Complete genome sequence of potential plant growth-promoting Bacillus altitudinis strain AIMST-CREST03 isolated from paddy field bulk soil.

We present the complete genome of a potential plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus altitudinis AIMST-CREST03 isolated from a high-yielding paddy plot. The genome is 3,669,202 bp in size with a GC content of 41%. Annotation predicted 3,327 coding sequences, including several genes required for plant growth promotion.

Unlocking the potential of phenolated kraft lignin as a versatile feed additive.

Lignin, a renewable natural antioxidant and bacteriostat, holds promise as a versatile, cost-effective feed additive. However, traditional industrial lignin faces limitations, including low reactivity, poor uniformity, and unstable properties, necessitating chemical modification. Complex modification methods pose economic and toxicity challenges, so this study adopted a relatively simple alkali-catalyzed phenolization approach, using phenol, catechol, and pyrogallol to modify kraft lignin, and characterized the resulting products using various techniques. Subsequently, their antioxidant, antibacterial, adsorption properties for heavy metal ions and mycotoxins, growth-promoting properties, and antiviral abilities were assessed. The phenolation process led to lignin depolymerization and a notable increase in phenolic hydroxyl content, particularly in pyrogallol-phenolated lignin (Py-L), rising from 3.08 to 4.68 mmol/g. These modified lignins exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, with over 99 % inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus, and remarkable adsorption capacities for heavy metal ions and mycotoxins. Importantly, Py-L improved the growth performance of mice and reduced influenza mortality. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations elucidated the mechanism behind the enhanced antioxidant properties. This study presents a promising avenue for developing versatile feed additives to address challenges related to animal feed antioxidant supplementation, bacterial control, and growth promotion.

Unveiling growth-promoting attributes of peanut root endophyte Micromonospora sp.

In this study, 20 endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from different parts of peanut plants growing in cropland with low and high salt in West Bengal, India. The endophytes underwent a rigorous morphological, biochemical, and genetic screening process to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing plant growth. About 20% of these isolates were identified as potential plant growth-promoting endophytic actinobacteria, which showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (up to 99-100%) with different species of Micromonospora. Among these isolates, Micromonospora sp. ASENR15 produced the highest levels of indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), while Micromonospora sp. ASENL2, Micromonospora sp. ANENR4, and Micromonospora sp. ASENR12 produced the highest level of siderophore. Among these leaf and root endophytic Micromonospora, strain ANENR4 was tested for its plant growth-promoting attributes. ANENR4 can be transmitted into the roots of a healthy peanut plant, enhances growth, and colonize the roots in abundance, suggesting the potential agricultural significance of the strain. Moreover, the study is the first report of endophytic Micromonospora in peanuts with PGP effects. The outcomes of this study open avenues for further research on harnessing the benefits of this endophytic Micromonospora for optimizing plant growth in agriculture.

Effects of radiation dose and dose rate on alginate and the use of radiation degraded alginate for peanut.

Aqueous solutions of alginate (4 %) with or without hydrogen peroxide (0-2 % H2O2) were irradiated under a gamma Co-60 source. The effect of dose rate on the radiation scission yield (Gs) of resulting irradiated alginate was determined. At the dose of 20 kGy, the G(s) value of irradiated alginate decreased with the increase dose rate, suggesting that the irradiation at a suitable dose rate could further improve the radiation chemical yield of degradation. For the alginate irradiated at the same dose rate, G(s) value increased with the increase of H2O2 concentration. Average molecular weight (Mw) and polydispersity index (PI) of irradiated alginate rapidly decreased with the increase in dose and further decreased by addition of H2O2. The oligoalginate with Mw ~ 9800 g/mol was obtained by radiation degradation of 4 % alginate solution containing 2 % H2O2 at dose of 20 kGy. Radiation scission of glycoside bonds and formation of carbonyl groups (C=O) were indicated in UV and FTIR spectra of irradiated alginate. Peanut seedlings were fertilized with alginate and oligoalginate solutions, and the results showed that all growth parameters of the treated plants were better than those of the control. Furthermore, the oligoalginate prepared by gamma irradiation can be applied as a plant growth promoter for agriculture production.

Evaluation of the potential of extract of seaweed Eucheuma denticulatum as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler chickens.

The seaweeds are in focus for their immunity and gut health-stimulating potentials in humans and farm animals, but their potential as a gut health-promoting agent and performance booster to replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in broiler chicken-feed remains to be evaluated. In vivo feeding experiments were conducted on commercial broiler chickens (1-42 days post-hatch) to evaluate dried aqueous exact of red seaweed Eucheuma denticulatum (referred to as PBD 5). Each of the three test diets (basal diet with three dosing regimens of PBD5, 0.25 g kg -1 for 0-6 weeks, 0.25 g kg -1 for 0-4 weeks or 1.0 g kg -1 for 0-2 weeks), along with an AGP supplemented diet (Virginiamycin (V), 20 ppm in basal diet), and a control diet was fed to 13 pen replicates of five chicks in each. PBD5 at 1.0 g kg -1 diet for 0-2 weeks improved (P < 0.05) cumulative feed efficiency (4.65 % improvement at 28 d, and 3.74 % at 35 d) than the control and comparable to the V group and the trend in improvement persisted up to 42 d. The group fed with PBD5 @ 1.0 g kg -1 for 0-2 weeks had significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum IgG level, glutathione peroxidase levels, fat digestibility, and expression of occludin and avian beta-defensin 4 gene in the gut and a trend of increased expression of growth hormone receptor gene in the liver as compared to the control with no significant effect on body weight, phytohemagglutinin response or haemagglutination inhibition titer. At d 25 of age, fecal E. coli count was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the seaweed extract groups and the V group as compared to the control. It can be concluded that dried aqueous extract of E. denticulatum at 1 g kg -1 diet for 0-2 weeks can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler chickens to improve feed efficiency and reduce gut pathogen load, and the improved performance was associated with increased expression of gut immunity and growth hormone receptor genes.

Production of cello-oligosaccharides from corncob residue by degradation-synthesis reactions.

The cellulose-rich corncob residue (CCR) is an abundant and renewable agricultural biomass that has been under-exploited. In this study, two strategies were compared for their ability to transform CCR into cello-oligosaccharides (COS). The first strategy employed the use of endo-glucanases. Although selected endo-glucanases from GH9, GH12, GH45, and GH131 could release COS with degrees of polymerization from 2 to 4, the degrading efficiency was low. For the second strategy, first, CCR was efficiently depolymerized to glucose and cellobiose using the cellulase from Trichoderma reesei. Then, using these simple sugars and sucrose as the starting materials, phosphorylases from different microorganisms were combined to generate COS to a level up to 100.3 g/L with different patterns and degrees of polymerization. Using tomato as a model plant, the representative COS obtained from BaSP (a sucrose phosphorylase from Bifidobacterium adolescens), CuCbP (a cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellulomonas uda), and CcCdP (a cellodextrin phosphorylase from Clostridium cellulosi) were shown to be able to promote plant growth. The current study pointed to an approach to make use of CCR for production of the value-added COS. KEY POINTS: • Sequential use of cellulase and phosphorylases effectively generated cello-oligosaccharides from corncob residue. • Cello-oligosaccharides patterns varied in accordance to cellobiose/cellodextrin phosphorylases. • Spraying cello-oligosaccharides promoted tomato growth.

Exploring the efficacy of a novel prebiotic-like growth promoter on broiler chicken production performance.

This study attempts to isolate a candidate growth promoter from the ovine paunch waste and scrutinize its effects on the production performance of broiler chickens as compared to mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), a prebiotic, and lincomycin, an antibiotic growth promoter (AB). The paunch waste collected from slaughtered sheep was processed to remove particulate matter. The clarified liquid was then added to an excess of ethanol (1:9 ratio), and the resultant precipitate {(novel growth-promoting paunch extract (NGPE)} was collected, dried, and stored. In vitro increase in cell density for probiotic bacteria viz. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecalis (Log10 CFU/ml) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in NGPE supplemented media (2.78 ± 0.11 and 2.77 ± 0.10) as compared to that on MOS (1.28 ± 0.05 and 2.49 ± 0.09) and glucose (1.09 ± 0.04 and 1.12 ± 0.04) supplemented media. In the in-vivo trial of six weeks duration with broiler chickens (Cobb-400), NGPE supplementation resulted in significantly higher growth in weeks IV (P < 0.05) and VI (P < 0.01) of age in comparison to MOS and AGP supplemented groups, a lower (P < 0.01) cumulative feed conversion ratio in comparison to MOS supplemented groups, and a higher (P < 0.01) cumulative protein efficiency ratio compared to MOS and AGP supplementation. NGPE supplementation also lowered lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01), increased reduced glutathione activity (P < 0.01) in chicken erythrocytes, and boosted the lactic acid bacteria count in the cecal contents (P < 0.01). This is the first report of the isolation of a paunch waste extract that increased the in vitro growth of probiotic bacteria and improved the production performance of broiler chickens.

Effects of Supplementing Milk Replacer with Sodium Butyrate on Dairy Calves.

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an additive incorporated into milk replacer to promote the development and health of the animals. Forty-six dairy calves were randomly assigned into two treatments: control (CON, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males), and sodium butyrate (SB, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males). The calves in the SB treatment group were supplemented with 4 g/d of unprotected sodium butyrate (Adimix, Adisseo, China), added to the milk replacer from 4 to 60 days of age. Water and starter were fed ad libitum. The study evaluated several parameters, including feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, blood metabolites (glucose, insulin-like growth factor type 1, urea, ß-hydroxybutyrate), hemogram, health scores, performance, and feed efficiency. Bull calves were euthanized at 60 days of age for organ comparison, while heifer calves were assessed for carryover effects up to 90 days of age. Data were analyzed independently using linear mixed models using the nlme package in R, and the Artools package for non-parametric categorical outcomes. Although the feed intake and performance variables exhibited differences within weeks, no divergence was observed between treatment groups. Notably, a positive treatment-by-week interaction was identified for starter feed intake (p = 0.02) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.04) during pre-weaning for CON animals. Ruminal parameters, blood metabolites, and hemogram values such as glucose, urea, insulin-like growth factor type 1, mean corpuscular value, lymphocytes, and neutrophils displayed differences within weeks during the pre-weaning stage, but similar results within groups. No differences between supplemented and non-supplemented calves were found across nutrient digestibility, organ development, and histology. Regarding health scores, differences were noted within weeks for fecal and respiratory scores during the pre-weaning stage, and only the respiratory score during the post-weaning stage. Consequently, butyrate supplementation did not elicit improvements or negative effects in the body development or health status of dairy calves.

Dietary Mentha piperita essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles mediated the growth performance and humoral immune responses in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenserbaerii).

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) fry often face environmental stressors that can compromise their immune system, rendering them susceptible to opportunistic pathogens in intensive aquaculture systems. In this study, we explored the innovative use of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Mentha piperita essential oil (MPO/CNPs) as a dietary supplement to improve the growth and immune responses of A. baerii. The results demonstrated that the addition of MPO/CNPs to the diet led to significant improvements in growth, as evidenced by increased red blood cell count, hematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, and reduced triglyceride levels. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the immune parameters for the treatment groups receiving Mentha piperita essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles (MPO/CNPs), including enhanced lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, respiratory burst activity, and ACH50 activity. Additionally, gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of key immune-related genes in the MPO/CNPs-treated groups. These findings suggest that the use of MPO/CNPs can enhance the growth and bolster the immune defences of Siberian sturgeon fry, contributing to more sustainable production in intensive aquaculture environments.

Bacillus genus industrial applications and innovation: First steps towards a circular bioeconomy.

In recent decades, environmental concerns have directed several policies, investments, and production processes. The search for sustainable and eco-friendly strategies is constantly increasing to reduce petrochemical product utilization, fossil fuel pollution, waste generation, and other major ecological impacts. The concepts of circular economy, bioeconomy, and biorefinery are increasingly being applied to solve or reduce those problems, directing us towards a greener future. Within the biotechnology field, the Bacillus genus of bacteria presents extremely versatile microorganisms capable of producing a great variety of products with little to no dependency on petrochemicals. They are able to grow in different agro-industrial wastes and extreme conditions, resulting in healthy and environmentally friendly products, such as foods, feeds, probiotics, plant growth promoters, biocides, enzymes, and bioactive compounds. The objective of this review was to compile the variety of products that can be produced with Bacillus cells, using the concepts of biorefinery and circular economy as the scope to search for greener alternatives to each production method and providing market and bioeconomy ideas of global production. Although the genus is extensively used in industry, little information is available on its large-scale production, and there is little current data regarding bioeconomy and circular economy parameters for the bacteria. Therefore, as this work gathers several products' economic, production, and environmentally friendly use information, it can be addressed as one of the first steps towards those sustainable strategies. Additionally, an extensive patent search was conducted, focusing on products that contain or are produced by the Bacillus genus, providing an indication of global technology development and direction of the bacteria products. The Bacillus global market represented at least $18 billion in 2020, taking into account only the products addressed in this article, and at least 650 patent documents submitted per year since 2017, indicating this market's extreme importance. The data we provide in this article can be used as a base for further studies in bioeconomy and circular economy and show the genus is a promising candidate for a greener and more sustainable future.

Potential Implication of in ovo Feeding of Phytogenics in Poultry Production.

Hatchery's goals include maximizing revenue by achieving high hatchability with day-old birds of excellent quality. The advancement of technology has benefited the poultry sector since breeding and genetics technology have increased the rates of meat maturation in developing birds in a short period of time. Excessive use of in-feed antibiotics has been shown in studies to increase the chance of resistance to human infections. Bacterial resistance and antibiotic residues in animal products raised concerns about using antibiotics as growth promoters, eventually leading to a prohibition on using in-feed antibiotics in most industrialized nations. In ovo technology is a novel method for delivering bioactive chemicals to developing avian embryos. In ovo feeding technologies may provide additional nutrients to the embryos before hatching. The introduction of bioactive compounds has the potential to assist in decreasing and eventually eliminating the problems associated with traditional antibiotic delivery in chicken production. Phytobiotics were advocated as an alternative by researchers and dietitians. So far, several studies have been conducted on the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry and swine feeding. They have primarily demonstrated that phytobiotics possess antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and growth-stimulating properties. The antioxidant effect of phytobiotics can improve the stability of animal feed and increase the quality and storage duration of animal products. In general, the existing documentation indicates that phytobiotics improve poultry performance. To effectively and efficiently use the in ovo technique in poultry production and advance research in this area, it is important to have a thorough understanding of its potential as a means of nutrient delivery during the critical stage of incubation, its effects on hatching events and posthatch performance, and the challenges associated with its use. Overall, this review suggests that in ovo feeding of phytobiotics has the potential to improve the antioxidant status and performance of chickens.

Genome-Wide and 16S rRNA Sequencing-Based Analysis on the Health Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei XLK401 on Chicks.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, serves as a growth promoter used in the poultry industry, contributeing to broiler development. However, practical studies are needed to determine the probiotic potential and growth-promoting effects of specific L. paracasei strains. This study aims to determine whether L. paracasei XLK401 influences broiler chicken growth and the mechanisms involved. Notably, we identified several bile salt and acid tolerance-related genes (Asp23, atpD, atpA, atpH, and atpF) in L. paracasei XLK401. This bacterium demonstrates robust probiotic properties under acidic conditions (pH 2.0) and 0.3% bile salt conditions. It also contains a variety of antioxidant-related genes (trxA, trxB, and tpx), carbohydrate-related genes, gene-encoding glycosidases (e.g., GH and GT), and three clusters of genes associated with antimicrobial compounds. Supplementation with L. paracasei XLK401 significantly increased the body weight of the chicks. In addition, it significantly increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC) while significantly decreasing the levels of oxidative damage factors and inflammatory factors (MDA and IL-6), resulting in improved chick health. Improvements in body weight and health status were associated with significant increases in α-amylase activity and the remodeling of the host gut microbiota by L. paracasei XLK401. Among them, actinobacteria abundance in chicken intestines after feeding them L. paracasei XLK401 was significantly decreased, Bifidobacterium sp. abundance was also significantly decreased, and Subdoligranulum sp. abundance was significantly increased. This suggests that L. paracasei XLK401 can regulate the abundance of certain bacteria without changing the overall microbial structure. In addition, in the correlation analysis, Subdoligranulums sp. were positively correlated with SOD and negatively correlated with IL-1ß and MDA. Overall, our study demonstrates that L. paracasei XLK401 effectively promotes healthy chick growth. This is made possible by the modulation of gut microbe abundance and the underlying probiotic effect of L. paracasei XLK401. Based on these findings, we postulate L. paracasei XLK401 as a potential efficient growth promoter in broiler farming.

The Potential of Endophytic Fungi for Enhancing the Growth and Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds and Anthocyanin in Maled Phai Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most popular cereal crops, being consumed by almost half of the world's population. Among several cultivars widely distributed in Thailand, Maled Phai is a Thai pigmented-upland rice with exceptionally high nutritional value and high demand in the local Thai market. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of producing plant growth-promoting properties (PGP) and enhancing the accumulation of phytochemicals in Maled Phai rice seeds of endophytic fungi isolated from upland black rice. Among a total of 56 isolates, the 4 most effective PGP isolates were identified as Trichoderma zelobreve PBMP16, Talaromyces pinophilus PBMP28, Aspergillus flavus KKMP34, and Trichoderma sp. PBMP4 based on their morphological characteristics and multigene (ITS, rpb2, tef-1, CaM, and BenA) phylogenetic analyses. These four endophytic fungi could promote plant growth parameters under greenhouse conditions. Outstandingly, upland rice inoculated with Tr. zelobreve PBMP16 had a significant increase in total seed weight, root length, phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, antioxidants, and N uptake, which were higher than those of the noninoculated control, and even better than the chemical fertilizer. Overall, this report shows that endophytic fungi efficiently promoted growth and increased the phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, and antioxidants of Maled Phai rice.

An Immobilized Form of a Blend of Essential Oils Improves the Density of Beneficial Bacteria, in Addition to Suppressing Pathogens in the Gut and Also Improves the Performance of Chicken Breeding.

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) are used in chicken production to suppress pathogens in the gut and improve performance, but such products tend to suppress beneficial bacteria while favoring the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. A green alternative to AGP with the ability to suppress pathogens, but with an additional ability to spare beneficial gut bacteria and improve breeding performance is urgently required. We investigated the effect of supplementation of a blend of select essential oils (cinnamon oil, carvacrol, and thyme oil, henceforth referred to as EO; at two doses: 200 g/t and 400 g/t feed) exhibiting an ability to spare Lactobacillus while exhibiting strong E. coli inhibition ability under in vitro tests and immobilized in a sunflower oil and calcium alginate matrix, to broiler chickens and compared the effects with those of a probiotic yeast (Y), an AGP virginiamycin (V), and a negative control (C). qPCR analysis of metagenomic DNA from the gut content of experimental chickens indicated a significantly (p < 0.05) lower density of E. coli in the EO groups as compared to other groups. Amplicon sequence data of the gut microbiome indicated that all the additives had specific significant effects (DESeq2) on the gut microbiome, such as enrichment of uncultured Clostridia in the V and Y groups and uncultured Ruminococcaceae in the EO groups, as compared to the control. LEfSe analysis of the sequence data indicated a high abundance of beneficial bacteria Ruminococcaceae in the EO groups, Faecalibacterium in the Y group, and Blautia in the V group. Supplementation of the immobilized EO at the dose rate of 400 g/ton feed improved body weight gain (by 64 g/bird), feed efficiency (by 5 points), and cellular immunity (skin thickness response to phytoheamagglutinin lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris by 58%) significantly (p < 0.05), whereas neither yeast nor virginiamycin showed a significant effect on performance parameters. Expression of genes associated with gut barrier and immunity function such as CLAUDIN1, IL6, IFNG, TLR2A, and NOD1 were significantly higher in the EO groups. This study showed that the encapsulated EO mixture can improve the density of beneficial microbes in the gut significantly, with concomitant suppression of potential pathogens such as E.coli and improved performance and immunity, and hence, has a high potential to be used as an effective alternative to AGP in poultry.

Biochemical and Biotechnological Insights into Fungus-Plant Interactions for Enhanced Sustainable Agricultural and Industrial Processes.

The literature is full of studies reporting environmental and health issues related to using traditional pesticides in food production and storage. Fortunately, alternatives have arisen in the last few decades, showing that organic agriculture is possible and economically feasible. And in this scenario, fungi may be helpful. In the natural environment, when associated with plants, these microorganisms offer plant-growth-promoting molecules, facilitate plant nutrient uptake, and antagonize phytopathogens. It is true that fungi can also be phytopathogenic, but even they can benefit agriculture in some way-since pathogenicity is species-specific, these fungi are shown to be useful against weeds (as bioherbicides). Finally, plant-associated yeasts and molds are natural biofactories, and the metabolites they produce while dwelling in leaves, flowers, roots, or the rhizosphere have the potential to be employed in different industrial activities. By addressing all these subjects, this manuscript comprehensively reviews the biotechnological uses of plant-associated fungi and, in addition, aims to sensitize academics, researchers, and investors to new alternatives for healthier and more environmentally friendly production processes.

Effects of dietary supplementation with a carvacrol-cinnamaldehyde-thymol blend on growth performance and intestinal health of nursery pigs.

BACKGROUND: Stress, herd transfer, and food changes experienced by nursery and fattening pigs can lead to reduced performance, reduced digestion and absorption, and impaired intestinal health. Given the role of essential oils in relieving stress and improving animal welfare, we hypothesized that essential oils may improve pig performance via promoting gut health and gut homeostasis laid by EOs supplementation during nursery continuously impacts performance in fattening pigs. RESULTS: A total of 100 piglets (Landrace × Large White; weighted 8.08 ± 0.34 kg, weaned at d 28) were randomly selected and divided into 2 treatments: (1) basal diet (Con); (2) basal diet supplement with 0.1% complex essential oils (CEO). The experiment period was 42 days. Then weaned piglets' growth performance and indications of intestinal health were assessed. Compared to the Con group, dietary supplemented CEO enhanced BW at 14 d (P < 0.05), and increased ADG during 1 ~ 14 d and 1 ~ 42 d (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CEO group had lower FCR during 1 ~ 42 d (P < 0.05). The CEO group also showed higher VH and VH:CD in duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, dietary CEO supplementation improved gut barrier function, as manifested by increased the mRNA expression of tight-junction protein and decreased serum DAO, ET and D-LA levels (P < 0.05). Finally, CEO supplementation alleviated gut inflammation, increased the activity of digestive enzymes. Importantly, piglets supplemented with CEOs during nursery also had better performance during fattening, suggesting that the establishment of intestinal health will also continuously affect subsequent digestion and absorption capacity. In short, dietary supplemented CEO improved performance and gut health via modulating increased intestine absorptive area, barrier integrity, digestive enzyme activity, and attenuating intestine inflammation. Meanwhile, essential oil supplementation during the nursery period also had a favorable effect on the performance of growing pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the strategy of adding CEO to pig diets as a growth promoter and enhancing intestinal health is feasible.

Sodium Salicylate as Feed Additive in Broilers: Absence of Toxicopathological Findings.

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production have been related to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria. The AGP ban in many countries has highlighted the growing need for alternatives for feed additives. Considering the non-antibiotic anti-inflammatory theory of AGPs, chicks received three different doses of sodium salicylate (SS) in feed (10, 30, 90 mg/kg), basal diet (BD) was used as a negative control, and zinc bacitracin (ZB) was used as a positive control. Chicks were individually housed to increase the accuracy of the dose of SS ingested. Performance parameters and footpad dermatitis were evaluated weekly, while haematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and tibial dyschondroplasia were determined on Days 21 and 42. A linear dose-dependent decrease in haemoglobin concentration was observed, but the values were within the normal reference range. Among all the other evaluated parameters, no relevant differences between treatments were observed; however, not even the AGP group performed better than the control group. It is possible that the conditions in which the birds were raised were not stressful enough to allow for anti-inflammatories to demonstrate their beneficial effects on performance. Studies should be conducted where the animals are exposed to commercial conditions, as the presence of natural stressors could allow a better evaluation of the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory agent as a growth promoter.

Dietary flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil supplementation affects growth, oxidative stress, immune response, and diseases resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchusmykiss).

This paper describes the effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil (FSO) as a feed additive on growth performance, oxidative stress, immunity, and disease resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Eight-hundred-and-forty rainbow trout individuals (mean weight: 25.66 ± 1.33 g) were fed with different doses of FSO (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) ad libitum two times a day for 9 weeks. At the end of the feeding, growth performance was evaluated and the fish were challenged with two different bacteria (Yersinia ruckeri and Aeromonas hydrophila). At the end of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks, blood and tissue samples were taken from 9 fish per treatment to evaluate innate immune response, cytokine gene expression levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels, and digestive enzyme activities. Determination of haematological parameters and histological examination was also carried out to evaluate the general health status of the fish. Results showed that the final weight and specific growth rate of FSO-supplemented fish increased significantly (p < 0.05). FSO-supplemented fish showed higher resistance to Y. ruckeri than the control group (p < 0.05). However, survival rates of all groups in A. hydrophila challenge test were similar (p > 0.05). Among the investigated innate immune response parameters, the potential killing activity of phagocytes, myeloperoxidase activity, and lysozyme activity increased in the FSO-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Almost all cytokine gene expression levels in the experimental groups up-regulated especially after 9 weeks of feeding in the head kidney and intestine (p < 0.05). Similarly, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were found to be significantly higher in the FSO group than in the control (p < 0.05) whereas, the lipid peroxidation levels drastically declined as a result of the FSO supplementation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that FSO can improve growth, enhance immune response, and lower oxidative damage in rainbow trout when supplemented at the rates of 0.5-1.5% for 9 weeks.

Effects of Phage Cocktail, Probiotics, and Their Combination on Growth Performance and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens.

Phages, which are often used therapeutically, have begun to receive interest as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for enhancing chicken growth. Another option that has been extensively studied as a growth promoter in chickens is probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no study available on the use of phages and probiotics in combination as potential feed additives for broiler chickens. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effects of a phage cocktail, probiotics, and their combination on the growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments in a completely randomised design. The treatments were (i) C (basal diet (BD) only), (ii) 1ϕ (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail), (iii) 2ϕ (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail), (iv) P (BD + 0.1% probiotic), (v) 1ϕP (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic), and (vi) 2ϕP (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic). The 1ϕP treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) better BW (35 days), BWG (22-35 days, 1-35 days), and FCR (1-21 days, 22-35 days, 1-35 days) compared to C. Unique gut microbiota diversity was also found between the ϕP (1ϕP and 2ϕP) and non-ϕP groups (C, 1ϕ, 2ϕ, and P) in ilea, particularly in the 35-day-old chickens. Microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers were significantly (p < 0.05) more present in the ϕP group than in the non-ϕP group. The predicted genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were significantly upregulated in ϕP groups compared to non-ϕP groups. These genes were involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the production of energy. Our findings showed that the 1ϕP treatment could be a potential alternative to AGPs for poultry, as growth performance was enhanced, and gut microbiota was positively modulated.

Reduction in Rumen Tetracycline-Insensitive Bacteria during a Grain Challenge Using the Isoflavone Biochanin A.

The isoflavone biochanin A was previously shown to promote weight gain in growing steers by selectively inhibiting rumen bacteria-like growth-promoting feed antibiotics. The hypothesis that biochanin A inhibited the action of drug efflux pumps was tested by enumerating tetracycline-insensitive bacteria from steers in a subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) challenge. Steers (n = 3/group) treatment groups were forage only, SARA control, SARA with monensin (0.2 g d-1), and SARA with biochanin A (6.0 g d-1). As the steers were stepped up from the forage-only basal diet to 70% cracked corn, the number of rumen bacteria enumerated on two tetracycline-containing media types (nutrient glucose agar and tetracycline, and bile esculin azide and tetracycline) increased (p < 0.05) from as little as 1.7(105) to as great as 6.7(106) cfu mL-1 on the nutrient glucose agar in the SARA and monensin control groups. The biochanin A group maintained the same number of tetracycline-insensitive bacteria as the forage-only controls (p > 0.05). The effects were similar to the more selective media type, but the differences were smaller. These results support the hypothesis that biochanin A inhibits the activity of drug efflux pumps in vivo.