Effects of arabinoxylans on activation of murine macrophages and growth performance of broiler chicks

摘要

Scientific and industrial literature suggests that hemicelluloses from various sources have potential health benefits. Arabinoxylan hemicelluloses occur in a wide variety of agricultural products and may contribute a significant portion of human dietary fiber intake. Corn hulls and banana peels are potential sources of arabinoxylans with isolation yields of ca. 40% and 10% respectively, when extracted with dilute alkali. A broiler growth study was performed to determine the effect of extracted corn hull arabinoxylan on performance and attachment of Salmonella, as a representative of an enteric pathogen, to the ileum. Ability of arabinoxylans to activate a macrophage cell line as an immune stimulator was determined by respiratory burst assay. Corn hull arabinoxylan tended to increase body weight gain and reduced attachment of Salmonella to ileal tissue in broiler chicks undergoing mild heat stress. Arabinoxylans from corn hulls and banana peels produced a positive oxidative burst in macrophage cells. These results indicate that arabinoxylans from corn hulls and banana peels are biologically active agents, and have the potential to be used as health promoting dietary supplements.