Fatty acid profile driven by maternal diet is associated with the composition of human milk microbiota

Little is known regarding the impact of diet on the breast milk microbiome. We hypothesized that vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diets would impact the human milk microbiota. We also aimed to explore associations between human milk fatty acid concentrations and microbial composition. A cross-sectional microbiome diversity analysis of human milk samples (N = 72) was performed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Human milk microbial diversity was not associated with diet type. However, analysis of microbiome in relation to fatty acid profiles revealed significant differences in the overall composition of the human milk microbiota between high (> 0.7% of total fat) and low ( 40%) versus low (60%) versus low (<60%) unsaturated fatty acids (UF) (UniFrac p = 0.094, PERMANOVA p = 0.093). 84% of samples from omnivore mothers were in the high TF group compared to only 12% of samples from vegans. Gut-associated species (Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Roseburia and Subdoligranulum) and Lactobacillus were characteristic of both high UF and TF groups, but not the low-fat groups. Functional analysis revealed 2,4-dichlorophenol 6-monooxygenase was differentially abundant in the high UF group. Although microbiome diversity did not differ by diet type, TF breast milk content differed by diet group, highlighting the relationship between maternal diet and the microbial profile of human milk

In vitro Antibacterial Efficacy of Non-Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Poultry Industry

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have been used for many years as supplements in various livestock diets, including those for poultry. However, the use of AGPs in feed was also associated with an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock. In this study, the in vitro antibacterial efficacies of eight commercially available non-AGPs suitable for use in poultry were investigated. Assessments included a combination of antibacterial activity assays and estimations of the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations along with scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results showed that the probiotic, CloStat® exerted a bacteriostatic effect against all tested bacteria, namely Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens, whereas Gallipro Tect® and Bacillus Blend® demonstrated bacteriostatic activity towards most of the pathogens tested. Other commercial non-AGPs, Sangrovit®, Fysal®, and Mix oil blend® showed a stronger or equal antibacterial activity compared to the positive control (AGP Maxus® G100) againsts all bacteria tested, except C. perfringens. Nor-Spice AB® and Varium™ did not show any significant effect against the tested bacteria. Several of the tested AGP substitutes exhibited good antibacterial efficiency against pathogenic bacteria and thus may be good candidates for second-stage in vivo investigations into reducing pathogen colonization in broilers

Feed supplementation with some natural products on Salmonella infected broilers’ performance and intestinal injury during the starter period

Many alternatives are under investigation since 2006 when the European Union banned the use of antimicrobials in animal feed. The objective of this study was to find the effect of different feed additives in comparison with antibiotic on the performance and gut health in broiler infected with Salmonella during the starter phase. A total of 240 one day old male Ross 308 chickens were divided into six groups as follow: control treatment (negative control), orally challenged with Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium (positive control), T1: oral challenge + 0.1 g/kg antibiotic, T2: oral challenge + 0.15 g/kg Sanguinarine, T3: oral challenge + 1 g/kg oregano powder, T4: oral challenge + calcium montmorillonite. On day second of the experiment, challenge was performed at a dose rate of 1.0 mL of the inoculum (4.5 × 108 CFU/mL). Data were statistically analysed with the help of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures using least significant difference (LSD) as post-hoc test. Feed consumption was significantly (p  .05) between the control and experimental groups. Significantly (p < .01) higher villus width was found in T1, T4 and negative control. Similarly, villus height was higher (p < .05) in T2 and T4 compared to the control. It was concluded from the present study that different natural feed additives produced promising results in term of improved growth traits and gut health in Salmonella infected broilers. However, Sangrovit Extra produced better results in comparison with other treatments.HIGHLIGHTS Body weight, feed efficiency were improved in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Production efficiency factor was enhanced in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Villus height was significantly higher in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Villus width was enhanced in antibiotic treated broiler

Bacillus subtilis PB6 based probiotic supplementation plays a role in the recovery after the necrotic enteritis challenge.

In poultry production, birds are raised under intensive conditions, which can enable rapid spread of infections, with Clostridium perfringens-caused necrotic enteritis (NE) being one of the most devastating for the industry. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic supplementation on bird's post NE recovery, based on chicken performance, cecal microbiota composition, ileum histomorphometric measurements, and short-chain fatty acid production in the cecum of the birds that were challenged with NE mid-production. Birds were split into four groups, including a negative control, positive control challenged with C. perfringens, group supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic, and NE challenged birds supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic. Following NE challenge birds were allowed to reach the end of production time at 40 days, and samples were collected to estimate if probiotic supplementation resulted in better post-NE recovery. Intestinal lesion score across the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum indicated that at the end of production timeline NE challenged birds supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic had lower intestinal lesion scores compared to NE challenged birds without probiotic supplementation implying improved recovery. Probiotic supplementation improved performance of NE challenged birds only in the post-NE recovery stage. NE challenged birds had a significant increase in cecal propionic acid, which was not observed in NE challenged birds supplemented with B.subtilus. Both B. subtilis supplemented groups (challenged and unchanged) were characterized by a significant rise in cecal acetic and butyric acid. Our results demonstrate that B. subtilis supplementation can assist the birds in dealing with NE outbreak and long term recovery

Bacillus subtilis PB6 based probiotic supplementation plays a role in the recovery after the necrotic enteritis challenge

In poultry production, birds are raised under intensive conditions, which can enable rapid spread of infections, with Clostridium perfringens-caused necrotic enteritis (NE) being one of the most devastating for the industry. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic supplementation on bird’s post NE recovery, based on chicken performance, cecal microbiota composition, ileum histomorphometric measurements, and short-chain fatty acid production in the cecum of the birds that were challenged with NE mid-production. Birds were split into four groups, including a negative control, positive control challenged with C. perfringens, group supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic, and NE challenged birds supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic. Following NE challenge birds were allowed to reach the end of production time at 40 days, and samples were collected to estimate if probiotic supplementation resulted in better post-NE recovery. Intestinal lesion score across the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum indicated that at the end of production timeline NE challenged birds supplemented with B. subtilis probiotic had lower intestinal lesion scores compared to NE challenged birds without probiotic supplementation implying improved recovery. Probiotic supplementation improved performance of NE challenged birds only in the post-NE recovery stage. NE challenged birds had a significant increase in cecal propionic acid, which was not observed in NE challenged birds supplemented with B.subtilus. Both B. subtilis supplemented groups (challenged and unchanged) were characterized by a significant rise in cecal acetic and butyric acid. Our results demonstrate that B. subtilis supplementation can assist the birds in dealing with NE outbreak and long term recovery

Organic acid blend supplementation increases butyrate and acetate production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenged broilers.

The burden of enteric pathogens in poultry is growing after the ban of antibiotic use in animal production. Organic acids gained attention as a possible alternative to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial activities, improved nutrient metabolism and performance. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of organic acid blend on broilers cecal microbiota, histomorphometric measurements, and short-chain fatty acid production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge model. Birds were divided into four treatments, including a negative control, positive control challenged with S. Typhimurium, group supplemented with an organic acid blend, and birds supplemented with organic acid blend and Salmonella challenged. Results illustrate significant differences in feed conversion ratios and production efficiency factor between treatment groups, however, the influence of organic acid supplement was marginal. Organic acid blend significantly increased cecal acetic and butyric acids concentrations when compared to unsupplemented groups and resulted in minor alterations of intestinal bacterial communities

Influence of sanguinarine-based phytobiotic supplementation on post necrotic enteritis challenge recovery

In the animal production industry, plant-derived antimicrobial phytobiotics are used as an alternative to antibiotics. Here we investigated the role sanguinarine-based phytobiotic in broiler recovery from Necrotic Enteritis (NE) infection. A total of 100 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to four treatments: negative control CTR (no challenge, no phytobiotic supplementation); positive control NE (NE challenged); phytobiotic SG (sanguinarine phytobiotic, 0.12 g/kg); and SG + NE, (sanguinarine phytobiotic, 0.12 g/kg and NE challenge). Sanguinarine-based phytobiotic supplementation caused significant changes between the groups in performance, livability and histological measurements, however, these changes were not significantly different between SG + NE and NE groups. Significant improvement was detected in NE lesion score of the duodenum and ileum of SG + NE birds compared to NE challenged birds at the end of the production cycle at 40 days old, indicating improved post-NE recovery with the addition of phytobiotic. Sanguinarine-based phytobiotic supplementation in NE challenged birds significantly compensated for a NE associated reduction of Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes. Functional profile of sanguinarine-based phytobiotic supplemented birds microbiota was distinct from CTR functional profile. NE challenge was associated with a significant increase in cecal propionic acid, while sanguinarine-based phytobiotic supplementation resulted in an increase in cecal acetic acid

Organic acid blend supplementation increases butyrate and acetate production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenged broilers

The burden of enteric pathogens in poultry is growing after the ban of antibiotic use in animal production. Organic acids gained attention as a possible alternative to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial activities, improved nutrient metabolism and performance. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of organic acid blend on broilers cecal microbiota, histomorphometric measurements, and short-chain fatty acid production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge model. Birds were divided into four treatments, including a negative control, positive control challenged with S. Typhimurium, group supplemented with an organic acid blend, and birds supplemented with organic acid blend and Salmonella challenged. Results illustrate significant differences in feed conversion ratios and production efficiency factor between treatment groups, however, the influence of organic acid supplement was marginal. Organic acid blend significantly increased cecal acetic and butyric acids concentrations when compared to unsupplemented groups and resulted in minor alterations of intestinal bacterial communities

Effects of concentration of corn distillers dried grains with solubles and enzyme supplementation on cecal microbiota and performance in broiler chickens

With the increasing production of ethanol for biofuels, a by-product of corn-based ethanol fermentation, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is finding its way into the feed of agricultural animals including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, aquaculture species and horses. Corn DDGS contains very high levels of non-starch polysaccharides and could be considered a good source of fibre. Despite knowledge of the role of the fibre in modulating intestinal microbiota and consequently influencing health, there is currently little information on the interactions between DDGS and intestinal microbiota. We assessed the changes in the cecal microbiota of broilers feed rations supplemented with DDGS (five concentrations: 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24% w/w) with and without presence of digestive enzymes. DDGS concentration was strongly positively correlated (P\ua0=\ua03.7e, r\ua0=\ua00.74) with feed conversion efficiency (FCR), diminishing broiler performance with higher concentrations. Additionally, DDGS concentrations positively correlated with Richness index (P\ua0=\ua01.5e, r\ua0=\ua00.5), increasing the number of detectable species in the cecum. Among the most affected genera, Faecalibacterium (P\ua0=\ua00.032, r\ua0=\ua0−0.34) and Streptococcus (P\ua0=\ua07.9e, r\ua0=\ua0−0.39) were negatively correlated with DDGS, while Turicibacter (P\ua0=\ua02.8e, r\ua0=\ua00.52) was positively correlated with the DDGS concentration. Enzymes showed minimal effect on cecal microbiota