Risk of Heavy Metals from Using Broiler Litter as an Alternative Animal Feedstuff or Organic Fertilizer

Potential risk of heavy metal residues in poultry litter is considered as one of the environmental concerns of litter applications on agricultural land or as animal feedstuff. Therefore, a total of 136 litter samples were collected from broiler farms and examined for the presence of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al) and nickel (Ni) using ZEEnit 700P Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with Graphite Furness. The results showed that all litter samples contained notable concentrations of the analyzed metals and their order was Ni > Al > Pb > Cd. Standard limit for heavy metals in litter differs greatly if it is applied to pasture or as feed for animals. It was found that Pb content in litter was 8-10 times as FAO limit when used as fish feed. Meanwhile, Pb level was higher than the European Communities standard in 24% of litter samples when used as complete feedstuff for animals. However, Pb level was much lower than the Spanish legislation for fertilizers. Additionally, Al, Ni and Cd content did not exceed the legally permitted guideline limits when used as feedstuff or fertilizer. It was concluded that, poultry litter contained high Pb level, which may accumulate in the body and can pose health risk when used as an alternative feedstuff for fish and animals

Effect of Chinese Propolis Supplementation on Ross Broiler Chicks: Microbial Population in Fecal matter and Litter

Propolis has been considered a good candidate for health amelioration and disease prevention over a long period of time. Effect of feed supplementation with Chinese ether extract propolis was evaluated for the antibacterial action on (Ross 308) broiler chicks and their litter over 35 days. The addition of different levels of propolis (100, 250 and 750 mg/kg diet) on total aerobic and coliform bacteria as well as Lactobacillus spp. and bifidobacteria were determined. Supplementation of propolis significantly increased (p<0.05) the desired stimulating effect of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacteria in fecal samples of all treatment groups compared to control group. However, propolis did not have an impact to reduce the total aerobic and coliform bacteria compared to control group in both fecal and litter samples. In conclusion, Chinese propolis improved the beneficial normal gut microflora and had a limited effect on the total aerobic and coliform bacteria in broiler chicks and litter quality

Silver Nanoparticles and Sodium Hypochlorite Inhibitory Effects on Biofilm Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Poultry Farms

In Egypt, pseudomonas infection is one of the most important problems facing poultry production. Pseudomonas spp. is recognized as a major food spoiler and environmental contaminant. Biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa has an important role in the bacterial pathogenesis as well as persistence in the environment. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of AgNPs and NaOCL were evaluated against P. aeruginosa isolated from chicken farms. MIC and MBC of AgNPs against planktonic cells of P. aeruginosa were 15 and 20µg/ml, respectively. While those of NaOCL were 2200 and 2600 µg/ml, respectively. The highest inhibition percentages of biofilm formation (97.9%) was observed when P. aeruginosa treated with AgNPs (25µg/ml). While, 87.5% biofilm removal percentage was achieved after treating the established biofilm with 25 µg/ml AgNPs for 2.5 h. Moreover, NaOCL (2800 µg/ml) was able to cause 96.6% inhibition of biofilm formation and 90.3% biofilm removal after 1.5 h contact. The current study revealed that AgNPs and NaOCL were able to promote a significant reduction and removal of the mature biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa and the antibiofilm efficiency increased with the increase of its contact times with the biofilms

Inhibitory Activity of Silver Nanoparticles and Sodium Hypochlorite against Biofilm Produced by Salmonellae Isolated from Poultry Farms

Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis are among the predominant Salmonella serotypes in the Egyptian poultry farms. Salmonella has the ability to build up biofilms on a variety of surfaces. The antibiofilm activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) on prevention and controlling of biofilm by Salmonella spp. was estimated. Silver nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal activity against both S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis with MIC value at 15 µg/ml, while, that of NaOCL was 1600 µg/ml. AgNPs (25 ug/ml) could inhibit biofilm formation at percentages of 84.96% and 78.85% against S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, respectively. A percentage of 87 % biofilm removal by AgNPS after 3 h contact with the built-up biofilm produced by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis was recorded. NaOCL (2200 µg/ml) exhibited inhibition percentages of biofilm formation at 83.89% and 75.76% against S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, respectively. While, biofilm removal percentages after 2 h contact between NaOCL (2200 µg/ml) with the formed biofilm by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis were 87.42% and 89.37%, respectively. It can be concluded that AgNPs and NaOCl were able to promote a significant reduction of biofilm formation by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. Also, AgNPs and NaOCl effectively oppress the mature biofilms formed and the antibiofilm efficiency increased with the increase of contact time with the biofilms

Risk Assessment and Quinolones Plasmid-mediated Resistance Genes in Intensive Broiler Farms

Quinolones are frequently applied in intensive production and their risks are creation of residues and development of bacterial resistance, which is one of the major challenges to human health. Muscle, liver and kidney as well as, intestinal contents were collected from intensive broiler farms in Upper Egypt. Samples were analyzed for quinolones residues (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and danofloxacin) using HPLC. Intestinal contents were investigated for two plasmid-mediated resistance genes; qnrA, qnrB and one chromosomal gene; gyrA. All liver and kidney samples were contaminated with enrofloxacin and the highest level was found in the liver that exceeded the maximum residue limit, which contribute to health hazards for adult and children. QnrB and gyrA genes could be detected in 25% and 8% of the samples, respectively. This study represents the first record about existence of qnrB and gyrA in broiler intestinal content. These results denoted that some broilers’ edibles sold in Egypt contain high level of quinolones. Litter from intensive farms maybe considered as a critical source of resistant genes giving a chance of horizontal transfer of resistant determinants. Consequently, it is necessary to examine broiler products and by-products for the presence of residual quinolones and resistance genes

Multiple antibiotic resistant Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus iniae in Nile tilapia aquaculture

Streptococcosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease in tilapia and other fresh that creates economic losses, caused mainly by Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus iniae. The hazard of the disease is that it may present apparently healthy as well as its presence in culture water. So, this work aimed to detect streptococci in Nile tilapia farms located in Assiut and Minia Governorates, Egypt. Streptococcus agalactiae (42 isolates) and Streptococcus iniae (59 isolates) were identified. Two Streptococcus agalactiae isolates were molecularly confirmed and exhibited resistance to most antibiotics and a multiple antibiotic resistant index of 0.9-1. The identified isolates could not form biofilm. Identification of these hemolytic, resistant Streptococcus poses a potential hazard for human health; hence, alternative antimicrobials should be searched against infections caused by these bacteria

AGRIMOS® Prebiotics: Effect on Behavior, Performance, Cecal Microbial Population and Humeral Immunity in Broiler Chickens

The detrimental impact of summer temperature is a subject of huge concern for poultry health and production in Egypt. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of AGRIMOS® prebiotic on performance, internal organs weight, caecal bacterial count and humoral immunity for Avian influenza vaccine and behavioral tests in broiler chickens reared under cyclic heat stress. At day 28; the birds were exposed to 32°C for 9 hours daily after they were randomly allotted to four treatments: 0, 0.5, 2, and 4 g AGRIMOS kg-1, respectively. The experiment showed that, at 42 days of age, 4 g AGRIMOS kg-1 significantly improved the birds’ performance and significantly increased the abdominal fat, bursa and thymus relative weight as well as, the time of latency to lie and decreased the tonic immobility response. The total aerobic count in the caecal samples showed a significant decrease in all groups received AGRIMOS. However; the lactobacilli count and the Hemagglutination inhibition titers, for avian influenza vaccine, were significantly increased. In conclusion, the AGRIMOS supplement to broiler chickens could be considered a protective prebiotic which control the negative effects of hot environment in summer