The Effect of Using New Synbiotics on the Turkey Performance, the Intestinal Microbiota and the Fecal Enzymes Activity in Turkeys Fed Ochratoxin A Contaminated Feed

Abstract

The feed supplementation of probiotic microorganisms is a promising method for detoxification of ochratoxin A (OTA) in poultry. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of newly elaborated synbiotics on the turkey performance, the intestinal microbiota and its enzymatic activity in turkeys (0–15 weeks) fed OTA contaminated feed (198.6–462.0 µg/kg) compared to control group (OTA-free feed). The studies determined the composition of intestinal microorganisms by the culture method and the activity of fecal enzymes by spectrophotometry. It was found that OTA had an adverse effect on the body weight, the intestinal microbiota and the fecal enzymes activity in turkeys. On the other hand, synbiotics resulted in an increase in the count of beneficial bacteria while reducing the number of potential pathogens in the digestive tract. Moreover, synbiotics caused an increase in the activity of α-glucosidase and α-galactosidase, while decreasing the activity of potentially harmful fecal enzymes (β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase) in the turkey’s excreta. Results indicate a beneficial effect of elaborated synbiotics on the health of turkeys and a reduction of the negative impact of OTA contaminated feed. These synbiotics can be successfully used as feed additives for turkeys.

Insight into dominant intestinal microbiota and the fatty acids profile of turkeys following the administration of synbiotic preparations

“…The properties of probiotic strains and prebiotic included in the developed synbiotics have been tested according to the procedures recommended by EFSA and FAO/WHO 14,21 . Furthermore, the effectiveness of the synbiotics in breeding of monogastric animals (poultry and piglets) has been studied so far in many in vivo and in vitro research studies 6‐9,22,23 …”

“…The content of basic nutrients in the mixtures was determined according to the principles of the Weenden method (AOAC 2005). The nutritional value and composition of the turkey feed mixtures were the same as the negative control group of animals and are detailed in our other article 8 …”

“…The use of feed additives such as prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics has a beneficial effect on the equilibrium of the intestinal microbiota, its metabolism in poultry (e.g. organic acid concentrations, activity of fecal enzymes) and may reduce the adverse effects of mycotoxins to which the animals are exposed 3‐9 . In addition, these feed additives can provide an alternative to banned antibiotic‐based stimulants 10 .…”

Oral Sub-Chronic Ochratoxin a Exposure Induces Gut Microbiota Alterations in Mice

“…These results were confirmed by Zhai et al, who further demonstrated that OTA also alters the metabolism of intestinal microbiota in ducks [ 33 ]. Changes in the diversity and in the composition of gut microbiota caused by OTA have also been found in OTA-fed broilers [ 34 ] and turkeys [ 35 ].…”

The effects of a low dose OTA exposure on weanling piglet gut microbiota

“…Yang et al, 2017). These complex interactions between the gastrointestinal microbiota, host, and mycotoxins also significantly influence how the mycotoxicosis will develop further (Hermann-Bank, Skovgaard, Stockmarr, Larsen, & Mølbak, 2013;Śliżewska, Markowiak-Kopeć, Sip, Lipiński, & Mazur-Kuśnirek, 2020).…”