Abstract
Improving the nutritional quality of unconventional feed ingredients such as fava bean by-products can enhance their utilization by broiler chickens. Hence, the quality of fermented fava bean by-products (FFB), in addition to growth, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme, and intestinal barrier-related gene expression, and serum biochemical and immunological parameters were evaluated in response to different levels of FFB. A total of 500 1-day-old broiler chicks (46.00 ± 0.388 g) were allocated to five groups with 10 replicates each (100 chicks per treatment). The first group was fed a corn–soybean diet (control diet), and the other four groups were fed a diet containing 5, 15, 25, and 35% FFB for 38 days. Birds fed 25% FFB exhibited maximum body weight gain (increase by 12.5%, compared with the control group) and the most improved feed conversion ratio. Additionally, birds fed FFB at 15, 25, and 35% showed improved dry matter and crude protein digestibility. Moreover, birds fed FFB at 25 and 35% exhibited a decrease in ileal pH and an increase in fiber digestibility (p < 0.05). Upregulation of digestive enzyme genes (AMY2A, PNLIP, and CCK) was observed in groups fed with FFB. The most prominent upregulation of genes encoding tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecules) in the duodenum was observed in chicks fed 25 and 35% FFB (increase of 0.66-, 0.31-, and 1.06-fold and 0.74-, 0.44-, and 0.92-fold, respectively). Additionally, the highest expression level of enterocyte protective genes [glucagon-like peptide (GLP-2), mucin-2 (MUC-2), and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP-6)] was detected in duodenum of chicks fed high levels of FFB. Substitution of corn–soybean diet with FFB had an inhibitory effect on cecal pathogenic microbes (Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens) and increased beneficial microflora (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium), especially at high levels. Additionally, an increase was observed in IgM and lysozyme activity, with no effect on IgA in all groups fed FFB. All levels of FFB decreased cholesterol levels. Based on our results, we concluded that substitution of corn–soybean diet with FFB can improve the growth rate and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens, enhance their intestinal barrier functions, and increase the number of beneficial microorganisms. Using FFB at 25% had a positive effect on the growth performance of broiler chickens, and it could be utilized in poultry farms.
Highlights
Increasing demand for conventional or basic feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal (SBM) in the biofuel industry and poultry ration leads to increased costs, which encourages poultry nutritionists to search for low-cost unconventional feed alternatives and locally cultivated food crops, especially from high-protein legumes [1, 2]
Each kilogram of fava bean byproducts as fermentation substrate was inoculated and mixed with 1 L distilled water containing 106 spores/ml of A. oryzae and 108 CFU/ml of L. acidophilus, B. subtilis, and L. plantarum in fermentation tanks fitted with a one-way valve to allow leakage of produced gases and obstructed air from entry for 7 days
Crude protein and fat contents were significantly increased (p < 0.05) after fermentation of fava bean by-products; crude fiber, lignin, tannins, saponins, and cyanogenic glycosides significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in fermented fava beans compared to UFFB (Table 1)
Summary
Increasing demand for conventional or basic feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal (SBM) in the biofuel industry and poultry ration leads to increased costs, which encourages poultry nutritionists to search for low-cost unconventional feed alternatives and locally cultivated food crops, especially from high-protein legumes [1, 2]. Regardless of its high nutritional value, utilization of fava beans and their by-products as an alternative to conventional feed ingredients in poultry is limited because of the presence of many anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) [9], such as vicine, convicine, tannins, protease inhibitors, oligosaccharides, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). They have a low content of sulfur-containing amino acids that reduce their nutritional value, has a negative effect on nutrient digestibility, promotes pathogen proliferation, and reduces overall animal performance [10, 11]. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of substitution of corn–soybean diets with different levels (5, 15, 25, and 35%) of FFB on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive and intestinal barrier gene expressions, cecal microbial population, and serum biochemical and immunological parameters in broiler chickens
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