Fermented Feed Research Articles

Community Service Strengthening Goat Livestock Group in Catur Village, Kintamani-Bangli District

The province administration of Bali consistently promotes the formation of livestock farming communities, namely in goat farming, using housing and livestock aid initiatives. The "Subak Abian Pebunut" goat farming group in Catur Village, Kintamani District, Bangli, is among the recipients of government aid in goat farming. Despite its relatively short duration of operation, the group above needs support and instruction, particularly in maintenance management and feeding techniques. This is particularly relevant in effectively utilizing a substantial quantity of coffee waste via fermentation. The primary objective of this community service initiative is to modify the behavior of individuals within the group. Specifically, the focus is on enhancing their knowledge, abilities, and attitudes. It is important to note that the delivered content is derived from prior research studies. The approach employed in this community service initiative involves disseminating educational resources, followed by practical instruction on the fermentation of coffee skins. Additionally, trials and evaluations are conducted on goats to assess their growth and gauge their response to the practices above. The implementation of community service has yielded notable outcomes in knowledge acquisition, specifically in the discovery of the potential for fermenting coffee skins to produce animal feed of superior quality. In terms of actual implementation, the active involvement of all group members is ensured to facilitate the subsequent execution of the probiotic component blending and coffee skin fermentation procedures. In the context of trials and assessments, it was seen that the administration of fermented coffee skins to goats yielded notable outcomes in terms of their growth, as opposed to a control group of goats that did not get coffee skins. Based on the findings of this community service initiative, it can be inferred that the participants expressed satisfaction in acquiring knowledge and hands-on experience in producing fermented feed using coffee skins. Additionally, they observed the direct impact of feeding fermented coffee skins to livestock over one month, specifically examining the animals' response to consumption and its influence on the growth of goats.

Effects of different levels of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus by-products fermented feed on growth performance, serum biochemical, and intestinal health of cyan-shank partridge birds

This research aimed to investigate the effects of supplements containing fermented feed made from Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus by-products (CSFBP-Fermented feed) on the growth performance, immunological function, and gut health of broilers. 1080 cyan-shank partridge birds aged 47 days were chosen and casually distributed to four groups, each with 6 replicates and 45 birds per replicate. The experimental groups were provided with 1% (group T2), 3% (group T3) and 5% (group T4) of CSFBP-fermented feed in the basic diet, while the control group (group T1) received the basic diet. The findings revealed that supplementation with CSFBP-Fermented feed reduced ADFI and FCR and improved ADG in birds (P < 0.05). MDA levels in the serum of birds fed CSFBP-fermented feed were lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity in the serum of broilers increased after supplementation with 3% CSFBP-Fermented feed (P < 0.05). Supplementing broilers with CSFBP-fermented feed enhanced VH in the ileum, jejunum, and duodenum (P < 0.05). The addition of 3% CSFBP-Fermented feed decreased CD in the jejunum (P < 0.05). The addition of 3% and 5% CSFBP-Fermented feed increased the mRNA expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in the jejunum of broiler chickens and reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6 (P < 0.05). The addition of 3% CSFBP-Fermented feed increased the mRNA expression of Claudin in the jejunum of broiler chickens and reduced IL-1β mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, all experimental groups exhibited decreased mRNA expression of TNF-α and INF-γ in the jejunal mucosa of the birds (P < 0.05). According to research using high-throughput sequencing of microorganisms' 16S rDNA, and an analysis of α-diversity found that supplementing broilers with 3% CSFBP-Fermented feed decreased the number of bacteria in their cecum (P < 0.05). Bacteroidota was higher in all groups after supplementation with CSFBP-Fermented feed. At the genus level, after addition with 3% CSFBP-Fermented feed, the abundance of Bacteroide and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group were higher than the control group (33.36% vs 29.95%, 4.35% vs 2.94%). The abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Fusobacterium were lower than the control group (5.52% vs. 7.17%,0.38% vs. 1.33%). In summary, supplementing the diet with CSFBP-Fermented feed can promote the growth of performance by enhancing intestinal morphology, and barrier function, as well as modulating intestinal inflammatory factors and microbial composition in broilers.

The Effects of Fermented Feed on the Growth Performance, Antioxidant Activity, Immune Function, Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activity, Morphology, and Microflora of Yellow-Feather Chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented feed on growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune function, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, morphology, and microflora of yellow-feather chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old female yellow-feathered (Hexi dwarf) chickens were randomly divided into two treatment groups, with six replicates per group and 20 chickens per replicate. The control group (CK) received a basal diet, whereas the experimental group was fed a basal diet of +2.00% fermented feed (FJ). The trial lasted for 22 days. Compared with the CK, (1) the growth performance was not affected (p > 0.05); (2) immunoglobin a, immunoglobin g, immunoglobin m, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 were affected (p < 0.05); (3) liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were higher (p < 0.05); (4) trypsin activity in the duodenum and cecal Shannon index were increased (p < 0.05); (5) the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in cecum was increased (p < 0.05); (6) the abundance of dominant microflora of Bacteroides as well as Clostridia UCG-014_norank were increased (p < 0.05). In summary, the fermented feed improved the growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune function, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, morphology, and microflora of yellow-feather chickens.

The performance of plant essential oils against lactic acid bacteria and adverse microorganisms in silage production.

Plant essential oils have played an important role in the field of antibiotic alternatives because of their efficient bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity. As plant essential oils are widely used, their activity to improve the quality of plant silage has also been explored. This review expounds on the active ingredients of essential oils, their bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity, and mechanisms, as well as discusses the application of plant essential oils in plant silage fermentation, to provide a reference for the development and application of plant essential oils as silage additives in plant silage fermentation feed.

Synthesis of chromium nanoparticles and evaluation of its impact on ruminal feed fermentation using in vitro batch culture technique

Synthesis of chromium nanoparticles and evaluation of its impact on ruminal feed fermentation using in vitro batch culture technique

Effects of lactic acid bacteria-derived fermented feed on the taste and quality of duck meat

The present study aimed to examine the impact of lactic acid bacteria- fermented feed (FF) on the taste and quality of duck meat, in addition to elucidating the potential metabolomic mechanism at play. The findings revealed that ducks fed with FF exhibited elevated pH levels and reduced cooking loss in their meat when compared to the control group. In addition, the sensory evaluation and e-tongue analysis revealed that the tenderness, juiciness, umami, richness, saltiness, and sweetness of duck meat were all enhanced by feeding FF. Moreover, an examination of the metabolome using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) identified the principal differential metabolites that exhibited a correlation with taste, which included 2-aminoadipate, glucose, glycine, N-acetylcysteine, niacinamide, proline, and threonine. Furthermore, the differential metabolites that exhibited the greatest enrichment in duck meat could be primarily traced to glutathione metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. The potential factors contributing to the effect of FF and basic commercial duck feed (CF) were found to be primarily regulated via the aforementioned metabolic pathways. The study, therefore, offers a viable approach for enhancing the taste and quality of duck meat.

Whole-Genome Analysis of Termite-Derived Bacillus velezensis BV-10 and Its Application in King Grass Silage.

Bacillus velezensis (B. velezensis) is a cellulose-degrading strain that has the potential as an additive in fermented feed. B. velezensis BV-10 was isolated and screened from the termite gut. We sequenced the whole genome of this new source of B. velezensis to reveal its potential for use in cellulose degradation. Whole-genome sequencing of B. velezensis BV-10 showed that it has a circular chromosome of 3929792 bp containing 3873 coding genes with a GC content of 45.51% and many genes related to cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin degradation. King grass silage was inoculated with B. velezensis BV-10 and mixed with other feed additives to assess the effect of B. velezensis BV-10 on the fermentation quality of silage. Six treatment groups were established: the control, B. velezensis BV-10, molasses, cellulase, B. velezensis BV-10 plus molasses, and B. velezensis BV-10 plus cellulase groups. After 30 days of silage-fermentation testing, B. velezensis BV-10 was found to rapidly reduce the silage pH value and significantly reduce the acid-detergent fiber (ADF) content (p < 0.05). The addition of B. velezensis BV-10 plus molasses and cellulase in fermented feed significantly reduced the silage neutral-detergent fiber and ADF content and promoted organic-acid accumulation (p < 0.05). The above results demonstrate that B. velezensis BV-10 promotes the fermentation quality of silage and that this effect is greater when other silage-fermentation additives are included. In conclusion, genes involved in cellulose degradation in B. velezensis BV-10 were identified by whole-genome sequencing and further experiments explored the effects of B. velezensis BV-10 and different feed additives on the fermentation quality of king grass silage, revealing the potential of Bacillus velezensis as a new silage additive.

Effects of fermented feed on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of lion-head goslings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented feed on growth performance, antioxidant indexes and intestinal health in lion-head goslings. 288 male lion-head goslings (one-day-old) were randomly divided into four groups (6 replicates per group, 12 samples per replicate): control group (basal diet) and fermented feed (FF) groups (basal diet supplemented with 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% FF, respectively). The experimental period lasted 28 days. The results showed that 5.0 and 7.5% FF groups decreased feed conversion rate (FCR) when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The 5.0% FF group reduced the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum; while the 7.5% FF group decreased the concentration of total cholesterol (TC), ALP and LDH activity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the 7.5% FF group significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum (p < 0.05); 2.5% and 5.0% FF groups significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum (p < 0.05); all FF groups increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in serum (p < 0.05). For intestinal health, the villous height and villi/crypt ratio in jejunum were increased in all FF groups, but crypt depth was decreased (p < 0.05); The 5.0% FF groups enhanced T-AOC activity in jejunum (p < 0.05); The 2.5% and 5.0% FF groups enhanced GSH-Px activity (p < 0.05) in jejunum; All FF groups reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level in jejunum (p < 0.05). LEfSe analysis showed that the cecum microbiota was significantly dominant in the 2.5% FF group compared to the control group including Firmicutes, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella; the flora that were significantly dominant in the 5.0% FF group compared to the control group included Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, Megamonas, and Prevotella; and the groups that were significantly dominant in the 7.5% FF group compared to the control group included Bacteroidota, Bacteroides, Bacteroidaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. In summary, dietary FF supplementation improved growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity of lion-head goslings, as well as improved jejunal tissue morphology and optimized intestinal flora structure. In particular, the FF addition at a dose of 7.5% was relatively more effective for lion- head goslings.

Progress in Fermented Unconventional Feed Application in Monogastric Animal Production in China

Unconventional animal feeds present distinct features and considerable variations. However, their efficacy in monogastric animals is hindered by high levels of anti-nutritional elements and subpar palatability. Feed fermentation could offer a solution to these issues. Moreover, fermented unconventional feeds deliver notable economic advantages and represent a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, particularly in the context of antibiotic restrictions, promising considerable potential. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the types, characteristics, fermentation processes, application outcomes, associated challenges, and prospects of fermented unconventional feeds in monogastric animals. We anticipate that this comprehensive overview will serve as a valuable reference for developing and utilizing unconventional feed resources in the feed industry.

Study on the Antibacterial Rule in Fermented Feed with Different Amounts of CaCO3 by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Fermented feed is needed to maintain the vitality of probiotics and cannot be sterilized. Fermented feeds, especially those with added CaCO3, have a high risk of contamination with pathogens. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella flexneri are the main pathogenic bacteria threatening animal breeding. This study developed a new microbial quantitative real-time PCR analysis method to investigate the antibacterial rule in fermented feed with different amounts of CaCO3. Moreover, using the qPCR method, we found that the feed pH decreased slowly with the increase of CaCO3 addition. In the early stage of fermentation, CaCO3 addition promoted three pathogenic bacteria growth. In the middle and late fermentation, CaCO3 addition inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri, and the greater the CaCO3 addition, the stronger the inhibitory effect. The CaCO3 addition reduced the growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, and the inhibition effect was weaker with the increase of CaCO3 addition. From the inhibitory effect on intestinal pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri, the optimal addition amount of CaCO3 was 12%. At this level of addition, the number of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bacillus subtilis were also the highest, and the content of organic acids with antibacterial effects was also the highest. The addition of CaCO3 had an inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic bacteria, mainly attributed to the promotion of the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and the organic acid of its fermentation product had an inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria. This study provides theoretical guidance for the antibacterial rule of high-pH fermented feed with different amounts of CaCO3.

Performance of Balinese Pigs Feed Traditional and Fermented Feed in Sukanadi Farmer Women's Group

A study was conducted from April 30, 2023 to June 29, 2023 at the Sukanadi Women Farmers Group (KWT) in Pejarakan Village, Gerokgak Subdistrict, Buleleng Regency, which aimed to determine the performance of Balinese/local pigs treated with traditional feed and fermented feed. This study will test the treatment of feed without fermentation (traditional = T) with fermented feed (F). The feed ingredients used are 70% banana stalks, 20% lamtoro leaves and 10% complete feed (mixture of 25% rice bran, 50% corn flour and 25% concentrate). Each treatment used 5 Balinese/local pigs of weaning age ± 2 months with a weight range of 8-10 kg. The variables observed were initial body weight, body weight gain, ration consumption, final body weight, and ration conversion. Furthermore, the data obtained were analyzed by t-test (paired test) according to Steel and Torrie (1991). Based on the results of the study, it was found that female Balinese/local pigs given fermented feed showed better performance than those given traditional feed. Thus it can be concluded that fermented feed can be applied by the community because it is more effective and efficient with feed formulations consisting of 70% banana stems, 20% lamtoro leaves, and 10% complete feed

Pelatihan Pembuatan Pakan Fermentasi Dalam Penyediaan Pakan Fermentasi Di Kelompok Tani-Ternak Di Kabupaten Majene

Agricultural waste that is not processed properly will cause environmental pollution. in Banggae District, Majene Regency have agricultural waste that has not been utilized optimally and also farmers who own livestock, so the aim of this service is to provide education and training regarding fermented feed for livestock. This activity is carried outtake place in June 2023 in Banggae District, Majene Regency, West Sulawesi. Participants who took part in this activity were: member Livestock group in Banggae' District. The method used is socialization, training theory and practice, as well as assistance in making fermented feed. Results of activities shows that fermented feed is very useful for dealing with animal feed, especially in dry season. The training activities went well and were useful for realizing feed independence by utilizing local potential agricultural waste. Mentoring activities are still needed for program sustainability. Fermented feed has better nutritional value and preferably livestock so that it can increase livestock production.

Hematological Response Studies of Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) Fed with Fermented Feed on the Fermentation of Kelakai Leaves (Stenochlaena palustris)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the nutritional value of fermented feed on kelakai leaves that are feasible as climbing perch feed and the hematological response of climbing perch raised by fermentation-based feeding of kelakai leaves. The study was carried out using an experimental method on the maintenance of climbing perch which was fed based on fermented leaves with 5 treatments and 3 tests. The parameters observed are the nutritional content of feed based on fermented leaves and hematological responses which include erythrocyte, leukocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values. The results of the research on the nutritional content of feed showed that fermented feed on kelakai leaves has a protein content of 27%-31%, crude fiber content of 4%-7%, water content of 12%-14%, ash content of 11%-13%, fat content of 4%-6%. It was concluded that there was a decrease in fiber content and fat content and an increase in protein content, water content, and ash content. It happens gradually in line with the increase in probiotic dose. The results of the study on the hematological response of climbing perch are erythrocytes range from 1.65-3.91, leukocytes range from 223.23-287.43, hematocrit ranges from 15.30-35.07 and hemoglobin ranges from 5.37-10.33. The results of the proximate analysis of feed based on the fermentation of kelakai leaves showed that the values of water content, ash content, crude fiber, protein, and fat were in the recommended range. The hematological response of climbing perch shows good results and is in the normal range.

Kaji Terap Optimalisasi Pakan Silase Limbah Terubuk Terhadap Jumlah Peningkatan Bobot Sapi

Silage is fermented feed in an ordinary silo or plastic container with an anaerobic process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feeding of terubuk silage with green grass on the increase in the weight of cattle in Purabaya District, Sukabumi Regency. The study was carried out as a follow-up to the results of testing in the laboratory. This study used two PO female cows (Ongole breed) or Java cattle aged 6 months and 9 months, which were fed twice a day in the form of crushed silage and were not given any other additional feed. The stages of applied research include the experimental stage or making crushed silage and observation of recording data in the form of recording the growth of cattle weight per week before and after being fed crushed silage. The initial body weight of the cow is the benchmark for this study. The results of the study showed that the feed treated with the most terubuk silage had a better effect on increasing the weight of the cows compared to green grass. Cattle weight has increased to a maximum of 6.15 kg per week or 0.9 kg per day.

Multi-omics revealed the long-term effect of ruminal keystone bacteria and the microbial metabolome on lactation performance in adult dairy goats

BackgroundThe increased growth rate of young animals can lead to higher lactation performance in adult goats; however, the effects of the ruminal microbiome on the growth of young goats, and the contribution of the early-life rumen microbiome to lifelong growth and lactation performance in goats has not yet been well defined. Hence, this study assessed the rumen microbiome in young goats with different average daily gains (ADG) and evaluated its contribution to growth and lactation performance during the first lactation period.ResultsBased on monitoring of a cohort of 99 goats from youth to first lactation, the 15 highest ADG (HADG) goats and 15 lowest ADG (LADG) goats were subjected to rumen fluid microbiome and metabolome profiling. The comparison of the rumen metagenome of HADG and LADG goats revealed that ruminal carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism function were enhanced in HADG goats, suggesting that the rumen fluid microbiome of HADG goats has higher feed fermentation ability. Co-occurrence network and correlation analysis revealed that Streptococcus, Candidatus Saccharimonans, and Succinivibrionaceae UCG-001 were significantly positively correlated with young goats’ growth rates and some HADG-enriched carbohydrate and protein metabolites, such as propionate, butyrate, maltoriose, and amino acids, while several genera and species of Prevotella and Methanogens exhibited a negative relationship with young goats’ growth rates and correlated with LADG-enriched metabolites, such as rumen acetate as well as methane. Additionally, some functional keystone bacterial taxa, such as Prevotella, in the rumen of young goats were significantly correlated with the same taxa in the rumen of adult lactation goats. Prevotella also enriched the rumen of LADG lactating goats and had a negative effect on rumen fermentation efficiency in lactating goats. Additional analysis using random forest machine learning showed that rumen fluid microbiota and their metabolites of young goats, such as Prevotellaceae UCG-003, acetate to propionate ratio could be potential microbial markers that can potentially classify high or low ADG goats with an accuracy of prediction of > 81.3%. Similarly, the abundance of Streptococcus in the rumen of young goats could be predictive of milk yield in adult goats with high accuracy (area under the curve 91.7%).ConclusionsThis study identified the keystone bacterial taxa that influence carbohydrate and amino acid metabolic functions and shape the rumen fluid microbiota in the rumen of adult animals. Keystone bacteria and their effects on rumen fluid microbiota and metabolome composition during early life can lead to higher lactation performance in adult ruminants. These findings suggest that the rumen microbiome together with their metabolites in young ruminants have long-term effect on feed efficiency and animal performance. The fundamental knowledge may allow us to develop advanced methods to manipulate the rumen microbiome and improve production efficiency of ruminants.CFkFrpUn9s69m82LGb2Mf6Video

PKM Farmer Group Matan Lalanglinggah Application of Fermented Feed Technology and Processing of Livestock Waste Into Quality Organic Fertilizer and Economic Value

The main potential developed and as a support for family income by the people of Lalanglinggah Village is in the livestock sector (pigs, goats, and cows), in the agricultural sector (food crops such as: rice and bananas), and in the plantation sector such as: coconut, cocoa, and porang. (Lalanglinggah Village Profile, 2019). The problems of partners are that they do not have knowledge in efforts to increase the productivity of goats and pigs, do not have knowledge and skills in making effective and efficient fermented feed with Bioster technology and processing livestock and agricultural waste into quality and economic value organic. The methods used were survey, interview, discussion, counseling/training. The resulting output is that partners understand about efforts to increase the productivity of goats and pigs, making fermented feed, quality and valuable organic fertilizer.

Increasing Pig Farming Efficiency through Feed Fermentation in the Bangun Sari Pig Farming Group, Pancasari Village

Pigs are one of the livestock that have an important role in the lives of people in Bali, both as meat producers and also for traditional and religious ceremonies. The community service carried out at the Bangun Sari Pig Farm Group has contributed in the form of increasing partner knowledge about pig health management and cage sanitation as well as fermented feed production by utilizing plantation (vegetable) waste which is widely available in the surrounding environment. This activity was carried out on June 26, 2023 using the active participation method. The results of this service activity are that partners understand and are able to carry out animal health management and cage sanitation properly. In addition, farmers are also able to ferment plantation waste (vegetables) into quality pig feed so as to reduce commercial feed costs and increase the partner income.

Silage preparation and sustainable livestock production of natural woody plant.

As the global population increases and the economy grows rapidly, the demand for livestock products such as meat, egg and milk continue to increase. The shortage of feed in livestock production is a worldwide problem restricting the development of the animal industry. Natural woody plants are widely distributed and have a huge biomass yield. The fresh leaves and branches of some woody plants are rich in nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals and can be used to produce storage feed such as silage for livestock. Therefore, the development and utilization of natural woody plants for clean fermented feed is important for the sustainable production of livestock product. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the research progress, current status and development prospects of forageable natural woody plant feed resources. The nutritional composition and uses of natural woody plants, the main factors affecting the fermentation of woody plant silage and the interaction mechanism between microbial co-occurrence network and secondary metabolite are reviewed. Various preparation technologies for clean fermentation of woody plant silage were summarized comprehensively, which provided a sustainable production mode for improving the production efficiency of livestock and producing high-quality livestock product. Therefore, woody plants play an increasingly important role as a potential natural feed resource in alleviating feed shortage and promoting sustainable development of livestock product.

The Effects of Fungal Fermented Feeds on Broiler Chicken Growth Performance, Gut Morphology, and Gastrointestinal Tract Microecology: A Review

Due to the shortage of poultry feed ingredients and the resultant continuous increase in their prices, researchers have been looking for their alternatives. Agricultural wastes and by-products (such as wheat bran, rice husk, sour cherry kernel, palm kernel, cassava pulp, rapeseed meal, and corn meal) are among such alternatives, although they cannot be used directly due to their high crude fiber content. Fermentation is an evolving process that converts complex substrates into simpler molecules using bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. It improves the nutrient content of feed ingredients. It is also used to ferment agricultural waste materials in order to improve their nutritional value, so they can be utilized as broiler feed. Moreover, it can provide an inexpensive feed source to poultry industry and convert waste materials into a useable product. Different bacterial and fungal strains are employed for fermentation. This review focuses on the use of fungal fermented agricultural waste-based feed and its effects on broiler chicken growth performance, gut morphology, and gastrointestinal tract microecology.

Aquafeed fermentation improves dietary nutritional quality and benefits feeding behavior, meat flavor, and intestinal microbiota of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).

Normally, proper fermentation can be an efficient and widely used method to improve feed quality in animal rearing; however, the studies on crustaceans, especially Eriocheir sinensis, remain limited. This study aimed to investigate whether feed fermentation could meliorate dietary nutritional value and benefit E.sinensis rearing. First, non-fermented feed (NFD) and fermented feed (FD) were produced and assessed, respectively. Then, the "Y" maze feed choice behavior test (180 times; 30 times, 6 rounds) was conducted to assess the attractiveness of these 2 feeds for crabs. Finally, a total of 80 crabs (44.10±0.80g) were randomly assigned into 2 groups with 4 replicates, and fed the experimental diets for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of each feed on growth, antioxidant capacity, meat flavor, and intestinal microbiota. In this study, FD showed higher levels of crude protein (P<0.01), soluble protein (P<0.01), amino acids (P<0.05), lactic acid (P<0.001), and lower levels of crude fiber (P<0.05) and antinutritional factors (agglutinin, trypsin inhibitor, glycinin, and β-conglycinin) (P<0.001) than NFD. Additionally, FD was more attractive to crabs than NFD (P<0.01) and it stimulated the appetite of crabs more than NFD (P<0.05). The growth performance, feed efficiency, and digestive enzyme activity of FD-fed crabs were significantly higher than those of NFD-fed crabs (P<0.05). The electronic sensory measurements and free amino acid profiles revealed that the FD diet had positive impacts on the meat flavor of crabs, particularly in "sweet" and "umami" tastes. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of FD-fed crabs was significantly higher than that of NFD-fed crabs (P<0.05). Fermented feed also affected the diversity and composition of intestinal microflora. The functional prediction of microbial communities showed that crabs fed FD had a better microecological environment in the intestine. In conclusion, the fermentation of aquafeed could be an effective approach to enhance feed quality and therefore benefit E.sinensis rearing.