ) or blueberry pomace ( BLP ) significantly increased the body weight during the starting and growing phases and reduced the incidence of necrotic enteritis in commercial broilers.…”