Butyric Acid Supplementation Research Articles

311 Effect of feeding butyric acid on growth performance and metabolic indicators of dairy calves before weaning: A meta-analysis

Abstract This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding butyric acid (BA) on growth performance and metabolic indicators in dairy calves. A literature search was conducted to identify in vivo research studies carried out on BA supplementation in dairy calves. Inclusion criteria were in vivo studies, dairy calves, weaning, BA, and inclusion doses of BA. Twenty-three papers with 80 data and 1,132 calves were selected. Data extracted included the number of calves in control and treatment groups and measures of variance of responses (standard error or standard deviation). The response variables were production performance including body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) feed efficiency (FE), and metabolic indicators including blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. A random effect of model was used to examine the raw mean difference and standardized mean difference between BA supplementation and the control group. The analysis was conducted using the metafor package of Rstudio. Butyric acid moderately improved the growth performance and metabolic indicators responses of calves with substantial heterogeneity (59 < I2 < 73%, P < 0.01). Final BW and ADG were increased by 2.7 kg and 48.1 g/day, or > 0.6 and > 0.4 standard deviation units (P < 0.05), respectively. However, FE was increased by BA supplementation but not significantly different. For metabolic indicators, glucose concentration was greater with BA supplementation with > 0.4 standard deviation unit, (P < 0.05). However, BA supplementation did not affect the blood concentration of BHB (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the meta-analysis results demonstrated that BA constitutes an important energy source for dairy calves. Butyric acid is effective in promoting growth performance and intestinal health and, yet, increasing production profits.

The growth-stimulating factor of Treponema phagedenis from bovine digital dermatitis lesions

Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is an infectious skin disease of the hoof characterized by painful ulcerations that cause lameness in dairy cattle. Cell-free supernatants (CFS) of Falsiporphyromonas endometrii predominantly isolated from BDD lesions had the highest growth-stimulating effect on Treponema phagedenis among BDD-associated bacteria. Butyric acid was detected at a concentration of 45.4 mM in CFS of F. endometrii, and the growth of T. phagedenis was significantly promoted by butyric acid supplementation.

Protective effects of butyric acid during heat stress on the survival, immune response, histopathology, and gene expression in the hepatopancreas of juvenile pacific shrimp (L. Vannamei)

This study looked at the effects of adding butyric acid (BA) to the diets of juvenile Pacific shrimp and how it affected their response to survival, immunity, histopathological, and gene expression profiles under heat stress. The shrimp were divided into groups: a control group with no BA supplementation and groups with BA inclusion levels of 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 2 %, and 2.5 %. Following the 8-week feeding trial period, the shrimp endured a heat stress test lasting 1 h at a temperature of 38 °C. The results showed that the control group had a lower survival rate than those given BA. Interestingly, no mortality was observed in the group receiving 1.5 % BA supplementation. Heat stress had a negative impact on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the control group. Still, these activities were increased in shrimp fed the BA diet. Similar variations were observed in AST and ALT fluctuations among the different groups. The levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) increased with high temperatures but were reduced in shrimp-supplemented BA. The activity of an antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with higher BA levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, the groups supplemented with 1.5 % BA exhibited a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P < 0.05), suggesting the potential antioxidant properties of BA. The histology of the shrimp's hepatopancreas showed improvements in the groups given BA. Conversely, the BA significantly down-regulated the HSPs and up-regulated MnSOD transcript level in response to heat stress. The measured parameters determine the essential dietary requirement of BA for shrimp. Based on the results, the optimal level of BA for survival, antioxidant function, and immunity for shrimp under heat stress is 1.5 %.

Butyric Acid Supplementation Reduces Changes in the Taxonomic and Functional Composition of Gut Microbiota Caused by H. pylori Eradication Therapy.

Twenty two H. pylori-positive patients, aged 19 to 64 years, were enrolled in the study and randomized into two treatment groups, as follows: (1) ECAB-14 (n = 11), with esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and bismuthate tripotassium dicitrate 240 mg, twice daily, per os, for 14 days, and (2), ECAB-Z-14 (n = 11), with esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and bismuthate tripotassium dicitrate 240 mg, twice daily, along with butyric acid+inulin (Zacofalk), two tablets daily, each containing 250 mg of butyric acid, and 250 mg of inulin, per os, for 14 days. Fecal samples were collected from each subject prior to eradication therapy (time point I), after the end of eradication therapy (time point II), and a month after the end of eradication therapy (time point III). The total DNA from the fecal samples was isolated for whole genome sequencing using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Qualitative and quantitative changes in gut microbiota were assessed, including alpha and beta diversity, functional potential and antibiotic resistance gene profiling. Gut microbiota alpha diversity significantly decreased compared with the baseline immediately after eradication therapy in both treatment groups (ECAB-14 and ECAB-Z-14). This diversity reached its baseline in the ECAB-Z-14 treatment group a month after the end of eradication therapy. However, in the ECAB-14 treatment arm, a reduction in the Shannon index was observed up to a month after the end of H. pylori eradication therapy. Fewer alterations in the gut microbiota functional potential were observed in the ECAB-Z-14 treatment group. The abundance of genes responsible for the metabolic pathway associated with butyrate production decreased only in the ECAB-14 treatment group. The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant genes in the gut microbiota increased significantly in both treatment groups by the end of treatment. However, more severe alterations were noted in the ECAB-14 treatment group. H. pylori eradication therapy leads to taxonomic changes, a reduction in the alpha diversity index, and alterations in the functional potential of the gut microbiota and gut resistome. Taking butyric acid+inulin supplements during H. pylori eradication therapy could help maintain the gut microbiota in its initial state and facilitate its recovery after H. pylori eradication.

The effect of butyric acid and nucleotides supplementation on broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) growth performance, immune status, intestinal histology, and serum parameters.

Butyric acid and its derivatives support the immune system, lessen inflammation, and lessen oxidative stress in broilers in addition to preserving gut homeostasis and epithelial integrity. Broiler performance has also been demonstrated to rise with the addition of nucleotides to the diet. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the effects of butyric acid and nucleotides added to feed on the overall performance, immunity, oxidant/antioxidant enzyme levels, intestinal histology, and hepatic functions of broilers. Four experimental groups of thirty chickens, each were used in the present study. The groups were assigned as a control group that received normal diet without additives, butyrate (B) group received the diet supplemented with butyric acid (250 g/ton feed), nucleotides (N) group received the diet supplemented with nucleotides (200 g/ton feed), and the fourth group received the diet supplemented with a combination of butyrate and nucleotide (BN) (250 g/ton B feed, and 200 g/ton N feed, respectively). Necrotic enteritis was produced in ten birds from each group to assess the immune-modulatory effect of these supplements, antioxidant status, intestinal histology, and liver functions were measured in all experimental groups. The addition of butyric acid and nucleotides to feed enhanced body weight, growth performance, hepatic functions, and antioxidant capabilities. Histological sections of the gut from challenged or unchallenged (with necrotic enteritis) groups in the BN group showed considerable improvement, as shown by strong proliferation in intestinal crypts and villus enterocytes. Nucleotides and butyric acid can be added to broiler feeding regimens to enhance growth and health.

Enhanced production of anteiso-branched chain fatty acids rich bacterial oil using Lentibacillus salarius strain BPIITR under furan aldehydes induced oxidative stress

Monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids (mBCFAs) are highly valuable compounds in the oleochemical industry, with diverse industrial applications including pharmaceuticals, biofuels and lubricants. In the current study, the medium components of L. salarius BPIITR were statistically optimized to produce mBCFAs-rich lipid, yielding up to 227.16 ± 16.2 mg/g dcw. The supplementation of 2-methyl butyric acid increased the lipid content to 276.42 ± 7.46 mg/g dcw, with anteiso fatty acids up to 87.59 ± 1.56 % w/w of the total lipid. The addition of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HmF) and furfural induced oxidative stress, resulting in the synthesis of lipids rich in anteiso-mBCFAs. Furfural supplementation led to a lipid accumulation of 256.49 ± 7.91 mg/g dcw, whereas with 5-HmF, it increased to 284.75 ± 8.98 mg/g dcw. Furthermore, the elongation of mBCFAs from C15:0 to C17:0 was significantly affected during oxidative stress. This study suggests that under oxidative stress conditions, the synthesis of anteiso fatty acids is favored over iso-fatty acids in L. salarius BPIITR. Additionally, value-added products such as trehalose and furan carboxylic acids were identified as potential co-products in this study, with trehalose reaching up to 255.84 ± 8.04, 163.65 ± 20.94, and 217.46 mg/g dcw in the presence of 2-methylbutyric acid, furfural, and 5-HmF, respectively. The concentration of 2-furan carboxylic acid and 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acids in the fermentation broth reached up to 4.37 ± 0.28 g/L and 2.48 ± 0.35 g/L, respectively. The utilization of short-chain fatty acids and furan aldehydes not only provided a cost-effective carbon source but also modulated the metabolic flux towards specific mBCFAs rich bacterial oil production.

The Effects of Replacing Fish Meal Protein with Black Soldier Fly Meal and Sodium Butyrate Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Lipid Peroxidation, and Intestinal Villi Status of Jade Perch, Scortum barcoo Fingerlings

This study investigated the effects of different protein sources and butyric acid contents in aquafeed on the growth, survival rate, lipid peroxidation enzymes, and intestinal villi of 7.3 g jade perch, Scortum barcoo. The experimental treatment groups were the whole fish meal protein (FM) group, the FM + butyric acid (FMB) group, the 50% fish meal protein and 50% black soldier fly meal protein (FBM) group, the FBM + butyric acid (FBMB) group, the whole black soldier fly meal protein (BM) group, and the BM + butyric acid (BMB) group. The experimental results showed that the jade perch fed with the FMB feed had a significantly higher weight gain rate and antioxidant enzyme activity than the other treatment groups. The red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit contents in the blood of jade perch were not affected by the protein source, but they increased with the addition of butyric acid. The intestinal villi length of the jade perch that were fed diets containing butyric acid were significantly higher than that of the jade perch that were fed diets without butyric acid supplementation. The results of this study show that the addition of butyric acid to a balanced feed composed of protein can contribute to the growth of jade perch.

Gut Protective Effect from D-Methionine or Butyric Acid against DSS and Carrageenan-Induced Ulcerative Colitis.

Microbiome dysbiosis resulting in altered metabolite profiles may be associated with certain diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which are characterized by active intestinal inflammation. Several studies have indicated the beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of metabolites from gut microbiota, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and/or D-amino acids in IBD therapy, through orally administered dietary supplements. In the present study, the potential gut protective effects of d-methionine (D-Met) and/or butyric acid (BA) have been investigated in an IBD mouse model. We have also built an IBD mouse model, which was cost-effectively induced with low molecular weight DSS and kappa-carrageenan. Our findings revealed that D-Met and/or BA supplementation resulted in the attenuation of the disease condition as well as the suppression of several inflammation-related gene expressions in the IBD mouse model. The data shown here may suggest a promising therapeutic potential for improving symptoms of gut inflammation with an impact on IBD therapy. However, molecular metabolisms need to be further explored.

Short-chain fatty acid-butyric acid ameliorates granulosa cells inflammation through regulating METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of FOSL2 in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome can affect the host tissue cells’ mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. This study aimed to understand the role of intestinal flora in ovarian cells inflammation by regulating mRNA m6A modification particularly the inflammatory state in PCOS. The gut microbiome composition of PCOS and Control groups was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the short chain fatty acids were detected in patients’ serum by mass spectrometry methods. The level of butyric acid was found to be decreased in the serum of the obese PCOS group (FAT) compared to other groups, and this was correlated with increased Streptococcaceae and decreased Rikenellaceae based on the Spearman’s rank test. Additionally, we identified FOSL2 as a potential METTL3 target using RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq methodologies. Cellular experiments demonstrated that the addition of butyric acid led to a decrease in FOSL2 m6A methylation levels and mRNA expression by suppressing the expression of METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase. Additionally, NLRP3 protein expression and the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were downregulated in KGN cells. Butyric acid supplementation in obese PCOS mice improved ovarian function and decreased the expression of local inflammatory factors in the ovary. Taken together, the correlation between the gut microbiome and PCOS may unveil crucial mechanisms for the role of specific gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Furthermore, butyric acid may present new prospects for future PCOS treatments.

A non-solventogenic Clostridium beijerinckii strain lacking acetoacetate decarboxylase assimilates acetate and accumulates butyrate

Clostridium beijerinckii is a remarkable biocatalyst that can perform Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation. Nevertheless, some C. beijerinckii strains lose the capacity to produce butanol. Here, we compare xylose fermentation in the presence of acetic acid and butyric acid by two C. beijerinckii strains: Br21 and ATCC 35702. The former strain is non-solventogenic (it lacks the adc gene for acetoacetate decarboxylase), whereas the latter is a known solventogenic strain capable of ABE fermentation. Fermentation of xylose alone and with acetic acid, butyric acid, or acetic and butyric acid supplementation revealed differences between strains Br21 and ATCC 35702 in terms of product profile. Strain Br21 consumed six times more acetic acid than strain ATCC 35702. External butyric acid addition helped strain ATCC 35702 to enhance butanol generation. However, butyric acid supplementation did not affect strain Br21, which was not able to reassimilate butyric acid to produce butanol. Expression of acidogenic enzymes revealed that acetoacetyl-CoA-acetate/butyrate-CoA-transferase was a key enzyme for butyric acid evolution by strain Br21. Besides xylose fermentation, strain Br21 was able to use acetic acid, a biomass hydrolysis derivative, to form butyric acid as the only fermentation product. Although C. beijerinckii Br21 was unable to form butanol, it is a promising biocatalyst for obtaining butyric acid through an unconventional pathway involving xylose fermentation and acetate assimilation.

Construction of a Microbial Consortium for the De Novo Synthesis of Butyl Butyrate from Renewable Resources.

Butyl butyrate has shown wide applications in food, cosmetic, and biofuel sectors. Currently, biosynthesis of butyl butyrate still requires exogenous addition of precursors and lipase, which increases the production cost and limits further large-scale development. In this study, a microbial consortium was first designed to realize direct butyl butyrate production from lignocellulose. The highest butyl butyrate concentration of 34.42 g/L was detected in the solvent phase from 60 g/L glucose using a microbial coculture system composed of Clostridium acetobutylicum NJ4 and Clostridium tyrobutyricum LD with the elimination of butyric acid supplementation. Meanwhile, 13.52 g/L butyl butyrate was synthesized from 60 g/L glucose using a microbial consortium composed of three strains including strain NJ4, strain LD, and Escherichia coli BL21- pET-29a(+)-LE without the addition of any exogenous precursors and lipase. In addition, 2.94 g/L butyl butyrate could be directly produced from 60 g/L microcrystalline cellulose when Trichoderma asperellum was added to the above-mentioned three-strain microbial consortium. This four-strain microbial consortium represents the first study regarding the direct butyl butyrate production from lignocellulose without the supplementation of exogenous precursors and lipase, which may be extended to the biosynthesis of other short-chain esters, such as ethyl acetate and butyl lactate.

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) supplementation alleviates dexamethasone treatment-induced oxidative stress and inflammation response in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) on growth performance, serum and liver antioxidant status, inflammation response and hematological changes, in male broiler chickens under experimentally induced stress via in-feed dexamethasone (DEX). A total of 300 male chicks (Ross 308) on day 7 after hatching, were randomly selected into four groups which were positive control group (PC, without any treatment), negative control (NC, with 1 mg/kg DEX), a third group received 1 mg/kg DEX and 100 mg/kg GABA (DG +) and the last one was (DG ++) which received 1 mg/kg DEX and 200 mg/kg GABA. Each group has five replicates (15 birds/replicate). Dietary GABA modulated DEX-induced adverse effects on body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The DEX-induced effect of serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 was reduced by dietary GABA supplementation. The activity of serum and liver superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase were enhanced and malondialdehyde was reduced by GABA supplementation. The serum levels of total cholesterol & triglyceride were higher while low-density lipoprotein & high-density lipoprotein were lower in GABA groups than NC group. GABA supplementation also significantly decreased the heterophil, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and elevated the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) than NC group. In conclusion, dietary GABA supplementation can alleviate DEX stress-induced oxidative stress and inflammation response.

Effects of Protein Source, Whole Wheat and Butyric Acid on Live Performance, Gut Health and Amino Acid Digestibility in Broiler Chickens.

A total of 896 1-day-old straight-run (Ross-308) broilers were used to investigate the interactive effects of protein source (PS), diet structure (DS) and butyric acid (BA) on live performance and carcass characteristics, gut development and its morphology and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of protein and amino acids (AA). Eight experimental diets comprising 8 replicates with 14 birds each were tested in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with complete randomized design by two levels of BA (0 and 0.1%), two forms of DS (whole vs. ground wheat) and two PS, i.e., soybean meal and canola meal (SBM vs. CM). Throughout the entire experimental period (0 to 35 d), broilers fed SBM-based diets exhibited better (p < 0.05) growth performance (feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)), carcass parameters (p < 0.05), gut health (p < 0.05), and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) than CM-fed broilers. Dietary whole wheat (WW) positively affected FI (p = 0.001), BWG (p = 0.004) and FCR (p = 0.035) during the overall experimental period. Broilers fed WW had 6, 5, 8, 11 and 10% lower empty relative weights of crop, proventriculus, jejunum, ileum and colon and 25 and 15% heavier gizzard and pancreas, respectively, with longer villus height (p < 0.001), reduced crypt depth (p = 0.031) and longer villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.001) than those fed ground-wheat-based diets. Broilers fed WW had greater (p < 0.05) AID of CP and most of the AA. Butyric acid supplementation resulted in improved (p < 0.05) growth performance and digestibility of threonine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, serine and aspartate. The broilers consuming SBM had 28% lower abdominal fat than those fed CM-based diets. In conclusion, harmful consequences of a less digestible PS can partially be compensated by the inclusion of WW, and supplementation of BA further reduces these detrimental effects.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals mode of action of butyric acid supplementation in an intensified CHO cell fed‐batch process

Process intensification is increasingly used in the mammalian biomanufacturing industry. The key driver of this trend is the need for more efficient and flexible production strategies to cope with the increased demand for biotherapeutics predicted in the next years. Therefore, such intensified production strategies should be designed, established, and characterized. We established a CHO cell process consisting of an intensified fed‐batch (iFB), which is inoculated by an N‐1 perfusion process that reaches high cell concentrations (100 × 106 c ml−1). We investigated the impact of butyric acid (BA) supplementation in this iFB process. Most prominently, higher cellular productivities of more than 33% were achieved, thus 3.5 g L−1 of immunoglobulin G (IgG) was produced in 6.5 days. Impacts on critical product quality attributes were small. To understand the biological mechanisms of BA in the iFB process, we performed a detailed transcriptomic analysis. Affected gene sets reflected concurrent inhibition of cell proliferation and impact on histone modification. These translate into subsequently enhanced mechanisms of protein biosynthesis: enriched regulation of transcription, messenger RNA processing and transport, ribosomal translation, and cellular trafficking of IgG intermediates. Furthermore, we identified mutual tackling points for optimization by gene engineering. The presented strategy can contribute to meet future requirements in the continuously demanding field of biotherapeutics production.

Indole-3-butyric acid mediated growth and biochemical enhancement in three Selenastracean green microalgae under limited supply of nitrogen source

The effects of Indole–3–butyric acid (IBA) supplementation in combination with nitrogen limitation on the biomass, biochemical and fatty acid composition of three selenastracean microalgae were studied. In the algae tested, nitrogen deficiency alone resulted in lower biomass output, whereas supplementation with 0.075 mM IBA resulted in increased biomass production on Selenastrum capricornutum (679 mg L−1), Ankistrodesmus falcatus (521 mg L−1) and Kirchneriella obesa (361 mg L−1) than their respective controls. The chlorophyll content of the algae showed a negative correlation with IBA dosage. Whilst it could significantly stimulate carotenoid biosynthesis in S. capricornutum and nitrogen limited (NL) alone, it influenced carotene production in both A. falcatus and K. obesa. Among the treatments, NL+ 0.075 mM IBA markedly increased the total lipid content to 1.2-fold in S. capricornutum, 0.81-fold in A. falcatus and 0.35-fold in K. obesa, with higher lipid productivity than control. NL+ 0.05 mM IBA significantly increased the amount of saturated fatty acids and NL+ 0.075 mM IBA significantly increased the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in all members of the Selenastraceae family under study. Thus, the study promises the importance of Selenastraceae members as a valuable feedstock for various process industries.

PSVIII-8 Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Cold-Pressed Canola Cake-Based Diets with Soluble Fiber Source or Feed Additives

Abstract Effects of soluble fiber source or feed additive supplementation in cold-pressed canola cake (CPCC) containing diets on growth performance, organ weights, and blood thyroid hormones, and pH of digesta of broilers were investigated. A total of 96 one-day-old broilers were assigned to 6 dietary treatments, consisting of 8 cages of 2 birds each. The diets included a corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based diet and corn-SBM-CPCC 20% diets without or with barley, acidifier, encapsulated butyric acid, and probiotics. Birds were fed a commercial diet for the first week and fed experimental diets for 2 weeks. Body weight (BW) and feed intake of broilers were measured on d 7 and 21. On d 21, all birds were euthanized to collect samples of blood, organs, and digesta. Collected blood samples were analyzed for serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), and pH of digesta in gizzard, ileum, ceca, and large intestine was measured. Broilers fed CPCC diet with butyric acid or probiotics had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) growth performance than broilers fed CPCC diet. There were no significant differences in relative weights of thyroid glands and liver to BW. Supplementation of either butyric acid or probiotics in CPCC diets reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) serum T3 concentration compared with CPCC diet by 34% and 21%, respectively. Also, supplementation of butyric acid in CPCC diet showed no difference in serum T3 concentration compared with corn-SBM diet. Dietary treatments in CPCC diets did not affect pH of digesta in gizzard and ileum, whereas supplementation of barley or acidifier decreased pH of cecal digesta compared with that of broilers fed CPCC diet by 0.5 and 0.51 pH units, respectively. Supplementation of encapsulated butyric acid in the 20% CPCC diet can improve growth performance of broilers by mitigating the toxic effects of dietary CPCC as evidenced by reduced serum T3 concentration.

In vivo bioavailability and in vitro toxicological evaluation of the new butyric acid releaser N-(1-carbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl) butyramide

A large body of evidence suggests that supplementation of butyric acid exerts beneficial intestinal and extra-intestinal effects. Unfortunately, unpleasant sensorial properties and unfavourable physico-chemical properties strongly limit its use in food supplements and foods for medicinal purposes. N-(1-carbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl) butyramide (FBA) is a new butyric acid releaser in solid form with neutral sensorial properties. The aim of this investigation is to provide preliminary information on its pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties through the study of a) in vivo bioavailability of FBA administered by oral gavage to male and female Swiss CD1 mice in comparison with sodium butyrate, b) the influence of digestion on FBA stability through an in vitro simulated oro-gastro-duodenal digestion process, and c) in vitro toxicological profile by means of the Ames Test and Micronucleus Test. The results reveal that FBA is a good butyric acid releaser, being able to increase butyrate serum concentration in a dose and time dependent manner in both male and female mice with a pharmacokinetic profile similar to that obtained from sodium butyrate as such. These data are confirmed by investigating the influence of digestion on FBA, which undergoes extensive hydrolysis following oro-gastro-duodenal digestion, especially in duodenal conditions, with a residual concentration of less than 10% of the initial FBA concentration. Finally, in the Ames and Micronucleus Tests, FBA does not show any in vitro genotoxicity as it is non mutagenic in the Ames Test and results to be unable to induce chromosome breaks in the Micronucleus Test. In conclusion, FBA is a new butyric acid releaser that can overcome the disadvantages of butyric acid while maintaining the same pharmacokinetic properties and safety profile, as shown by the results of the preliminary in vitro toxicological studies performed in this investigation.

Optimization for simultaneous enhancement of biobutanol and biohydrogen production

Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation guarantees a sustainable route for biohydrogen and biobutanol production. This research work is committed towards the enhancement of biohydrogen and biobutanol production by single and multi-parameter optimization for the improvement of substrate energy recovery using C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum. Single parameters optimization (SPO) manifested that headspace of 60% (v/v) and butyric acid supplementation of 9 g/L and temperatures of 30 °C and 37 °C were suitable for obtaining maximum biohydrogen and biobutanol production, respectively. The interaction between these parameters was further evaluated by implementing a 5-level 3-factor Central Composite Design (CCD). In the present study, a central composite design was employed to enhance the biohydrogen and biobutanol production. In addition, the experimental results were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as artificial neural network (ANN). The prediction capability of RSM was further compared with ANN for predicting the optimum parameters that would lead to maximum biohydrogen and biobutanol production. ANN yielded higher values of biohydrogen and biobutanol. ANN was found to be superior as compared to RSM in terms of prediction accuracy for both biohydrogen and biobutanol because of its higher coefficient of determination (R2) and lower root mean square error (RMSE) value. Process temperature (32.65 °C), headspace (58.21% (v/v)) and butyric acid supplementation (9.16 g/L) led to maximum substrate energy recovery of 78% with biohydrogen and biobutanol production of 5.9 L/L and 16.75 g/L, respectively. Process parameter optimization led to a significant increase in substrate energy recovery from Biphasic fermentation.

Effect of feeding organic acid on blood biochemical parameters in commercial broiler

Present study was conducted for 6 weeks to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of organic acid (Butyric acid) on the blood biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 400) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments and each treatment was replicated three times with 15 birds/replicate. The first treatment (T1) served as control in which basal diet was offered without organic acid supplementation while in T2, T3 and T4 groups, the basal diet was supplemented with butyric acid at the rate of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively. The blood biochemical parameters e.g. total protein, uric acid, AST, ALP ALT and cholesterol were observed. Though blood biochemical parameters and liver enzyme activity varied from control, all the values in control and supplemented groups were in normal physiological range. The results indicated that supplementation of butyric acid up to the level of 1.5% of improves the blood biochemical parameters in commercial broiler.

Physiological changes of giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) fed with high plant protein with and without supplementation of organic acid

This study was conducted to identify the effects of organic acid supplementation on 50 % replacement of fishmeal by soybean meal on the growth performance, hepatic condition and intestinal histology of giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus. Giant grouper juveniles were fed three different diets, 50 % fishmeal protein replacement with soybean meal (SBM50), 50 % fishmeal protein replacement with soybean meal added 1% butyric acid supplementation (SBM50 + 1%) and fishmeal diet (FM) as the control. All diets were formulated isoproteic (48 %) and isolipidic (12 %). Experimental fishes were cultured in a recirculating system and fed twice daily until apparent satiation level. Growth performance, hepatic condition and histological changes were observed in the feeding trial. Highest growth was seen in fish fed FM (p < 0.05), followed by SBM50 and SBM50 + 1% showed the lowest growth. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) was also observed in fish fed FM (p < 0.05) followed by fish fed SBM50 and SBM50 + 1%. Meanwhile, hepatic superoxide dismutase activity of fish fed FM was higher, followed by SBM50 + 1% and SBM50 not significant and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of fish fed FM was significantly lower (p<0.05) followed by SBM50 + 1% and SBM50. Fish fed FM also showed significantly bigger hepatocytes (p < 0.05) and significantly higher glycogen content (p < 0.05) compared to SBM50 and SBM50 + 1%. On the other hand, inclusion of 1% butyric acid helped in mitigating intestinal inflammation caused by soybean meal although not significant. Findings from this study showed that 1% butyric acid did not help in optimizing high levels of plant based protein for giant grouper juveniles.