Evaluation of selected probiotics and prebiotics for poultry performance.

摘要

Search for alternatives to sub-therapeutic and therapeutic use of antibiotics has brought several options to the animal industry. Among the most promising, strains of lactic acid bacteria, described as probiotics for their beneficial effects on the host's health, and nutrient substrates for those probiotic bacteria that are undigested by the animal host, known as prebiotics, perhaps represent the leading alternatives. A series of independent experiments were conducted to examine the beneficial effect of two prebiotics, Aspergillus meal and lactose, and one Lactobacillus-based probiotic, on poultry performance. Aspergillus meal is produced by fermentation industry and has been used as a prebiotic in the animal industry. Results indicate that Aspergillus meal may offer a protein sparing effect when used with low protein diets. Since animal feeds are formulated for maximum growth of poultry species, the evaluation of feed additives may be confounded and thus their assessment under some degree of challenge such as low protein diets might help observe the beneficial effects of such products.; The commercial Lactobacillus-based probiotic FM-B11(TM) (IVS/Wynco, USA) was evaluated for its effects on turkey performance when applied to 60 commercial lots whereas 58 lots remained as controls. The probiotic significantly improved market body weight and average daily gain with favorable impact on estimated cost of production (cents/kg live turkey). Condemnation rates by pathological condition were not significantly different between treatments.; In a subsequent series of experiments, FM-B11 was administered either alone or supplemented with lactose as prebiotic, and its effect on turkey body weight under commercial conditions was assessed when administered during the brooding phase. Groups treated with the combination of probiotic and lactose, and lactose alone were heavier (p0.05) by 15.5 to 17.5% than control groups. Market body weight was higher (p0.05) on the combination probiotic plus lactose than the control group by 436 g. Turkeys only on probiotic tended to be heavier than the controls (p=0.08). The inclusion of LAB-based probiotics supplemented with lactose as prebiotic to turkey poults during the brooding phase increases body weight and the advantage is further increased during the growout phase.; This study highlights the potential impact that alternatives such as probiotics and prebiotics can have on poultry production through improved body weight gain, protein sparing effect and eventually economical benefits to the grower.