Dietary Fermented Soybean Meal Research Articles

Effects of dietary fermented soybean meal with Thua nao starter on the growth performance, body composition, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement of the nutritional value of soybean meal by using Thua nao starter as a dietary supplement for tilapia culture. The study covered five different experimental diets, each containing fermented soybean meal (FSBM): FSBM0 (0 g/kg), FSBM75 (75 g/kg), FSBM150 (150 g/kg), FSBM225 (225 g/kg), and FSBM300 (300 g/kg) for 10 weeks. The results of the fermentation process revealed that the FSBM exhibited an abundance of Bacillus and Kosakonia, along with notable enzyme activities such as protease, filter paper cellulase, and carboxymethyl cellulase. Furthermore, the protein content of the FSBM increased from 42% to 44%. When the tilapia feed was supplemented with the FSBM, it was observed that supplementation with amounts below FSBM225 had no significant impact on fish growth. Conversely, the diet of FSBM300 had a detrimental effect on growth. Fish receiving FSBM diets demonstrated elevated white blood cells, particularly in those fed FSBM150, FSBM225, and FSBM300, with an increase in neutrophils in the FSBM225 and FSBM300. The whole-body composition revealed no significant changes in crude protein and ash, but there was reduction in crude lipid content. Notably, the supplementation of FSBM had a positive impact on the disease resistance of tilapia to Aeromonas hydrophila, with the FSBM225 group showing the lowest fish mortality rate at 23.8%. These findings indicate that the inclusion of FSBM at a concentration of 225 g/kg in the fish diet does not negatively affect growth and improves survival rates when exposed to A. hydrophila. This indicates that FSBM can be considered a valuable dietary supplement to resist bacterial infection for tilapia farming.

Overall evaluation of the replacement of fermented soybean to fish meal in juvenile white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei diet: growth, health status, and hepatopancreas histomorphology

This study was conducted to determine the effect of replacing fishmeal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) for 12 weeks on the growth performance, feed utilization, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzyme assays and lipid peroxidation, digestive enzymes, and histopathological analysis of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei). By substituting 0.0%, 20%, 30%, and 40% FSBM for fishmeal (w/w), four isonitrogenous diets were generated. A total of 300 juvenile L. vannamei (1.59 ± 0.01 g) were randomly allocated to the experimental fiber tanks at a rate of fifteen shrimp per tank, with three replicates for each treatment. Growth performance and feed utilization decline considerably (P < 0.05) with increasing amounts of FM replacement with FSBM in diets. In comparison to the juveniles fed the other experimental diets, the diet containing a moderate level of FM replacement (20% FSBM) considerably enhanced growth performance and feed consumption during the feeding trial. The 20% FSBM-fed group had the highest protein content. In contrast, raising FSBM levels significantly increased lipid content (P < 0.05) compared to the control. However, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) across FSBM treatments. Hemolymph plasma total protein (TP) concentration and lysozyme activity were substantially greater (P < 0.05) in 20% FSBM compared to 40% FSBM (P < 0.05). In addition, 20% FSBM exhibits a substantial (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT SOD, GPX, and GR). In contrast, the control and 30% FSBM groups had considerably more lipid peroxidation markers (MDA) than the 20% and 40% FSBM groups. Hepatopancreas amylase activity was considerably elevated (P < 0.05) in the control group and with 40% FSBM. In addition, hepatopancreas and intestinal protease and lipase activity increased significantly by 20% FSBM. Considerably, more B cells were present in the 40% FSBM diet than in the control diet; however, they were significantly less prevalent in the 20% and 30% FSBM diets (P < 0.05).

The Effects of Dietary Fermented Soybean Meal Supplementation on the Growth, Antioxidation, Immunity, and mTOR Signaling Pathway of Juvenile Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

This experiment aims to investigate the effects of partial replacement of fish meal (FM) by soybean meal (SBM) and/or fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the growth, serum biochemistry, digestion, antioxidation, immunity, and mTOR signaling pathway of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Four iso-nitrogen and iso-lipid diets were designed and fed to four groups of juvenile coho salmon (152.25 ± 2.96 g) in triplicate for 10 weeks. The four diets were the G0 diet (control group, containing 28% FM protein), the G1 diet (containing 10% SBM protein and 18% FM protein), the G2 diet (containing 5% SBM protein, 5% FSBM protein, and 18% FM protein), and the G3 diet (containing 10% FSBM protein and 18% FM protein). It was found that compared with the G0 diet (control group), the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), pepsin, trypsin, α-amylase, and lipase, and the expression levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mtor), protein kinase B (akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (pi3k), plant ribosome S6K protein kinase (s6ks), and lysozyme (lyz) genes, of juvenile coho salmon fed the G3 diet increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (tnf-α), interleukin-1β (il-1β), and interleukin-6 (il-6) genes of juvenile coho salmon fed the G3 diet decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in growth, muscle composition, and serum biochemistry of juvenile coho salmon fed the G3 diet compared with the G0 diet (p &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, replacing 10% FM protein with FSBM protein could improve the digestion, antioxidation, immunity, and mTOR signaling pathway of juvenile coho salmon.

Effects of fermented soybean meal substitution for fish meal on intestinal flora and intestinal health in pearl gentian grouper.

This study explored the role of replacing fish meal protein with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) protein on the growth performance and intestinal morphology, immunity, and microbiota of the pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with increasing levels of FSBM (0%, 20% and 40%; referred to as FM, FSBM20 and FSBM40 diets, respectively) as a replacement for fish meal were selected for this study. The pearl gentian grouper were fed these diets for 10 weeks. The findings revealed that the growth of fish fed the FSBM diets (FSBM20 and FSBM40) were remarkably lower than the fish fed the FM diet. Pathological manifestations of intestinal inflammation, such as shortened intestinal mucosal folds and thickened lamina propria, were observed in the fish fed the FSBM diets. Moreover, the gene expression levels of IL1β, IL12, IL17, and TNFα were remarkably upregulated in fish fed the FSBM40 diet, in contrast to the gene expression levels of IL4, IL5, IL10, and TGFβ1, which were remarkably downregulated (p < 0.05). The FSBM diets significantly affected the stability of the fish gut microbiota. Photobacterium was the dominant phylum in all experimental groups, and the proportion of these bacteria gradually decreased with increasing FSBM substitution. The composition of intestinal flora at the genus level was not the same in the three experimental groups, with a richer composition of intestinal bacteria detected in the FSBM20 and FSBM40 groups (p < 0.05). The correlation between intestinal flora balance and immune gene expression revealed that only Photobacterium was negatively correlated with the above upregulated genes, while other bacteria were positively correlated with these pro-inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). Photobacterium was positively correlated with the above downregulated genes, while other bacteria were negatively correlated with these anti-inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high levels of substitution of FSBM for fish meal causes intestinal inflammation in pearl gentian grouper. This is likely associated with changes to the intestinal flora. More attention should be paid to the negative role of dietary FSBM on intestinal flora.

Effects of fermented soybean meal on growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity in finishing pigs

• Fermented soybean meal (FSM) supplementation (7.42%) increases serum and muscle antioxidant ability. • FSM supplementation (7.42%) improves the growth performance of finishing pigs. • FSM supplementation induces a shift in muscle fiber types to more oxidative muscle fibers such as MyHC I. This objective was to investigate the effect of fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity in finishing pigs. Results showed that dietary FSM significantly increased ( P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and nutrient digestibility. FSM-containing diet increased serum antioxidant capacity, but decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in longissimus thoracis ( P < 0.05). The FSM-containing diet tended to decrease the pH 45min and increase a* (redness) value of longissimus thoracis (0.05 < P < 0.1). Moreover, FSM-containing diet increased the fat content synthesis in longissimus thoracis and upregulated lipogenic genes mRNA levels. Additionally, FSM-containing diet elevated the expression levels of myofiber-type related genes such as the MyHC I and MyHC IIa , but decreased the expression level of 4E-BP1 ( P < 0.05). These results indicated that FSM supplementation is capable of improving the growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidant ability in finishing pigs.

Effect of feeding fermented soybean meal on broiler chickens' performance: a meta-analysis.

The present study aimed to quantify the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on broiler chickens' performance by employing a meta-analysis approach. A total of 16 studies were included in the database after being systematically selected using a PRISMA protocol. Hedges' g effect size was used to quantify pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effects models at 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Publication bias among studies was computed with Egger's test and visualized using funnel plots. Results indicated that dietary FSBM inclusion increased final body weight (BW) (SMD = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.221 to 0.951, p = 0.002) of broiler chickens, particularly in starter period (SMD = 0.691, 95% CL: 0.149 to 1.233, p = 0.013) while in the finisher period, the effect was weaker (SMD = 0.509, 95% CI: 0.015 to 1.004, p = 0.043). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected with FSBM inclusion when compared to control. Subgroup analysis revealed that FI increased in starter period (SMD = 0.582, 95% CI: 0.037 to 1.128, p = 0.036). When considering types of microorganism as moderating variables in the subgroup analysis, we found that Aspergillus oryzae, mixed probiotics+bromelain protease, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus bacteria significantly increased ADG and FI (p<0.01). Additionally, either Bacillus subtilis+protease or Bacillus subtilis alone decreased FCR (p<0.001). However, meta-regression analysis showed that levels of FSBM inclusion had no effects on final BW (p = 0.502), ADG (p = 0.588), FI (p = 0.861), and FCR (p = 0.462). Substituting SBM in broiler chickens' diet with FSBM improved BW of broiler chickens, especially in the starter period whereas the effects on ADG, FI, and FCR were mostly dependent on microbial strains used for fermentation.

Fermented soybean meal increases nutrient digestibility via the improvement of intestinal function, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function of weaned pigs

The nutritional components of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) vary because of the complex process of microbial fermentation. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of FSBM from two sources and explore the mode of actions of FSBM on the improvement of nutrient digestibility with the measurements of digestive enzymes and serum biomarkers. Eight weaned barrows (initial BW: 14.12 ± 0.24 kg) equipped with T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design with four experimental diets and four periods. Four experimental diets included a soybean meal control diet, two FSBM diets, and a nitrogen-free diet. The two sources of FSBM increased the contents of CP, amino acid and lactic acid, while decreased the levels of anti-nutritional factors, including glycinin, β-conglycinin and trypsin inhibitors. Compared to soybean meal control diet, both FSBM diets significantly increased the apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of CP and amino acids (P < 0.05), increased the activities of lipase, maltase and invertase in digesta (P < 0.05), increased total antioxidant capacity, activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, the levels of interleukin-4, IgA, IgG and IgM in serum (P < 0.05), while decreased the levels of diamine oxidase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and interleukin-2 in serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids were highly correlated with the aforementioned digestive enzymes and health-related serum biomarkers. In summary, FSBM diets showed an improved nutritional value evidenced by the higher nutrient digestibility, which may be partially derived from its beneficial effects on intestinal integrity, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function.

Mixed culture microorganisms fermented soybean meal improves productive performance and intestinal health of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) juveniles fed plant‐based diets in a biofloc system

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant-based diets containing different inclusion levels (7%, 14%, 21% and 28%) of mixed culture microorganisms fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the zootechnical performance and intestinal health of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in a biofloc system. The FSBM diets were compared with a positive control diet with fish meal and a negative control diet with no animal protein. All diets were isoprotein (33% CP) and isoenergetic (4300 kcal GE/kg). The design was completely randomized with four replications and the experiment lasted 54 days. Juveniles (1.635 ± 0.198 g) were distributed in 24 tanks (70 L) at a density of seven animals per tank. Fermentation increased probiotic microorganisms count (lactic acid bacteria 4.75 ± 0.21 log CFU g−1 and yeast 3.30 ± 0.54 log CFU g−1) and improved nutritional characteristics of FSBM. In fish fed the diet containing 7% FSBM, growth performance did not differ from fish fed the fish meal diet. FSBM inclusion improved the food efficiency of plant-based diets. The inclusions above 21% of FSBM increased the intestinal villi height. In the inclusion of 28% of FSBM, the goblet cell was higher compared to that of the other plant-based diets. The inclusion of 7% FSBM allows a total replacement of fish meal without compromising the growth performance of the animals.

Effects of dietary inorganic salts supplementation on growth performance, bone mineral deposition, intestinal morphology and immune response of turbot juveniles ( Scophthalmus maximus L.) in fermented soybean meal‐based diets

The composition of mineral in fermented soybean meal (FSBM) was far from that of fish meal (FM). The lack of minerals might be one of the factors restricting the replacement of FM by FSBM. Thus, a 10-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of mixed inorganic salts (IS) supplementation in FSBM-based diets on growth, bone mineral deposition, intestinal morphology and immune response of turbot juveniles (Scophthalmus maximus L.). The whole FM diet was used as the FM group. Three isonitrogenous (544 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (108 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated. Three graded levels of IS were supplemented in FSBM-based diet (the control group) at 0, 1 fold and 2 folds according to the difference in composition of minerals from major ingredients. To be more specific: FM (0), FSBM (0), FSBM/IS-1 (Ca(H2PO4)2: 13.10 g/kg, CaCl2: 11.00 g/kg, NaCl: 9.55 g/kg, FeSO4·7H2O: 0.92 g/kg, Na2SeO3: 0.56 mg/Kg, ZnSO4·H2O: 5.60 mg/Kg); FSBM/IS-2 (Ca(H2PO4)2: 26.58 g/kg, CaCl2: 21.87 g/kg, NaCl: 19.11 g/kg, FeSO4·7H2O: 1.84 g/kg, Na2SeO3: 1.12 mg/Kg, ZnSO4·H2O: 13.66 mg/Kg). Each diet was randomly allocated to quadruplicate groups of 30 turbot juveniles. Results showed that no significant difference in survival rate was observed among dietary treatments (p > .05). Fish fed the diet with 2 folds IS had significantly higher specific growth rate than the control group and 1 fold IS (p < .05). Feed efficiency of fish fed the diet with 2 folds IS was significantly enhanced compared with the control group and 1 fold IS (p < .05). Bone deposition of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and selenium was significantly increased with increasing dietary IS while sodium was significantly decreased (p < .05). The activities in intestinal trypsin, amylase and lipase significantly increased with increasing dietary IS (p < .05). Besides, the activities of hepatic total antioxidant, total superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased with increasing dietary IS (p < .05). The activities in plasma lysozyme, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly decreased with increasing dietary IS (p < .05). Results of the present study indicated that 2 folds IS could partially relieve the growth retardation caused by high proportion of dietary FSBM, improve bone mineralization and enhance immune responses.

Lactobacillus spp. fermented soybean meal partially substitution to fish meal enhances innate immune responses and nutrient digestibility of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed diet with low fish meal

To accomplish the goal of sustainable aquaculture, substitution of fish meal (FM) with available and effective alternative ingredients is necessary. The present study evaluated the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) substituted to FM on growth, innate immune responses, nutrient digestibility, and morphological changes in hepatopancreas of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, fed a low FM diet. The FM protein was replaced by FSBM at 0%, 25% (25% FSBM), 50% (50% FSBM), 75% (75% FSBM), and 100% (100% FSBM) in the control diet (including 15% FM). Experimental diets were each fed in triplicates to juvenile shrimp with initial weight of 5.53 g in a closed recirculation system for eight weeks. Shrimp fed different diets exhibited similar (p > 0.05) growth performance and morphology in hepatopancreas. Shrimp fed the 75% FSBM diet had higher total hemocyte count than other dietary groups. Shrimp fed the 75% FSBM diet exhibited the highest phenoloxidase (PO) activity, followed by shrimp fed 50% FSBM and 100% FSBM diets, and lowest in shrimp fed the control and 25% FSBM diets. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and lipid showed the highest performance in shrimp fed the 75% FSBM diet compared with other dietary treatments. Results indicate that FSBM can completely replace fish meal protein without any negative effects on growth and morphology in hepatopancreas. The adequate replacement levels is suggested at 75% to improve innate immune responses and nutrient digestibility for white shrimp.

Effects of high level of fermented soybean meal substitution for fish meal on the growth, enzyme activity, intestinal structure protein and immune‐related gene expression and intestinal flora in juvenile pearl gentian grouper

The present study preliminarily investigated the effects of high level of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) protein substituted for fish meal (FM) protein on the growth and intestinal homeostasis of pearl gentian grouper. Seven hundred and twenty juvenile groupers were randomly divided into three groups, including the FM control group, 20% FSBM protein substituted for FM protein group (FSBM20) and FSBM40 group (n = 4). Three iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets were prepared and fed to fish for 10 weeks. Each barrel of cultural water is 1 m3, using natural light and temperature. Results showed that weight gain, specific growth rate, intestine plica length/width and microvilli length in FSBM groups decreased significantly (p < .05), and the lamina propria width in FSBM groups increased significantly (p < .05). The enzyme activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase in distal intestinal tissues and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase in liver tissues increased significantly with dietary FSBM addition (p < .05). The pro-inflammatory and immune-related gene expressions of IL1β, IL12, IL32 and TNF-α increased significantly in FSBM40 group (p < .05), while the anti-inflammatory and immune-related gene expressions of IL5, IL10, IgM, CD4 and lysozyme decreased significantly in FSBM40 group (p < .05). The aquaporin protein gene expressions of aqu1, aqu4 and aqu12, and the tight junction protein gene expressions of jam, claudin3, claudin12, claudin15 and ZO-3 decreased significantly (p < .05), while the gene expressions of aqu8, aqu9, aqu10 and ZO-1 increased significantly (p < .05), and the ion transport carrier gene expressions of nkcc and clc decreased significantly (p < .05). 16S high-throughput sequencing showed that at the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased significantly in FSBM40 group (p < .05), while that of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria increased significantly in FSBM40 group (p < .05). At the genus level, the top 10 species were Photobacterium, Stenotrophlomonas, Vibrio, Phyllobacterium, Chromohalobacter, etc. The abundance of Photobacterium in FSBM40 group decreased significantly (p < .05), while that of other species increased significantly (p < .05). High level of FSBM substituted for FM resulted in a significant decrease in the functional abundance of aerobic_chemoheterotrophy and chemoheterotrophy in FSBM40 group (p < .05), while animal_parasites_or_symbiont abundance increased significantly in FSBM40 group (p < .05). Present study showed that experimental level of FSBM had a significantly negative effect on the growth performance, intestinal mucosa structure and intestinal flora composition in pearl gentian grouper.

Bacillus subtilis LCBS1 supplementation and replacement of fish meal with fermented soybean meal in bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) diets: Effects on growth performance, feed digestibility and gut health

Two consecutive feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis LCBS1 supplementation and substituting fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) in terms of growth performance, feed digestibility, intestinal morphology, and microbial composition of bullfrogs. In trial 1, bullfrogs received either a soybean meal (SM)-based basal diet (control check, CK group) or probiotic diet (basal diet was supplemented with 1 × 107 CFU/g of B. subtilis LCBS1, BS group). Each diet was fed to three replicates of bullfrogs (29.61 ± 0.07 g) for 58 days. Evaluation of B. subtilis LCBS1 FSM as a FM replacer in bullfrog diet was conducted in trial 2. A diet containing 20% FM formed the basal diet, and 60% and 100% of the FM was replaced with SM or FSM (FM, SM60, FSM60, SM100, and FSM100 diets). Each diet was fed to three replicates of bullfrogs (23.3 ± 0.3 g) for 63 days. As a result, in trial 1, BS treatments significantly increased weight gain (WG) and whole-body protein deposition. Significant improvements in villus height (VH), muscularis thickness (MT), and digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and phosphorus (P) were observed in the BS group compared with the control group. Probiotic supplementation resulted in elevated IL-4 and IL-10 expression and decreased TNF-α and IL-17 expression. A remarkable decrease in serum D-lactate concentration and diamine oxidase activity was detected in the BS group. Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Firmicutes were the three most abundant bacterial phyla in each group, while Enterobacter and Bacillus were the most abundant genera in the CK and BS groups, respectively. In trial 2, compared with bullfrogs that received the SM diets, bullfrogs fed either the FM or FSM diets showed greater WG, feed efficiency, hind leg index, whole-body CP content, and digestibilities of DM, CP, calcium, P, and phytate P, and increased VH, villus thickness, and MT. Serum urea nitrogen and ammonia concentrations were significantly higher in the SM group than the FM or FSM group. Overall, dietary B. subtilis LCBS1 supplementation improved growth and digestion in bullfrogs and attenuated the intestinal structural damage and microflora dysbacteriosis caused by SM-based diets. Substituting 60–100% of FM with SM impaired the growth performance, digestion ability, and jejunal morphology of bullfrogs, while replacing equivalent FM with FSM effectively ameliorated these traits.

Mechanisms by Which Fermented Soybean Meal and Soybean Meal Induced Enteritis in Marine Fish Juvenile Pearl Gentian Grouper.

Soy meals can cause intestinal inflammation and even injury in animals, especially infants and juvenile individuals. This study investigated the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the growth and intestinal homeostasis of juvenile pearl gentian grouper and examined the mechanisms by which FSBM and soybean meal (SBM) induced enteritis in fish, using “3+2” full-length transcriptome sequencing. We randomly assigned 720 female juvenile groupers into three treatment groups: FM control group, 20% FSBM group (FSBM20), and FSBM40 group (n = 4). Three iso-nitrogenous (50% protein) and iso-lipidic (10% lipid) diets were prepared and fed to fish for 10 weeks. The water volume in each barrel was about 1 m3, using natural light and temperature. Results showed that dietary FSBM, at experimental level, significantly affected fish growth and intestinal structure negatively and significantly increased enteritis indices. The degree of intestinal injury and inflammation was determined by the enzyme activities of trypsin and lysozyme, and the contents of IgM, C3, C4, and malondialdehyde, and the expressions of pro-inflammatory genes (IL1β, IL8, IL17, and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory genes (IL4, IL10, and TGFβ1). Full-length transcriptome analysis identified 2,305 and 3,462 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SBM40 and FSBM40 groups, respectively. However, only 18.98% (920/5,445) of DEGs had similar expression patterns, indicating that high levels of SBM40 and FSBM40 have different metabolic strategies. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that among the significant pathways, ~45% were related to immune diseases/systems, infectious diseases, and signal transduction in both SBM and FSBM groups. Based on PacBio SMRT sequencing, nine toll-like receptor (TLR) members, including TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR8, TLR9, TLR13, TLR21, and TLR22, were detected in intestinal tissues of pearl gentian grouper. TLR-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway played an important role in the development of FSBM- and SBM-induced enteritis in pearl gentian grouper; however, TLR receptors used in SBM and FSBM groups were different. TLR1, TLR8, TLR13, and TLR22 were the main receptors used in FSBM group, while TLR5, TLR8, TLR9, TLR21, and TLR22 were the main receptors used in SBM group. Present study provides valuable theoretical references for further research on soy protein-induced enteritis in fish.

Dietary fermented soybean meal replacement alleviates diarrhea in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 by modulating inflammatory cytokine levels and cecal microbiota composition

BackgroundImpaired gut microbiota leads to pathogenic bacteria infection, pro-inflammatory response and post-weaning diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 is a major cause of post-weaning diarrhea in weaned piglets. Fermented soybean meal (FSBM) could relieve diarrhea, alleviate inflammatory response, and modulate gut microbiota of weaned piglets. We used ETEC K88-challenged weaned piglet model to investigate the effects of FSBM on the growth performance, inflammatory response and cecal microbiota. Twenty-four crossbred piglets (6.8 ± 0.5 kg; 21 ± 2 days of age) were allotted into 2 treatment fed the diets with or without FSBM (6% at the expense of soybean meal). Six weaned piglets in each diet treatment were challenged by ETEC K88 (1 × 109 CFU/piglets) on day 15. The experimental period lasted for 20 days.ResultsThe ETEC K88 challenge decreased (p < 0.05) fecal consistency and plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration, while increased (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations. After ETEC K88 challenge, dietary FSBM replacement increased (p < 0.05) final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), ADFI, and fecal consistency, but decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR). The plasma IL-10 concentration of weaned piglets fed FSBM was higher (p < 0.05), while IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations were lower (p < 0.05). Dietary FSBM replacement attenuated the increase of plasma TNF-α concentration and the decrease of ADG induced by ETEC K88 challenge (p < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene V4 region of cecal microbiota revealed that ETEC K88 challenge increased (p < 0.05) Campylobacter relative abundance on genus level. Dietary FSBM replacement resulted in higher (p < 0.05) relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and lower (p < 0.05) relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacillus. Furthermore, dietary FSBM replacement relieved the increase of Escherichia-Shigella relative abundance in weaned piglets challenged by ETEC K88 (p < 0.05).ConclusionsDietary FSBM replacement improved growth performance and alleviated the diarrhea of weaned piglets challenged with ETEC K88, which could be due to modulation of cecal microbiota composition and down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines production.

Dietary fermented soybean meal inclusion improves growth performance and ileal barrier function of the weaned piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

The present study was performed to investigate whether dietary fermented soybean meal (FSBM) inclusion could improve growth performance and ameliorate diarrhea via improving ileal barrier function in weaned piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88, and further analyze the potential roles for inflammatory response and epithelium apoptosis. A total of 32 crossbred barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Large White), 21 ± 2 day of age, and initial body weight of 6.86 ± 0.54 kg) were assigned to 2 diets (basal diet with or without FSBM, 60 g/kg at the expense of soybean meal) and subsequently challenged or not with ETEC K88 (5 × 1010 CFU/piglets) on day 15 of experiment in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The results showed that weaned piglets fed FSBM had a tendency for greater average daily gain (ADG) compared to piglets fed SBM during day 1–14 (P = 0.081). After ETEC K88 challenge, the challenged piglets had higher (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and incidence of diarrhea compared to the nonchallenged piglets. Dietary FSBM inclusion improved the ADG (P = 0.047), and decreased the FCR and incidence of diarrhea (P < 0.05) of weaned piglets. Piglets challenged with ETEC K88 had increased (P < 0.001) plasma D-lactate concentration and a tendency (P = 0.094) for increase plasma diamine oxidase concentration. ETEC K88 challenge decreased ileal villus height (P = 0.011) and tended to decrease ileal villus height to crypt depth (P = 0.058). Dietary FSBM inclusion tended to increase ileal villus height (P = 0.068). Ileal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1 mRNA and protein expression were decreased (P < 0.01) by ETEC K88 challenge, while increased by dietary FSBM inclusion (P < 0.05). There were no effects of either treatment on the ileal mRNA and protein expression of genes associated with mucin production (mucin 1 and mucin 2). ETEC K88 challenge increased ileal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression (P < 0.01), while dietary FSBM inclusion alleviated the increase of ileal TNF-α mRNA expression (P = 0.042) and tended to relieve the increase of ileal IL-6 mRNA expression (P = 0.069). The decreased (P < 0.001) ileal B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) mRNA expression were observed in ETEC K88-challenged piglets. Dietary FSBM inclusion increased ileal Bcl-2 mRNA expression of weaned piglets (P = 0.002), especially that of piglets without ETEC K88 challenge (P = 0.065). In conclusion, dietary FSBM inclusion improved growth performance, ameliorated diarrhea and enhanced ileal tight junction protein expression, which was concomitant to decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and ileal mucosal cell apoptosis.

Synergistic effects of fermented soybean meal and mannan-oligosaccharide on growth performance, digestive functions, and hepatic gene expression in broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) with or without mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic on growth performance, digestive functions, and hepatic IGF-1 gene expression of broiler chicken. A total of 480 day-old male broiler chickens were fed with 4 experimental diets for 6 wk. Experimental diets included corn-soybean meal diet (CON); corn-soybean meal diet + MOS prebiotic [0.2%, ActiveMOS; Biorigin, Brazile]; corn-FSBM diet [soybean meal (SBM) was totally replaced by FSBM]; and corn-FSBM + MOS prebiotic (MIX). Replacing dietary SBM with FSBM with or without MOS improved body weight gain and feed efficiency for the total grow-out period. However, the addition of MOS to the FSBM diet exhibited a greater body weight gain than other experimental diets. Villus height and villus height to crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum were increased by feeding FSBM, MOS, and MIX diets. The ileal crude protein and energy digestibilities, as well as the activities of intestinal amylase and protease, and pancreatic protease, were improved by replacing SBM with FSBM, with or without MOS. The concentration of plasma 3-methylhistidine was reduced by FSBM and MOS, and synergistically by their combination. The MOS and FSBM diets upregulated the hepatic IGF-1 gene expression. However, there was an evident synergistic effect of FSBM supplemented with MOS in the upregulation of the hepatic IGF-1 gene expression. The outcomes of the current study indicate the FSBM and MOS had the potential to improve growth performance, hepatic IGF-1 expression, and intestinal morphology of broilers. Overall, the fermented products could be considered as functional feed that exhibits probiotic effects and the synergistic effects of prebiotics added to the fermented feeds may further improve the growth performance and gut health and functionality in broiler chicken.

Fermented soybean meal ameliorates Salmonella Typhimurium infection in young broiler chickens

The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of dietary fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in comparison with prebiotic (Xylooligosaccharide; XOS) and probiotic (Lactic acid bacteria-based probiotic; LAC) for prevention of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) infection in young broiler chickens from 1 to 24 d. The in vitro study revealed that soybean meal (SBM) fermentation increased the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and lactic acid content and inhibited the growth of enterobacteria such as coliforms in SBM. A total of 450 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were placed in 30 pens (15 birds/pen) and allocated to 5 experimental treatments that consisted an un-supplemented basal diet and not infected (NC) or infected with ST (IC); IC plus 2g XOS/kg; IC plus 0.2g LAC/kg; and IC containing a complete replacement of SBM with FSBM. All birds (except NC) were orally administered with 0.5mL of the ST solution (1 × 106 CFU/mL) at d 3 post-hatch. The ST challenge decreased body weight gain and feed intake (P < 0.05). The impairment of feed conversion ratio was alleviated by the addition of XOS, LAC, and FSBM in broiler diets compared with IC birds (P < 0.05). The ST infection reduced duodenum and jejunum villus height and increased Salmonella colonization throughout the gut as well as internal organ invasion compared with NC birds (P < 0.05). However, ST-infected broilers fed the XOS, LAC, and FSBM-containing diets showed a significant decrease in gut Salmonella colonization, and internal organ invasion, an increase in LAB counts, and improvement in intestinal mucosa morphology (P < 0.05). The tested feed additives or FSBM reduced heterophil to lymphocyte ratio compared with the IC group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that XOS, LAC, and FSBM improve growth performance, lower Salmonella colonization, and improve intestinal characteristics and immune response in ST-challenged broiler chicks. Therefore, fermented feeds due to having functional ingredients can be considered as an effective strategy to lessen the colonization of gut pathogens in broiler chickens.

Feeding diets with graded levels of fermented soybean meal to Pacific whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931): Effect on digestive enzymes, immune responses and carcass composition

A 45-days indoor trial was performed to assess the effect of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on digestive enzyme activity, immune responses and carcass composition of amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals in Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931). Five iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated by replacing fishmeal (w/w) with FSBM (200, 250, 300. 350 and 400 g kg-1). A total of 300 juveniles (3.08±0.07 g) were randomly distributed to the experimental tanks at the rate of twenty shrimp per tank with three replications for each treatment. Protease activity (p&lt;0.05) decreased with increase in the inclusion level of fermented ingredients. Shrimp fed with FSBM300 diet had a significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher amylase activity than others. Whereas, the lipase activity was not affected significantly due to the dietary change. Total haemocyte count varied from 11.24 to18.54x106 cells ml-1 in FSBM diet fed shrimps. Control group showed highest activity of phenoloxidase (2.85 dopochrome ml-1) but it did not significantly differ from other treatments. Shrimp fed fermented ingredients had no significant difference in carcass amino acids. Eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6) were significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected in shrimp reared with FSBM350 and FSBM400 diets. Calcium had a significant difference between the treatments, while other elements were not influenced. The results concluded that fishmeal could be partially substituted with fermented ingredients in the diet of P. vannamei without having any negative effect on immune responses and carcass micro-nutrients.

Effect of dietary fermented soybean meal on growth, intestinal morphology and microbiota in juvenile large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacement of fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microbiota of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Replacement ratio of FM with FSM were 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75%, respectively (marked as FSM0, FSM15, FSM30, FSM45, FSM60 and FSM75). The results indicated that the survival ranged from 84.78% to 99.44%, and no significant differences were observed among all treatments (p > 0.05). Weight gain ratio (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly decreased when the replacement level of FM protein exceeded 60%, and fish fed the FSM60 and FSM75 diets had lower WGR and SGR than those fed the other diets. Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) significantly increased with replacement levels of FM increasing. Illumina high-throughput sequence analyses showed that the alpha diversity did not differ among the diets of FSM0, FSM15 and FSM75. The whole community of tested samples was not modified by FSM, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant flora in the intestines based on the phyla level. The dominant phyla in the water sample were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes. Fish fed the diet containing FSM75 significantly reduced the species abundance of Paenibacillus. There was a certain correlation between the intestine microbiota and SGR, antioxidant, and immune. Results indicated that up to 45% of FM can be replaced by FSM without negative effects on growth performance and intestinal integrity of juvenile large yellow croaker.

Partial replacement of fishmeal by fermented soybean meal in diets for juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

As an important feed ingredient, fermented soybean meal (FSM) has been widely used in aquatic animals due to its stable sources and reasonable price. Here, we evaluated the potential for replacement of fishmeal (FM) with FSM in diet of Litopenaeus vannamei. Five isonitrogenous (410 g/kg) and isolipidic (80 g/kg) diets were formulated: a control diet containing 320 g/kg FM and four experimental diets in which FM in control diet was replaced by FSM at 10 (FSM10%), 20 (FSM20%), 30 (FSM30%) and 40% (FSM40%). An 8-week feeding trial was conducted in fifteen fibreglass tanks with 50 shrimps per tank. After 8 weeks trial, FSM20% had significantly enhanced growth performance (p 0.05). Through real-time quantitative PCR analysis, tor and s6k expression levels of FSM20% were significantly up-regulated (p 0.05), which suggested mTOR signalling pathway was not affected by FSM diets. Based on the above data, 20% replacement of FM with FSM was reasonable and advantageous for L. vannamei diet.