Abstract
Simple SummaryThe growing interest in phytogenic products for use in feed, especially in the poultry sector, is mainly due to the improvement in the productivity parameters and gut microbiota modulation properties. For this reason, phytogenic products are becoming excellent candidates as alternatives to the use of antibiotics in animal production to mitigate the negative effects derived from their use. The aim of this study is to explore the ability of allium extract (containing garlic and onion), used as an ingredient in laying hen feed, to improve performance. The promising results obtained in the present study suggest that Allium spp. extracts had the potential to be used in feeding laying hens to improve productivity, without affecting egg quality, and to modulate the gut microbiota.The use of allium extract containing propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) as hen feed supplement was evaluated to demonstrate its positive effect on egg production and intestinal microbiota modulation. The study was carried out on 90 laying hens whose feed was supplemented with allium extract for 28 days. Nutritional properties of eggs were not affected, whereas an improvement in productivity was observed based on the increase weight of eggs. In addition, a modulator effect on intestinal microbiota was confirmed by the increase in Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., as well as by the reduction in Enterobacteriaceae populations. Finally, the preservation of egg composition was checked by monitoring the content of PTSO, using a new analytical method consisting of the use of solid phase extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Consequently, based on current results, Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds such as PTSO added to the diet had a beneficial effect on the microbiota and would seem to be a possible alternative to increase productivity, while not affecting the biochemical composition of egg. However, further studies on the effects of allium extract as feed supplement are necessary.
Highlights
Until their ban in 2006 [1], antibiotic-based growth promoters (AGP) were commonly used as supplements in animal feed due to their benefits in improving digestion efficiency and animal health status [2]
This paper proposes the use of allium extract containing the active ingredient propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) as a feed supplement for laying hens
The present study has demonstrated that the intake of allium extract containing PTSO
Summary
Until their ban in 2006 [1], antibiotic-based growth promoters (AGP) were commonly used as supplements in animal feed due to their benefits in improving digestion efficiency and animal health status [2]. A large number of studies have revealed that this type of product could improve the response of the immune system or even enhance productivity [8,9,10,11,12,13]. The use of extracts from Allium spp. as feed supplement in poultry has been extensively studied [4]. Thiosulfinates are the most bioactive OSCs, and are volatile and can evaporate, leading to largely varied final concentrations in the feed [18]. Thiosulfinates react quickly in the presence of O2, giving rise to thiosulfonates that are highly stable [14]
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