MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 504 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments: A negative control (basal diet), a positive control (basal diet + 100 mg/kg Vitamin E), and diets supplemented with BS and GS at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%. The study followed a completely randomized design, with data analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05).
RESULTS: Broilers fed 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25% GS exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) blood plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. Dietary BS and GS inclusion upregulated messenger RNA expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and interferon-gamma, indicating immunomodulatory effects. Jejunal villus height was significantly increased in birds fed 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.25% BS during the starter period. Birds receiving 0.50% BS, 0.25% GS, and 0.50% GS exhibited higher cecal Lactobacillus counts, whereas 0.75% BS and GS significantly reduced Escherichia coli populations. Furthermore, higher total VFA and propionic acid concentrations were observed in birds supplemented with 1.00% and 1.25% GS, as well as 1.25% BS.
CONCLUSION: The inclusion of GS (0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%) in broiler diets enhances immune response by increasing IgA and IgG levels. Both BS and GS positively modulate cytokine expression, intestinal morphology, and microbial balance, leading to improved gut health. The results suggest that BS and GS supplementation may serve as sustainable feed additives to enhance broiler performance while reducing reliance on synthetic supplements. Future studies should focus on identifying the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and their broader implications for poultry production.
Results: All the studied LAB isolates were versatile extracellular protease producers, whereby extracellular protease activities were detected from acidic to alkaline pH (pH 5, pH 6.5, pH 8) using qualitative and quantitative proteolytic assays. The highest proteolytic activity at pH 5 (15.76 U/mg) and pH 8 (19.42 U/mg) was achieved by Lactobacillus plantarum RG14, while Lactobacillus plantarum RS5 exhibited the highest proteolytic activity of 17.22 U/mg at pH 6.5. As for the results of AA production conducted in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium and analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography system, all LAB isolates were capable of producing an array of AA. Generally, Pediococcus sp. showed greater ability for AA production as compared to Lactobacillus sp. Moreover, the studied LAB were able to produce a few major feed supplement AA such as methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. P. pentosaceus TL-3 recorded the highest methionine and threonine productivity of 3.72 mg/L/h and 5.58 mg/L/h respectively. However, L. plantarum I-UL4 demonstrated a lysine productivity of 1.24 mg/L/h, while P. acidilactici TP-6 achieved up to 1.73 mg/L/h of tryptophan productivity.
Conclusion: All the 17 studied LAB isolates possessed versatile extracellular proteolytic system and have vast capability of producing various amino acids including a few major feed supplement AA such as methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. Despite AA production was strain dependent, the studied LAB isolates possessed vast potential and can be exploited further as a bio-agent or an alternative amino acids and bioactive peptide producers.
RESULTS: Molasses, meat extract, (NH4)2SO4, and MnSO4 were identified as the main medium components for threonine production by P. pentosaceus TL-3. The optimum concentration of molasses, meat extract, (NH4)2SO4 and MnSO4 were found to be 30.79 g/L, 25.30 g/L, 8.59 g/L, and 0.098 g/L respectively based on model obtained in CCD with a predicted net threonine production of 123.07 mg/L. The net threonine production by P. pentosaceus TL-3 in the optimized medium was enhanced approximately 2 folds compared to the control.
CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed the potential of P. pentosaceus TL-3 as a safer alternative to produce threonine. Additionally, the current study has identified the key medium components affecting the production of threonine by P. pentosaceus TL-3, followed by optimization of their concentrations by means of statistical approach. The findings of this study could act as a guideline for the future exploration of amino acid production by LAB.
RESULTS: Postbiotic supplementation increased weight gain, feed intake, nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility of the lambs. No effect on ruminal pH and total VFA, whereas butyrate and ruminal ammonia-N concentration were improved. The lambs fed with postbiotics had higher blood total protein, urea nitrogen and glucose. However, no difference was observed in blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Postbiotics increased the population of fibre degrading bacteria but decreased total protozoa and methanogens in rumen. Postbiotics increased the mRNA expression of hepatic IGF-1 and ruminal MCT-1.
CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of postbiotics from L. plantarum RG14 in newly-weaned lambs improved growth performance, nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility reflected from better rumen fermentation and microbial parameters, blood metabolites and upregulation of growth and nutrient intake genes in the post-weaning lambs.