Increasing productivity, improving the quality and environmental safety of poul-try products when using probiotic feed additives

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination threaten poultry health, feed safety, and global food security. Mycotoxins result in reduced poultry growth, nutrient absorption, and a compromised immune system, causing severe financial losses. The rise of antibiotic resistance due to excessive antibiotic use in poultry also necessitates alternative strategies. Total 28 strains were isolated from the gut of indigenous Aseel and broiler chickens. Strains SB1, SB2, and SD2 completely inhibited Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, and Fusarium proliferatum and were assessed via spore germination and mycotoxin reduction assays. The strains significantly inhibited fungal spore germination (up to 91.7 ± 0.3%;P ≤ 0.001) and reduced aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and fumonisin production by 91.6 ± 1.2%, 93.6 ± 0.6%, and 93.0 ± 0.5%, respectively. FTIR analysis of bacterial metabolites revealed shifts in peaks at 1467-3240cm- 1, indicating the presence of various functional groups. LC-MS/MS metabolomics, supported by multivariate analysis, revealed that metabolites were enriched with antifungal and mycotoxin-reducing compounds, including phenylacetic acid. Metabolites showed zones of inhibition up to 38.0 ± 1.1mm against A. flavus, up to 36.0 ± 0.5mm against A. ochraceus, and up to 34.0 ± 0.5mm ZOI against F. proliferatum (P ≤ 0.0001). They also showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations and fungicidal concentrations between 3 and 5 µLmL- 1 (P ≤ 0.001). 16S rRNA sequencing identified SB1 as Bacillus subtilis (PV569530), SB2 as Bacillus clausii (PV569531), and SD2 as Bacillus sp. (PV569532). Thus, this study highlights the microflora of indigenous Aseel chickens as a potential source of antifungal and mycotoxin-reducing compounds, offering a sustainable approach to control fungal and mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed. As this study did not involve higher animals, no clinical trial number was required.

The intensification of animal husbandry prompts producers to use modern technologies that are safe for humans and promote the welfare and health of animals. Despite the long time spent studying the effectiveness of probiotics, questions regarding the optimal composition and period of rational use of probiotic feed additives (PFA) for young animals, in particular as alternative to the use of antibiotics remain relevant. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic feed additive on clinical and biochemical parameters in healthy calves (Black-and-white breed, 1 day to 1 year of age) from different physiological groups and preventive efficiency. The use of PFA (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) at all stages of growing calves had a positive effect on growth indicators, increased live weight of animals and average daily weight gain, allowing for more efficient use of feed, mitigation of the production stress and obtaining greater profits from intensive animal breeding, sales of ecological products, and the reduction of costs for veterinary services. Thus, it is advised to feed PFA in the neonatal period for the formation of intestinal microbiocenosis; at the age of 1-2 months: in order to correct the immune reactivity; at the age of 3 months - to improve the processes of rumen formation. The PFA, additionally supplemented with Sacharomyces serevisiae, can correct the immune reactivity of 1-2 months old calves; improved the processes of rumen formation at the age of 3 months; and prepared heifers for mating at the age of 12 months. The obtained results experimentally substantiated the use of probiotics within the framework of the WHO Global Action Plan on Anti­microbial Resistance - it has been proven that the prevention of diarrhoea and/or bronchopneumonia as a result of the use of probiotics, even in one calf, allowed avoiding at least 4-6 days of antibacterial therapy that reduced the risks of formation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial clones, in particular zoonotic agents.

Relevance. In the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in the rearing of young animals, the restoration of intestinal biocenosis with the use of probiotics — bacterial preparations from live microbial cultures is of great importance.The purpose of the research is to study the effect of probiotic feed additives Klyuver Pro and BeneFIT Basic on growth dynamics, feed costs and blood parameters of Saanen goats.Methods. The studies were carried out at LLC «Lukoz Saba» of the Sabinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. The object of the study is the kids of the Saanen breed at the age of seven days. Scientific and economic experience was carried out according to the method of analogues. The chemical composition and nutritional value of feed, the dynamics of changes in live weight, the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of goats were studied. Statistical data processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel. A difference of p ≥ 0.05 was considered significant.Results. Probiotic feed additives Kluver Pro and BeneFIT Basic activate metabolic processes in the body of kids, increase the digestibility and assimilation of feed, which has a positive effect on the growth and development of animals, and reduce feed costs. The live weight of goats treated with probiotics increased (compared with the control) by 7.7% (p ≥ 0.05) and 3.6%. Feed costs decreased per 1 kg of live weight gain decreased by 13.6% and 10.1%.In the blood of animals treated with probiotics, there was an increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes. In animals of the second group, these indicators increased by 17.4%, 31.7 g/l (39.3%) (p ≥ 0.001) and 4.45 ˟ 1012/l (77.1%) (p ≥ 0.001), in animals the third group — respectively, by 7.5%, 7.7 g / l (9.5%) (p ≥ 0.001) and 1.63 ˟ 1012/l (28.2%), as well as a significant decrease in ESR — by 0, 37 mm/g and 0.18 mm/g (p ≥ 0.001), calcium content by 20% and 24.2% (p ≥ 0.05).

У роботі наведені результати досліджень у виробничих умовах сільськогосподарського підприємства щодо ефективності двократного, частково триразового та триразового доїння корів у зв’язку з їх переведенням із прив’язного утримання на безприв’язне боксове та введенням зеленої маси у склад кормосуміші.

Ensuring a well-organised and sustainable feed base is the main condition for the development of animal husbandry, increasing its productivity and product quality. To ensure active growth and high productivity, probiotic feed additives are added to the feed, which increase the immune response of the host organism to pathogenic microorganisms, increases the conversion of feed and live weight gain. One of the main processes of feed production is extrusion, which can be cold, warm and hot. The hot extrusion process takes place at a temperature above 130℃ and cannot be used in the production of compound feeds with probiotics that withstand temperatures up to 85℃. During cold extrusion, the temperature reaches no higher than 70℃, which allows the extrusion of mixed feed mass, which contains probiotic feed additives.

The input of restrictions on the use of antibiotics makes it necessary to take a fresh look at the problem of safe production of food products in the poultry industry. Reduction in the use of antibiotic growth promoters can be achieved through the introduction of new technological solutions. The purpose of the work was the scientifi c and industrial justifi cation for the application of Profort® and Probiocid®-Ultra feed additives in the diets of industrial herd of broiler chickens. As a result of the work probiotic microorganisms included in the feed additives their potential role and safety in ensuring the well-being of health and optimizing digestion processes when rearing broilers were studied. The practical significance of Profort® and Probiocid®-Ultra additives and the possibility of their use instead of feed antibiotics were studied. The feasibility of combined use of Profort® and Probiocid®-Ultra additives was proven. The use of these feed additives allows us to abandon the use of feed antibiotics while maintaining the productivity and health indicators of poultry and at the same time increase the efficiency of feed resource use. The feed additives Probiocid®-Ultra and Profort® had a positive effect on the productivity of broiler chickens. The inclusion of these additives allowed to increase the survivability of chickens by 2.5 abs.%, reduce feed intake per unit of output by 19 g and obtain 6905 kg or 4.0 % more output in live weight, i.e. 3885 kg or 2.6 % more meat for sale. It is recommended to introduce Profort® feed additive (0.5 kg/t of compound feed) together with Probiocid®-Ultra (1 kg/t of compound feed) into the diet of broiler chickens with limited use of feed antibiotics in order to increase the survivability of broiler chickens, average daily live weight gain, slaughter weight and reduce feed costs.

Antibiotics are growing environmental contaminants leading to public health concern. Antibiotics are commonly used as growth promoters and therapeutic agents in poultry feed that are not completely metabolized in the body tissues of chicken, get deposited in meat as parent compounds, and ultimately excreted via poultry droppings into the environment. These antibiotics in the soil result into the creation of antibiotic resistance in bacteria via activation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The development of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) lead to huge physical and economic losses, as these bacteria cannot be treated with commonly used antibiotics. Moreover, these antibiotics after entering into food chains seriously affect the human immune system, growth, and metabolism of the body. Therefore, to reduce the future health risks of antibiotics, there is a dire need to understand the fate of poultry antibiotics and spread of ARGs in the soil environment. In this manuscript, we reviewed the existing literature about the antibiotics used in the poultry sector, soil contamination through application of poultry manures, and development of ARB in environment. An attempt has been done to present a better understanding of emerging contaminants (ARGs, ARB) in the soil environment and their associated human health effects. In this paper, we summarized the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector, persistence of antibiotics in animal body, and their release into environment. Transfer mechanism of antibiotics and their metabolites to the human body and their fatal effects have been investigated. Developments of ARB and ARGs in the soil due to excessive use of veterinary antibiotics have been highlighted. Poultry antibiotics are causing human health risks by development of ARGs and ARB. Such antibiotic resistance cannot be treated with common antibiotics. Therefore, effective measures are needed to control this emerging problem by improving the efficiency of antibiotics, reducing the spread of resistance genes, and proper monitoring of antibiotics in poultry feed and manure. Manure composting and biochar application are the possible ways to reduce the risk and spread of ARGs in environment due to manure application in agriculture field. The pathways that allow antibiotic, ARGs, and ARB to move through the environment are not fully understood and there is a need for further research to make clear the reservoirs and routes of antibiotic-related contaminants in the ecosystem.

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: Case report and systematic review

The article examines innovative approaches to the use of acidifiers in animal husbandry, their impact on animal productivity and health, as well as intellectual property aspects associated with the development and implementation of such solutions. The growing demand for animal products, in particular meat and eggs, leads to an increase in the number of animals and poultry and the need for effective solutions for their complete nutrition. This increases the demand for effective feed additives. The market for feed acidifiers is actively gaining momentum, as they meet modern requirements for efficient, safe and economical farming. Acidifiers help maintain an optimal pH level in the digestive system of animals, which contributes to better absorption of nutrients and reduces the risk of digestive disorders. They also stimulate the development of beneficial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract, which has a positive effect on the general condition of animals. In many countries, stricter restrictions on the use of antibiotics in livestock farming are being introduced due to concerns about bacterial resistance to drugs. Therefore, acidifiers are becoming an effective alternative to maintaining animal health without the use of antibiotics. In addition, acidifiers can increase the efficiency of feed processing, which allows you to reduce feed costs and increase the feed conversion ratio. This is important for farmers, as it allows achieving better results at lower costs. With the development of industrial animal husbandry, there is a need for more effective feeding methods, which makes feed acidifiers an important tool in maintaining animal health and productivity. The article examines the global and domestic market for acidifiers. A literature review of the results of the use of feed acidifiers in animal and poultry feeding by leading domestic scientists is presented. The results of tests are presented, which showed that the use of feed acidifier in feeding young pigs has a significant effect on biochemical blood parameters, meat quality and animal growth rate. Other data showed that adding acidifiers to the diet of broiler chickens contributed to an increase in survival, leads to feed savings while increasing productivity. The article also presents the main prospects, problems of using acidifiers in compound feed production and ways to solve them.

Biotechnological advances in animal health and nutrition continue to play a significant role in the improvement of animal health, growth, and production performance. These biotechnological advancements, especially the use of direct-fed microbials, also termed probiotics, those genetically modified and otherwise, have minimized many challenges facing livestock production around the world. Such advancements result in healthy animals and animal products, such as meat, for a growing population worldwide. Increasing demand for productivity, healthy animals, and consumer food safety concerns, especially those emanating from excessive use of antibiotics or growth promoters, are a driving force for investing in safer alternatives, such as probiotics. The advent of vastly diverse pathogens and bacterial organisms, some of which have acquired antimicrobial resistance due to therapeutic use of these antibiotics, has had a negative impact on the animal and food industries. Probiotics have been chosen as substitutes to counter this excessive use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Over the last decade, probiotics have gained recognition, increased in importance, and stimulated growing interest in the animal health and nutrition industry. Probiotics are considered to be favorable live microorganisms by the host organism by maintaining microbial homeostasis and healthy gut, and can be a viable alternative to antibiotics in addition to providing other growth-promoting properties. Even though various studies describe the modes of action of probiotics, more research is needed to illuminate the exact mechanism of action of probiotics and how they benefit the host. This review describes the importance of probiotics in animal health, nutrition, and in growth and production performance. It also provides a thorough review of recent advances in probiotics research and application in animal health and nutrition and future directions on probiotic research to enhance animal performance.

Antibiotic resistance is a topic of global concern these days. Irrational, excessive use of antibiotics by the general public is one of the key factors responsible for this. Through this study, we aim to analyse the knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotics use among parents of children presenting to a tertiary care hospital in India. Also, correlate it with the gender, education level and previous use of antibiotics by the parents. A cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai, India from September to November 2014 and a total of 1000 parents were interviewed using a questionnaire designed by the authors. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of data. A total of 872 parents were included in the study. Around one in every four (28%) parents correctly identified that antibiotics are used against bacterial infections while only 15.5% parents knew the meaning of the term antibiotic resistance. Majority of the respondents appreciated that unnecessary use of antibiotics could harm the child (73.6%). It was noteworthy that 85.2% parents stated that they don't use leftover antibiotics from the previous prescription for the next time without doctor's consult. Males, parents with higher level of formal education and use of antibiotics previously were found to have more knowledge regarding antibiotics and lesser misconceptions (p<0.05). Overall, in this study it was found that misconceptions exist about the use and indications of antibiotics. Lack of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance was prevalent. But participants were aware of the risks associated with use of excessive antibiotics. More interaction with paediatricians and involvement of mass media may help to improve the antibiotics knowledge and practices among parents and consequently, control the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Maintaining albumen quality and reducing feed costs in laying hens through glycine and serine supplementation in low-protein diets

The improvement in the growth of birds through the use of antibiotics could be obtained by reducing the count of harmful microorganisms, providing beneficial ones by suitable growth media, decreasing the thickness of gut mucosa and regulating the motility of gut, leading to better absorption of nutrients. However, achieving these desirable goals is not devoid of risks. Where, the frequent and improper use of antibiotics can reverse their therapeutic advantages through giving the opportunity to any existent microorganism to develop antibiotic resistance, which can hinder the effectiveness of antibiotics as chemotherapeutic or prophylactic agents in poultry. Additionally, antibiotic resistance genes can be transmitted to the natural environment and contaminate soil, water and plants. Moreover, the indiscriminate application of antibiotics could result in the accumulation of noticeable amounts of drug residues (the parent compounds or their injurious metabolites) in the edible tissues of poultry, including eggs and meat, which are very important sources in human feeding. The residues of antibiotics in poultry products can result in various pathological conditions and hazardous impacts on human health, such as being sensitive to antimicrobials in addition to allergy, cell mutations, imbalanced microbiota in the intestine and the development of bacteria resistance to antibiotics. This chapter describes the benefits and the hazards of using antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry feeding.

Introduction: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a disease that often occurs in developing countries after upper respiratory tract infections. The incidence of UTI in 2018 in Indonesia is quite high, ranging from 39-60%. Antibiotics are the main therapy for UTIs, but excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause occurrence of antibiotic resistance. Objective: This study aims to quantitatively analyze patterns of antibiotic use in UTI patients at the NTB Provincial Hospital in 2019. Methods: This type of research is descriptive in nature using a cross-sectional design. There were 47 patients in case who were diagnosed with UTI ith the ICD-X code N39.0, which means the UTI suffered by the patient was a non-specidic type of UTI. Quantitative use of antibiotics was calculated using the ATC/DDD method according to WHO standards. Results: The total value of DDD/100 Patient-days was 51.26 with ceftriaxone as an antibiotic with the highest DDD/100 patient-days value of 19.78 and had the largest value in the 90% DU segment, which was 38.59%. Conclusion: Regular evaluation of antibiotic use is needed to minimize excessive use of antibiotics so that rational antibiotic use can be achieved.

The excessive and uncontrolled use of synthetic antibiotics in poultry farms promotes the emergence of resistant germs, leading to health problems, reduced performance and increased mortality, which results in significant economic losses. This study aims to reduce the use of these antibiotics by proposing natural therapeutic alternatives. More specifically, it aims to evaluate the effect of the organic feed additive Alpha-Bio+ as alternative to chemical antibiotics on zootechnical performance and coccidial load. The study, conducted on 600 Lohmann Brown chicks at Nangui Abrogoua University, compared a control batch (conventional veterinary prophylaxis) with an experimental batch treated with the organic feed additive Alpha-Bio+ as a substitute for antibiotics. All subjects were raised under identical conditions. The evaluated parameters included feed intake (FI), body weight, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, and parasitic load. The results showed a slight improvement in body weight and ADG in the experimental batch. Furthermore, this batch recorded a significantly better FCR at the end of the rearing period, along with a markedly lower parasitic load, with no observed reinfection, unlike the control batch. Alpha-Bio+ thus proved to be an effective alternative to conventional veterinary treatments, improving both zootechnical performance and digestive health in pullets.