Laetiporus sulphureus-fermented wheat bran enhanced broiler growth performance by improving intestinal microflora and inflammation status

Summary

This research explored how fermenting wheat bran with a medicinal fungus could create a beneficial feed supplement for chickens. The fermented product improved chicken growth and health by enhancing gut bacteria balance and reducing inflammation. Impact on everyday life: – Provides a sustainable way to convert agricultural waste into valuable animal feed – Could help reduce the need for antibiotics in poultry farming – Demonstrates potential for natural feed supplements to improve food animal health – May lead to more sustainable and cost-effective poultry production – Could contribute to safer chicken meat production with fewer additives

Background

Poultry production faces challenges including rising feed costs, infectious diseases, antimicrobial regulations, and high-intensity production environments. Wheat bran is an agricultural byproduct with high lignocellulosic content and low nutrition value that can inhibit digestibility and cause gut inflammation in broilers. Solid-state fermentation using fungi could improve the utility of wheat bran while producing beneficial bioactive compounds.

Objective

To investigate the effects of Laetiporus sulphureus-fermented wheat bran (LS) as a feed supplement on immunomodulative properties and growth performance in broiler chickens.

Results

The 5% LS-supplemented group showed significantly higher body weight in the finisher phase. Both LS groups had better feed conversion ratios and lower coliform counts in the ileum compared to control groups. LS supplementation significantly increased serum and ileal IgA concentrations while reducing proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. The 5% LS group showed lower expression of inflammatory genes in liver and intestinal tissues.

Conclusion

LS supplementation improved growth performance and exerted immunomodulatory functions to reduce inflammation, with 5% LS supplementation showing optimal outcomes. The results indicate LS has potential as a functional feedstuff for poultry immunomodulation.
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