Digestive Tract Of Chickens Research Articles

Modulation of chicken gut microbiota for enhanced productivity and health: A review.

Microbiota in the digestive tract has become an interesting topic for researchers in recent years. The profile of chicken digestive tract microbiota and its relationship with health and production efficiency have become basic data for modulating the diversity and abundance of the digestive tract microbiota. This article reviews the techniques used to analyze the diversity, role, and function of the gastrointestinal microbiota and the mechanisms by which they are modulated. The gut microbiota plays an important role in animal production, especially during feed digestion and animal health, because it interacts with the host against pathogens. Feed modulation can be a strategy to modulate gut composition and diversity to increase production efficiency by improving growth conditions.

Response of Digestive Tract Size In Indonesian Native Chickens Fed Indigofera sp.

The development of Balitbangtan native chicken through tractic feed is continually being advocated by the Indonesian government to enhance poultry protein consumption. Indigofera sp. is known for its flavonoid, tannin, and saponin content, which act as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents for chicken digestive tract. The study aimed to investigate the response of Balitbangtan chicken’s digestive tract size substituted with Indigofera sp. A total of 40 chickens were used in four treatments with five replications. The four treatments were T0 (25% concentrate + 35% rice bran + 40% maize); T1 (T0 with substitution of concentrate with 10% Indigofera sp. meal); T2 (T1 + 2cc/l Bio-B); and T3 (22% concentrate + 31.5% rice bran + 10% Indigofera sp. meal + 36.5% maize). The collection of digestive tracts was measured by unit/100g. Data were analyzed using ANOVA by SPSS 26. Overall, the treatments did not differ significouldtly in digestive tract size (p>0.05). Treatment T1 showed great size of crop, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, cecum, colon, and pancreas sizes compared to T0, T2, and T3. In conclusion, the substitution of 10% Indigofera sp. meal in T1 resulted the best response in Balitbangtan chicken’s digestive tract size.

Probiotic supplementation as an alternative to antibiotics in broiler chickens.

The broiler chicken digestive tract microbiome maintains the bird's immunity. Its composition has been shown to be important not only for the immune system but also for the gastrointestinal function and productivity of broiler chickens. If the microbiome is populated by supplementation with Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Saccharomyces spp. - microorganisms with probiotic properties and alternatives to antibiotics - the immune system is stimulated. The use of probiotic supplements in the broiler production cycle can boost bird immunity and prevent adenovirus infection. The resilience of broiler chickens in different feeding schemes including supplementation with these microorganisms was assessed. Four groups of Ross 308 chickens vaccinated on the standard scheme were investigated over 42 days. Group P received probiotics, prebiotics and vitamins; group AO received antibiotics; group P&AO received probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins and antibiotics; and the control group C received none of these. The birds' immunocompetence against common viral poultry pathogens and their immune response to an experimental challenge with a field strain of infectious bronchitis was evaluated by ELISA and production parameters were recorded. Mortality was only observed in the control group and was 10%. All birds from the P, P&AO and AO groups responded to the challenge as would be expected of appropriately immunised chickens. The obtained results indicated that supplementation with synbiotic products and vitamins can enhance broiler chicken immunity and result in better production parameters.

Assessment of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the chicken digestive tract for potential use as poultry probiotics.

The use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed has received considerable attention in recent decades. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have remarkable functional properties promoting host health and are major microorganisms for probiotic purposes. The aim of this study was to characterize LAB strains of the chicken digestive tract and to determine their functional properties for further use as potential probiotics in poultry. A total of 2,000 colonies were isolated from the ileum and cecal contents of the chickens based on their phenotypic profiles and followed by a preliminary detection for acid and bile tolerance. The selected 200 LAB isolates with exhibited well-tolerance in acid and bile conditions were then identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, followed by acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, adhesion to epithelial cells and additional characteristics on the removal of cholesterol. Then, the two probiotic strains (L. ingluviei and L. salivarious) which showed the greatest advantage in vitro testing were selected to assess their efficacy in broiler chickens. It was found that 200 LAB isolates that complied with all measurement criteria belonged to five strains, including L. acidophilus (63 colonies), L. ingluviei (2 colonies), L. reuteri (58 colonies), L. salivarius (72 colonies), and L. saerimneri (5 colonies). We found that the L. ingluviei and L. salivarius can increase the population of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. while reducing Enterobacteria spp. and Escherichia coli in the cecal content of chickens. Additionally, increased concentrations of valeric acid and short chain fatty acids were also observed. This study indicates that all five Lactobacillus strains isolated from gut contents of chickens are safe and possess probiotic properties, especially L. ingluviei and L. salivarius. Future studies should evaluate the potential for growth improvement in broilers.

Effects of hemp seed and flaxseed on enzyme activity in the broiler chicken digestive tract.

The activity of enzymes in the digestive tract is an important parameter for appropriate digestive tract function. Feed mixtures can be adjusted to support enzymatic activity in different parts of the digestive tract. Flaxseed and hemp seed are commodities and significant sources of nutrition, and their addition to feed could change enzymatic activity in the digestive tract and improve nutritional intake. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of flaxseed, hemp seed and a combination of both on basic enzymes in the polysaccharidase group, such as amylase, cellulase, pectinase, xylanase and inulinase; basic enzymes in the disaccharidase group, including maltase, invertase and lactase; proteinases and lipases in the digestive tract of broiler chickens. During the experiment, the control group was fed a diet without flaxseed or hemp seed. The diet of the second group contained 80g/kg flaxseed, the diet of the third group contained 40g/kg hemp seed, and the diets of the fourth to sixth groups contained 80 and 30g/kg, 80 and 40g/kg and 80 and 50g/kg flaxseed and hemp seed, respectively. Enzyme activity was found to depend on the location in the digestive tract and the composition of the feed mixture (P<0.05). Most enzymatic conversion occurs in the ileum, where the addition of flaxseed and hemp seed to the diet increased most enzyme activities, namely, amylase, cellulase, pectinase, xylanase, maltase, invertase, proteinase and lipase activities. The highest values of enzyme activity were found in groups IV-VI fed a combination of flaxseed and hempseed, especially in chickens fed diet VI (flaxseed and hemp seed at 80 and 50g/kg). Growth performance results confirmed the enzyme activity results, as the weights of the chickens increased after the addition of flaxseed and/or hemp seed. The findings have economic implications, suggesting that feeding a diet with a combination of flaxseed and hemp seed is beneficial.

A review on the potency of Dioscorea hispida Dennst as a source of prebiotic for kampung super chicken

Kampung Super chicken as meat type chicken is an animal protein resource whose demand increases every year. The taste of Kampung Super chicken meat is much more delicious and preferred by consumers. However, some disadvantage traits such as low productivity, not uniform performances, and cannibalism are still found in Kampung Super chicken population. Therefore, to improve the performance of Kampung Super chicken, utilization of prebiotic from a potential natural source such as Dioscorea hispida Dennst should be studied. Therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate prebiotic contained in Dioscorea hispida Dennst and its potency in improving the performances of meat type chicken. This review was divided into four main discussions i.e., characteristics of Kampung Super chicken as white meat producer, prebiotic profile contained in Dioscorea hispida Dennst, the role of prebiotics in the chicken digestive tract, and inulin as prebiotics in increasing productivity of chicken. Based on the results discussed in this review, it could be assumed that inulin content in Dioscorea hispida Dennst might be a promising prebiotic for poultry feed and might improve the performances of meat type chicken.

In Vitro Digestibility of Lamtoro Leaves (Leucaena Leucocephala) In Poultry With Gizzard Fluid And Duodenum

Protein source feed is the feed that has the biggest share in the nutritional needs of livestock. Lamtoro or Leucaena leucocephala is one of the leaf flours that can be used as an alternative feed ingredient for poultry in the tropics. With its abundant availability and does not compete for its needs with humans and has no selling value so that it can minimize consumption costs for poultry. This study aims to determine the effect of fluid from the digestive tract of chickens on the in vitro digestibility measurement of lamtoro leaves. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with a unidirectional pattern with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of P0 = control, P1 = gizzard fluid, P2 = duodenal fluid and P3 = a mixture of gizzard and duodenal fluid. The results of this study show the average Dry Matter Digestibility Coefficient (%) for the treatment P0, P1, P2 and P3 respectively; 19.276, 29.089, 20.515 and 28.737. Organic Matter Digestibility Coefficient ; 27.702, 36.313, 24.795 and 35.649. Dissolved Protein Digestibility Coefficient ; 39.777, 53.288, 21.145 and 48.737. The results of the statistical test that the administration of lamtoro leaves showed a significant difference (P&lt;0.05) on the digestibility coefficient of dry matter, organic matter and dissolved protein. The conclusion is that the use of gizzard liquid is more effective in increasing the in vitro digestibility of lamtoro leaves.

Faktor Risiko Penyebaran Escherichia coli Penghasil ESBL pada Ternak Ayam Komersial

Escherichia coli producing ESBL in humans, animals and the environment trigger the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This study analyzes the potential risk factors in commercial chickens as an infectious factor for the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli as an effort to prevent and control the wider spread of Escherichia coli-producing ESBL events. This study was a descriptive analytic epidemiological study with a cross-sectional study design. Sampling using stratified random sampling by taking as many as 5 samples per commercial chicken farm in Blitar District. Data collection is done by direct interviews with farmers based on a questionnaire and field observations and inspection of livestock, supplemented with supporting documentation. Primary data were obtained through a questionnaire and direct observation of the research object to determine risk factors that could affect the Escherichia coli producing ESBL that were resistant to antibiotics in commercial chicken in Blitar District. Escherichia coli is a commensal bacterium that is naturally present in the chicken digestive tract. The existence of the highest ESBL producing Escherichia coli was 45.56% in the type of partnership farming. Risk factors with the highest association strength on risk factors for partnership type (OR = 11.02, CI 95% = 5.84-20.77), the presence of antibiotic administration programs (OR = 6.76, 95% CI = 2.05-22.22), broiler chicken species ( OR = 5.34, 95% CI = 2.76-10.32), and the purpose of using antibiotics as prevention (OR = 3.55, 95% CI = 1.86-6.74). Efforts to prevent and control the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in commercial poultry can be done by increasing surveillance of antibiotic use, in this regard it is necessary to supervise animal health personnel in the management of livestock raising for the correct use of antibiotics in commercial chicken farms.

The Effect of Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) on Antibiotic Resistance and the Digestive System of Broiler Chicken in Sleman, Yogyakarta

Chicken is a major source of animal protein consumption in Indonesia. The problem facing the poultry industry is the incidence of resistance which increases mortality of the chicken production. One of the causes of resistance case is the use of antibiotics in feed additives. The public understanding about the effects of the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in chickens in antibiotic resistance and the digestive tract of chicken needs to be done to avoid the impact on economic losses and health problems. This study aims to provide an understanding of the effects of the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on antibiotic resistance and the digestive tract of broiler chickens. This study was carried out at a broiler chicken farm in Sleman, Yogyakarta. Based on the histopathological result of the digestive tract of chickens that were given antibiotics as AGP, there was no inflammation occurs, but the administration of antibiotics caused antibiotic resistance in various type of antibiotics including tetracycline (90% resistance), streptomycin (60% resistance), amoxicillin (50% resistance), erythromycin (80% resistance), and no resistance for gentamycin.

Effect of Cellulase Genes Recombinant L. reuteri on Digestibility of Diet Crude Fiber and Adhesion in Gut of Chicken

Background: The aim of this test was study the gut adhesion ability of recombinant Lactobacilli and their improvement of the digestibility of crude fiber in chick diet. Methods: The adhesion ability was observed through in vitro and in vivo tests. Intestinal epithelial cells and recombinant Lactobacillus were co-cultured for observation of adhesion. One hundred one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into four groups; C15, C73, C1573 and control. Each chick in C15, C73, C1573 and control were orally gavaged with 200 ìL of fermentation broth of recombinant L. reuteri XNY-Cel15, 200 ìL of fermentation broth of recombinant L. reuteri XNY-Cel73 and 200 ìL of broth containing equal XNY-Cel15 and XNY-Cel73, 200 ìL of MRS broth, once at the beginning of the trial respectively. Result: Recombinant L. reuteri adhered to chick intestinal epithelial cells which co-cultured together in vitro. After feeding for 30 days, the reporter genes of recombinant Lactobacillus was detected in the crop, small intestine and cecum of trial chicks, with their sequences corresponding to those of the insert genes. The digestibility of crude fiber in experimental groups was higher than that in control group and the digestibility of C15 was significantly higher than other groups (P less than 0.01). It showed that the recombinant Lactobacillus can survive in the digestive tract of chicken for more than 30 days and helped to decompose the crude fiber in the digestive tract.

Influence of Eimeria spp. infection and dietary inclusion of arginine on intestine histological parameters, serum amino acid profile and ileal amino acids digestibility in broiler chicks

Coccidiosis is considered to be one of the most important challenge in the poultry industry causes economic losses due to the destruction in the digestive tract of chicken. It disturbs amino acids profile and their digestibility, leading to weight lost and economic burden. Using dietary arginine may decrease the adverse effects of coccidiosis on chicken digestive tract. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of arginine on intestine histological parameters, serum amino acid concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility of broiler chicks infected with coccidiosis. A total number of 384 one-d-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) of mixed sex with initial weight of 42 ± 2 g was allocated into 8 groups with 8 birds/pen from grower period. At 21 days of age, broiler chicks were infected with a mixture of Eimeria spp. Broiler chicks were divided into infected and un-infected groups and received arginine at recommended levels of 85, 100, 125 and 150 %. Intestinal morphology and lesions, serum amino acid concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility were evaluated. Broiler chicks infected with Eimeria spp. showed lower villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio and also higher intestinal lesions (P < 0.05). Coccidia infection decreased the ileal amino acid digestibility for all studied amino acids and also reduced serum concentrations of amino acids, except lysine and isoleucine (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of arginine especially in higher levels significantly increased villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio and decreased lesions (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementing of arginine increased the serum concentration of arginine (P < 0.05), but it did not have any significant effect on its digestibility (P > 0.05). In sum, coccidiosis decreases amino acid digestibility and serum amino acid concentration, but dietary inclusion of higher levels of arginine significantly improved histological parameters of broiler chicks infected with coccidiosis.

Evaluation of optimum conditions for decoquinate nanoliposomes and their anticoccidial efficacy against diclazuril-resistant Eimeria tenella infections in broilers

Decoquinate (DQ) is used for prophylaxis against coccidian infections within the digestive tract of chickens, but DQ is extremely insoluble in water. Hence, improving the water solubility of DQ is extremely important. First, decoquinate nanoliposomes (DQNLs) were prepared by the thin-film dispersion–ultrasonic method. The preparation conditions of DQNLs were optimized using the orthogonal test. The optimal preparation conditions of DQNLs were: a ratio of egg-yolk lecithin:drug (w/w) of 10:1, ratio of egg-yolk lecithin:cholesterol (w/w) of 5:1, rotary-evaporation temperature of 50 ℃, and ultrasound duration of 15 min. The encapsulation efficiency of DQNLs prepared under these conditions reached 99.24 % and drug loading was 5.67 %. The characterization of optimized DQNLs was also done. Transmission electron microscopy of DQNLs showed that they had the characteristic structure of liposomes. The mean particle size was 115.6 nm. The polydispersity index was 0.175. The zeta potential was −39.1 mV. The stability of DQNLs was high upon storage at 4 ℃. In vivo studies demonstrated that the lower dose (5 mg/L) of DQNLs in drinking water obtained the similar anticoccidial efficacy to that of 40 mg/kg DQ in feed against diclazuril-resistance Eimeria tenella isolate. The in vitro inhibitory effect of DQNLs on the sporulation of Eimeria tenella oocysts was dose-dependent. Therefore, the anticoccidial efficacy of DQ was enhanced significantly after being encapsulated into nanoliposomes.

Adhesion of cellulase genes of recombinant lactobacilli to gut epithelial cells and its effect on digestibility of crude fibre in chicks

Recombinant Lactobacillus could play the role of a probiotic besides other new functions. This experiment aimed to study the gut adhesion ability of recombinant Lactobacilli and its effect on the digestibility of crude fibre in chicks. The adhesion ability of Lactobacilli was observed through in vitro and in vivo tests. Intestinal epithelial cells and recombinant Lactobacillus were co-cultured for observation of adhesion in the in vitro study. A total of 100 one-d-old chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups, namely, C15, C73, C15–73 and control. Each chick in C15, C73, C15–73 and control groups were orally gavaged with 200 μL each of fermentation broth of recombinant Lactobacillus reuteri XNY-Cel15 (C15), recombinant Lactobacillus reuteri XNY-Cel73 (C73) and both containing 100 μl each of XNY-Cel15 and XNY-Cel73 (C15B), or 200 μL of MRS broth (control), respectively, once at the beginning of the trial. The digestibility of crude fibre was determined through a digestion trial. Results of in vitro study showed that recombinant Lactobacillus reuteri adhered to chick intestinal epithelial cells. After feeding for 30 d, the reporter genes of recombinant Lactobacillus were detected in the crop, small intestine, and cecum of chicks, with their sequences corresponding to those of the insert genes. The digestibility of crude fibre in the experimental groups was higher than that in the control group, and the digestibility in C15 group was significantly (P<0.01) higher than other groups. It is concluded that the recombinant Lactobacillus can survive in the digestive tract of chicken for more than 30 d, and help to degrade the crude fibre in the digestive tract.

Dietary Inositol Reduces Fearfulness and Avoidance in Laying Hens.

Simple SummaryBrain inositol is known to affect memory, and the incidence of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder in mammals. Phytate, a naturally occurring inositol ester in plants, binds other nutrients, making them unavailable for digestion. The addition of phytase, the enzyme capable of hydrolyzing phytate, to diets increases the release of both inositol and nutrients for absorption in the chicken digestive tract. In this study, we assessed how dietary phytase or pure inositol affected laying hen behaviour, fearfulness, aggression, and stress levels. To increase the probability of seeing effects, hens were not beak treated and were fed two balanced protein levels differing in digestible amino acid sufficiency. Inositol did not affect stress levels, as measured by heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, or the number of hen comb or skin lesions. However, regardless of the source, pure inositol or phytase derived inositol reduced the number of feathers in the vent area, suggesting an increase in feather pecking. Pure inositol reduced fearfulness in laying hens, but phytase-derived inositol did not.Myo-inositol (inositol) affects memory, and the incidence of depression and anxiety in mammals. An experiment was designed to determine if pure inositol (0.16%), or high levels of phytase (3000 FTU/kg) affect the behaviour of fully beaked Lohmann LSL lite hens fed amino acid sufficient (19% crude protein (CP)) and deficient diets (16% CP), from 19 to 59 weeks of age. The data collected included live-scan behaviour observations and novel object (NO) tests (both at 1, 10 and 40 weeks of the trial); heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratios (week 1 and week 40 of the trial); end of trial feather cover, and comb and skin lesions; and daily mortality. Reducing CP increased sitting by 2.5%. Inositol, but not phytase, reduced the latency to peck at the NO by 300 sec. Inositol reduced vent feather cover by 12% and tended to increase mortality by 13%. No effects on H/L ratio, and comb or skin lesions were found. In conclusion, regardless of the source, inositol reduced vent feather cover, while it tended to increase mortality. Only pure inositol reduced fearfulness in laying hens.

Potential of lactic acid bacteria from asam durian as a probiotic candidate for chicken

The use of antibiotics as a growth promoter for chickens may develop resistance to pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract of chickens. Other negative impacts on food safety came from antibiotic residues. One alternative that can be used as a substitute for antibiotics is probiotics. Probiotics derived from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is safe beside that it is potential to improve growth and chicken health. This study aimed to obtain LAB isolates from asam durian which is a local food in West Sumatera. This study consisted of several steps i.e., isolation, identification, antagonistic test to patogenic bacteria and isolates survival in the gastrointestinal tracts. Results of this study found that 8 isolates of LAB were morphologically identified with negative catalase and gram-positive bacteria. All LAB isolates had inhibitory activity to Escherichia coli. The diameter of the inhibitory zone was used to select the potential of LAB and further tested for their survival in the digestive tract at pH 2, 4 and 6 and 0.5% bile salts. Isolate P1 and isolate P3 had inhibitory zone diameters of 17.35 mm and 16.08 mm, respectively, which could survive at the pH of 2, 4 and 6 and 0.5% bile salts. It is concluded that isolate P1 and isolate P3 from asam durian have the potential as probiotics for chickens because they inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and can survive in the gastrointestinal conditions.

In vitro assessment of the starch digestibility of western Canadian wheat market classes and cultivars

The objective of the study was to measure the effect of wheat market class and cultivar on starch digestibility using an in vitro model that mimics the chicken digestive tract and relate it to grain characteristics. The study evaluated 18 wheat cultivars from eight western Canadian wheat classes and, each cultivar was replicated four times. Samples were subjected to gastric and small intestine (SI) digestion phases and each sample was assayed in triplicate; glucose release was measured in SI phase. Starch granule distribution, amylose, total starch, crude protein (CP), ash, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) were analyzed in all wheat samples. Small intestinal phase times of 15, 60, and 120 min were chosen to approximate digestion in the terminal duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Starch digestibility of wheat classes ranged as follows: 15 min — 33.1% to 49.1%, 60 min — 80.2% to 93.3%, and 120 min — 92.4% to 97.6%. Starch digestibility positively correlated with CP, ash, NSP, and proportion of large granules, whereas it negatively correlated with total starch, and proportion of small and medium granules. In conclusion, market class and cultivar of western Canadian wheat affects both rate and extent of starch digestibility and it is related to various grain characteristics.

Starch digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy of western Canadian wheat market classes in broiler chickens.

Wheat is the primary grain fed to poultry in western Canada, but its nutritional quality, including the nature of its starch digestibility, may be affected by wheat market class. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate and extent of starch digestibility of wheat market classes in broiler chickens, and to determine the relationship between starch digestibility and wheat apparent metabolizable energy (AME). In vitro starch digestion was assessed using gastric and small intestinal phases mimicking the chicken digestive tract, while in vivo evaluation used 468 male broiler chickens randomly assigned to dietary treatments from 0 to 21 d of age. The study evaluated 2 wheat cultivars from each of 6 western Canadian wheat classes: Canadian Prairie Spring (CPS), Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD), CW General Purpose (CWGP), CW Hard White Spring (CWHWS), CW Red Spring (CWRS), and CW Soft White Spring (CWSWS). All samples were analyzed for relevant grain characteristics. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design and cultivars were nested within market class. Pearson correlation was used to determine relationships between measured characteristics. Significance level was P ≤ 0.05. The starch digestibility range and wheat class rankings were: proximal jejunum - 23.7 to 50.6% (CWHWSc, CPSbc, CWSWSbc, CWRSab, CWGPa, CWADa); distal jejunum - 63.5 to 76.4% (CWHWSc, CPSbc, CWSWSbc, CWRSab, CWGPa, CWADa); proximal ileum - 88.7 to 96.9% (CWSWSc, CPSbc, CWHWSbc, CWRSb, CWGPb, CWADa); distal ileum - 94.4 to 98.5% (CWSWSb, CWHWSb, CPSb, CWRSab, CWGPab, CWADa); excreta - 98.4 to 99.3% (CPSb, CWRSb, CWHWSb, CWSWSab, CWGPab, CWADa). Wheat class affected wheat AMEn with levels ranging from 3,203 to 3,411 kcal/kg at 90% DM (CWRSc, CWSWSc, CPSb, CWGPb, CWADa, CWHWSa). Significant and moderately strong positive correlations were observed between in vitro and in vivo starch digestibility, but no correlations were found between AME and starch digestibility. In conclusion, rate and extent of starch digestibility and AME were affected by western Canadian wheat class, but starch digestibility did not predict AME.

Development of an invitro protein digestibility assay mimicking the chicken digestive tract.

It is difficult to obtain in vivo digestion kinetics data of high protein ingredients using chickens. Collecting kinetics data requires repeated sampling of digesta from the small intestine during the digestion process, which is not easily accomplished due to the anatomical structure of chicken digestive tract. An in vitro technique is proposed for measuring the digestion kinetics of protein sources fed to chickens. The method has a 30 min gastric and 3 h intestinal phase. Five hundred milligram crude protein (CP) equivalent of each meal sample (CP = % N × 6.25) was digested with pepsin (28,260 units) in 50 mL polyethylene centrifuge tubes for 30 min in a shaking water bath (150 strokes/min; 30 mm stroke length) at 41 °C. The 6.5 mL pancreatin was selected as the enzyme concentration for the intestinal phase, during which time 500 μL aliquots were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 240 min. Samples were diluted 1:820 with HCl and sodium acetate buffer, and then mixed with ninhydrin reagent (2:1) at 100 ± 2 °C for 15 min and spectrometric readings taken at 568 nm. To validate the assay, 5 replications of soybean meal (SBM), corn gluten meal (CGM), corn distillers dried grains with solubles (CDDGS), porcine meal (PCM), fish meal (FM) and casein (CA) were digested. The digestion data were modeled with PROC NLIN procedure, and the intra coefficient of variation (CV) assessed using PROC MEANS of SAS 9.4. The digestion values at 180 min were SBM 95 ± 4, FM 93 ± 3, PCM 68 ± 4, CGM 82 ± 3 and CDDGS 70 ± 2. Intra CV for SBM, CGM, CDDGS, PCM and FM were 5%, 5%, 12%, 10% and 2%, respectively. The estimated fractional digestion rates for SBM, CGM, CDDGS, FM and PCM were 0.023, 0.013, 0.009, 0.024 and 0.013, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed in vitro technique estimated the rate and extent of the digestion of CP for the meals with low intra CV.

PERUBAHAN KADAR RAFINOSA, GLUKOSA, MANOSA, ARABINOSA DAN SUKROSA WHEAT POLLARD AKIBAT LAMA STEAM DAN PENAMBAHAN AIR YANG BERBEDA

Wheat pollard is a waste of the wheat industry and many contain non starch polisacharida (NSP) that interfere with the chicken digestive tract. NSP in wheat pollard can be removed by heating, so it can be used by microbes in the digestive tract of poultry. Utilization of NSP by microbes will result in short chain fatty acids (SCFA), namely acetic acid, propionate and butyrate which have a positive effect on the digestive tract of poultry. The purpose of this study is to examine changes in levels of rafinose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and sucrose in wheat pollard into a source of functional feed for poultry. The benefit of research is to know the technique / manufacture of functional feed material from wheat pollard. The material used in the research is wheat pollard and aquades by using autoclave tool. The design used was a complete randomized design of 2x3 factorial pattern with 3 replications. The first factor is the duration of steam 30 and 60 minutes while the second factor is the addition of water (0, 30 and 60%). The results showed that the addition of water and the duration of different steam strongly influenced (p &lt;0.001) and had interactions on rafinose, mannose, arabinose, sucrose and glucose parameters. The mean of water addition factor increased rafinose level from 1.11+0.03% to 29+0.02% while steam duration decreased raffinose content from 1.99+0.01% to 1.90+0.04%. Glucose levels increased in water addition factor and steam duration from 0.25+0.01% to 1.06+0.12% and 0.54+0.03% to 0.63+0.07%. The mean of water addition factor decreased the mannose level from 0.19+0.01% to 0.06+0.02% and the steam duration increased the manosa level from 0.09+0.01% to 0.15+0.01%. Levels of arabinose increased in water addition factor and steam duration from 0.30+0.03% to 0.98+0.01% and 0.54+0.02% to 0.70+0.04%. The average water addition decreased the sucrose content from 1.80+0.09% to 1.55+0.04% and the steam duration increased the sucrose content from 1.48+0.04% to 1.72+0.03%. The research conclusions that the steam treatment and the addition of water greatly affect the changes of rafinose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and sucrose in wheat pollard and potentially as functional feed. Recommendations that can be given by researchers is the source of feed ingredients that have high starch content should be processed before it is given to poultry so it has a functional value and improve the digestibility of the feed material.

In vitro characteristics of Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from the chicken digestive tract and their role in the inhibition of Campylobacter colonization.

Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections are the leading cause of bacterial diarrheal illnesses in humans. Many epidemiological studies indicate that improperly prepared meat from chickens that carry a high load of Campylobacter in their intestinal tracts is the key source of human infections. LAB, mainly members of the Lactococcus and Lactobacillus genera, increasingly have been tested as vehicles for the delivery of heterologous bacterial or viral antigens to animal mucosal immune systems. Thus, the objective of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from chickens bred in Poland. Their ability to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain was also analyzed. First, the influence of the different chicken rearing systems was evaluated, especially the effect of diets on the Lactobacillus species that colonize the gut of chickens. Next, selected strains were analyzed in terms of their anti‐Campylobacter activity in vitro; potential probiotic traits such as adhesion properties, bile and low pH tolerance; and their ability to grow on a defined carbon source. Given that improperly prepared chicken meat is the main source of human infection by Campylobacter, the selected strains were also assessed for their ability to inhibit Campylobacter colonization in the bird's intestine. These experiments revealed enormous physiological diversity among the Lactobacillus genus strains. Altogether, our results showed that L. plantarum strains isolated from the digestive tracts of chickens bred in Poland displayed some probiotic attributes in vitro and were able to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain. This suggests that they can be employed as vectors to deliver Campylobacter immunodominant proteins to the bird's immune system to strengthen the efficacy of in ovo vaccination.