Effects of different concentrations of coated nano zinc oxide material on fecal bacterial composition and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coated nano zinc oxide (Cnz) is a new feed or food additive, which is a potential replacement for a pharmacological dose level of ZnO. This study evaluated the positive effects of different concentrations of Cnz on the intestinal bacterial core, enterobacterial composition and mucosal barrier function in a pig model. RESULTS: Microbiota sequencing results showed that Cnz could significantly alter the intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism. Besides increasing the richness indices (ACE and Chao1), 10% Cnz could protect the intestinal mucosal barrier through increasing the expression of occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the small intestine, increase the abundance of Lachnospiraceae UCG-004 and decrease the abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens compared to high ZnO diet and 5% Cnz material. CONCLUSIONS: Cnz material at 10% supplementation is more effective than a level of 5% Cnz in increasing intestinal barrier through affecting gut microbiota. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.