Combination of Antimicrobial Starters for Feed Fermentation: Influence on Piglet Feces Microbiota and Health and Growth Performance, Including Mycotoxin Biotransformation in vivo.

Laurynas Vadopalas,Iveta Pugajeva,Erika Mozuriene,Vadims Bartkevics,Ingars Reinolds,Modestas Ruzauskas,Egle Zokaityte,Vita Lele,Romas Gruzauskas,Agila Dauksiene,Vytaute Starkute,Elena Bartkiene,Paulina Zavistanaviciute,Sarunas Badaras,Dovile Klupsaite

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.528990

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply a combination of the microbial starters Lactobacillus uvarum LUHS245, Lactobacillus casei LUHS210, Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29, and Pediococcus pentosaceus LUHS183 for feed fermentation and to evaluate the influence of fermentation on feed acidity and microbiological characteristics, as well as on the piglet feces microbiota, health, and growth performance. Additionally, mycotoxin biotransformation was analyzed, including masked mycotoxins, in feed and piglet feces samples. The 36-day experiment was conducted using 25-day-old Large White/Norwegian Landrace (LW/NL) piglets with an initial body weight of 6.9–7.0 kg, which were randomly distributed into two groups (in each 100 piglets): control group, fed with basal diet (based on barley, wheat, potato protein, soybean protein concentrate, and whey powder), and treated group, fed with fermented feed at 500 g kg−1 of total feed. Compared to a commercially available lactic acid bacteria (LAB) combination, the novel LAB mixture effectively reduced feed pH (on average pH 3.65), produced a 2-fold higher content of L(+) lactic acid, increased viable LAB count [on average 8.8 log10 colony-forming units (CFU) g−1], and led to stable feed fermentation during the entire test period (36 days). Fecal microbiota analysis showed an increased number of probiotic bacteria in the treated group, particularly Lactobacillus, when compared with the control group at the end of experiment. This finding indicates that fermented feed can modify microbial profile change in the gut of pigs. In treated piglets' blood (at day 61), the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher, but the levels of T4, glucose, K, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and urea were significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) compared with the control group. Mycotoxin analysis showed that alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and altenuene were found in 61-day-old control piglets' feces and in fermented feed samples. However, AME was not found in treated piglets' feces. Feed fermentation with the novel LAB combination is a promising means to modulate piglets' microbiota, which is essential to improve nutrient absorption, growth performance, and health parameters. The new LAB composition suggests a novel dietary strategy to positively manipulate fermented feed chemicals and bio-safety and the piglet gut microbial ecology to reduce antimicrobials use in pig production and increase local feed stock uses and economical effectiveness of the process.

Highlights

Veterinary drugs are widely used in animal production
The feed fermentation process was performed according to the scheme in Figure 1A, and pure lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cultures were not added during the experimental period
There was a similar tendency for this measure during the entire 35-day evaluated period: 8.6 log10 CFU g−1 in feed fermented with the commercial LAB combination and 8.8 log10 CFU g−1 for feed fermented with the novel combination (Figure 2B)

Summary

Introduction

Veterinary drugs are widely used in animal production This use has become a problem because pathogens develop resistance to antimicrobials, and the drugs can reach the soil and water through the animal excreta and act as serious environment pollutants [1,2,3]. Research has suggested a myriad of nutritional strategies to improve animal health, productivity, and production quality. Most of these methods use feed supplements (plant and/or microbial) that stimulate a suitable intestinal ecosystem. Most of the LAB can ferment carbohydrates and reduce pH, an action that leads to a more acidic environment and suppression of pathogenic bacteria growth [5]. LUHS245 strain showed antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, LUHS 210 and LUHS29 showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica, while hemp seed fermented with LUHS183 and LUHS245 showed inhibition of Pasteurella multocida [8]

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Conclusion