Poultry Feed Research Articles

Lactobacillus salivarius Ameliorates AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity via PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in Geese

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is commonly found in feed ingredients and foods all over the world, posing a significant threat to food safety and public health in animals and humans. Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) was recorded to improve the intestinal health and performance of chickens. However, whether L. salivarius can alleviate AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in geese was unknown. A total of 300 Lande geese were randomly assigned to five groups: control group, AFB1 low-dose group (L), L. salivarius+AFB1 low-dose group (LL), AFB1 high dosage groups (H), L. salivarius+AFB1 high dosage groups (LH), respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of ALT, AST, and GGT significantly increased after exposure to AFB1. Similarly, severe damage of hepatic morphology was observed including the hepatic structure injury and inflammatory cell infiltration. The oxidative stress was evidenced by the elevated concentrations of MDA, and decreased activities of GSH-Px, GSH and SOD. The observation of immunofluorescence, real-time PCR, and western blotting showed that the expression of PINK1 and the value of LC3II/LC3I were increased, but that of p62 significantly decreased after AFB1 exposure. Moreover, the supplementation of L. salivarius effectively improved the geese performance, ameliorated AFB1-induced oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial mitophagy and enhanced the liver restoration to normal level. The present study demonstrated that L. salivarius ameliorated AFB1-induced the hepatotoxicity by decreasing the oxidative stress, and regulating the expression of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in the mitochondria of the geese liver. Furthermore, this investigation suggested that L. salivarius might serve as a novel and safe additive for preventing AFB1 contamination in poultry feed.

Uses of nanotechnological feed additives and nanofeeds in poultry feeding

In poultry, which has an important place in meeting the need for healthy animal protein, the production of ration substance compositions with alternative sources is one of the popular topics of the last period. Nanoparticles produced by nanotechnology of various minerals added to poultry diets are increasingly being used as feed additives that can reduce feed costs, reduce the risk of environmental waste, replace antibiotics and do not pose residue risk in animal products, both in terms of supporting growth and development and strengthening the immune system. The aim of this study was to bring together the studies on the effects of using nanoparticles as feed additives on growth, development performance and immune system in poultry

Attenuated-total-reflection Fourier-transformed spectroscopy as a rapid tool to reveal the molecular structure of insect powders as ingredients for animal feeds

Abstract Unsustainable agriculture contributes to disastrous global effects – insect-based feed shows potential due to their sustainable, nutritional, and waste upcycling properties. Current EU legislation restricts insect-based meals to fish, pork, and poultry feed; but the near-future shows a great potential for wider acceptance in livestock feed. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), mealworm (MW), field cricket (FC), and banded cricket (BC) were sourced within three consecutive weeks – each batch was prepared, freeze-dried, then milled, and stored at −20 °C. Chemical composition of whole-insect meals was analysed for ether extract (EE), crude ash, and nitrogenic contents using standard wet chemistry protocols. Monogastric in vitro digestibility was determined through replicating gastric and full intestinal digestion; during this, R-amino acid content was determined through protein hydrolysis kinetics. Additionally, ATR-FTIR was used for molecular analysis, including identification of nutrient-associated functional spectral bands – structural differences were compared through principal component analysis. Insect-based ATR-FTIR analysis demonstrates notable differences in Amide regions, suggesting distinct protein secondary structures, but overall, FC and BC contain the highest crude protein (CP) levels. The lowest CP content was in BSFL; however, BSFL contained the highest ash content – likely consequence of high calcium. Dry matter (DM) yielded lowest in the crickets (FC-28.6; BC-26.9 g/100 g), and highest in MW-38.5 g/100 g; the sum of CP + EE in MW represented >80% DM, but with higher EE contents-CP: EE = 2.45. Data shows greater chitin content in crickets than BSFL + MW. Crickets showed greater neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than BSFL + MW; however, acid-detergent fibre (ADF) was similar among all species, suggesting NDF may include amalgams of interlinked nutrients released by acid digestion. This first study shows for the first time evidence that rearing conditions and substrates influences molecular structure. Exponential solubilisation was observed during pepsin + pancreatin digestion for all, but BSFL exhibited the highest degree-of-hydrolysis during the pancreatin phase, surpassing others. Analysis indicates protein hydrolysis differences are linked to trypsin activity susceptibility.

Microbiome analyses of poultry feeds: Part II. Comparison of different poultry feeds

Within the realm of poultry feed mill operations, the persistent concern over microbial feed quality necessitates the establishment of a robust baseline for enhancing and sustaining the standards of commercial feeds. This dual-phase investigation, comprising Parts I, was previously published, and the current study presented here as Part II aimed to illuminate this baseline using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In Part II, nine distinct commercial poultry feeds formulated as starters, growers, starter/growers, or supplements, the selected feeds underwent genomic DNA extraction, amplification with custom dual-indexed primers, and subsequent Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Through data analysis in QIIME2-2021.4 and R Studio, the study unveils alpha (Kruskal–Wallis) and beta (ANOSIM) diversity, taxonomic differences (ANCOM), and core microbiomes (core_members), deeming main and pairwise effects statistically significant at p < 0.05 and Q < 0.05. Notably, the investigation identified 30% common core microbial members across the nine feed types, shedding light on potential foodborne poultry pathogens such as Helicobacter and Campylobacter. Probiotic-associated feeds exhibited distinct microbial communities, emphasizing the need to explore their impact on the early poultry gastrointestinal tract (GIT) further.

Prospects for the use of aquatic plants in poultry feed

The article presents the data on the use of higher aquatic vegetation (HAV), such as naiads, as an alternative source of plant proteins in poultry feeding. The use of non-traditional raw materials contributes to the development of immunity in poultry without the need for antibiotics, which is relevant in the context of combating antibiotic resistance. The developed feed composition can not only significantly improve the quality of poultry feed, but also provide consumers with high quality and safe products. The results of the research can be promising for poultry feeding practice and contribute to the sustainable development of poultry farming.

Nutritional supplementation of breeding hens may promote embryonic development through the growth hormone-insulin like growth factor axis

The late stage of embryo development is a crucial period of metabolic changes, with rapid organ development requiring a substantial supply of nutrients. During this phase, maternal nutritional levels play a vital role in the growth, development, and metabolism of the offspring. In this study, we added 2 doses of β-carotene (βc) (120 mg/kg and 240 mg/kg) to the daily diet of Hailan Brown laying hens to investigate the impact of maternal nutritional enrichment on embryo development. Maternal nutrition supplementation significantly increased the expression of chicken embryo liver index, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in serum. At the same time, the expression of GH/growth hormone receptor (GHR), IGF-1 mRNA, and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) protein in the liver was upregulated, indicating that maternal nutrition intervention may promote chicken embryo liver development through the GH-IGF-1 axis. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that differential genes in liver after maternal nutritional supplementation with β-carotene were enriched in pathways related to cell proliferation and metabolism. Consequently, we postulated that maternal β-carotene supplementation might operate via the GH-IGF-1 axis to regulate the expression of genes involved in growth and development, thereby promoting liver development. These results contribute to formulating more effective poultry feeding strategies to promote offspring growth and development.

Effects of Allicin on the Immune Performance and Expression of Immune-related Genes in Muchuan Black-bone Chickens

Background: In response to China’s ban on medicinal feed additives with growth-promoting functions in livestock and poultry feed, there is an urgent need in modern animal husbandry for alternatives to antibiotics to sustain livestock health and improve feed conversion efficiency. Allicin, known for its safety, efficiency, lack of drug resistance and absence of residue, regulates the intestinal flora structure; inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria; improves intestinal health, immunity and stress resistance; and improves animal production. Methods: To investigate the impact of allicin on immune performance and immune-related gene expression in Muchuan black-bone chickens, diets were supplemented with varying allicin levels (50, 100, 200 mg/kg), designated as test groups A, B and C, respectively. Initially, growth performance was assessed. Subsequently, immunoglobulins were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetry; immune titers for avian influenza and Newcastle disease were evaluated using hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition tests and the expression of immune genes was analyzed via real-time quantitative PCR. Finally, serum biochemical indices in each group were determined. Result: Compared to the control group, allicin supplementation resulted in increased average fasting body weight in the experimental group and significantly (P less than 0.05) higher thymus and musogastric indices in groups A and C, respectively. Serum levels of immunoglobulin M in groups A and B and immunoglobulin G levels were significantly higher in all experimental groups than in controls. Antibody titers against avian influenza H5 and H7 strains were higher in all test groups, with Newcastle disease antibody titers in groups B and C significantly higher than those in controls. The mRNA expression levels of IFN-ã were lower across all experimental groups, whereas the expression levels of TLR3 in groups B and C and TLR15 in group B were higher. Serum levels of triglycerides in group A were significantly higher and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower in groups B and C than in controls. These findings indicate that dietary allicin (50-200 mg/kg) significantly improves growth performance, immunity and protein and lipid metabolism in Muchuan black-bone chickens, offering valuable data for the development and use of allicin as an antibiotic alternative.

Microbiome analyses of poultry feeds: Part I. Comparison of five different DNA extraction methods

Given extensive variability in feed composition, the absence of a dedicated DNA extraction kit for poultry feed underscores the need for an optimized extraction technique for reliable downstream sequencing analyses. This study investigates the impact of five DNA extraction techniques: Qiagen QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen), modified Qiagen with Lysing Matrix B (MQ), modified Qiagen with celite purification (MQC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and 1-Day Direct. Genomic DNA amplification and Illumina MiSeq sequencing were conducted. QIIME2-2021.4 facilitated data analysis, revealing significant diversity and compositional differences influenced by extraction methods. Qiagen exhibited lower evenness and richness compared to other methods. 1-Day Direct and PEG enhanced bacterial diversities by employing bead beating and lysozyme. Despite similar taxonomic resolution, the Qiagen kit provides a rapid, consistent method for assessing poultry feed microbiomes. Modified techniques (MQ and MQC) improve DNA purification, reducing bias in commercial poultry feed samples. PEG and 1-Day Direct methods were effective but may require standardization. Overall, this study underscores the importance of optimized extraction techniques in poultry feed analysis, with potential implications for future standardization of effective methods.

Biochemical characterization of purified phytase produced from Aspergillus awamori AFE1 associated with the gastrointestinal tract of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae latreille)

ABSTRACT The need for industrially and biotechnologically significant enzymes, such as phytase, is expanding daily as a result of the increased use of these enzymes in a variety of operations, including the manufacture of food, animal feed, and poultry feed. This study sought to characterize purified phytase from A. awamori AFE1 isolated from longhorn beetle for its prospect in industrial applications. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel-filtration chromatography were used to purify the crude enzyme obtained from submerged fermentation using phytase-producing media, and its physicochemical characteristics were examined. The homogenous 46.8-kDa phytase showed an 8.1-fold purification and 40.7% recovery. At 70 C and pH 7, the optimum phytase activity was noted. At acidic pH 4–6 and alkaline pH 8–10, it likewise demonstrated relative activity of 88–95% and 67–88%, respectively. It showed 67–70% residual activity between 30 and 70 C after 40 min, and 68–94% residual activity between pH 2 and 12 after 2 h. The presence of Hg+, Mg2+, and Al3+ significantly decreased the enzymatic activity, whereas Ca2+ and Cu2+ enhanced it. Ascorbic acid increased the activity of the purified enzyme, whereas ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and mercaptoethanol inhibited it. The calculated values for Km and Vmax were 55.4 mM and1.99 μmol/min/mL respectively. A. awamori phytase, which was isolated from a new source, showed unique and remarkable qualities that may find use in industrial operations such as feed pelleting and food processing.

Chemical composition and protein quality of BSF larvae reared with different media in Lombok

Abstract The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), scientifically known as Hermetia illucens, possess a substantial protein and fat content, enhancing their viability for incorporation into poultry feed. This characteristic positions them as one of the most favorable insect species for commercial productio. Its protein and fat content, however, varied among rearing media. This study aims to evaluate and compare the chemical composition, protein quality, and Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of BSFL reared with different media in Lombok Island. Three fourteen-day-old BSFL samples were collected from three BSFL farms rearing BSFL with different media i.e., rejected bread and expired sweetened condensed milk (A), organic household waste (B), and broiler manure (C). The samples were analyzed for their proximate composition, amino acids, and gross energy contents using the standard method. The results showed that protein and fat contents of BSFL reared with media A, B and C were 40.11 and 20.29 %; 39.09 and 37.17%, 28.37 and 29.49 % respectively. All samples were good sources of lysine and threonine with a chemical score over 100, but deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids and tryptophan. The AME value ranged from 5447 to 6085 Kcal/kg, and protein digestibility was between 72.78 and 78.67%. It can be concluded that BSFL has a high AME value and is rich in lysine and threonine but deficient in methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan.

The use of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata [L] Walp) in poultry diets: A review

Abstract Due to its valuable nutritional qualities and unique capacity to withstand heat and drought, the cowpea (CWP; Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important legume crop that is grown extensively throughout the globe and in increasing quantities also in semi-arid areas in Romania. Moreover, a drought-tolerant crop like CWP can provide several benefits to poultry in regions affected by water scarcity or drought conditions. Compared to other legumes, such as peas or soybeans, CWP has been the least researched and are the least used in poultry nutrition. The seed’s mean protein content is 25.5%, which is comparable to soybeans, winged beans, and gram. In addition, carbohydrates, fibers, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals are abundant in CWP seeds. The amino acid composition is characterized by a balanced profile, making it a valuable source of essential and non-essential amino acids. Additionally, CWP seeds are very rich in nutraceuticals like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The major PUFAs were linoleic (20.8–40.3%) and linolenic acids (9.6–32.1%). It also contains anti-nutritional factors like enzyme inhibitors that reduce nutrient absorption. However, various processing methods are employed to diminish or eliminate the negative effects of anti-nutritional components. CWP in their raw unprocessed form can be used as replacement for soybean meal in poultry diets, at inclusion levels up to 200 g/kg. However, the optimal inclusion rate of CWP in poultry feed will depend on different factors such as age and the processing method used.

Chemical Compositions and Plant Secondary Metabolites of Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L) Oilseed Press-cake from Different Locations

Abstract The industry of tamanu crude oil results in by-product called tamanu oil cake (TOC). The present study investigates the variation of chemical compositions and plant secondary metabolites of TOC collected from different locations as unconventional feed. The TOC was collected from three districts as follows: Purworejo, Bantul, and Sleman. These districts are the production centre of TCO in Central Java Province. Dry matter and organic matter were not different among locations. The TOC from Sleman had higher crude protein than Purworejo and Bantul (p&lt;0.001; 23.5% vs. 19.9% vs. 12.9%). The crude fiber of TOC from Sleman was the lowest followed by Bantul, and then Purworejo (p=0.001; 10.42% vs. 19.6% vs. 28.1%). The ether extract was higher from Purworejo and Bantul compared to Sleman (p=0.001; 13.9% and 15.6% vs. 5.96%). The TOC from Purworejo and Bantul had higher phenol (p=0.002; 6.13% and 5.36% vs. 3.73%), flavonoid (p=0.002; 6.13% and 5.36% vs. 3.73%), saponin (p=0.023; 0.80% and 0.84% vs. 0.57%), and tannin (p=0.001; 0.90% and 0.83% vs. 0.47%) than from Sleman. Considering chemical composition and plant secondary metabolites, the present study concluded that TOC from Sleman was recommended for poultry feed, while TOC from Purworejo and Bantul was recommended for ruminant feed.

Calcium, phosphorus, and phytic acid of fermented rice bran

Abstract Rice bran is one of the ingredients for poultry feed and is usually used in up to 10% of chicken feed. The restricted utilization of rice bran stems from its elevated levels of crude fiber (24.43%) and phytic acid (6.9%). Fermentation offers a means to diminish the amounts of crude fiber and phytic acid present. The fermentation requires carbon as an energy source for microorganisms. Palmyra sap (PS) can be used as a carbon source. PS is a local resource in East Nusa Tenggara that can be used as an additive. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of fermentation duration, along with the addition of 10% palmyra sap, on the calcium, phosphorus, and phytic acid levels in rice bran. A complete random design was used, comprising three treatments with five replications for each. These treatments included: DN0 (no fermentation), DN6 (6 days of fermentation), and DN12 (12 days of fermentation). The parameters measured were the content of calcium, phosphorus, and phytic acid. The data underwent analysis using variance analysis followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The findings indicated that fermentation durations led to a reduction in calcium and phytic acid levels, with no notable impact on the phosphorus content in rice bran. Specifically, the 12-day fermentation period yielded the lowest phytic acid content in rice bran.

Оценка эффективности фитодобавки из астрагала нутового в составе концентратной части рациона сельскохозяйственной птицы

The article presents the main results of feeding phytoadditive of Astragalus chickpea to egglaying poultry in order to improve metabolic processes and increase productivity. The research was carried out in 2022 at the Perm Research Institute of Agriculture, Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The fundamental task of agriculture in Russia is to increase the volumes of livestock production. The use of supplements consisting of local plant resources, such as Astragalus chickpea feed supplement, which has a high content of various biologically active substances, may be a good option for providing the necessary nutrients to poultry.The tested feed phytoadditive has a positive effect on indicators such as egg production, egg laying intensity, egg weight, amount of carotenoids and egg shell thickness. The study is aimed at the possibility of including a feed additive in the composition of poultry feed under conditions of intensified production. When introducing a phytonutrient feed additive into the main diet of laying hens, the following results were obtained: the ratio of protein mass to yolk mass in the second experimental group indicates an increase in the proportion of yolk in the egg composition by 1.25% compared to the control group, a higher content of carotene in the feed mixture, which affected its content in eggs (by 1.9% and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the control group). An increase in shell weight was noted due to an increase in its thickness by 0,34% in eggs from chickens of the second experimental group compared to the control group.

Analysis of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) frass as a resource for a sustainable agriculture in the current context of insect farming industry growth

With the ongoing rapid growth of the human population, the industrial development of mass insect rearing for feed and food is gaining momentum. This approach has proved to be a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional livestock to produce animal protein. In this context, the Tenebrio molitor production sector emerges as highly promising in the edible insect market, being among the most commonly bred species in the large-scale insect rearing industry. A recent modification of the European regulatory framework in this matter has authorized insect-produced feed for pigs and poultry, which will boost the creation of new insect industries, resulting in huge quantities of frass, the insect excrement, that could be valorized. This by-product holds substantial amounts of nutrients and advantageous microorganisms that have enormous potential for organic farming. It typically exhibits high organic content and an abundance of essential nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), alongside a narrow carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratio. In addition to providing plants with essential macronutrients, frass has been discovered to boost soil microbial biomass and introduce biomolecules and microbes that foster plant growth. The study of utilizing frass in sustainable agriculture is a relatively new and actively researched field in recent years. By conducting a comprehensive review of peer reviewed works, this article highlights the advantages associated with the effects of its use as organic fertilizer. Among these, the effect of frass as (1) a plant growth promoter and productivity enhancer and as (2) phytofortifyer against biotic and abiotic stresses, has been underlined in recent studies. With regard to its promoting effect, it has been observed that the effects of frass depend very much on its dose and the type of crop, with remarkably favorable results in many of the tests carried out. Hence, frass derived from the mass rearing of yellow mealworm for feed and food, could serve as an important and potent source of organic fertilizer in intensive horticultural crops or in high-value woody crops, contributing to a more sustainable agriculture, which can decrease the use of conventional synthetic agrochemicals.

Emerging mycotoxin occurrence in chicken feed and eggs from Algeria

Poultry farming has developed into one of Algeria’s most productive industrial farming because of the growing demand for sources of protein among Algerian society. Laying hen feed consists mainly of cereals, which can be contaminated with molds and subsequently with their secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins. These later can pose a serious danger to the production and quality of eggs in the commercial layer industry. This work focuses on the detection of emerging mycotoxins, mainly enniatins (ENNs) and beauvericin (BEA), in poultry feed and eggs from different locations in Algeria. Two different QuEChERS-based extractions were established to extract ENNs and BEA from chicken feed and eggs. The determination of mycotoxin occurrence was achieved by a UHPLC-MS/MS method using 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and MeOH as mobile phase, an ESI interface operating in positive mode, and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in MRM for the detection. Matrix-matched calibration curves were carried out for both matrices, obtaining good linearity (R2 > 0.99). The method performance was assessed in terms of extraction recovery (from 87 to 107%), matrix effect (from − 47 to − 86%), precision (RSD < 15%), and limits of quantitation (≤ 1.1 µg/kg for feed and ≤ 0.8 µg/kg for eggs). The analysis of 10 chicken feed samples and 35 egg samples composed of a 10-egg pool each showed that ENN B1 was the most common mycotoxin (i.e., found in 9 feed samples) with contamination levels ranging from 3.6 to 41.5 µg/kg, while BEA was detected only in one feed sample (12 µg/kg). However, eggs were not found to be contaminated with any mycotoxin at the detection limit levels. Our findings indicate that the searched mycotoxins are present in traces in feed and absent in eggs. This can be explained by the application of a mycotoxin binder. However, this does not put a stop on the conduction of additional research and ultimately setting regulations to prevent the occurrence of emerging mycotoxins.

ALTERNATIVE NON-TRADITIONAL SOURCES OF FEED PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS

The article presents a literature review on the risks of the global problem of fodder protein and protein amino acids in the feeding of agricultural animals and poultry. Alternative ways of solving it are due to the production and use of non-traditional feed raw materials in feed diets. A number of scientists consider atypical agricultural biotechnological products obtained from insects to be one of the alternative sources of fodder protein and amino acids and see prospects in the development of their production. The most common subjects for study in this regard are crickets, locusts, silkworm larvae, flies, worms, etc. Their protein value, amino acid, fatty acid and mineral composition, the content of vitamins, and other biologically active substances are studied. The development of this direction is considered one of the ways to solve a number of urgent environmental and fodder problems on a biological basis. Рurpose of the research was to study the protein value and complete amino acid composition of flour from insects, namely flour from the larvae of the BSF fly, crickets and snails, and the methods of its determining: crude protein by the Kjeldahl method, digestible protein with the help of 0,2% pepsin, and the digestibility coefficient, and the principles of conducting researches, as well as the characteristics of methods for determining the content of replaceable and essential amino acids, including sulfur-containing, using the Kapel-105M capillary electrophoresis system. As a result of the research, it was found that cricket flour is the least valuable in terms of protein value (digestible protein and digestibility coefficient), and it is also poor in the content of nonessential and essential amino acids, compared to other studied types of insect flour. The best indicators of protein value were noted in the flour from BSF fly larvae in terms of the content of crude and digestible proteins, as well as the digestibility coefficient, which is 75.6%, which indicates its good digestibility by the bodies of animals and birds. The highest content of amino acids is contained in the flour from BSF fly larvae. Taking into account the above results of crude protein content, digestibility, and digestibility in this sample, amino acid digestibility will also be higher compared to other flour samples. In addition, flour from BSF fly larvae is rich in sulfur-containing amino acids. The content of tryptophan and histidine, compared to other types of raw materials, is the highest. The studied samples of insect flour contain a complete set of essential and nonessential amino acids, but BSF fly larvae flour and snail flour are more valuable for essential amino acids.

First report of azole-resistant Aspergillus species in poultry feed in Kabale, South West, Uganda

Widespread use of azoles in clinical and environmental settings has favored the selection of azole-resistant Aspergillus species necessitating antifungal susceptibility studies understanding their prevalence and resistance profiles in those settings. However, there is still limited information available on these strains in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental prevalence of Azole-resistance Aspergillus strains in poultry feed in Kabale, South West Uganda. The study evaluated the susceptibility profile of Aspergillus and other fungi isolates from 10 poultry feeds across 10 different commercial outlets. Isolates were first identified using rDNA 18S genomic sequencing via ITS 1 and 2 primer combination and confirmed using Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Seventeen fungal strains were identified of which Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent. All Aspergillus and one Penicillium isolates were further screened for azole-resistance using azole-containing agar plates (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole) and fluconazole antifungal susceptibility strip method at 4 mg/L, which was the first line of treatment. Aspergillus chevalieri, A. tamari, A. flavus, P. citrinum fungi isolates showed resistance to fluconazole. The EUCAST susceptibility testing method did not show any of the isolates resistant to tested azoles (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavoriconazole) or amphotericin B. Overall, we found resistance to fluconazole. This study is the first investigative study of Aspergillus species in poultry feed in Kabale, South West, Uganda.

Effects of Dietary Callicarpa nudiflora Aqueous Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Growth Hormone, Antioxidant and Immune Function, and Intestinal Health of Broilers.

C. nudiflora is notably rich in flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides, making it a significant natural source of antioxidants. We examined the effects of C. nudiflora aqueous extract (CNE) on growth performance, antioxidant function, immunity, intestinal barrier function, nutrient transporters, and microbiota of broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a basal diet with 0 (control, CON), 300 mg/kg (CNEL), 500 mg/kg (CNEM), and 700 mg/kg (CNEH) CNE for 42 days. CNEL and CNEM groups quadratically increased body weight and average daily gain but decreased feed-to-gain ratios during the starter and whole phases. Regarding the immune response of broilers, CNE treatment linearly down-regulated jejunal myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ expression in the liver (d 21), while decreasing jejunal IL-1β expression and the concentration of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (d 42). The CNEM and CNEH groups had lower MyD88 and nuclear factor kappa B expression in the liver (d 21) compared to the CON group. Broilers in the CNEL and CNEM groups had higher spleen index and thymus index (d 21) and interleukin-10 expression from the liver and jejunal mucosa (d 42) than that in the CON group. For the antioxidant capacity of broilers, CNE treatment linearly decreased the content of malonaldehyde and increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity in serum (d 42). CNEM and CNEH groups linearly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the liver, while increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum, jejunal nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 expression, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression in the liver (d 42). As for the growth hormone of broilers, CNEM group increased the level of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and up-regulated jejunal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) expression (d 21). Broilers in the CNEM and CNEH groups had higher jejunal GLP-2 expression and growth hormone (GH) expression in the liver and the level of serum GH (d 42) than that in the CON group. Additionally, the villus height and jejunal Occludin and Claudin-1 expression in the CNEM group increased. CNE-containing diets resulted in a linear increase in the expression of jejunal zonula occluden-1 (d 21), villus height to crypt depth ratio, jejunal Occludin, excitatory amino acid transporters-3, and peptide-transporter 1 (d 42). The regulation of Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus, and Butyricicoccus genera indicated that CNEH altered the composition of the cecal microbiota. In general, supplementing broilers with C. nudiflora aqueous extract could boost hormones, immune and antioxidant function, and gut health, improving their growth performance. Hence, CNE was a promising poultry feed additive, with 500 mg/kg appearing to be the optimal dose.

The Effects of Pineapple Leaf Powder on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Noi Crossbred Broilers

To meet the increasing demand of consumers on poultry products, poultry feed does not only improve the growth performance but also enhance meat quality. By this reason, the study was to evaluate the effects of pineapple leaf powder on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Noi broiler chickens from 5-12 weeks of age. The study was conducted at Tra Vinh University – experimental farm involving with 120 Noi crossbred broilers from 4 weeks of age. The study was a completely randomized design with 04 treatment and 03 replicates, consisting of 0% (control treatment, T0), 0.1% (treatment 1), 0.3% (treatment 2) and 0.5% (treatment 3) of pineapple leaf powder in the diet. Birds were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. The results showed that body weight (1603 g/bird at 12 weeks of age), daily weight gain (21.90 g/bird/day) had the highest performance while feed intake (55.28 g/bird at treatment 2) and feed conversion ration (2.610) showed the lowest performance in the treatment 3 (P&lt;0.05). However, the study did not record any significant changes in carcass traits, pH and cooking loss of broiler meat between treatments (P&gt;0.05). It can be concluded that the inclusive of pineapple leaf powder on diets could improve growth rate of Noi crossbred chickens from 5-12 weeks of age.