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Effects of a biotechnologically produced Pleurotus sapidus mycelium on gut microbiome, liver transcriptome and plasma metabolome of broilers

Summary

Researchers tested whether mushroom mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms) grown in large bioreactors could be used as a supplement in chicken feed as a sustainable alternative to traditional ingredients. Over 5 weeks, broilers received feed with 0%, 2.5%, or 5% mushroom mycelium, with no negative effects on growth, digestion, or overall health observed. The study suggests that this biotechnologically produced mushroom biomass is a safe and potentially sustainable feed ingredient for poultry production.

Background

Fungal mycelia produced through submerged cultivation can efficiently convert low-value agricultural side streams into high-nutritional-value biomass. Pleurotus sapidus mycelium contains high concentrations of β-glucans, which have prebiotic properties that may benefit poultry nutrition and gut health.

Objective

To investigate the effect of feeding Pleurotus sapidus mycelium as a dietary supplement on growth performance, cecal microbiota composition, gut integrity, nutrient digestibility, liver lipids, liver transcriptome, and plasma metabolome in broiler chickens.

Results

No significant differences were found in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal SCFA concentrations, or plasma lipopolysaccharide levels between groups. The Shannon diversity index differed slightly between groups, and 144 liver transcripts were differentially expressed between the 5% and control groups, though none exceeded 2-fold regulation. No differences were detected in plasma metabolites across groups.

Conclusion

Inclusion of sustainably produced P. sapidus mycelium in broiler diets at levels up to 5% had no negative consequences on broiler performance and metabolism, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable feed ingredient without adverse effects.
  • Published in:Poultry Science,
  • Study Type:Controlled feeding trial,
  • Source: PMID: 38945001, DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103975
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