Abstract
The effects of replacement of maize grain with ancient wheat by-products on intestinal morphometry and enzymatic activity in laying hens was studied. Eighty hens were divided into two groups (40 each, 8 replicates, 5 hens/replicate) fed two isoproteic and isoenergetic diets. In the treated group, part of the maize was replaced by a mix of ancient grains (AGs) middling, in a 50:50 ratio of Triticum aestivum L. var. spelta (spelt) and Triticum durum dicoccum L. (emmer wheat). The AG diet affected the weight of all the large intestine tracts, decreasing the weight of caeca (p < 0.01) and increasing those of colon (p < 0.01), rectum and cloaca (p < 0.05). Villus height in the AG group was higher (p < 0.01) than the control for the duodenum and jejunum, while for the ileum, the control group showed the highest values (p < 0.01). The submucosa thickness was higher (p < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum, while the jejunum for the AG group showed the highest (p < 0.05) submucosa thickness. The crypts depth was higher (p < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum. Enzyme activity was enhanced by AGs (p < 0.01) in the duodenum. Regarding the jejunum, sucrase-isomaltase and alkaline phosphatase had higher activity (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in the AG group. In the ileum, sucrase-isomaltase showed higher activity (p < 0.01) in the control group, while alkaline phosphatase showed the highest values (p < 0.05) in the AG group. Overall, results suggested that the dietary inclusion of AGs exerted positive effects in hens, showing an improved intestinal function.
Highlights
The term “ancient wheat” indicates primitive grains that never underwent selection or breeding, retaining their wild ancestors’ patterns, such as high individual variety, brittle rachis, and low harvest index [1]
The highest concentration of such nutrients occurs in the outer layers of grains [8,9], explaining why the reduced risk of developing several diseases has been associated with an increased consumption of whole grains [10,11,12]
The spleen weight expressed as BW percentage was higher in the ancient grains (AGs) group (p < 0.05), while the percentage of abdominal fat showed higher values in the control group (p < 0.05)
Summary
The term “ancient wheat” indicates primitive grains that never underwent selection or breeding, retaining their wild ancestors’ patterns, such as high individual variety, brittle rachis, and low harvest index [1]. A rediscovery of ancient varieties took place, aiming to produce high value food products with great health benefits [2,3]. These beneficial properties were attributed to the presence of some nutrients, especially unsaturated fatty acids, soluble fibers, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals [3,4,5,6,7]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6554 used as by-products [13], which could represent an important added value brought to animal feeding. Durum wheat represents the vast world production of wheat, with the main production and cultivation areas concentrated in the Mediterranean [14], other cultivars such as spelt einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.), spelt (“ancient grains”) are still produced in small quantities (mainly for traditional foods) in recent years to meet the growing interest of the natural food market
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