Supplementation of lactobacillus‐fermented rapeseed meal in broiler diet reduces Campylobacter jejuni cecal colonization and limits the l‐tryptophan and l‐histidine biosynthesis pathways

Abstract

BACKGROUNDCampylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), a widely distributed global foodborne pathogen primarily linked with contaminated chicken meat, poses a significant health risk. Lowering this pathogen abundance in poultry meat is challenging but essential. This study assessed the impact of lactobacillus‐fermented rapeseed meal (LFRM) on broilers exposed to C. jejuni contaminated litter, evaluating growth performance, Campylobacter levels, and metagenomic profile.RESULTSBy day 35, the litter contamination successfully colonised broilers with Campylobacter spp., particularly C. jejuni. In the grower phase, LFRM improved (P < 0.05) body weight and daily weight gain, resulting in a 9.2% better feed conversion ratio during the pre‐challenged period (days 13 to 20). LFRM also reduced C. jejuni concentration in the caeca (P < 0.05), without altering alfa and beta diversity. However, metagenomic data analysis revealed LFRM targeted reduction in the abundance of C. jejuni biosynthetic pathways of L‐tryptophan and L‐histidine and gene families associated with transcription and virulence factors whilst also possibly leading to a selected stress‐induced resistance mechanisms.CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrated that LFRM inclusion improved growth and decreased caecal Campylobacter spp. concentration and relative abundance of pivotal C. jejuni genes. Performance benefits likely resulted from LFRM metabolites. At the molecular level, LFRM may have reduced C. jejuni colonisation, likely by decreasing abundance of energy transduction and L‐histidine and L‐tryptophan biosynthesis genes, otherwise required for bacterial survival and increased virulence.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.