Investigation of the Effect of Three Commercial Water Acidifiers on the Performance, Gut Health, and Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Experimentally Challenged Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of three commercial water acidifiers on the performance, gut health, and C. jejuni colonization in experimentally challenged broiler chicks. A total of 192 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308®) were randomly allocated into 6 treatment groups with 4 replicates according to the following experimental design: group A, birds were not challenged and received tap water; group B, birds were challenged and received tap water; groups C, D, E, and F, birds were challenged and received tap water treated with 0.1% v/v SPECTRON®, with 0.1–0.2% v/v ProPhorce™ SA Exclusive, with 0.1–0.2% v/v Premium acid, and with 0.1–0.2% v/v Salgard® Liquid, respectively. The continuous water acidification evoked undesirable effects on broilers’ performance and to an increased number of birds with ulcers and erosions in the oral cavity and the upper esophageal area. ProPhorce™ SA Exclusive and Premium acid significantly reduced the C. jejuni counts in the crop, whereas Salgard® Liquid significantly reduced the C. jejuni counts in the ceca of birds. At slaughter age, only Premium acid significantly reduced C. jejuni counts in the ceca of birds. All the tested products ameliorated the changes induced by C. jejuni infection in the pH in the ceca of birds. It can be concluded that besides the effectiveness of the tested products in controlling C. jejuni in broilers, their continuous application evoked undesirable effects on broilers’ performance, leading to the need to modify the dosage scheme in future investigations.

Effects of antibiotic, acidifier, and probiotic supplementation on mortality rates, lipoprotein profile, and carcass traits of broiler chickens

“…When compared to the control (T 0 ) and antibiotic (T 3 ) groups, broilers fed with acidifiers and probiotics (T 1 and T 2 ) showed greater gains in body weight and increased feed conversion ratios. This is in line with the body of research showing that acidifiers and probiotics can have a good effect on the intestinal environment, nutrient uptake, and growth performance in chicken ( Aliverdi-Nasab et al., 2023 ; Leone & Ferrante, 2023 ; Mantzios et al., 2023 ; Vimon et al., 2023 ).…”

Investigation of Potential Gut Health Biomarkers in Broiler Chicks Challenged by Campylobacter jejuni and Submitted to a Continuous Water Disinfection Program

“…The C. jejuni strain MB 4185 KC 40 was graciously provided by Professor Frank Pasmans from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. This strain, previously utilized in various studies [15,[22][23][24] demonstrated high efficacy in colonizing broilers, establishing substantial populations within the gastrointestinal tract [24]. The strain was restored, and the final inoculum was prepared following the process that was previously described by Mantzios et al (2023b) [15].…”

“…This strain, previously utilized in various studies [15,[22][23][24] demonstrated high efficacy in colonizing broilers, establishing substantial populations within the gastrointestinal tract [24]. The strain was restored, and the final inoculum was prepared following the process that was previously described by Mantzios et al (2023b) [15]. Finally, the birds were orally challenged using a plastic esophageal catheter, through which 1 mL of PBS containing approximately 6.5 × 10 6 CFU/mL C. jejuni was administered.…”

“…At the age of 23 days (5 days post-infection) samples from the crop and ceca were collected in aseptic conditions, placed on ice and immediately transported to the lab, for the enumeration of C. jejuni, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium spp. [15,33]. Briefly, crop and cecal samples were weighed and placed in sterile stomacher bags with nine times their volume of Maximum Recovery Diluent (MRD, Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK).…”

“…in broiler production [11]. On the other hand, there are several commercially available acid-based products used for water sanitation in poultry farms, that have been mentioned in previous in vitro studies for their anti-Campylobacter activity [14,15]. These products are used for the "deep cleaning" of the water supply system (when birds are absent) as well as for improving the quality of drinking water (when birds are present).…”