Commercial Bacillus-based probiotics are widely used in poultry production, but their biological mechanisms of action in broiler chickens are still not fully understood. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus-based commercial probiotics on the performance, meat and tibia traits, gut health (ileal morphology and cecal volatile fatty acids), antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal gene expression in broiler chickens. Day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (288 in total) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments, with six replicate pens of 12 birds each in an environmentally controlled facility. The treatments included a control group fed a basal diet and three probiotic-supplemented diets: Bacillus subtilis KCCM13366P at 5.0 × 107 cfu/kg (BS), Bacillus licheniformis KCCM11751P at 1.0 × 108 cfu/kg (BL), or an equal blend at 2.0 × 108 cfu/kg (BSL). On days 21 and 35, one or three birds per pen were sampled for feathers, blood, small intestine, and cecal digesta to determine the indicators of gut health (i.e., secrtory immunoglobulin A, gut morphology, cecal volatile fatty acids, and intestinal gene expression) and physiology (i.e., serum parameters, corticosterone, and antioxidants parameters). In addition, meat quality and ileal nutrient digestibility were assayed on day 35. Data were analyzed using the general linear model procedure in SAS followed by pairwise differences using Tukey's post-hoc test. Statistical significance was preset at P < 0.05. The trial lasted for 35 days. Dietary BSL tended to increase feed intake during the grower phase by 6.33% (P = 0.087). Dietary BS and BSL improved the feed conversion ratio by 7.83% and 5.22%, respectively, during the starter phase (P < 0.05) and BSL reduced overall feed conversion ratio by 1.99% compared to the control group (P < 0.05). At 21 days, dietary BSL increased the ileal villus height:crypt depth ratio by 40.66% (P < 0.05). The activity of glutathione peroxidase in the ileal mucosa, but not in the serum samples, was decreased by 36.34% in the BS group and 38.06% in the BSL group at 21 days (P < 0.05). Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentrations were lower by 22.3% on day 21, and ileal digestibility of crude protein and crude ash were lower by 6.6% and 21.9% on day 35, respectively, in birds fed the BSL diet than in the control group (P < 0.05). The interleukin-8 and interferon-alpha expression levels in the ileum were increased by 2.0-fold in BL-fed broilers compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of genes encoding antioxidant-related parameters, tight junction proteins, mucin, and glucose transporters was upregulated by 2.0- to 4.0-fold in dietary BL and BSL groups on days 21 and 35 (P < 0.05). We concluded that dietary BS improved growth performance, whereas dietary BL enhanced cytokine, gut barrier, mucin, antioxidant, and nutrient transporter mRNA levels, resulting in additive effects of BSL on chickens. Based on the enhanced intestinal gene expression induced by dietary BS or BSL, further studies are needed to determine protective immunity against enteric pathogens in broiler chickens.
The search for viable, non-antibiotic alternatives in poultry nutrition has intensified focus on both microbial and phytogenic feed additives to optimize gut health and production efficiency. This study evaluated the comparative effects of Bacillus subtilis probiotic (Gallipro Max) and Abutilon indicum leaf powder (AILP) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, and carcass traits of Ross 307 broiler chickens. A 42-day feeding trial was conducted using 500 one-day-old broiler chicks randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments (n=100 birds/treatment), with each treatment subdivided into 5 replicates of 20 birds each under a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment 1 (T1) was fed a basal control diet alone; T2 received the basal diet supplemented with Gallipro Max at 200 g/kg; while T3, T4, and T5 were fed the basal diet supplemented with AILP at 100, 200, and 300 g/kg, respectively. Final body weight, feed intake, carcass yield, and dressing percentage were lowest in T1, intermediate in T3 –T4, and significantly higher in T2 and T5. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was optimized in T2 and T5 and poorest in T1. Mortality was exclusively recorded in T1, whereas all sup-plemented groups (T2 –T5) recorded 100% survival rates. Relative weights of high-value cuts (breast, thigh, leg, shank) and gizzard were significantly increased in T2 and T5, while liver, heart, spleen and kidney weights showed no significant variations across all groups (P>0.05). Apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and ash were substantially enhanced in T2–T5 compared to the control. Physiologically, dietary supplemen-tation significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while concurrently boosting serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and endogenous antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) in T2 –T5 relative to T1. In conclusion both Bacillus subtilis probiotic at 200 g/kg and Abutilon indicum leaf powder at 300 g/kg serve as potent, safe bio-enhancers. They maximize broiler growth, tissue accretion, and nutrient digestibility while simultaneously reinforcing systemic antioxidant status and humoral immunity.
Alagbe, John Olujimi· Clinical Investigations and...· 0 citations
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic (BP) on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbial composition in weaned pigs. A total of 160 piglets (initial body weight, 8.0 ± 0.25 kg; 28 d of age) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: a basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg [BP100, 4 × 107 colony-forming unit (CFU)/kg feed], 200 mg/kg (BP200, 8 × 107 CFU/kg feed), and 400 mg/kg (BP400, 1.6 × 108 CFU/kg feed) a triple-strain Bacillus probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3. Each treatment included 8 replicate pens with 5 pigs per pen. Over the 35-d feeding period (Phase 1: d 0-14; Phase 2: d 15-35), increasing dietary BP supplementation linearly improved average daily gain and feed efficiency (P < 0.05) and reduced the diarrhea index by up to 49.3% relative to the CON (P < 0.05), whereas average daily feed intake was unaffected. Apparent nutrient digestibility increased, whereas organic matter, gross energy, and nitrogen excretion decreased linearly with increasing BP supplementation (P < 0.10). Dietary BP supplementation linearly increased villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, goblet cell numbers, and tight junction protein expression, while reducing crypt depth in the small intestine (P < 0.05). In addition, increasing dietary BP supplementation linearly increased colonic Lactobacillus abundance and the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total short-chain fatty acids, with the greatest values observed in the BP400 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary BP supplementation improved growth performance in weaned pigs by enhancing intestinal morphological development and barrier integrity, increasing nutrient digestibility, and modulating the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. These findings highlight the potential of BP as an effective functional feed additive to mitigate weaning stress through improvements in intestinal barrier function and modulation of gut microbiota.
Ankun Zhou, Yao Huang, Jiajia Yu et al.· Journal of Animal Science· 0 citations
Objectives: Due to rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance to antibiotic growth promoters, the use of natural feed additives is a safer alternative in poultry production. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of dietary supplementation of moringa, yeast, and antibiotics on the overall productivity of broiler chicken.
Materials and Methods: A total of 240-day-old chicks were allocated into 4 dietary treatments (60 chicks/treatment), namely CD = Control diet, CDM = Control diet + 2.5% moringa leaf powder, CDY = Control diet + 2.5% yeast, and CDA = Control diet + 0.015% antibiotics, each having six replications (10 chicks/replication) for a period of 35 days.
Results: The final body weight (1736 gm) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the CDA group than in the others. In feed intake, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences, but FCR and digestibility were improved in the CDA and CDY groups. Bone mineralization increased in the CDM group. Treatment groups showed significantly higher dressing yield and meat yield than the control (p < 0.05). The cooking loss, drip loss, water-holding capacity, TBARS value, and redness of color showed better results (p < 0.05) in the moringa and yeast groups than the control and antibiotic groups. The meat protein content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the CDM (21.68%) and CDY (21.10%) groups compared to CDA (20.33%). Lower fat content was recorded in the CDM (1.12%) and higher in the CDA (1.67%) group.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that the moringa or yeast-supplemented feeds are suitable options and appear to be promising choices for producing safe meat with improved nutritional quality.
M. Debi, Shahnur Sohag, J. Aktar et al.· Journal of Advanced Veterina...· 0 citations
Supriya, R., Chacko, B., Anitha, P., Suja, C.S. and Priya, P.M. 2023. Evaluating growth performance and carcass traits of broiler chickens fed with fermented soybean meal, probiotics and organic acids. Indian Journal Poultry Science, 58(3): 253–257. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of fermented soybean meal (FSBM), probiotics and organic acids inclusion in the diet of broiler chicken on growth performance and carcass traits. A total of 160, day-old commercial broiler chicks (Vencobb-430Y) were procured and randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, each treatment consisting of four replicates and reared up to six weeks of age. The dietary treatment groups include T1: basal diet with a corn-soybean meal (control); T2: control diet with 100 per cent replacement of soybean meal by FSBM; T3: control diet supplemented with 0.05% probiotics; T4: control diet supplemented with 0.1% organic acids; T5: control diet supplemented with both probiotics and organic acids. The results indicated that dietary treatments do not significantly affect the body weight gain, feed intake and carcass characteristics in broilers. However, the FCR of the FSBM group 0 to 3 weeks was significantly (p<0.01) better compared to all other groups. In conclusion, fermented soybean meal (FSBM) shows promise as a viable alternative to conventional soybean meal in broiler diets, significantly improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the initial growth phase..
R. Supriya, B. Chacko, P. Anitha et al.· Indian Journal of Poultry Sc...· 0 citations
Simple Summary As the commercial poultry industry transitions away from antibiotic growth promoters, farm managers and breeding practitioners need reliable, natural feeding strategies that maintain flock growth, feed efficiency, and intestinal robustness. This study examined whether blending wild thyme powder with standard prebiotics or probiotics could replace conventional antibiotics in broiler diets over a 28-day grow-out period. Our findings show that adding thyme powder, especially when paired with a spore-forming prebiotic, significantly increases final bird weight and improves overall feed conversion efficiency to levels that match or exceed antibiotic treatment. At the tissue level, these natural combinations act as a dual protective shield: thyme and beneficial microbes strengthen the intestinal lining, promote friendly gut bacteria, and enhance nutrient absorption. For poultry producers, combining thyme powder (1.0 g/kg) with a probiotic (0.50 g/kg) offers a viable, cost-effective, non-antibiotic strategy to optimize flock productivity, safeguard gut health, and reduce production losses in modern antibiotic-free broiler operations.
AA Aboragah, A. Alharthi, H. Al-Baadani· Veterinary Sciences· 0 citations
This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of graded levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus as growth promoting agent on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. 240-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were allocated to four treatments; each treatment had six replicates with ten birds per replicate. The experimental diets were: Treatment 1- basal diet (control), Treatment 2- basal diet + 1 x 108 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus/kg, Treatment 3- basal diet + 2 x 108 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus/Kg, and Treatment 4- basal diet + 3 x 108 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus/kg. There were no significant differences in the body weight gain of the groups fed lactobacillus acidophilus supplemented diets, but their values were higher (P<0.05) than the value observed for the control. Feed intake followed the same pattern with body weight gain with the values got in the supplemented groups higher (P<0.05) than the control. Feed conversion ratio values obtained in the groups fed the treated diets were statistically similar (P<0.05), but better (P<0.05) than the value got in the control. The result of nutrient digestibility shows that the treatment had no effect on metabolizable energy digestibility, while crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre digestibility followed the same pattern, with the values derived in T2, T3 and T4 statistically similar (P>0.05), but higher (P<0.05) than the observation in T1. It is therefore inferred from this study that Lactobacillus acidophilus is a good growth promoter than can always be used to improve broiler chickens’ performance and digestibility.
Olatunji, G. J., Adeosun, T. A., Oyebiodun, G. L.· Journal of Biotechnology and...· 0 citations
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