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Impact of Phellinus gilvus mycelia on growth, immunity and fecal microbiota in weaned piglets

Summary

Researchers tested whether a medicinal mushroom called Phellinus gilvus could replace antibiotics in pig feed as a growth promoter. Over 28 days, piglets fed mushroom-supplemented diets grew as well as those given antibiotics while showing even better immune system activation. Unlike antibiotics that drastically changed the gut bacteria composition, the mushroom only slightly modified it while still reducing harmful E. coli bacteria. This suggests the mushroom could be a safer alternative to antibiotics in pig farming.

Background

Antibiotics are commonly used as growth promoters in pig feed but their use is restricted due to bacterial resistance concerns. Phellinus, a medicinal fungus genus, has been traditionally used in Asia to treat gastroenteric dysfunction and other conditions. This study investigated whether Phellinus gilvus mycelia could serve as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in weaned piglets.

Objective

To compare the effects of Phellinus gilvus mycelia (SH) and antibiotic growth promoter (ATB) on growth performance, immune response, and fecal microbiota composition in weaned piglets over a 28-day period.

Results

Both SH and ATB significantly increased average daily gain compared to control, with no significant difference between treatments. SH treatment produced higher levels of innate immunity markers (MPO, IL-1β, TNF-α) than ATB. Both treatments dramatically reduced fecal E. coli counts, but ATB drastically altered microbiota structure while SH only slightly influenced it, primarily increasing Alloprevotella abundance.

Conclusion

Phellinus gilvus mycelia demonstrated comparable growth-promoting effects to antibiotics while enhancing innate immunity more effectively and causing minimal disruption to microbiota structure. These findings suggest SH could serve as a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in piglet feed.
  • Published in:PeerJ,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 32377455, DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9067
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