Dietary Propionic Acid Research Articles

Evaluation of some haemolymph biochemical properties and F‐cell prevalence in hepatopancreas of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vanammei) after fed diets containing apple cider vinegar and propionic acid

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary ACV (apple cider vinegar) and PA (propionic acid) supplementation on some biochemical properties of haemolymph and fibrillar cell (F-cell) number in the hepatopancreas of shrimp. Five different diets supplemented with 0%, 1%, 2%, 4% ACV and 0.5% PA diets were fed to Litopenaeus vanammei. Some biochemical parameters of haemolymph (cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, urea, uric acid, creatinine, phosphorus, total hemocyte count) and prevalence of F-cell in hepatopancreas were examined after 60 days feeding trial. The albumin concentration and total hemocyte count in 2% and 4% ACV and PA groups were significantly higher than those of other groups (p < .05). Moreover, the highest phosphorus concentration was detected in shrimp fed 4% ACV and PA experimental diets (p < .05). No significant differences in haemolymph cortisol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and tubule area were observed among the experimental groups (p > .05). 2% ACV group showed more F-cell number in hepatopancreas than other groups while the reduction in F-cell number was observed in the PA group. Based on these observations, the tested ACV and PA diets remarkably exhibited positive impacts on nutritional value and they may be a potential for adding to shrimp diet.

Estimated ruminal digestion values and digestion end-products of concentrated mix feed after in vitro treatment with propionic acid

This study was aimed at determining the effects of propionic acid supplementation at doses of 0 (control group, PA0), 12, 24, 48 and 96 mM (PA12, PA24, PA48, and PA96) to concentrated mix feed on in vitro cumulative total gas production, methane emission, gas kinetics (potential gas production, (a + b)&lt;sub&gt;gas&lt;/sub&gt; and gas production rate, c&lt;sub&gt;gas&lt;/sub&gt;), estimated digestibility, estimated energy value and the end-products and variables of in vitro digestion (total bacteria count, the number of ciliate protozoa, volatile fatty acids, pH value and ammonia-N). Digestion treatments were carried out in an anaerobic in vitro fermenter for up to 96 h. The in vitro cumulative total gas production, (a + b)&lt;sub&gt;gas&lt;/sub&gt;, estimated metabolic energy, estimated net energy lactation and estimated organic matter digestibility and ammonia-N concentration were decreased by propionic acid up to 96 mM (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the in vitro fermenter fluid, total bacteria count, the total numbers of ciliate protozoa and the individual numbers of some ciliate protozoa (Entodiniinae, Isotricha spp. and Diplodiniinae) (P &amp;lt; 0.01) decreased linearly with increasing concentrations of dietary propionic acid. The total molar concentrations of volatile fatty acids decreased in response to propionic acid supplementation (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Dietary propionic acid elicited linear increases in the molar concentrations of propionic acid (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and butyric acid (P &amp;lt; 0.01) as proportions of total volatile fatty acids of the in vitro fermenter fluid. In contrast, molar proportions of acetic acid, the c&lt;sub&gt;gas&lt;/sub&gt;, pH values and the numbers of Dasytricha sp. were not affected by dietary propionic acid supplementation (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The addition of 12–96 mM propionic acid to concentrated mix feed decreased methane emission from the rumen and negatively affected microbiota count, feed digestibility, proteolysis, and molar volatile fatty acid values in the rumen environment.

Dietary propionic acid enhances antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of oxytetracycline on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of the dietary acidifier propionic acid (PA) when given alone or in combination with oxytetracycline (OTC) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Apparently healthy O. niloticus (n =240; 52 ± 3.75g) were randomly allocated into four equal groups (n =60/group): control group fed a basal diet alone and the other three groups fed basal diets supplemented with either PA (200mg /kg of diet, PA group) or OTC (500mg/kg of diet, OTC group) alone or in combination (PA + OTC group). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n =30/subgroup, each subgroup had triplicate of 10 fish); subgroup (A) was used to evaluate the antibacterial effects with the aforementioned 2weeks feeding regime, and subgroup (B) was used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects against Aeromonas hydrophila infection with similar 2weeks feeding regime. Among the four groups, PA + OTC group showed the highest significant (p< 0.0001) antibacterial activity as indicated by widest inhibition zones against A. hydrophila and lowest total gastrointestinal bacterial counts. Additionally, this group had the best immunomodulatory effect as noticed by a significant (p< 0.05) increase in total serum protein, globulin, IgM, phagocytic activity and index, lysosome activity, and significant (p< 0.05) upregulation in the expression levels of immunity-related genes (MHC I, MHC IIA, MHC IIB, Tlr7, IgM heavy chain, TNFα, and IL1β) in head-kidney. Notably, the combined dietary PA and OTC improved the hematological parameters and reduced the oxidative damage of hepatopancreas and head-kidney induced by OTC. This data suggests dietary PA as potential adjuvant to OTC in O. niloticus diets to get maximal antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects.

Effects of dietary propionic acid, sodium citrate, and phytase on growth performance, mineral digestibility, and tibia properties in broilers

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing a low available phosphorous (P) diet (0.14%) with phytase, propionic acid, and sodium citrate on performance, mineral metabolism, and tibia properties of broilers. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments based a completely randomized design was used to evaluate the effects of phytase (0 and 300 units kg−1), propionic acid (0% and 0.2%), and sodium citrate (0% and 3%). The phytase improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased feed intake (FI), digestibility of Ca, percentage Ca of tibia ash, and bone-breaking strength (P < .05). Broilers fed with a diet supplemented with sodium citrate had higher digestibility of Ca, and bone breaking strength than those fed the control diet (P < .01). Propionic acid increased the body weight gain (BWG) and FI was compared to the control group (P < .01). An interaction was found between phytase and sodium citrate on increasing BWG, digestibility of P, serum P content, percentage of tibia ash and P (P < .05). Supplemental sodium citrate or propionic had no significant effect on FCR, digestibility of Ca, and Ca in tibia ash (P > .05). Moreover, propionic acid supplementation to diet did not affect the percentage of tibia ash and bone breaking strength (P > .05). Results of this experiment indicated that supplementation of sodium citrate to the P-deficient diet improved the phytase effect, growth, and utilization of phytate-P.

Using Dietary Propionic Acid to Limit Salmonella gallinarum Colonization in Broiler Chicks

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary propionic acid on inhibitory effect of Salmonella gallinarum. Day-old 144 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments, three replicates per treatment. The four dietary treatments consisted of 0.0, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8% dietary propionic acid. Chicks were challenged orally on three days of age with 10 6 cfu Salmonella gallinarum. Sample of crop and cecal contents were obtained on Days 1, 8 and 15 post-inoculation. The pH of crop contents decreased significantly (p<0.01) for groups of chicks provided 1.2 and 1.8% propionic acid in the diet as compared with those provided 0.6% propionic acid and control group. The pH of cecal contents decreased significantly (p<0.01) for groups of chicks provided with 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8% of propionic acid as compared with control group. The number of Salmonella gallinarum positive culture in the crop and ceca of chicks, decreased significantly (p<0.01) from the groups provided with 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8% of propionic acid in the diet at day 1, 8 and 15 post-inoculation. The addition of 1.8% propionic acid in the diet provided a high level of protection against colonization than did 0.6 and 1.2%. These results indicate that the addition of propionic acid in a concentration of 1.2 or more to the diet of newly hatched chicks significantly decreases crop and cecal colonization by Salmonella gallinarum. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 2 : 243-246)

Role of dietary propionic acid and bile acid excretion in the hypocholesterolemic effects of oligosaccharides in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary propionic acid and bile acid excretion on the hypocholesterolemic effect of fibers. For this purpose, rats were adapted to a diet containing 10 g inulin, 10 g beta-cyclodextrin, or 2.5 g calcium propionate per 100 g diet. Both the inulin and beta-cyclodextrin diets elicited high propionic acid fermentations in the cecum (approximately 45% of total short-chain fatty acids) with relatively low molar proportions of acetic and butyric acids. In rats fed the three experimental diets, 5-7 mumol/min of propionic acid was absorbed in the portal vein, and propionic acid was entirely metabolized by the liver. Plasma cholesterol was more effectively depressed by the beta-cyclodextrin diet than by the inulin diet; the propionic acid-supplemented diet was ineffective in this respect. The inulin diet slightly increased fecal bile acid excretion, compared with the control diet, whereas beta-cyclodextrin markedly enhanced (1.8-fold) bile acid excretion. Microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity was slightly depressed in rats fed the propionic acid-supplemented diet, whereas it was enhanced by the beta-cyclodextrin diet in parallel to the activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase. The present data suggest that absorption and further hepatic metabolism of large amounts of propionic acid are not sufficient to counteract the induction of HMG-CoA reductase resulting from bile acid fecal losses. The rise of these losses plays a major role in the hypocholesterolemic effect of beta-cyclodextrin.

Effectiveness of Dietary Propionic Acid in Controlling Salmonella typhimurium Colonization in Broiler Chicks

Newly hatched broiler chicks were provided a corn/soybean meal-based ration treated with propionic acid at 30 mumol/g of feed ration. At 3 days of age, the chicks were challenged orally with 10(4) Salmonella typhimurium. Crop contents from 4-day-old chicks that were provided dietary propionic acid contained significantly higher concentrations of propionic acid (4.0 to 6.8 mumol/g crop contents) than crops from challenged control chicks provided untreated feed (0.9 to 1.5 mumol/g crop contents). Provision of dietary propionic acid on feed as a dry powder in five trials or a liquid application in three trials had no significant effect on crop or cecal pH. Significant decreases in Salmonella in the crop and ceca were detected in one trial, but the decreases were likely the result of the presence of anti-salmonellae bacteria rather than the dietary propionic acid. Results indicate that propionic acid in the feed was ineffective in reducing Salmonella infection in the crop and ceca.

Metabolism of [14 C]Propionic Acid In Broiler Chicks

Broiler chicks were given 4 or 120 μmol propionic[1-14 C] acid by gavage to determine its chemical fate and distribution of radiolabel among organs and tissues [foregut (crop, gizzard, and proventriculus), intestine (small and large), ceca, liver, and serum]. At 15 and 60 min postgavage, most of the extractable radiolabel remaining in the chicks was found in the foregut. Significantly higher percentages of the administered radiolabel were detected at 15 min in the serum and liver extracts of chicks given 120 μmol of propionic acid than in chicks given only 4 μmol. After 15 min, 41 and 30%, respectively, of the total radiolabel administered was accounted for in extracts of the digestive tract and tissues of chicks given 4 or 120 μmol of [14 C] propionic acid. Only about 12% of the administered radiolabel was extracted from body compartments at 60 min postgavage from chicks given 4 μmol of propionic acid. Collection of respired [14 C]CO2 during a 3-h postgavage period indicated that orally administered propionic acid is largely (about 75%) used as an energy source or is metabolized and assimilated into body components. The present studies indicate that little if any dietary propionic acid reaches the lower digestive tract and the ceca.

Effects of Dietary Propionic Acid on Breaking Strength and Calcium Content of the Tarsometatarsal Bone in Broiler Chickens.

Five-day-old broiler chicks of both sexes were fed the conventional diets containing 0, 1, 2, or 3% propionic acid (PA) and water ad libitum until 54 days of age, then the tarsometatarsal bone (TMT) was removed after the feeding experiment. The size, fracture and crash strength, crude ash and calcium contents of TMT were measured.1. In male chicks, no effects of dietary PA on the size of TMT were obtained but the dry weight/fresh weight of TMT was increased. In females, the diameter, dry weight and dry weight/fresh weight of TMT were increased.2. In both sexes, the elasticity, and fracture and crash strength of TMT were significantly improved by the dietary PA, in which 3% PA-fed birds showed the highest improvement in TMT strength.3. Crude ash and calcium contents of TMT also showed a positive correlation with increasing dietary PA level in both sexes.These results suggest that the dietary PA in broilers increased the breaking strength of the bone due to the elevated calcium content in the bone by activated absorption of mineral such as calcium.

INFLUENCE OF PROPIONIC ACID ON THE CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM OF PIGS FED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC DIETS

Sixty-four crossbred pigs averaging 24 kg liveweight were used to study the effects of dietary propionic acid (PA) on plasma and tissue cholesterol concentrations of pigs fed hypercholesterolemic diets for 10 wk. Four diets, based on barley, wheat and soybean meal, consisting of a control diet and a diet containing 10% tallow, both fed with and without the addition of 5% PA were used in this study. Addition of PA to the control diet decreased feed intake (ADF) by 16%, decreased average daily gain (ADG) by 8% and improved feed conversion efficiency (FCE) by 8%. Addition of tallow to the control diet resulted in a 15% reduction in ADF, a 3% improvement in ADG and an 18% improvement in FCE. When both tallow and PA were present, ADF was depressed 26%, ADG decreased 5% and FCE improved 23%. The addition of tallow significantly increased the levels of total plasma cholesterol while the addition of PA significantly decreased the plasma cholesterol levels in comparison with the control diet and prevented the increase noted in the tallow group. Addition of PA to the control diet significantly increased the cholesterol content of backfat and significantly reduced the cholesterol content of the kidneys. Addition of PA to the tallow diet significantly reduced the cholesterol content of kidneys, but did not significantly affect the cholesterol content of backfat. It is suggested that the increased cholesterol content of backfat in pigs fed diets containing PA reflects a reduced transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for excretion in the bile.

EFFECTS OF DIETARY PROPIONIC ACID ON SERUM LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS OF PIGS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH SOYBEAN MEAL OR CANOLA MEAL

Sixty-four crossbred pigs averaging 24 kg liveweight at allotment were used to study the effects of dietary propionic acid (PA) on cholesterol metabolism. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were based on either barley-soybean meal or barley-canola meal and contained either 0, 3, 6 or 9% PA. Inclusion of PA significantly reduced the levels of total serum cholesterol, associated entirely with a reduction in the high density lipoprotein fraction. There was a slight increase in the lipid content of both hearts and livers due to PA inclusion; hearts showed slight elevations in triglycerides, and livers had slightly elevated cholesterol and phospholipid levels. Pigs fed diets supplemented with soybean meal had lower levels of serum calcium, higher serum urea nitrogen, lower total serum cholesterol, lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower circulating triglycerides compared with those fed canola meal. Hearts from pigs fed soybean meal appeared to have higher levels of total lipid, indicated by increases in triglycerides and phospholipids. There were no differences in lipid composition of livers due to source of protein supplement.

INFLUENCE OF GRADED LEVELS OF DIETARY PROPIONIC ACID ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF SWINE FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH SOYBEAN MEAL OR CANOLA MEAL

Sixty-four crossbred pigs (averaging 24 kg) were used to study the effects of dietary propionic acid (PA) on backfat measurements and fatty acid (FA) composition and on rate of gain and feed:gain ratio. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets, based on either barley-soybean meal or barley-conola meal, contained either 0, 3, 6 or 9% PA. Inclusion of PA depressed feed intake in a linear manner, with daily gain being reduced when pigs received 6 or 9% PA. Feed:gain ratio did not differ significantly for PA treatments. Backfat thickness was significantly reduced by PA inclusion in the diet, while carcass grade was slightly improved. Inclusion of PA significantly increased levels of 15:0, 17:0 and 17:1 FA in the outer subcutaneous backfat layers with an accompanying decrease in 16:0 and 18:0 FA. Higher levels of odd-chain FA observed in the backfat of PA-supplemented pigs suggest that not all the propionic acid was metabolized; some is being incorporated directly into FA. Pigs fed diets containing 15.9–18.9% canola meal had reduced feed intake, lower daily gains, poorer feed:gain ratio, and reduced total backfat compared with those fed soybean meal diets. Pigs fed canola meal had higher backfat levels of 17:0 FA compared with those fed soybean meal. These results do not invalidate the current recommendation that 10% canola meal may be fed in diets of growing pigs.

FEEDING VALUE FOR DAIRY CATTLE AND PIGS OF HIGH MOISTURE CORN PRESERVED WITH PROPIONIC ACID

High moisture (HM) shelled corn (66.7% dry matter), preserved with 1.5% propionic acid, was fed as a part of the ration to 12 lactating dairy cows, seven growing dairy heifers, and 20 growing-finishing pigs. HM ensiled, shelled corn was fed to similar groups as a comparison. In addition, a third group of 12 cows received a commercial dairy supplement. Fat-corrected milk yield, persistency of milk production, milk fat and protein percentage, and rate of gain by dairy heifers were not significantly different between rations when HM corn was fed at 4.5 kg/animal/day. Average daily gains by pigs whose ration comprised 70% treated grain corn versus 70% ensiled grain corn were 0.70 and 0.63 kg (P &lt; 0.01). A nonsignificant improvement in feed efficiency was observed by heifers and pigs fed treated grain corn. Mold counts were 0 and 1200 colonies/g for treated and ensiled grain corn. There was no adverse effect of propionic acid treatment upon animal health or performance. The relationship between dietary propionic acid and synthesis of milk fat, milk protein and tissue protein are discussed.