Potential for the development of Taraxacum mongolicum aqueous extract as a phytogenic feed additive for poultry.

Introduction: Taraxacum mongolicum (TM) is a kind of medicinal and edible homologous plant which is included in the catalogue of feed raw materials in China. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides and other active substances, and shows many benefits to livestock, poultry and aquatic products. The study aimed to assess the potential of TM aqueous extract (TMAE) as a substitute for poultry AGPs. Methods: A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acker broilers were randomly assigned to four groups and fed a basal diet (Con) supplemented with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg TMAE (Low, Medium, and High groups). The growth performance of the broilers was measured on day 21 and day 42. At the end of the trial, the researchers measured slaughter performance and collected serum, liver, spleen, ileum, and intestinal contents to investigate the effects of TMAE on serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, immune function, organ coefficient, intestinal morphology, flora composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Results: The results showed that broilers treated with TMAE had a significantly higher average daily gain from 22 to 42 days old compared to the Con group. Various doses of TMAE resulted in different levels of improvement in serum chemistry. High doses increased serum alkaline phosphatase and decreased creatinine. TMAE also increased the antioxidant capacity of serum, liver, and ileum in broilers. Additionally, middle and high doses of TMAE enhanced the innate immune function of the liver (IL-10) and ileum (Occludin) in broilers. Compared to the control group, the TMAE treatment group exhibited an increase in the ratio of villi length to villi crypt in the duodenum. TMAE increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Alistipes and Lactobacillus, while reducing the accumulation of harmful bacteria, such as Colidextracter and Sellimonas. The cecum's SCFAs content increased with a medium dose of TMAE. Supplementing broiler diets with TMAE at varying doses enhanced growth performance and overall health. The most significant benefits were observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, including improved serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity of the liver and ileum, immune function of the liver and ileum, and increased SCFAs content. Lactobacillus aviarius, norank_f_norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014, and Flavonifractor are potentially dominant members of the intestinal microflora. Conclusion: In conclusion, TMAE is a promising poultry feed additive and 1000 mg/kg is an effective reference dose.

Enhanced nutrient recovery from anaerobically digested poultry wastewater through struvite precipitation by organic acid pre-treatment and seeding in a bubble column electrolytic reactor.

Limited mineralization of organic phosphorus to phosphate during the anaerobic digestion process poses a significant challenge in the development of cost-effective nutrient recovery strategies from anaerobically digested poultry wastewater (ADPW). This study investigated the influence of organic acids on phosphorus solubilization from ADPW, followed by its recycling in the form of struvite using a bubble column electrolytic reactor (BCER) without adding chemicals. The impact of seeding on the efficiency of PO43- and NH3-N recovery as well as the size distribution of recovered precipitates from the acid pre-treated ADPW was also evaluated. Pre-treatment of the ADPW with oxalic acid achieved complete solubilization of phosphorus, reaching ∼100% extraction efficiency at pH 2.5. The maximum removal efficiency of phosphate and ammonia-nitrogen from the ADPW were 88.9% and 90.1%, respectively, while the addition of 5 and 10 g/L struvite seed to the BCER increased PO43- removal efficiency by 9.6% and 11.5%, respectively. The value of the kinetic rate constant, k, increased from 0.0176 min-1 (unseeded) to 0.0198 min-1, 0.0307 min-1, and 0.0375 min-1 with the seed loading rate of 2, 5, and 10 g/L, respectively. Concurrently, the average particle size rose from 75.3 µm (unseeded) to 82.1 µm, 125.7 µm, and 148.9 µm, respectively. Results from XRD, FTIR, EDS, and dissolved chemical analysis revealed that the solid product obtained from the recovery process was a multi-nutrient fertilizer consisting of 94.7% struvite with negligible levels of heavy metals.

Beyond probiotics: Exploring the potential of postbiotics and parabiotics in veterinary medicine.

Postbiotics and parabiotics (PP) are emerging fields of study in animal nutrition, preventive veterinary medicine, and animal production. Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by beneficial microorganisms during the fermentation of a substrate, while parabiotics are inactivated beneficial microbial cells, either intact or broken. Unlike probiotics, which are live microorganisms, PP are produced from a fermentation process without live cells and show significant advantages in promoting animal health owing to their distinctive stability, safety, and functional diversity. PP have numerous beneficial effects on animal health, such as enhancing growth performance, improving the immune system and microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract, aiding ulcer healing, and preventing pathogenic microorganisms from colonizing in the skin. Moreover, PP have been identified as a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics in veterinary medicine due to their ability to improve animal health without the risk of antimicrobial resistance. This review comprehensively explores the current research and applications of PP in veterinary medicine. We aimed to thoroughly examine the mechanisms of action, benefits, and potential applications of PP in various species, emphasizing their use specifically in livestock and poultry. Additionally, we discuss the various routes of administration to animals, including feed, drinking water, and topical use. This review also presents in-depth information on the methodology behind the preparation of PP, outlining the criteria employed to select appropriate microorganisms, and highlighting the challenges commonly associated with PP utilization in veterinary medicine.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Significant Role in Poultry and Novel Toxicological Mechanisms.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have involved a lot of consideration owing to their distinctive features. The ZnO NPs can be described as particularly synthesized mineral salts via nanotechnology, varying in size from 1 to 100 nm, while zinc oxide (ZnO), it is an inorganic substrate of zinc (Zn). The Zn is a critical trace element necessary for various biological and physiological processes in the body. Studies have revealed ZnO NPs' efficient immuno-modulatory, growth-promoting, and antimicrobial properties in poultry birds. They offer increased bioavailability as compared to their traditional sources, producing better results in terms of productivity and welfare and consequently reducing ecological harm in the poultry sector. However, they have also been reported for their toxicological effects, which are size, shape, concentration, and exposure route dependent. The investigations done so far have yielded inconsistent results, therefore, a lot of additional studies and research are required to clarify the harmful consequences of ZnO NPs and to bring them to a logical end. This review explores an overview of efficient possible role of ZnO NPs, while comparing them with other nutritional Zn sources, in the poultry industry, primarily as dietary supplements that effect the growth, health, and performance of the birds. In addition to the anti-bacterial mechanisms of ZnO NPs and their promising role as antifungal, and anti-colloidal agent, this paper also covers the toxicological mechanisms of ZnO NPs and their consequent toxicological hazards to vital organs and the reproductive system of poultry birds.

Nanoemulsion-based plant essential oil formulations: in vitro evaluation of pesticidal activity against ectoparasites in poultry.

Ectoparasite infestations significantly impact the health and productivity of poultry. Chemical applications, although common for pest control, lead to pesticide residues and parasite resistance in poultry. Nanoemulsion-based plant essential oil formulations (NEOFs) provide a promising alternative for controlling poultry ectoparasites. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NEOFs from clove, cinnamon, and turmeric essential oils (EOs) against ectoparasites, Menopon gallinae and Megninia ginglymura, under laboratory conditions. The toxicity and repellent properties of the NEOFs were examined, with the major chemical compounds of the EOs analyzed using chromatography mass spectrometer. Results identified eugenol as the dominant component in clove and cinnamon EOs (84.60 and 75.19%, respectively), while turmerone (68.46%) was the major compound in turmeric EO. NEOFs with clove:cinnamon:turmeric ratios of 4:0:0, 2:2:0, and 2:0:2 had particle size of 20.76 nm, 20.66 nm, and 89.56 nm, respectively, while those based on eugenol and turmerone standards had sizes <21.0 nm. In addition, NEOFs at 0.3% concentration with ratios of 4:0:0 and 2:2:0 achieved full control of both ectoparasites. These formulas demonstrated exceptional potency in exterminating ectoparasites, with LC50 and LC90 at <0.160 and <0.250%, respectively, 6 h after treatments. Furthermore, both NEOFs showed higher repellence responses in M. gallinae compared to M. ginglymura. The toxicities of these NEOFs were comparably effective against both parasites, showing no significant difference compared with chemical insecticide treatment. Therefore, further research will explore the practicality of using clove and cinnamon-derived NEOFs under farm conditions.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Phytochemicals from Tea and Agarwood Leaf Extracts against Isolated Bacteria from Poultry and Curd.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly common, leading to a global health crisis. The effects of abusing antibiotics not only increase pathogenic resistance but also cause various diseases and syndromes. Gut microbiota contains many beneficial roles for health, while antibiotics kill both pathogens and gut microbiota which is considered one of the major side effects of antibiotics. In fact, new antibiotic compounds are needed in this urgent scenario; phytoremediation is the oldest but most effective method, and research on the antibacterial properties of several types of medicinal plants has already been conducted. Tea and agarwood plants are well known for their economic contribution in both beverage and cosmetic production, as well as for their medicinal value. In this study, tea and agarwood leaf extracts were analyzed for their antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Fresh tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves were collected in three varieties, namely, BT-6 from Sylhet, BT-7 from Moulvibazar, and BT-8 from Habiganj; also, green tea (nonfermented tea), black tea (fully fermented tea), and agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) were collected from Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Unlike commercial antibiotics, which have side effects on probiotics (beneficiary bacteria), leaf extract activities were analyzed to check if they had positive effects on probiotics that can be found in the gastrointestinal tract as well as dairy products. Potential beneficiary bacteria, Lysinibacillus macroides strain SRU-001 (NCBI accession no. MW665108), and pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas caviae strain YPLS-62 (NCBI accession no. MW666783), were isolated from the small intestine of poultry and curd, respectively. Tea and agarwood leaves (5 g powder/80 mL methanol) with solvents were kept for seven days at room temperature, and extracts were applied for antimicrobial assays by the disc diffusion assay against the isolated bacteria. 50 µL of each leaf extract was examined against 50 µL of each bacterial culture, where gentamicin was a control. After 24 hours of incubation, tea and agarwood leaf extracts showed an 11-15 mm zone of inhibition against pathogenic A. caviae, while only BT-8 showed 7 mm (disc diameter 6 mm) against probiotic L. macroides. However, compared to leaf extracts, gentamicin showed a 27 mm zone of inhibition against both L. macroides strain SRU-001 and A. caviae strain YPLS-62 bacteria. This research clearly indicates that gentamicin kills both pathogenic and beneficiary bacteria, while leaf extracts from tea and agarwood plants contain antimicrobial activity against only pathogenic A. caviae but no effects on probiotic L. macroides. This outcome indicates not only the potential therapeutic values of tea and agarwood leaves as antibiotics over commercial antibiotics but also the chance of having pathogens in curd and potential beneficial bacteria from the poultry small intestine.

Isolation and in-vitro characterization of extracellular phytase producing bacterial isolates for potential application in poultry feed.

BACKGROUND: Phytase catalyses the breakdown of complex organic forms of phosphorous into simpler forms by sequential hydrolysis of phosphate ester bonds to liberate the inorganic phosphate. Supplementation of feeds with bacterial phytase therefore could enhance the bioavailability of phosphorus and micronutrients. Hence, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize phytase producing bacteria from rhizosphere soil, fresh poultry excreta, and cattle shed to evaluate their potential in improving poultry feeds. Phytase producing bacteria were isolated using wheat bran extract medium. RESULTS: A total of 169 bacterial isolates were purified and screened for phytase activity. Out of these, 36 were confirmed as positive for phytase enzyme activity. The bacterial isolates were identified by cultural, morphological, and biochemical features. The isolates were also identified by using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacterial isolates (RS1, RS8, RS10 and RS15) were provided with gene bank database accession numbers of MZ407562, MZ407563, MZ407564 and MZ407565 respectively. All isolates increased phytase production when cultured in wheat bran extract medium (pH 6) supplemented with 1% (wt/v) galactose and 1% (wt/v) ammonium sulphate incubated at 50oC for 72 h. Proximate composition analysis after supplementation of phytase showed that phytase supplementation improved bioavailability of phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sodium in poultry feed. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study showed that the nutritional value of poultry feed can be improved using microbial phytase enzyme which reduces the cost of supplementation with inorganic phosphate.

Immunostimulant effects of diet supplementation with yellow (Pouteria campechiana), white (Casimiroa edulis), and black (Diospyros digyna) sapote nanocapsules on laying hens: in vitro and in vivo study.

Poultry is commonly infected by different bacteria and parasites in the environment, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, but immunostimulants have been enhancing non-specific defense mechanisms conferring laying hens' protection. For this purpose, the pulp of yellow (Pouteria campechiana), white (Casimiroa edulis), and black (Diospyros digyna) sapotes were nanoencapsulated (YWB-SN) and evaluated in laying hens' peripheral blood leukocytes to test their addition to the experimental diets at a concentration of 0.5% (5g/kg of dry food) for 1 month (with two samples at days 15 and 30). The YWB-SN were safe when exposed to peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). The in vitro experiment showed that these nanocapsules enhanced reactive oxygen species production, and B-SN stimulated phagocytosis activity. Concerning the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) transcription, this gene was upregulated after W-SN stimulation, while B-SN upregulated the IgG gene expression significantly. IgM was upregulated with any YBW-SN in PBLs after 24 h of stimulation. The in vivo study showed a notable B-SN immunostimulation in serum and an upregulation of TNF-α, IgM, and IgG mRNA transcription. Therefore, this study provides a new result of the yellow, white, and black sapote nanocapsules as a functional food for the poultry industry, highlighting the black sapote Diospyros digyna immunostimulant effect.

Exposing Salmonella Senftenberg and Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Poultry Farms to Formaldehyde and Lingonberry Extract at Low Concentrations.

European Union (EU) countries strive to improve the quality and safety of food of animal origin. Food production depends on a good microbiological quality of fodder. However, feed can be a reservoir or vector of pathogenic microorganisms, including Salmonella or Escherichia coli bacteria. Salmonella spp. and E. coli are the two most important food-borne pathogens of public health concern. Contamination with these pathogens, mainly in the poultry sector, can lead to serious food-borne diseases. Both microorganisms can form biofilms on abiotic and biotic surfaces. The cells that form biofilms are less sensitive to disinfectants, which in turn makes it difficult to eliminate them from various surfaces. Because the usage of formaldehyde in animal feed is prohibited in European countries, the replacement of this antibacterial with natural plant products seems very promising. This study aimed to assess the inhibitory effectiveness of Vaccinium vitis-idaea extract against biofilm produced by model Salmonella enterica and E. coli strains. We found that formaldehyde could effectively kill both species of bacterial cells in biofilm, while the lingonberry extract showed some antibiofilm effect on S. enterica serovar Senftenberg. In conclusion, finding natural plant products that are effective against biofilms formed by Gram-negative bacteria is still challenging.

Pollution source identification of nitrogen and phosphorus in the lower West Main Canal, the Ganfu Plain irrigation district (South China).

The degradation of surface water quality has been a widespread concern around the world. However, irrigation canal water does not attract much attention although it is important to agriculture and population. In this study, a 5-year water quality monitoring of surface water was conducted in the lower West Main Canal of the Ganfu Plain irrigation district to identify the levels and pollution sources of nitrogen and phosphorus.Over 75% of samples had total phosphorus (TP) concentrations of > 0.02 mg/L, and all samples had total nitrogen (TN) concentrations of > 0.2 mg/L, indicating a risk of eutrophication. The concentrations of NO3--N and NH4+-N averagely occupied 57% and 18% of TN, respectively. PCA analysis showed that phosphorus and nitrogen in canal water were associated with meteorological factors, urban life and surface runoff, agricultural cultivation, livestock-poultry breeding, and water-sediment interaction in the wet season, whereas they were affected by meteorological factors, industrial effluent, urban domestic sewage, and livestock-poultry breeding in the dry season. Absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model results revealed that (1) agricultural cultivation plus livestock-poultry breeding contributed 43.2% of TP in canal water in the wet season, while livestock-poultry breeding contributed 52.9% in the dry season, and (2) domestic sewage plus surface runoff contributed 29.4% of TN in the wet season, while livestock-poultry breeding contributed 45.9% in the dry season. The unidentified sources had significant contributions of > 20% for almost all variables. So further investigations are required for determining unidentified sources, and anthropogenic pollution control is imperative for canal water quality protection.

A review of recent studies on the enrichment of eggs and poultry meat with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: novel findings and unanswered questions.

Studies from our laboratory over the past decade have yielded new information with regard to the dietary enrichment of eggs and poultry meat with omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) but have also generated a number of unanswered questions. In this review, we summarize the novel findings from this work, identify knowledge gaps, and offer possible explanations for some perplexing observations. Specifically discussed are: 1) Why feeding laying hens and broilers an oil rich in stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4 n-3), which theoretically bypasses the putative rate-limiting step in the hepatic n-3 PUFA biosynthetic pathway, does not enrich egg yolks and tissues with very long-chain (VLC; ≥20 C) n-3 PUFA to the same degree as obtained by feeding birds oils rich in preformed VLC n-3 PUFA; 2) Why in hens fed an SDA-rich oil, SDA fails to accumulate in egg yolk but is readily incorporated into adipose tissue; 3) How oils rich in oleic acid (OA; 18:1 n-9), when co-fed with various sources of n-3 PUFA, attenuates egg and tissue n-3 PUFA contents or rescues egg production when co-fed with a level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3) that causes severe hypotriglyceridemia; and 4) Why the efficiency of VLC n-3 PUFA deposition into eggs and poultry meat is inversely related to the dietary content of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 n-3), SDA, or DHA.

Immobilization and docking studies of Carlsberg subtilisin for application in poultry industry.

Carlsberg subtilisin from Bacillus licheniformis PB1 was investigated as a potential feed supplement, through immobilizing on bentonite for improving the growth rate of broilers. Initially, the pre-optimized and partially-purified protease was extracted and characterized using SDS-PAGE with MW 27.0 KDa. The MALDI-TOF-MS/MS spectrum confirmed a tryptic peptide peak with m/z 1108.496 referring to the Carlsberg subtilisin as a protein-digesting enzyme with alkaline nature. The highest free enzyme activity (30 U/mg) was observed at 50°C, 1 M potassium phosphate, and pH 8.0. the enhanced stability was observed when the enzyme was adsorbed to an inert solid support with 86.39 ± 4.36% activity retention under 20 optimized conditions. Additionally, the dried immobilized enzyme exhibited only a 5% activity loss after two-week storage at room temperature. Structural modeling (Docking) revealed that hydrophobic interactions between bentonite and amino acids surrounding the catalytic triad keep the enzyme structure intact upon drying at RT. The prominent hygroscopic nature of bentonite facilitated protein structure retention upon drying. During a 46-days study, supplementation of boilers' feed with the subtilisin-bentonite complex promoted significant weight gain i.e. 15.03% in contrast to positive control (p = 0.001).

Peracetic acid application as an antimicrobial and its residual (HEDP): a holistic approach on the technological characteristics of chicken meat.

The most significant occurrence of food-borne diseases is due to Campylobacter and Salmonella contamination from chicken meat, and for this reason, strict regulations about strategies to improve the control of food pathogens are imposed by food safety authorities. Despite the efforts of poultry industry since the beginning of risk analysis and critical control point to reduce the burden of food-borne illness, technological barriers along the way are increasingly necessary to ensure safe food. The aim of this review was to carry out a scientific approach to the influence of peracetic acid (PAA) as an antimicrobial and its toxicological safety, in particular the stabilizer used in the formulation of PAA, 1-hydroxyethylidene 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), suggesting the possibility of researching the residual HEDP in meat, which would allow the approval of the PAA by the health authorities of several countries that still restrict it. This review also aims to ascertain the effectiveness of PAA, in different cuts and carcasses, by different application methods, comparing the effectiveness of this antimicrobial with other antimicrobials, and its exclusive or combined use, for the decontamination of poultry carcasses and raw parts. The literature results support the popularity of PAA as an effective intervention against pathogenic bacteria during poultry processing.

Antiviral potentials of garlic (Allium sativum) in poultry production: A mini review.

Poultry enterprise is challenged with high economic losses due to viral infections. The outbreak of such infections, including Newcastle disease, avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease, could undermine poultry performance leading to decreased meat and egg production. The potency of vaccines in recent times has dropped with the rise in the virulence of antigens, which can interrupt vaccination defence. Natural herbs and phytochemicals have been extensively recommended because of their vast advantageous effects. Garlic and its bioactive organo-sulphur compounds have been proven to have antiviral, immunomodulatory and other pharmaceutical properties. Remarkable effects in poultry include a decrease in viral loads, an increase in antibody titres, lessening inflammatory cytokines and augmenting antiviral gene expression; however, methods of preparation, the dose of bioactive compounds and proportions administered may cause disparities in different reports. Therefore, this review highlights the potential of garlic against viral diseases, immunomodulatory, toxicity and pathological status in embryonated chicken eggs and poultry.

Physiology of lipid digestion and absorption in poultry: An updated review on the supplementation of exogenous emulsifiers in broiler diets.

Lipids are a concentrated source of energy with at least twice as much energy as the same amount of carbohydrates and protein. Dietary lipids provide a practical alternative toward increasing the dietary energy density of feeds for high-performing modern broilers. However, the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids are much more complex than that of the other macronutrients. In addition, young birds are physiologically limited in their capacity to utilise dietary fats and oils effectively. The use of dietary emulsifiers as one of the strategies aimed at improving fat utilisation has been reported to elicit several physiological responses including improved fat digestibility and growth performance. In practical terms, this allows for the incorporation of lipids into lower-energy diets without compromising broiler performance. Such an approach may potentially lower feed costs and raise revenue gains. The current review revisits lipids and the different roles that they perform in diets and whole-body metabolism. Additional information on the process of dietary lipid digestion and absorption in poultry; and the physiological limitation brought about by age on lipid utilisation in the avian gastrointestinal tract have been discussed. Subsequently, the physiological responses resulting from the dietary supplementation of exogenous emulsifiers as a strategy for improved lipid utilisation in broiler nutrition are appraised. Suggestions of nascent areas for a better understanding of exogenous emulsifiers have been highlighted.

Uncovering the effects of copper feed supplementation on the selection of copper-tolerant and antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus in poultry production for sustainable environmental practices.

The use of antibiotics in animal production is linked to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a threat to animal, environmental and human health. Copper (Cu) is an essential element in poultry diets and an alternative to antibiotics, supplementing inorganic or organic trace mineral feeds (ITMF/OTMF). However, its contribution to select multidrug-resistant (MDR) and Cu tolerant Enterococcus, a bacteria with a human-animal-environment-food interface, remains uncertain. We evaluated whether feeding chickens with Cu-ITMF or Cu-OTMF contributes to the selection of Cu tolerant and MDR Enterococcus from rearing to slaughter. Animal faeces [2-3-days-old (n = 18); pre-slaughter (n = 16)] and their meat (n = 18), drinking-water (n = 14) and feed (n = 18) from seven intensive farms with ITMF and OTMF flocks (10.000-64.000 animals each; 2019-2020; Portugal) were sampled. Enterococcus were studied by cultural, molecular and whole-genome sequencing methods and Cu concentrations by ICP-MS. Enterococcus (n = 477; 60 % MDR) were identified in 80 % of the samples, with >50 % carrying isolates resistant to tetracycline, quinupristin-dalfopristin, erythromycin, streptomycin, ampicillin or ciprofloxacin. Enterococcus with Cu tolerance genes, especially tcrB ± cueO, were mainly found in faeces (85 %; E. faecium/E. lactis) of ITMF/OTMF flocks. Similar occurrence and load of tcrB ± cueO Enterococcus in the faeces was detected throughout the chickens' lifespan in the ITMF/OTMF flocks, decreasing in meat. Most of the polyclonal MDR Enterococcus population carrying tcrB ± cueO or only cueO (67 %) showed a wild-type phenotype (MICCuSO4 ≤ 12 mM) linked to absence of tcrYAZB or truncated variants, also detected in 85 % of Enterococcus public genomes from poultry. Finally, < 65 µg/g Cu was found in all faecal and meat samples. In conclusion, Cu present in ITMF/OTMF is not selecting Cu tolerant and MDR Enterococcus during chickens' lifespan. However, more studies are needed to assess the minimum concentration of Cu required for MDR bacterial selection and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, which would support sustainable practices mitigating antibiotic resistance spread in animal production and the environment beyond.

Interactions of zinc with phytate and phytase in the digestive tract of poultry and pigs: a review.

Phytase supplementation is gaining importance in animal nutrition because of its effect on phosphorus (P) digestibility and the increasing relevance of P for sustainable production. The potential inhibitors of phytase efficacy and phytate degradation, such as calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn), have been a subject of intense research. This review focuses on the interactions of Zn with phytate and phytase in the digestive tract of poultry and pigs, with an emphasis on the effects of Zn supplementation on phytase efficacy and P digestibility. In vitro studies have shown the inhibitory effect of Zn on phytase efficacy. However, relevant in vivo studies are scarce and do not show consistent results for poultry and pigs. The results could be influenced by different factors, such as diet composition, amount of Zn supplement, mineral concentrations, and phytase supplementation, which limit the comparability of studies. The chosen response criteria to measure phytase efficacy, which is mainly tibia ash, could also influence the results. Compared to poultry, the literature findings are somewhat more conclusive in pigs, where pharmacological Zn doses (≥ 1000 mg kg-1 Zn) appear to reduce P digestibility. To appropriately evaluate the effects of non-pharmacological Zn doses, further studies are needed that provide comprehensive information on their experimental setup and include measurements of gastrointestinal phytate degradation to better understand the mechanisms associated with Zn and phytase supplements. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties and selenium bioaccumulation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from poultry gastrointestinal, as an organic selenium source.

The purpose of this study was to examine the probiotic characteristics and selenium (Se) bioaccumulation potential of five Lactobacillus strains in vitro. Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, L. reuteri, L. gallinarum, and L. animalis were among the strains employed. As significant aspects of probiotics, identification, and evaluation of their survival potential in the gastrointestinal system were undertaken. Although all experimental Lactobacillus strains bioaccumulated Se (IV) concentrations in media culture, three Lactobacillus strains (L. animalis, L. gallinarum, and L. acidophilus) bioaccumulated the highest Se concentrations (23.08, 8.62, and 8.51 mg/g, respectively) after culture in the presence of 1.5 mg/ml sodium selenite. By disc diffusion, all isolates were evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility against six antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, methicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Many of the isolates tested positive for resistance to some of the antibiotics utilized. The L. reuteri and L. gallinarum were found to be resistant to about 50% of the antibiotics that were tested. In terms of acid tolerance, L. animalis showed significant resistance at acidic pH by 1.72 log unit reduction whereas L. delbrueckii and L. galliinarum showed significant sensitivity at acidic pH (P > 0.05). Bile tolerance was addressed as an important aspect of the safety assessment for probiotics. There were variances in acid and bile tolerance among species, although all of them tolerated stress conditions to an acceptable degree. Upon comparing the various species, it was observed that L. gallinarum exhibited a significant decline in growth, as evidenced by a decrease of 1.39 log units in cell viability. On the other hand, L. acidophilus and L. animalis demonstrated remarkable bile tolerance, with 0.09 and 0.23 log unit reduction respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggest that L. animalis, L. gallinarum, and L. acidophilus, can be good candidates to evaluate them in vivo in further investigations due to their tolerance to acid, and bile, antibiotic resistance, and strong ability to bioaccumulate Se in chickens.

From Farm to Fork: Persistence of Clinically Relevant Multidrug-Resistant and Copper-Tolerant Klebsiella pneumoniae Long after Colistin Withdrawal in Poultry Production.

Concerns about colistin-resistant bacteria in animal food-environmental-human ecosystems prompted the poultry sector to implement colistin restrictions and explore alternative trace metals/copper feed supplementation. The impact of these strategies on the selection and persistence of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the whole poultry production chain needs clarification. We assessed colistin-resistant and copper-tolerant K. pneumoniae occurrence in chickens raised with inorganic and organic copper formulas from 1-day-old chicks to meat (7 farms from 2019 to 2020), after long-term colistin withdrawal (>2 years). Clonal diversity and K. pneumoniae adaptive features were characterized by cultural, molecular, and whole-genome-sequencing (WGS) approaches. Most chicken flocks (75%) carried K. pneumoniae at early and preslaughter stages, with a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in meat batches (17%) and sporadic water/feed contamination. High rates (>50%) of colistin-resistant/mcr-negative K. pneumoniae were observed among fecal samples, independently of feed. Most samples carried multidrug-resistant (90%) and copper-tolerant (81%; silA and pcoD positive and with a MICCuSO4 of ≥16 mM) isolates. WGS revealed accumulation of colistin resistance-associated mutations and F type multireplicon plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance and metal/copper tolerance genes. The K. pneumoniae population was polyclonal, with various lineages dispersed throughout poultry production. ST15-KL19, ST15-KL146, and ST392-KL27 and IncF plasmids were similar to those from global human clinical isolates, suggesting chicken production as a reservoir/source of clinically relevant K. pneumoniae lineages and genes with potential risk to humans through food and/or environmental exposure. Despite the limited mcr spread due to the long-term colistin ban, this action was ineffective in controlling colistin-resistant/mcr-negative K. pneumoniae, regardless of feed. This study provides crucial insights into the persistence of clinically relevant K. pneumoniae in the poultry production chain and highlights the need for continued surveillance and proactive food safety actions within a One Health perspective. IMPORTANCE The spread of bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics such as colistin throughout the food chain is a serious concern for public health. The poultry sector has responded by restricting colistin use and exploring alternative trace metals/copper feed supplements. However, it is unclear how and to which extent these changes impact the selection and persistence of clinically relevant Klebsiella pneumoniae throughout the poultry chain. We found a high occurrence of copper-tolerant and colistin-resistant/mcr-negative K. pneumoniae in chicken flocks, regardless of inorganic and organic copper formulas use and a long-term colistin ban. Despite the high K. pneumoniae isolate diversity, the occurrence of identical lineages and plasmids across samples and/or clinical isolates suggests poultry as a potential source of human K. pneumoniae exposure. This study highlights the need for continued surveillance and proactive farm-to-fork actions to mitigate the risks to public health, relevant for stakeholders involved in the food industry and policymakers tasked with regulating food safety.

On effect of poultry manure treatment with Effective Microorganisms with or without zeolite.

The decomposition process of poultry manure is generally mediated by microorganisms, whose degradation activity has beneficial effects on soil fertility but, on the other hand, leads to the generation of malodour gas. Indeed, a relevant problem of poultry farms is represented by the release of bad smells, which are mainly a consequence of decomposition process of chicken feces, chicken bedding, plumes, dropped feed, and dust. Furthermore, the unpleasant odour, associated with poultry manure degradation, not only limits its use in agriculture but also negatively affects the housing communities located near the farms. This study aimed at evaluating the effects in vitro of different doses of Effective Microorganisms (EM), mainly consisting of live communities of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and yeasts, on poultry manure alone or with zeolite, a porous mineral with absorbent and ion-exchange properties, belonging to the family of aluminosilicates. The obtained results demonstrated that these treatments were able to reduce the poultry manure malodours, associated mainly with a decrease in the ammonia (NH3) levels with respect to controls. The pH tended to increase, the nitrogen to go down, and the phosphorus to go up. Thus, all the effects described above were evident, testifying to a slower degradation of proteins, both with EM alone or in combination with zeolite. The presence of a pool of pesticides (65 components) was evaluated, and no variation was observed in the different experimental conditions versus control, as well as for REEs and metals. In conclusion, these preliminary results demonstrated that the use of EM with or without the addition of zeolite is a valid tool to eliminate the bad smell of manure and to make it a useful product as a fertilizer.