Abstract
Simple SummaryBlack soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; BSF) is gaining interest as a functional feed additive, due to the high amount of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and monoglycerides, which provide antimicrobial activities and stimulate gastrointestinal health through inhibition of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The present study evaluated the effect of BSF and modified BSF larvae fat in broiler chicken’s diet. Overall results were comparable among the studied diets, suggesting that modified BSF larvae fat showed a positive modulation of fecal microbiota by a positive reduction in potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium and Corynebacterium, without affecting intestinal morphology or showing any adverse histopathological alternations.In this study, a total of 200 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to four dietary treatments (5 pens/treatment and 10 birds/pen) for two feeding phases: starter (0–11 days of age) and grower-finisher (11–33 days of age). A basal diet containing soy oil (SO) as added fat was used as control group (C), tested against three experimental diets where the SO was partially substituted by BSF larvae fat (BSF) or one of two types of modified BSF larvae fat (MBSF1 and MBSF2, respectively). The two modified BSF larvae fats had a high and low ratio of monobutyrin to monoglycerides of medium chain fatty acid, respectively. Diet did not influence the growth or slaughter performance, pH, color, or the chemical composition of breast and thigh muscles, gut morphometric indices, or histopathological alterations in all the organs. As far as fecal microbiota are concerned, MBSF1 and MBSF2 diets reduced the presence of Clostridium and Corynebacterium, which can frequently cause infection in poultry. In conclusion, modified BSF larva fat may positively modulate the fecal microbiota of broiler chickens without influencing the growth performance and intestinal morphology or showing any adverse histopathological alternations.
Highlights
Nowadays, the poultry industry is one the most important and fast-growing among livestock sectors
Dietary BSF larvae fat and modified BSF fat inclusion did not affect the growth performance of the broiler chickens (Table 3), even if a statistical trend was observed for LW at day 33 (p = 0.096), Average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.062 and p = 0.074, respectively), and average daily weight gain (ADG)
A positive effect on the microbiota was observed by the reduction of Clostridium. It is well-known that members of the Clostridium genus can produce toxins that can cause inflammation, necrotic enteritis, or intestinal damage [68,69]. It is well-known that poultry represent an ecological niche for Clostridium, and our results suggest that modified insect oil can have a potentially antimicrobial effect on this taxa [70]
Summary
The poultry industry is one the most important and fast-growing among livestock sectors. The use of antibiotics under long-term administration has been a strategy to prevent health problems and support productive performance. Antibiotics can modify intestinal microbiota and increase antibiotic-resistant pathogens in poultry [1]; they are currently banned in the EU due to the resistance issue. In this context, several alternatives strategies such as feed additives, prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids were used to modulate the intestinal microbiota, to develop a healthy digestive system in animals without extensive use of antibiotics, and to promote the growth performance of poultry [2]. Fats and oils are the main sources of energy as they have the highest caloric value among all ingredients
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