Galactooligosaccharides as a protective agent for intestinal barrier and its regulatory functions for intestinal microbiota.

Present study was conducted to comprehensively investigate the protective effects of galactooligosaccharides (GOS, 100%) against LPS-induced intestinal barrier damages, and the regulatory effect for intestinal microbes. Results showed that GOS intervention restored villi (jejunum and ileum) integrity, which were atrophic and broken in LPS-challenged mice. Electron microscopy, western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis exhibited that mice administrated with GOS showed higher expression of tight junction, which was confirmed in IPEC-J2 cells model. Meanwhile, the GOS increased the secretion of mucin and SIgA, as well as it alleviated inflammatory response caused by LPS in NF-κB dependent way. Administration of GOS could also increase the relative abundances of several specific friendly bacteria, and enhance the adaptability of intestinal microbiota. Collectively, these results indicated the potential of GOS for protecting intestine from injuries caused by stress as LPS challenge.

Optimization and comparison of the production of galactooligosaccharides using free or immobilized Aspergillus oryzae ß-galactosidase, followed by purification using silica gel.

The aim of this study was to optimize and compare the production of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) by free and cotton cloth-immobilized Aspergillus oryzae ß-galactosidase, and perform economical evaluation of production of GOSs (100%) between them. Using the response surface method, the optimal reaction time (3.9 h), initial lactose concentration (57.13%), and enzyme to lactose ratio (44.81 U/g) were obtained for the free enzyme, which provided a GOSs yield of 32.62%. For the immobilized enzyme, the optimal yield of GOSs (32.48%) was obtained under reaction time (3.09 h), initial lactose concentration (52.74%), and temperature (50.0 ℃). And it showed desirable reusability during five successive enzymatic reactions. The recovery rate of GOSs (100%) is 65% using silica gel filtration chromatography. The economical evaluation showed almost no difference in the manufacturing cost for the GOSs (100%) between these two systems, and that the recovery rate had a great impact on the cost.

Effects of inorganic trace minerals replaced by complexed glycinates on reproductive performance, blood profiles, and antioxidant status in broiler breeders.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with organic trace minerals (OTM; complexed glycinates) on reproductive performance, blood profiles, and antioxidant status in broiler breeders. A total of 648, 23-week-old healthy broiler breeders (ZhenNing), with similar body weight (1.40 ± 0.002 kg), were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates in each group (27 hens/replicate) and fed the respective experimental diets for 14 wk (including 2 wk for adaptation). The experimental treatments consisted of T1: Cont., commercially recommended levels of ITM (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn sulfates); T2: Mix, half trace minerals (TM) were provided from ITM and half from OTM (glycinates); T3: M-OTM, TM were provided from glycinates and reduced to 70% of T1; T4: L-OTM, TM were provided from glycinates and reduced to 50% of T1. The results showed that commercial level of inorganic trace minerals replaced by low-dose complexed glycinates (T3 and T4) exhibited no significant effects on laying performance, 50% ITM replaced by complexed glycinates (T2) numerically improved laying rate by 1.23% than cont. treatment (T1). Broiler breeders fed complexed glycinates tended to produce more qualified eggs (P = 0.05) in T3, with better yolk color (P < 0.01) and eggshell thickness (P = 0.05) in T2 treatment. Replacement of low-dose complexed glycinates reduced fertilization rate (P < 0.01), while it did not affect hatchability. There were no significant differences in serum reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone among the treatments. Serum total protein, albumin, and phosphorus were increased respectively with the replacement of ITM by low-dose OTM from complexed glycinates (P < 0.05). Total liver antioxidant capacity in M-OTM and L-OTM treatment was higher than that of Cont. and Mix treatments (P < 0.01). In conclusion, replacement of high levels of ITM by lower levels of OTM in the form of complexed glycinates is beneficial for egg quality and liver antioxidant status in broiler breeders during the peak laying period.