Prebiotic and Probiotic Microbiology in Poultry
Abstract
The overall goal of this research was to investigate antibiotic alternatives for use in poultry production.
Antibiotic administration in poultry production has declined due to changes in consumer preferences and governmental regulations that limit or ban their use. Their growth promoting properties have been attributed to impacts on the gastrointestinal microbiota, therefore, the gastrointestinal microbiota is thought to be an ideal target for the development of antibiotic alternatives. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of probiotics and prebiotics in broilers and the mechanisms important to the functionality of prebiotics administered to poultry.
Specific Aim 1: Evaluate effects of a poultry prebiotic on growth performance and the colonization of human foodborne pathogens in broiler chickens
We administered two doses of a dietary prebiotic composed of refined functional carbohydrates derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with yeast culture to broiler chickens. Increased body weights, body weight gain, and feed intake were observed with administration of the high prebiotic dose, and administration of either dose reduced cecal Campylobacter counts.
Specific Aim 2: Evaluate effects of prebiotics and Direct-Fed Microorganisms on growth performance and microbial populations in broiler chickens
We administered a dietary prebiotic, two direct-fed Bacillus, and a synbiotic to broilers. We observed improved feed efficiency and body weights and a reduction of Campylobacter with administration of each functional feed ingredient, and Lactic Acid Bacteria increased with prebiotic administration.
Specific Aim 3: Evaluate the effects of prebiotic compounds on adhesion of Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni to epithelial tissue in vitro
We performed adhesion assays using the LMH cell line to conduct a dose response of a poultry prebiotic product on the adherence of Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni. We then evaluated the adhesion reduction of both human foodborne pathogens with purified components of the prebiotic and four commercial prebiotic products and observed significantly different reductions for both comparisons.
Citation
Froebel, Lindy Kate (2020). Prebiotic and Probiotic Microbiology in Poultry. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /191636.