SBM-based Diet Research Articles

Effects of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil Supplementation on Growth Performance of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Fed a High-Inclusion Soybean Meal Diet.

Soybean meal (SBM) has become a common dietary replacement for fish meal (FM) in aquafeed. However, at high inclusions, SBM has been shown to have negative impacts presenting as reduced feed intake and intestinal inflammation. Medicinal plant extracts, namely essential oils, have been used to promote growth performance and immune response. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil (OEO) inclusion on utilization of a high-inclusion SBM diet using zebrafish as a model. Five diets were used in this study: reference-FM-based diet, control-55.7% inclusion SBM diet, and three experimental SBM-based diets OEO1, OEO2, and OEO3 that were supplemented with 1%, 2%, or 3% of oregano oil, respectively. The FM group had overall better growth performance when compared with the other treatment groups; however, the OEO3 mean weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different from the FM group (p > 0.05) and were significantly improved compared with the SBM group (p < 0.05). Similarly, OEO2 total length was not significantly different from FM (p > 0.05) but significantly higher than the SBM group (p < 0.05). Expression of inflammation-related genes did not significantly differ between the OEO groups and the SBM-only group. However, the OEO2 and OEO3 groups displayed improved growth performance compared with the SBM group, suggesting that inclusion of OEO at or above 2% inclusion may help to alleviate common symptoms induced by a high-inclusion SBM diet.

Different dietary branched-chain amino acid ratios, crude protein levels, and protein sources can affect the growth performance and meat yield in broilers

Balanced ratios of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can enhance chicken growth, immunity, and muscle synthesis. However, these ratios can be affected by changes in crude protein (CP) levels or the substitution of protein sources, leading to BCAA antagonism. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on chicken growth. In Experiment 1, a total of 960 0-d-old male Cobb 500 broilers were divided into 6 treatments with 8 replicates. Three different BCAA ratios were used in High or Low CP diets as follows: 1) Low Leu group (Low level of leucine with increased valine and isoleucine levels), 2) Med Leu group, and 3) High Leu group (High level of leucine with reduced valine and isoleucine levels) for a total of 6 diets. In Experiment 2, a total of 640 0-d-old male Cobb 500 broilers were divided into 4 treatments with 8 replicates. The four diets had either High or Low CP and one of two protein sources with the same medium levels of BCAAs: 1) the soybean meal (SBM) group, which had SBM as the main protein source (protein bound AA), and 2) the wheat middlings with non-bound AAs (WM+AA) group (non-bound AA), which had additional non-bound AAs to replace SBM. The High Leu diet had a negative effect on overall growth performance, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, and body mineral composition compared to the Low Leu and Med Leu groups, particularly in the High CP diet (P < 0.05). The SBM group showed increased growth performance, breast muscle weight, expression levels of genes promoting muscle growth, and improved bone mineral composition compared to the WM+AA group, and the High CP group intensified the negative effect of the WM+AA diet (P < 0.05). In summary, balanced BCAA ratios and SBM-based diets have positive effects on chicken growth and muscle accretion, whereas excessive leucine and non-bound AA levels in the diets may negatively affect growth performance and meat yield in chickens.

Identification of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Differentially Expressed Genes Favoring Soybean Meal Tolerance in Higher-Growth Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Genetic variability within the same fish species could confer soybean meal (SBM) tolerance in some individuals, thus favoring growth. This study investigates the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) favoring SBM tolerance in higher-growth zebrafish (Danio rerio). In a previous work, nineteen families of zebrafish were fed a fish meal diet (100FM control diet) or SBM-based diets supplemented with saponin (50SBM + 2SPN-experimental diet), from juvenile to adult stages. Individuals were selected from families with a genotype-by-environment interaction higher (170 ± 18mg) or lower (76 ± 10mg) weight gain on 50SBM + 2SPN in relation to 100FM. Intestinal transcriptomic analysis using RNA-seq revealed six hundred and sixty-five differentially expressed genes in higher-growth fish fed 50SBM + 2SPN diet. In this work, using these results, 47 SNPs in DEGs were selected. These SNPs were genotyped by Sequenom in 340 zebrafish that were fed with a 50SBM + 2SPN diet or with 100FM diet. Marker-trait analysis revealed 4 SNPs associated with growth in 3 immunity-related genes (aif1l, arid3c, and cst14b.2) in response to the 50SBM + 2SPN diet (p-value < 0.05). Two SNPs belonging to aif1l y arid3c produce a positive (+19mg) and negative (-26mg) effect on fish growth, respectively. These SNPs can be used as markers to improve the early selection of tolerant fish to SBM diet or other plant-based diets. These genes can be used as biomarkers to identify SNPs in commercial fish, thus contributing to the aquaculture sustainability.

Supplementation of Saccharomycopsis fibuligera nucleotides in soybean-based diets enhanced growth, intestinal health, and reduced inflammatory responses of turbot juveniles (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

In this study, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera nucleotides (SFN) were extracted for exploring the influence on growth, inflammatory response and intestinal health level in turbot juveniles (initial weight 7.16 ± 0.01 g) for 10 weeks. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental feeds were formulated to include fishmeal-based diet (FM) that contained no SFN, while the other four soybean meal-based diet (SBM), that replaced 30 % FM, contained 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 % SFN hereafter referred to as SBM0.25, SBM0.5 and SBM0.75, respectively. The feed efficiency exhibited a significantly quadratic or linear increase with the increase of SFN intake and the values reached the peak in the SBM0.5 treatment (P < 0.05). With the increase of SFN supplementation, the specific growth rate presented a significantly linear increase tendency (P < 0.05), and reached a peak in the SBM0.5 treatment. The hepatic antioxidant ability of turbot juveniles was significantly linear or quadratic promoted with dietary SFN supplementation in SBM-based diets (P < 0.05). Moreover, activities of plasma transaminases and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase of turbots showed significantly linear and quadratic decreasing trends with the SFN supplementation increasing (P < 0.05). The hepatic pro-inflammatory factor mRNA expressions were significantly linear or quadratic down-regulated and the anti-inflammatory factor mRNA expression was significantly linear and quadratic up-regulated with the SFN supplementation increasing (P < 0.05). Moreover, the height of villi and microvilli, the thickness of the muscularis and the tight junction proteins mRNA expression level exhibited significantly linear or quadratic increasing trends with the increasing dietary SFN supplementation (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus plantarum of hindgut was significantly higher of fish fed the SBM0.75 diet compared with the SBM treatment. In conclusion, SFN supplementation was beneficial to the growth and health level of turbot juveniles, the appropriate amount of SFN supplemented was above 0.5 % in this study.

Early nutritional programming in sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) with dietary soybean meal: Assessment of growth performance, body composition, and expression of GH, IGF-I, and Ghrelin genes.

This study was performed to assess the impacts of introducing diets containing different levels of soybean meal (SBM) to sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) larvae on growth performance, body composition, and molecular responses in the juvenile stage. The sterlet larvae (57.68 ± 0.66 mg) were weaned onto the formulated diets as follows: a control diet containing 60% fishmeal (FM), and three experimental diets with replacement levels of 15% (SBM15), 30% (SBM30), and 45% (SBM45) of FM with SBM. Then, a total of 260 fish (initial weight: 323.33 ± 11.76 mg) were fed the four different diets for 28 days in triplicates (phase 1, nutritional programming, NP). All treatments were then fed with the FM diet in phase 2 (common phase), and in phase 3 (challenge phase), all experimental groups (6.14 ± 0.08 g) were transitioned to SBM45 for 28 days. At the end of phases 1 and 2, growth performance showed no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05), while significantly improved in SBM45 than the control at the end of phase 3 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the groups in any phases for whole body composition (P > 0.05). Additionally, the total saturated fatty acids were significantly higher in SBM-based diets than FM at the end of phase 3 (P < 0.05). The mRNA of GH, IGF-I was significantly affected by variation of FM replacement level (P < 0.05). The expression level of Ghrelin was up-regulated in fish fed SBM at the end of phase 3 (P < 0.05). Our findings revealed that NP can positively enhance the adaptation of juvenile sterlet sturgeon to 45% SBM when exposed to the same diets at the larval stage. Further research is being carried out to provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of digestive performance for this species.

Differential responses of hepatopancreas transcriptome between fast and slow growth in giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) fed a plant-based diet

Efficient utilisation of plant-based diets in the giant freshwater prawn, Marcrobrachium rosenbergii, varies according to individual, suggesting that it might be associated with differences in physiological and metabolic responses. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the individual differences in the growth response of shrimp fed to a soybean-based diet (SBM). Two hundred shrimp were fed SBM for 90 days, and specific growth rate (SGR) was determined individually. Fast- and slow-growing shrimp (F-shrimp vs. S-shrimp), with the highest and lowest 5% SGRs, respectively, were sampled to determine haemolymph chemistry and carcass composition. The hepatopancreas of these shrimps were used for transcriptome analysis through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The results showed no significant differences in haemolymph chemistry parameters. In terms of carcass proximate composition, F-shrimp exhibited higher protein composition than did S-shrimp, suggesting that F-shrimp have higher protein anabolism. Using RNA-seq and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression levels of several genes encoding physiologic and metabolic enzymes were found to be upregulated in F-shrimp compared to in S-shrimp, suggesting that these enzymes/proteins mediated the efficient use of SBM-based diets for growth promotion in shrimp. Various DEGs associated with the immune system were observed, indicating a difference in immune processes between F- and S-shrimp. The expression of several housekeeping genes was found to be upregulated in S-shrimp. Collectively, the upregulated expression of several enzymes associated with physiological and/or metabolic processes and increased protein anabolism may be attributed to the efficient use of SBM for maximal growth in shrimp.

Dietary β-mannanase supplementation decreases digesta viscosity, improves growth and modulates gut microbiota in juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fed a soybean meal-based diet

β-mannan is an abundant non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) in soybean meal (SBM) that elevates digesta viscosity and decreases nutrient utilization in fish. This research aimed to evaluate the impacts of graded levels of dietary β-mannanase (BM) supplementation on growth performance, digesta viscosity, digestive enzyme activity, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, gut histomorphometry, and microbiome composition in juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fed SBM-based diets (440 g kg−1). From a control diet containing 19 MJ kg−1 gross energy, 311.2 g kg−1 crude protein and 71.3 g kg−1 crude lipids, five BM-supplemented diets were made adding liquid BM (Natupulse® TS, Basf, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany Germany) at either 1600, 3200, 4800, 6400, and 8000 TMU (thermostable endo-1,4-BM units) kg−1 to the control diet. Fish were hand-fed six times a day to apparent satiety for 8 weeks. Each experimental diet was fed to quadruplicate groups of 21 fingerling Nile tilapia (initial weight of 7.0 ± 0.43 g) stocked in 70-L aquaria connected as a closed recirculating system. Based on quadratic regression analysis of body weight gain (BWG) the optimal dietary BM was estimated at 4821 TMU kg−1. Fish fed the diet with BM at 4800 TMU kg−1 showed higher feed efficiency ratio (P < 0.001), activity of amylase (P < 0.001; +12.7 μm g−1) and lipase (P < 0.001; +1.6 μm g−1) enzymes, and reduced digesta viscosity (P < 0.001; −0.88 cP (cP)) compared to fish fed the control diet. Additionally, dietary BM at 4800 TMU kg−1 also increased butyric acid content (P < 0.001; +0.31 nmol L−1), reduced gut pH (P < 0.001; −0.65), and increased villus height (VH; P < 0.001; +13.8 μm) relative to fish fed the control diet. Analysis of the “core microbiota” revealed that dietary BM modulated gut microbiota of juvenile Nile tilapia with fish fed the diet containing 4800 TMU kg−1 showing higher abundance of the beneficial bacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, and a reduced population of potentially harmful bacteria (Escherichia sp.) than fish fed control diet. In summary, including BM at a level of ≥4800TMU kg−1 in SBM-based diets showed multiple beneficial effects on juvenile Nile tilapia growth performance, energy and nutrient utilization, and gut health, promoting improved gut histomorphometry and abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing potentially harmful bacteria. These findings highlight the potential of BM supplementation as an advanced nutritional tool to enhance growth performance and gut health of juvenile Nile tilapia fed SBM-based diets.

Effects of exogenous bile acids (BAs) on growth, lipid profile, digestive enzymes, and immune responses of thinlip mullet, Liza ramada

An eight-week trial was designed to explore the dietary effects of commercially purchased exogenous bile acids (BAs) on growth, whole-body composition, lipid profile, intestinal digestive enzymes, liver function enzymes, oxidative stress biomarkers, and serum immunity of thinlip mullet, Liza ramada. Four triplicate groups (10.50 ± 0.05 g) were fed four soybean meal (SBM)-based diets supplied with several BAs levels at 0 (control), 50, 130, or 350 mg/kg feed. Results indicated that the growth was significantly increased in groups fed BAs-based diets, especially at 130 mg/kg feed. The body composition analysis showed that feeding fish on diets supplied with BAs up to 130 mg/kg decreased moisture (%) alongside increased crude protein (%). However, the body composition of fish fed a diet with 350 mg BAs/kg had the lowest moisture (%) and the highest crude protein (%). Moreover, there were significant increases in the intestinal (protease, α-amylase, and lipase) enzyme activities in the groups supplied with BAs up to 130 mg BAs/kg. Liver function enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities) were significantly decreased in BAs-supplemented groups compared to those fed the BAs-free group. On the other hand, the control group had higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein alongside the lower high-density lipoprotein than BAs-supplemented groups, especially at 350 mg BAs/kg feed. BAs significantly decreased hepatic malondialdehyde concentrations and increased the activity of hepatic catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity compared with those reared on the control diet. Serum lysozyme, respiratory burst, and alternative complement activities were significantly increased in BAs-supplied groups, particularly in the group supplied with 130 mg BAs/kg compared to those fed on the control diet. Accordingly, our findings recommend that including 130 mg BAs/kg in an SBM-based diet enhanced the growth, digestive enzyme activities, and liver functions, alleviated oxidative stress, boosted serum immunity, and lowered lipid metabolites in thinlip mullet. These findings will be beneficial for improving the quality of feed prepared for feeding mullets and an effective alternative strategy to support mullet farming.

Evaluation of a hepatic biomarker of nutritional imbalance in juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fed 60% soybean meal-based diets using NMR-based metabolomics

A 12-week feeding trial with juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fed high-soybean meal (SBM) diets was conducted to investigate a putative biomarker of nutritional imbalance, N-formimino-L-glutamate (FIGLU). Three fishmeal-free, 60% SBM pelleted diets (named B12, Fol, and Met, respectively) were tested to evaluate the effects on growth performance and tissue metabolite profiles of supplementation of vitamin B12 (0.012 mg/kg), folate (10 mg/kg), methionine (1 g/kg) respectively, above basal supplementation levels. A fourth SBM-based diet (named B12/Fol/Met) was formulated with a combination of B12, folate, and methionine to attain the above-mentioned target concentrations. A fifth 60% SBM diet (named FWS) with methionine supplementation (1 g/kg above basal supplementation levels), enriched with taurine, lysine and threonine as well as minerals, was also tested. This diet contained formulation targets and additives which have allowed for replacing fishmeal with plant proteins in rainbow trout feeds. Control diets included a fishmeal-based diet (named FM), an unsupplemented basal 60% SBM diet (named SBM60), and a “natural” diet (named N) made up of equal parts of fish (cigar minnows), squid and shrimp as a positive reference for growth performance. Formulated feeds contained approximately 37% total crude protein, approximately 14% total crude lipid and were energetically balanced. Standard growth performance metrics were measured, and tissues (liver, muscle) were collected at week 12 to evaluate diet-induced metabolic changes using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. Our results show that the FWS diet outperformed all other SBM diets and the FM diet under all performance metrics (P < 0.05). FIGLU was not detected in fish fed the N diet but was detected in those fed the SBM diets and the FM diet. Fish fed the FWS diet and the Met diet showed lower hepatic levels of FIGLU compared with the other SBM-based diets (P < 0.05), suggesting that among the different supplementation regimes, methionine supplementation was associated with lower FIGLU levels. The FWS diet produced tissue metabolite profiles that were more similar to those of fish fed the N diet. Based on our results, the FWS diet constitutes a promising SBM-based alternative diet to fishmeal for red drum.

Are the effects of Deoxynivalenol (DON) on performance, liver and gastrointestinal tract health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) influenced by dietary composition?

This study investigated if dietary composition influences the effects of Deoxynivalenol (DON) on the health and performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four experimental diets (2 × 2 factorial design) were formulated which differed in 1) the diet composition; fishmeal (FM) versus soybean meal-based (SBM) and 2) the DON content of wheat; clean versus naturally contaminated wheat. Triplicate groups of n = 30 fish were assigned to each diet: (1) CON-FM; DON= 0 µg/kg feed; (2) DON-FM; DON= 1200 µg/kg feed; (3) CON-SBM; DON= 46 µg/kg feed; (4) DON-SBM; DON= 1300 µg/kg feed. The 8 week experiment was divided into two feeding periods: after 6 weeks of restrictive feeding, fish were fed ad libitum for 2 weeks. Influences on performance were evaluated by determining growth, protein and energy gain metrics, and on health parameters through the determination of histopathological changes in the liver and gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Restrictive feeding showed negative effects of DON and dietary composition on performance but did not show an interaction between DON and diet composition. Similarly, subsequent ad libitum feeding showed effects of DON and/or diet composition on growth, feed efficiency and body biometrics, but no interaction effects. These data confirmed the challenging nature of the SBM-based diet and previously noted negative effects of DON on performance. Only the histopathological assessment of mucosal fold width, enterocyte width and goblet cell density indicated significant interaction effects between DON and diet composition in the midgut. Yet, the differences were generally small and interaction effects were restricted to the midgut and not to the hindgut which is usually challenged by SBM. The combined information on growth performance and health suggests that DON challenges rainbow trout regardless of being fed a FM- or SBM-based diet, allowing more flexible formulations in the aquafeeds.

Multi-omics analysis of hepatopancreas of red seabream (Pagrus major) fed a soybean meal-based diet

Dietary intake of a large amount of soybean meal (SBM) adversely affects the physiological condition and growth of fish, while SBM is a commonly used substitute for fish meal (FM) in aquaculture feed. In the present study, we investigated the effects of feeding an SBM-based diet (SBMD) for 8 weeks on hepatopancreatic metabolic condition in red seabream Pagrus major, using comprehensive analyses of the transcriptome and metabolome. Compared with fish fed an FM-based control diet (FMD), fish fed the SBMD showed delayed growth, decreases in hepatopancreatic somatic index and serum cholesterol concentration, and hepatopancreatic tissue degeneration. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified 454, 353, and 566 differentially expressed genes at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. Analysis of the hepatopancreas metabolome using capillary electrophoresis-time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified 301 quantifiable metabolites in the FMD and SBMD groups. Transcriptome analysis showed increases in gene expression levels in the terpenoid and steroid biosynthesis pathways, suggesting that hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis was up-regulated in the SBMD group. In addition, the results of transcriptome and metabolome analyses suggested that the SBMD affects glutathione and glycine metabolism. These findings provide valuable information that enhances our understanding of the effects of dietary SBM intake on red seabream metabolism.

Effect of yeast species and processing on intestinal microbiota of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed soybean meal-based diets in seawater

BackgroundYeasts are gaining attention as alternative ingredients in aquafeeds. However, the impact of yeast inclusion on modulation of intestinal microbiota of fish fed plant-based ingredients is limited. Thus, the present study investigates the effects of yeast and processing on composition, diversity and predicted metabolic capacity of gut microbiota of Atlantic salmon smolt fed soybean meal (SBM)-based diet. Two yeasts, Cyberlindnera jadinii (CJ) and Wickerhamomyces anomalus (WA), were produced in-house and processed by direct heat-inactivation with spray-drying (ICJ and IWA) or autolyzed at 50 °C for 16 h, followed by spray-drying (ACJ and AWA). In a 42-day feeding experiment, fish were fed one of six diets: a fishmeal (FM)-based diet, a challenging diet with 30% SBM and four other diets containing 30% SBM and 10% of each of the four yeast products (i.e., ICJ, ACJ, IWA and AWA). Microbial profiling of digesta samples was conducted using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the predicted metabolic capacities of gut microbiota were determined using genome-scale metabolic models.ResultsThe microbial composition and predicted metabolic capacity of gut microbiota differed between fish fed FM diet and those fed SBM diet. The digesta of fish fed SBM diet was dominated by members of lactic acid bacteria, which was similar to microbial composition in the digesta of fish fed the inactivated yeasts (ICJ and IWA diets). Inclusion of autolyzed yeasts (ACJ and AWA diets) reduced the richness and diversity of gut microbiota in fish. The gut microbiota of fish fed ACJ diet was dominated by the genus Pediococcus and showed a predicted increase in mucin O-glycan degradation compared with the other diets. The gut microbiota of fish fed AWA diet was highly dominated by the family Bacillaceae.ConclusionsThe present study showed that dietary inclusion of FM and SBM differentially modulate the composition and predicted metabolic capacity of gut microbiota of fish. The inclusion of inactivated yeasts did not alter the modulation caused by SBM-based diet. Fish fed ACJ diet increased relative abundance of Pediococcus, and mucin O-glycan degradation pathway compared with the other diets.

Dietary glycine supplementation enhances the growth performance of hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis ♀× Morone chrysops ♂) fed soybean meal-based diets.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that supplementing 1% and 2% glycine to soybean meal (SBM)-based diets can improve the growth performance of juvenile hybrid striped bass (HSB). The basal diets contained 15% fishmeal and 58% SBM (DM basis). Alanine was used as the isonitrogenous control in different diets. All diets contained 44% crude protein and 10% lipids (DM basis). There were four tanks (15 fish per tank) per dietary group, with the mean of the initial body weight (BW) of fish being 5.3 g. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily, and their BW was recorded every 2 wk. The trial lasted for 8 wk. Results indicated that the BW, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, and retention of dietary lipids in fish were enhanced (P < 0.05) by dietary supplementation with 1% or 2% glycine. In addition, dietary supplementation with glycine did not affect (P > 0.05) the feed intake of fish but increased (P < 0.05) the retention of dietary nitrogen, most amino acids, and phosphorus in the body, compared to the 0% glycine group. Dietary supplementation with 1% and 2% glycine dose-dependently augmented (P < 0.05) the villus height of the proximal intestine and reduced the submucosal thickness of the gut, while preventing submucosal and lamina propria hemorrhages. Compared with the 0% glycine group, dietary supplementation with 1% or 2% glycine decreased (P < 0.05) the proportion of skeletal-muscle fibers with diameters of 40 to 60 µm but increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of skeletal-muscle fibers with diameters of 80 to 100 µm and > 100 µm. Collectively, these findings indicate that glycine in SBM-based diets is inadequate for maximum growth of juvenile HSB and that dietary supplementation with 1% or 2% glycine is required to improve their weight gain and feed efficiency. Glycine is a conditionally essential amino acid for this fish.

Dietary glycine supplementation improves the growth performance of 110- to 240-g (phase II) hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis ♀× Morone chrysops ♂) fed soybean meal-based diets.

We recently reported that supplementing glycine to soybean meal (SBM)-based diets is necessary for optimum growth of 5- to 40-g (phase I) hybrid striped bass (HSB). The present study tested the hypothesis that supplementing glycine to SBM-based diets may enhance the growth of 110- to 240-g (phase II) HSB. HSB (the initial body weight of approximately 110 g) were fed an SBM (58%)-based diet supplemented with 0%, 1%, or 2% of glycine, with l-alanine serving as the isonitrogenous control. There were four tanks per dietary group, with four fish per tank. The fish were fed their respective diets to apparent satiation twice daily. The feed intake and body weight of fish were recorded daily and every 2 wk, respectively. At the end of the 56-d feeding trial, plasma and tissue samples were collected to determine amino acid concentrations and histological alterations, and tissues were used to measure the oxidation of l-glutamate, l-glutamine, l-aspartate, and glycine. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 1% and 2% glycine dose-dependently increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of glycine in the plasma of HSB by 48% and 99%, respectively. Compared with the 0%-glycine group, dietary supplementation with 1% glycine did not affect (P > 0.05) the feed intake of HSB but increased (P < 0.05) their final body weight, weight gain, and gain:feed ratio during the whole period by 13%, 29%, and 21%, respectively. Compared with the 1% glycine group, dietary supplementation with 2% glycine increased (P < 0.05) the feed intake, final body weight, and weight gain of HSB by 13%, 7%, and 14%, respectively. Compared with the 0%-glycine group, fish fed with the 1%-glycine and 2%-glycine diets had a greater (P < 0.05) villus height in the proximal intestine, when compared with the 0%-glycine group. Collectively, these results indicated that SBM-based diets did not provide sufficient glycine for phase II HSB (110 to 240 g) and that dietary glycine supplementation is essential for their optimum growth and intestinal structure.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with full-fat black soldier fly larvae meal in plant-based nursery diets did not influence fecalEscherichia colicolony forming units or improve fecal consistency when pigs were weaned into non-disinfected pens

AbstractAt weaning, one hundred pigs (21 d of age; 6.96 ± 0.23 kg BW) were used to determine the effect of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) in corn- and SBM-based nursery diets on growth performance, fecal scores, Escherichia coli (E. coli) colony forming units (CFU), and cecal mucosal microbial profile when weaned into non-disinfected nursery pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n = 5): high-complexity (contained highly digestible animal proteins and 10.8% SBM) with and without 3,000 ppm ZnO (HC + and HC−, respectively; representative of commercial diets), low-complexity (corn- and SBM-based; 31.8% SBM; LC), or LC with 30% inclusion of full-fat black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) to partially replace SBM (LCFL; 8.0% SBM). Diets were fed for 14 d (phase I), followed by 4 wk of a common corn-SBM diet (phase II). Fecal E. coli CFU and cecal mucosal microbial 16s rRNA community profiles were assessed 7 d after weaning. During phase I, pigs fed LC and LCFL had lower average daily gains (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than pigs fed HC + and HC−, which were not different. Average daily feed intake was not different for pigs fed LC and LCFL, but lower than for pigs fed HC− (P &amp;lt; 0.001); pigs fed HC + had greater feed intake in phase I vs. all other treatment groups (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Upon nursery exit, only pigs fed LCFL had lower BW than pigs fed HC− (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with intermediate values observed for HC + and LC. Day 3 fecal scores were greater for pigs fed LCFL vs. HC + (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and day 7 E. coli CFU were greater for all treatment groups vs. HC + (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Pigs fed HC− (P &amp;lt; 0.01), LC (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and LCFL (P &amp;lt; 0.05) had lower alpha diversity for cecal mucosal microbiota compared to HC+. At the genus level, pigs fed LC had lower Lactobacillus relative abundance vs. pigs fed HC + (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Therefore, BSFLM can partially replace SBM without sacrificing growth performance vs. nursery pigs fed corn- and SBM-based diets, but both groups had reduced phase I growth performance vs. pigs fed highly digestible diets containing animal proteins when weaned into non-disinfected pens. The BSFLM did not influence fecal E. coli CFU or improve fecal consistency after weaning and therefore, is less effective at minimizing digestive upsets vs. HC + diets.

Aloe vera reduces gut inflammation induced by soybean meal in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Plant-based protein sources, such as soybean, are widely used in fish nutrition due to their market availability, wide distribution and acceptable nutritional quality. However, in some fish species, soybean meal-based diets cause gut inflammation, decreasing both nutrient absorption and growth rates. A suitable alternative to avoid these problems could be the application of additives with anti-inflammatory activity to the diet. In this study, an Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller, AV) extract was analyzed as a dietary additive to reduce the gut inflammation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed with soybean meal (SBM) diet. Fish were distributed in four duplicated groups and fed 28 days with fish meal control diet (FM), AV inclusion diet (AV), FM diet supplemented with AV (FM+AV), SBM diet to induce enteritis and SBM+AV. The fish gut response to these treatments was analyzed in distal intestine by histopathological scores, tissue morphometric measurements and immune gene expression parameters. The score results in fish fed with SBM-based diet clearly showed enteritis, meanwhile fish fed with AV supplemented diet significantly reduced the intestinal SBM signs of damage. These findings were associated to reduction of goblet cells number, lamina propria thickness and sub-epithelial mucosa size, with a significant decrease on pro-inflammatory cytokine il-1β to basal levels, similar to those present in fish fed FM diets. In conclusion, the administration of AV in salmon diet showed a protective intestinal activity against the detrimental effects of SBM, opening the possibility to improve its use as a feed additive in aquafeeds.

Effects of Protein Source, Whole Wheat and Butyric Acid on Live Performance, Gut Health and Amino Acid Digestibility in Broiler Chickens.

A total of 896 1-day-old straight-run (Ross-308) broilers were used to investigate the interactive effects of protein source (PS), diet structure (DS) and butyric acid (BA) on live performance and carcass characteristics, gut development and its morphology and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of protein and amino acids (AA). Eight experimental diets comprising 8 replicates with 14 birds each were tested in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with complete randomized design by two levels of BA (0 and 0.1%), two forms of DS (whole vs. ground wheat) and two PS, i.e., soybean meal and canola meal (SBM vs. CM). Throughout the entire experimental period (0 to 35 d), broilers fed SBM-based diets exhibited better (p < 0.05) growth performance (feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)), carcass parameters (p < 0.05), gut health (p < 0.05), and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) than CM-fed broilers. Dietary whole wheat (WW) positively affected FI (p = 0.001), BWG (p = 0.004) and FCR (p = 0.035) during the overall experimental period. Broilers fed WW had 6, 5, 8, 11 and 10% lower empty relative weights of crop, proventriculus, jejunum, ileum and colon and 25 and 15% heavier gizzard and pancreas, respectively, with longer villus height (p < 0.001), reduced crypt depth (p = 0.031) and longer villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.001) than those fed ground-wheat-based diets. Broilers fed WW had greater (p < 0.05) AID of CP and most of the AA. Butyric acid supplementation resulted in improved (p < 0.05) growth performance and digestibility of threonine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, serine and aspartate. The broilers consuming SBM had 28% lower abdominal fat than those fed CM-based diets. In conclusion, harmful consequences of a less digestible PS can partially be compensated by the inclusion of WW, and supplementation of BA further reduces these detrimental effects.

Effects of bile acids supplementation in soybean meal‐based diet on growth, cholesterol status, digestibility and moulting‐related gene expression in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The study evaluated the effects of bile acids (BA) supplementation in soybean meal (SBM)-based diet on growth, cholesterol concentrations, nutrient digestibility and moulting-related gene expression in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Control diet with 485.1 g kg-1 SBM was supplemented with 0, 1 and 2 g kg−1 of BA. Together with a reference diet with fish meal, total of four diets were fed to triplicate groups of shrimp (initial weight: 2.20 g) in a recirculation system for 56 days. Weight gain was higher (p < 0.05) in shrimp fed the reference diet than in shrimp fed the control diet. Shrimp fed the reference diet had higher whole body, hepatopancreatic and haemolymph cholesterol concentrations, dry matter, lipid and cholesterol digestibility than other treatments. The expression of the ecdysteroid receptor gene was the highest in shrimp fed the reference diet and the diet with 0.2% BA, followed by shrimp fed the diet with 1 g kg−1 BA and the lowest in shrimp fed the control diet. Shrimp fed the reference diet, and diets with 1 and 2 g kg−1 BA exhibited higher retinoic-X receptor, chitinase and chitin synthease gene expression than shrimp fed the control diet. Haemocyanin gene expression was higher in shrimp fed the reference diet than in shrimp fed the control diet. The results indicated that shrimp fed high SBM diet showed low body cholesterol concentrations, digestibility and moulting-related gene expression for white shrimp. Bile acids supplementation in SBM-based diet can improve moulting-related gene expressions but not for another physiological parameter.

Prebiotics and β-Glucan as gut modifier feed additives in modulation of growth performance, protein utilization status and dry matter and lactose digestibility in weanling pigs

There are growing interests in developing novel gut modifier feed additives and alternative therapeutics to replace antimicrobials to enhance efficiency of nutrient utilization and to address the antimicrobial resistance threat to public health facing the global pork production. Biological mechanisms of supplementing lactose for enhancing weanling pig growth and nitrogen utilization are unclear. Thus, this study was prompted to determine effects of dietary supplementation of 3 prebiotics and oat β-glucan vs. a sub-therapeutic antibiotic on growth performance, whole-body protein utilization status, the apparent total tract dry matter (DM) and lactose digestibility in weanling pigs fed corn and soybean meal (SBM)-based diets. Six experimental diets were formulated with corn (40%), SBM (28%) and supplemented with dried whey powder (20%) and fish meal (9%) with titanium oxide (0.30%) as the digestibility marker. Diet 1 (NC, negative control), as the basal diet, contained no antibiotics and no supplemental prebiotics or β-glucan. Diet 2 (PC, positive control), contained an antibiotic premix (Lincomix-44 at 0.10%) in the basal diet at the expense of cornstarch. Diets 3, 5 and 6 contained 0.75% of the three test prebiotics of retrograded cornstarch (Diet 3), Fibersol-2 (Diet 5, a modified digestion-resistant maltodextrin) and inulin (Diet 6), and the viscous soluble fiber oat β-glucan (Diet 4), respectively, at the expense of cornstarch. A total of 144 Yorkshire pigs, at the age of 21 days (d) and an average body weight (BW) of 5.5 kg, were allocated to 12 floor pens with 3 barrows and 3 gilts per pen, and fed one of the 6 diets for 21 d in 2 study blocks according to a completely randomized block design. Initial and final pig BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), representative pig plasma urea concentration as well as the apparent total tract DM and lactose digestibility during d 8-15 were measured. Analyses of variances, Dunnett’s and Tukey’s tests were conducted on the endpoints by using the SAS mixed model. There were no differences (P&amp;gt; 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, feed to gain ratio, plasma urea concentration, the apparent total tract apparent DM and lactose digestibility and the predicted whole-gut lactase digestive capacity among the diets, as examined by the Tukey’s test. There were no differences (P&amp;gt; 0.05) in these endpoints between each of the four treatment diets and the NC or the PC diet as examined by the Dunnett’s test. The total tract lactose digestibility was determined to be at 100%. The predicted whole-gut lactase digestive capacity was about eight times of the daily lactose intake when dietary lactose contents were supplemented at 10 - 12% (as-fed basis). In conclusion, dietary supplementation (at 0.75%) of the prebiotics and the oat β-glucan did not significantly affect the major growth performance endpoints, whole-body protein utilization status as well as the apparent total tract DM and lactose digestibility in the weanling pigs fed the corn and SBM-based diets. The promoting effect for growth and nitrogen utilization associated with dietary supplementation of lactose is due to the fact that lactose is a completely and rapidly digestible sugar rather than acting as an effective prebiotic in weanling pig nutrition.

Effect of Exogenous Enzymes Cocktail on Performance, Carcass Traits, Biochemical Metabolites, Intestinal Morphology, and Nutrient Digestibility of Broilers Fed Normal and Low-Energy Corn-Soybean Diets.

Simple SummaryCorn and soybean meal (SBM) are the principal sources of energy and protein in poultry feed, respectively. Decreasing feed cost per unit of production and increasing the nutritional value of feed ingredients like corn and SBM are continuous concerns for poultry producers. Corn and SBM-based diets are incompletely digested by poultry due to the presence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), which can obstruct the processes of nutrient digestion and absorption. Poultry does not own endogenous enzymes capable of digesting NSPs. The use of enzyme cocktails (EC) and dietary energy sources are essential topics in the poultry industry because they could enhance nutrient utilization by reducing the harmful effects of NSPs. Therefore, evaluating the efficacy of EC that may improve the feeding value of corn–SBM diets warrants attention. The efficacy of two doses of an EC with multiple enzymatic activities at two levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) on the performance of broilers fed corn and SBM-based diets up to 35 days was evaluated. Our results indicate that adequately adjusting dietary ME and using the EC with xylanases, β-glucanases, cellulases, proteases, pectinases, and debranching enzymes activities could enhance the nitrogen-corrected apparent ME of corn and SBMbased diets for broiler chickens and potentially offer economic advantages to producers.Ross 308 broilers in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement (four treatments with 12 replications of six chicks each) were fed corn and SBMbased diets with two concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME) (normal (positive control, PC) and low (negative control, NC)) and two amounts of enzyme cocktail (EC) (0% and 0.005%) for 35 days. Performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, ileal histology, and apparent nutrient digestibility were evaluated. Compared with the non-supplemented diet, the use of EC improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) over 26–35 and 0–35 days (p < 0.01), European performance efficiency factor (EPEF) over 26–35 days (p < 0.05), dressing yield (p < 0.01), villus height (p < 0.05), nitrogen-corrected apparent ME (AMEn) (p < 0.01), and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Compared with the NC diet, feeding the PC diet improved FCR over all experimental periods (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively), EPEF over 0–10 days (p < 0.05), and AMEn retention (p < 0.01). To conclude, the AMEn of broilers fed corn and SBM diets could be improved by adequately adjusting dietary ME and using a cocktail of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, improving commercial benefits to producers.