Upgrading the Nutritional Value of PKC Using a Bacillus subtilis Derived Monocomponent ß-Mannanase.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is an abundant side stream that can only be added to non-ruminant feed in small concentrations due to its content of antinutritional factors, mainly galactomannan, which cannot be digested by non-ruminants. ß-mannanases can be added to partially hydrolyze galactomannan to form mannose oligosaccharides, which are known to be prebiotic. We here investigate the action of a ß-mannanase from B. subtilis on PKC by colorimetry, NMR and fluorescence microscopy. The amount of mannan oligosaccharides in solution was significantly increased by the ß-mannanase and their degree of polymerization (DP) was significantly reduced. There was a dose-response behavior in that larger ß-mannanase concentrations increased the amount of soluble mannose oligosaccharides while reducing their average DP. Using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, solubilization of galactomannan in PKC was clearly visualized. Images show a clear disruption of the cellulose and galactomannan structures of the PKC cell walls. We thus show in this study that using commercial dosages of ß-mannanase on PKC can lead to formation of prebiotic compounds. Thus, this study suggests that utilization of PKC in poultry feed formulation might be increased by addition of a ß-mannanase and would improve the return on investment.

Effects of dietary yeast cell wall on faecal bacteria and fermentation products in adult cats.

This study evaluated the effects of increasing concentrations of spray-dried yeast cell wall (YCW) in diets for healthy adult cats on apparent nutrient digestibility and on bacterial composition and fermentation products in the stool. Fourteen cats with an average weight of 4.40 ± 1.05 kg and an average age of 6.2 ± 0.54 years were used and assigned to treatments in an unbalanced randomized block design (by experimental period) with two blocks and three or four cats per diet in each block. Treatments included: control (0% YCW), 0.2% YCW, 0.4% YCW and 0.6% YCW, totalling seven animals per experimental diet. We found that YCW did not affect body weight, nutrient and food intake, faecal production, faecal score, faecal pH or urine output (p > .05). Regarding faecal bacteria, we observed a linear reduction in Clostridium perfringens, a quadratic reduction in Escherichia coli, and linear increases in Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. (p < .05) with the inclusion of YCW. Regarding the faecal short-chain fatty acid profile, butyrate, valerate, total biogenic amines, putrescine, cadaverine and histamine increased linearly (p < .05) with the inclusion of YCW. It was concluded that in healthy adult cats, consumption of YCW modulates the faecal bacterial populations, with an increased presence of beneficial bacteria and a reduction in some potentially pathogenic bacteria. It was concluded that YCW modulated the levels of fermentation products. There was an increase in fermentation products coming from carbohydrate metabolism, an important effect that can potentially benefit the intestinal health of cats. The consumption of YCW also increased the fermentation of nitrogen compounds, which have not yet been defined as deleterious or beneficial. The fermentability of carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds may be associated. Therefore, YCW may cause rapid fermentation of both classes of compounds by enhancing the fermentability of one class.

Microbiome dynamic modulation through functional diets based on pre- and probiotics (mannan-oligosaccharides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

AIMS: This study used high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the intestinal microbiome dynamics in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed commercial diets supplemented with either pre- or probiotics (0·6% mannan-oligosaccharides and 0·5% Saccharomyces cerevisiae respectively) or the mixture of both. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 57 fish whole intestinal mucosa and contents bacterial communities were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, as well as the relationship between plasma biochemical health indicators and microbiome diversity. This was performed at 7, 14 and 30 days after start feeding functional diets, and microbiome diversity increased when fish fed functional diets after 7 days and it was positively correlated with plasma cholesterol levels. Dominant phyla were, in descending order, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria. However, functional diets reduced the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria to favour abundances of organisms from Firmicutes and Fusobacteria, two phyla with members that confer beneficial effects. A dynamic shift of the microbiome composition was observed with changes after 7 days of feeding and the modulation by functional diets tend to cluster the corresponding groups apart from CTRL group. The core microbiome showed an overall stability with functional diets, except genus such as Escherichia-Shigella that suffered severe reductions on their abundances when feeding any of the functional diets. CONCLUSIONS: Functional diets based on pre- or probiotics dynamically modulate intestinal microbiota of juvenile trout engaging taxonomical abundance shifts that might impact fish physiological performance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows for the first time the microbiome modulation dynamics by functional diets based on mannan-oligosaccharides and S. cerevisiae and their synergy using culture independent high-throughput sequencing technology, revealing the complexity behind the dietary modulation with functional feeds in aquatic organisms.

Prebiotic and antimicrobials on performance, carcass characteristics, and antibody production in broilers / Prebiótico e antimicrobianos sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e produção de anticorpos em frangos de corte

ABSTRACT: To evaluate the effect of supplementation with mannan oligosaccharides, avilamycin and halquinol, alone or in combination, on the performance, carcass characteristics and antibody production in broilers (1-49 days old), male broiler chicks (n=1440; Cobb 500; one day old) were housed and distributed into a completely randomized design into six treatments (eight replicates; 30 animals per pen). To produce the experimental diets, three types of performance enhancer additives were used. Halquinol (HAL), avilamycin (AVI) and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) were included (alone or in combination) in the basal diet (instead of corn starch). Effects of diet were observed on results of animal performance in the period 1-21 and 1-42 days old. Broilers fed with a diet without growth promoter showed lower weight gain in relation to those fed with diets with antimicrobials, MOS or a combination of them. In the period 1-49 days old, feed conversion increased in broilers fed with rations without promoter. At the end of the experimental period no influence of diets was observed on the carcass yield and cuts, and titles of specific antibodies to avian infectious bronchitis. The use of MOS and/or antimicrobials (AVI or HAL), alone or in combination, improves feed conversion of broilers reared until 49 days of age.

RESUMO: Para avaliar o efeito da suplementação com mananoligossacarídeo, avilamicina e halquinol, isoladamente ou combinados, sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e produção de anticorpos em frangos de corte (1-49 dias de idade), pintos machos de corte (n=1440; linhagem Cobb 500; idade: um dia) foram alojados e distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos (oito repetições; 30 animais por unidade experimental). Para compor as rações experimentais, três tipos de aditivos melhoradores de desempenho foram usados. Halquinol (HAL), avilamicina (AVI) e mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) foram incluídos (isoladamente ou em associação) na ração basal (em substituição ao amido de milho). Foi observado efeito das rações sobre os resultados de desempenho dos animais no período 1-21 e 1-42 dias de idade. As aves alimentadas com ração sem melhorador de desempenho apresentaram menor ganho de peso em relação àquelas que consumiram rações com antimicrobianos, MOS ou uma combinação deles. No período 1-49 dias de idade, a conversão alimentar aumentou nas aves alimentadas sem melhorador de desempenho. No final do período experimental, não foi observado efeito das rações sobre o rendimento de carcaça e cortes e títulos de anticorpos específicos contra bronquite infecciosa aviária. A utilização de mananoligossacarídeo e/ou antimicrobianos (avilamicina e halquinol), isoladamente ou combinados, melhora a conversão alimentar de frangos de corte criados até 49 dias de idade.

Prebiotic and antimicrobials on performance, carcass characteristics, and antibody production in broilers / Prebiótico e antimicrobianos sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e produção de anticorpos em frangos de corte

To evaluate the effect of supplementation with mannan oligosaccharides, avilamycin and halquinol, alone or in combination, on the performance, carcass characteristics and antibody production in broilers (1-49 days old), male broiler chicks (n=1440; Cobb 500; one day old) were housed and distributed into a completely randomized design into six treatments (eight replicates; 30 animals per pen). To produce the experimental diets, three types of performance enhancer additives were used. Halquinol (HAL), avilamycin (AVI) and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) were included (alone or in combination) in the basal diet (instead of corn starch). Effects of diet were observed on results of animal performance in the period 1-21 and 1-42 days old. Broilers fed with a diet without growth promoter showed lower weight gain in relation to those fed with diets with antimicrobials, MOS or a combination of them. In the period 1-49 days old, feed conversion increased in broilers fed with rations without promoter. At the end of the experimental period no influence of diets was observed on the carcass yield and cuts, and titles of specific antibodies to avian infectious bronchitis. The use of MOS and/or antimicrobials (AVI or HAL), alone or in combination, improves feed conversion of broilers reared until 49 days of age.(AU)

Para avaliar o efeito da suplementação com mananoligossacarídeo, avilamicina e halquinol, isoladamente ou combinados, sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e produção de anticorpos em frangos de corte (1-49 dias de idade), pintos machos de corte (n=1440; linhagem Cobb 500; idade: um dia) foram alojados e distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos (oito repetições; 30 animais por unidade experimental). Para compor as rações experimentais, três tipos de aditivos melhoradores de desempenho foram usados. Halquinol (HAL), avilamicina (AVI) e mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) foram incluídos (isoladamente ou em associação) na ração basal (em substituição ao amido de milho). Foi observado efeito das rações sobre os resultados de desempenho dos animais no período 1-21 e 1-42 dias de idade. As aves alimentadas com ração sem melhorador de desempenho apresentaram menor ganho de peso em relação àquelas que consumiram rações com antimicrobianos, MOS ou uma combinação deles. No período 1-49 dias de idade, a conversão alimentar aumentou nas aves alimentadas sem melhorador de desempenho. No final do período experimental, não foi observado efeito das rações sobre o rendimento de carcaça e cortes e títulos de anticorpos específicos contra bronquite infecciosa aviária. A utilização de mananoligossacarídeo e/ou antimicrobianos (avilamicina e halquinol), isoladamente ou combinados, melhora a conversão alimentar de frangos de corte criados até 49 dias de idade.(AU)

Probiótico e/ou prebiótico sobre as características da leitegada e da matriz lactante / Probiotic and/or prebiotic on litter characteristics and sow breastfeeding

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de verificar o efeito do uso de probiótico e/ou prebiótico na alimentação de matrizes suínas. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições (T1= controle; T2= prebiótico; T3= probiótico; e T4= prebiótico + probiótico), sendo cada fêmea considerada uma parcela. A adição de probiótico e/ou prebiótico diminuiu o número de leitões mumificados. A adição de prebiótico na ração das matrizes adicionado ou não de probiótico, elevou a concentração de proteína no leite no 21º dia de lactação. No 14º dia de lactação, as concentrações de Clostridium perfringens foram menores nas fezes de matrizes que se alimentaram de probiótico. No 21º dia de lactação, as concentrações de Bifidobacterium nas fezes das matrizes foram estatisticamente menores no tratamento com prebiótico (T2). As concentrações de Enterobacteriaceae foram maiores nas fezes de matrizes que receberam a adição de probiótico (T3).

The objective of the present study was to in determine the effect of probiotic and/or prebiotic added to feed for sows. An entirely randomized design with 24 sows, 4 treatments and 6 replicates (T1 = control; T2 = prebiotic; T3 = probiotic; and T4 = prebiotic + probiotic) was used. The addition of probiotic and/or prebiotic decreased the number of mummified piglets. The addition of prebiotic to sow´s feed, with or without probiotic, increased the concentration of milk protein on the 21st day of lactation. On the14th day of lactation, the of Clostridium perfringens was smaller in the faeces of sows fed with probiotic (T3 and T4). On the 21st day of lactation, the concentration of Bifidobacterium in the faeces was statistically lower in sow food with prebiotic (T2). Concentrations of Enterobacteriaceae were higher in the faeces of sows that received probiotic (T3).