Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Essential Oils, Lysozyme, and Vitamins' Blend on Layer Hen Performance, Viral Vaccinal Response, and Egg Quality Characteristics.

Maintaining respiratory tract health is crucial for layers, impacting gut health, laying performance, and egg quality. Viral diseases and standard vaccinations can compromise tracheal epithelium function, leading to oxidative stress. This study assessed the impact of a blend of feed additives, predominantly lysozyme (L), essential oils (EO), and vitamins (VIT) (referred to as L + EO + VIT), on young layers during an oral vaccination schedule. The supplementation significantly enhanced antibody titers for Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) after vaccination, trachea functionality and intestinal health in the jejunum, increased egg production, and exhibited a trend toward higher egg weight. Although feed intake showed no significant difference, egg quality remained consistent across experimental groups. Moreover, L + EO + VIT supplementation elevated total phenolic content in eggs, improving oxidative stability in both fresh and stored eggs, particularly under iron-induced oxidation. Notably, it substantially reduced yolk lipid peroxidation and albumen protein carbonyls. In conclusion, water supplementation with L + EO + VIT may enhance humoral immune response to IBV and NDV, positively impacting hen productivity. These findings indicate improved tracheal function and enhanced oxidative stability, emphasizing the potential of this blend in promoting overall health and performance in layers.

Upgrading the Nutritional Value of PKC Using a Bacillus subtilis Derived Monocomponent ß-Mannanase.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is an abundant side stream that can only be added to non-ruminant feed in small concentrations due to its content of antinutritional factors, mainly galactomannan, which cannot be digested by non-ruminants. ß-mannanases can be added to partially hydrolyze galactomannan to form mannose oligosaccharides, which are known to be prebiotic. We here investigate the action of a ß-mannanase from B. subtilis on PKC by colorimetry, NMR and fluorescence microscopy. The amount of mannan oligosaccharides in solution was significantly increased by the ß-mannanase and their degree of polymerization (DP) was significantly reduced. There was a dose-response behavior in that larger ß-mannanase concentrations increased the amount of soluble mannose oligosaccharides while reducing their average DP. Using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, solubilization of galactomannan in PKC was clearly visualized. Images show a clear disruption of the cellulose and galactomannan structures of the PKC cell walls. We thus show in this study that using commercial dosages of ß-mannanase on PKC can lead to formation of prebiotic compounds. Thus, this study suggests that utilization of PKC in poultry feed formulation might be increased by addition of a ß-mannanase and would improve the return on investment.

Short and Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives as a Natural Strategy in the Control of Necrotic Enteritis and Microbial Homeostasis in Broiler Chickens.

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has historically been the most important prophylactic strategy for the control of Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by some Clostridium perfringens toxin types in poultry. During the last five decades, AGPs have also been supplemented in feed to improve body weight gain and feed efficiency as well as to modulate the microbiome (consisting of microbes and their genes both beneficial and potentially harmful) and reduce enteric pathogens, among other benefits. New regulatory requirements and consumer preferences have led to strong interest in natural alternatives to the AGPs for the prevention and control of illnesses caused by enteric pathogens. This interest is not just focused on the direct removal or inhibition of the causative microorganisms but also the improvement of intestinal health and homeostasis using a range of feed additives. A group of promising feed additives is short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) and their derivatives. The use of SCFA and MCFA, including butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, has shown strong effects against NE in broilers both at experimental and commercial levels. These fatty acids also benefit intestinal health integrity and homeostasis. Other effects have also been documented, including increases in intestinal angiogenesis and gene expression of tight junctions. Chemical modifications to improve stability and point of release in the intestine have been shown to improve the efficacy of SCFA and MCFA and their derivatives. The aim of this review is to give an overview of SCFA, MCFA and their derivatives, as an alternative to replace AGPs to control the incidence and severity of NE in poultry.

Análisis de rentabilidad de la producción de leche de acuerdo con la variación de la fuente de carbohidrato utilizada en el suplemento de vacas holstein / Analysis of milk production profitability according to variation in the carbohydrate source used in the supplementation of Holstein cows / Análise de rentabilidade da produção de leite segundo a variação da fonte de carbo-hidrato utilizada no suplemento de vacas Holstein

Resumen En Latinoamérica, Colombia es el cuarto productor de leche. El elevado costo de los insumos alimenticios puede ser limitante para la rentabilidad de esta actividad. El precio del maíz como ingrediente energético extensamente demandado por el sector de alimentos y la producción de biocombustibles es uno de los factores que más influye en el costo de alimentación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la rentabilidad de la producción de leche en función de la fuente del carbohidrato utilizada para la suplementación de vacas holstein en pastoreo. El tratamiento 1 (T1) incluyó como fuente principal de energía (en el suplemento) el maíz (Zea mays); en los tratamientos 2, 3 y 4, aproximadamente el 50 % de los nutrientes digestibles totales (NDT) aportados por el maíz fueron garantizados por sorgo (Sorghum vulgare, T2), yuca (Manihot esculenta, T3) y pulpa cítrica (Citrus sp., T4). Si bien entre tratamientos no se registraron diferencias estadísticas en la producción de leche y su calidad composicional (p > 0,05), la inclusión de yuca mejoró el ingreso por venta de leche al incidir positivamente en el precio base del producto (gramos de proteína y grasa producidos). Además de ello, la inclusión de yuca redujo el costo asociado con la suplementación y el costo total de producción del litro de leche, lo que finalmente mejoró los indicadores de rentabilidad evaluados. El tratamiento que incluyó pulpa cítrica fue el que registró menor rentabilidad, consecuencia de su menor disponibilidad y mayor costo de adquisición.

Abstract In Latin America, Colombia is the fourth largest milk producer. The high cost of food supplies can limit the profitability of this activity. The price of corn as an energy ingredient widely demanded by the food sector and biofuel production is one of the factors that most influences food costs. This work aimed to evaluate the profitability of milk production according to the carbohydrate source used in the supplementation of grazing Holstein cows. Treatment 1 (T1) included corn (Zea mays) as the main source of energy (in the supplement); in Treatments 2, 3, and 4, approximately 50% of the total digestible nutrients (TDN) provided by corn were guaranteed by sorghum (Sorghum vulgare, T2), cassava (Manihot esculenta, T3), and citrus pulp (Citrus sp., T4). Although there were no statistical differences among treatments regarding milk production and compositional quality (p > 0.05), the inclusion of cassava improved the income from milk sales by positively affecting the base price of the product (grams of protein and fat produced). In addition, the inclusion of cassava reduced the cost associated with supplementation and the total cost of production of a liter of milk, which ultimately improved the profitability indicators evaluated. It was the treatment that included citrus pulp that registered lower profitability, due to its lower availability and higher acquisition costs.

Resumo Na América Latina, a Colômbia é o quarto produtor de leite. O elevado custo dos insumos alimentícios pode ser limitante para a rentabilidade desta atividade. O preço do milho como ingrediente energético extensamente demandado pelo setor de alimentos e a produção de biocombustíveis é um dos fatores que mais influi no custo de alimentação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a rentabilidade da produção de leite em função da fonte do carbo-hidrato utilizada para a suplementação de vacas Holstein em pastoreio. O tratamento 1 (T1) incluiu como fonte principal de energia (no suplemento) o milho (Zea mays); nos tratamentos 2, 3 e 4, aproximadamente o 50 % dos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) aportados pelo milho foram garantidos por sorgo (Sorghum vulgare, T2), mandioca (Manihot esculenta, T3) e polpa cítrica (Citrus sp., T4). Mesmo que entre tratamentos não se registraram diferenças estatísticas na produção de leite e sua qualidade composicional (p > 0,05), a inclusão de mandioca melhorou o ingresso por venda de leite ao incidir positivamente no preço base do produto (gramas de proteína e gordura produzidos). Além disso, a inclusão de mandioca reduziu o custo associado com a suplementação e o custo total de produção do litro de leite, o que finalmente melhorou os indicadores de rentabilidade avaliados. O tratamento que incluiu polpa cítrica foi o que registrou menor rentabilidade, consequência de sua menor disponibilidade e maior custo de aquisição.