Comprehensive efficacy of nano-formulated mixed probiotics on broiler chickens’ performance and Salmonella Typhimurium challenge
Sherief M. Abdel‐Raheem, Marwa I. Abd El-Hamid, Tarek Khamis, Heba Baz, Anaam E. Omar, Wafaa M. Gad, Mona M. El-Azzouny, Manal A. M. Habaka, Rania I. Mohamed, Mona E. Elkenawy, Rehab E. Dawod, Eman A Elalfy, Doaa Ibrahim
Abstract
The increasing recognition of the potential advantages beyond nanoencapsulation of probiotics gained great attention owing to effective properties. Hence, we provided the most in-depth look into the influence of nanoformulated multi strain probiotics; BLB-NPs comprising Bacillus subtilis ATCC19659, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014 and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC29521 on growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal immunity supporting the defense against Salmonella Typhimurium ( S. Typhimurium ) challenge in broilers chickens. A total of 2,800 one-day-old male Ross 308 boiler chicks were divided into 7 groups; 1 control without additives, 3 probiotics [fed control diets mixed with B. subtilis, L. plantarum and B. bifidum ( BLB ) at concentrations of 1 × 10 4 ( BLBI ), 1 × 10 6 ( BLBII ) and 1 × 10 8 ( BLBIII ) CFU /kg diet, respectively] and 3 nanoencapsulated probiotics [fed control diets supplemented with BLB loaded nanoparticles ( BLB-NPs ) at concentrations of 1 × 10 4 ( BLB-NPsI ), 1 × 10 6 ( BLB-NPsII ) and 1 × 10 8 ( BLB-NPsIII ) CFU /kg diet, respectively]. All previous groups were challenged at d 22 of age with S. Typhimurium. Birds fed BLB-NPs II and III exhibited better weight gain and FCR simultaneously with upregulation in nutrients transporters genes ( LAT-1, PepT-1, CAT-1 and SGLT1 ) even after S. Typhimurium challenge. Upregulation of immmune related genes ( IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MyD88, NF-kB, CCL20, CXCLi2, TLR-2, TLR-4 and SOCS1 ) was prominently subsided in BLB-NPsIII fed group. The strengthening ability of BLB-NPs for broilers' intestinal barriers was evidenced by augmented expression of JAM, MUC-2 , occludin and FABP-2 genes, diminished S. Typhimurium counts and suppressed its virulence related genes ( HilA and SopD ) with restored histopathological pictures of cecum. Notably, post dietary inclusion of higher levels of BLB-NPsIII, the abundance of beneficial Biofidobacterium and Lactobacillus species was dominated over harmful E. coli ones. Birds fortified with BLB-NPs displayed potent antioxidant potential signified by boosting serum and intestinal antioxidant markers alongside reducing oxidative ones. Overall, the abovementioned positive outcomes of BLB-NPs encouraged their potential application in poultry feed to attain superior performance and elicit protective immunity against S. Typhimurium infection.