This study aimed to explore the protective effects of raffinose (Raf) against inflammatory bowel disease in mice with colitis. Mice were administered 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg Raf for 21 d, followed by drinking-water containing 3% dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) for 3 d. Thereafter, the phenotype, pathological lesions in the colon, cytokines levels, and gut microbiota were evaluated. Treatment with Raf reduced the severity of the pathological changes in the colon, mitigating the reduction in colon length. Following Raf intervention, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) tended to return to normal. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of Raf are associated with a reduction in TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB pathway expression in mouse colonic tissues. Analysis of gut microbiota abundance and its correlation with colitis parameters revealed that DSS-induced dysbiosis was partially mitigated by Raf. In conclusion, Raf exerts a protective effect in colitis by modulating the gut microbiota and TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway.

Triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) is a versatile forage crop valued for its high yield, balanced nutrition, and environmental adaptability. However, the dough-stage triricale has higher dry matter and starch content but lower water-soluble carbohydrate levels than earlier stages, posing fermentation challenges that may impair silage quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and metabolome of whole-plant triticale silage at the dough stage. Fresh triticale was ensiled for 30 days without or with an inoculant containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Streptococcus bovis. Fermentation quality, bacterial succession, and metabolic profiles were analyzed at multiple time points. Inoculation significantly improved fermentation quality, characterized by a rapid pH drop, increased lactic acid production, and better preservation of fiber components. Microbial analysis revealed that inoculation successfully established Lactobacillus as the dominant genus while suppressing spoilage bacteria like Enterobacter and Clostridium. Metabolomic analysis on day 30 identified numerous differential metabolites, indicating that inoculation primarily altered pathways related to amino acid and purine metabolism. In conclusion, inoculating dough-stage triticale with this LAB combination effectively directs the fermentation trajectory. It enhances silage quality not only by optimizing organic acid profiles and microbial succession but also by modulating key metabolic pathways, ultimately leading to improved nutrient preservation.

This experiment investigated the effects of rumen-protected leucine (RP-Leu) supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen microbiota of fattening sheep. Forty fattening sheep (19.03 ± 0.38 kg) were randomly divided into four groups. The four groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with RP-Leu at 0 (L-0), 0.5 (L-0.5), 1.0 (L-1.0), or 1.5 (L-1.5) g/d. The experimental period lasted 67 d. The results demonstrated that compared with the L-0 group, the L-1.0 and L-1.5 groups significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) by 22.2% and 18.0%, respectively (p < 0.05), and reduced the feed-to-gain ratio (F:G ratio) by 20.0% and 13.4% (p < 0.05); the L-1.5 group significantly increased the concentrations of propionate and isovalerate (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased the acetate to propionate ratio (A:P) by 25.7% (p < 0.05); and the L-1.0 group significantly decreased the concentrations of free branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in rumen (p < 0.05). A microbiota analysis showed that RP-Leu enriched the abundance of fiber-degrading bacteria. A correlation analysis showed that acetic acid and A:P were positively correlated with norank_f_F082 and norank_f_UCG-011 (p < 0.05). Phenylalanine, isoleucine, valine, and leucine were negatively correlated with norank_o_Bacteroidales (p < 0.05). In conclusion, RP-Leu improved the growth performance of fattening sheep by changing the rumen fermentation parameters and patterns; the optimal supplementation level is 1.0 g/d.

Cottonseed meal (CSM), an important protein-rich feed ingredient, faces limited utilization in livestock diets due to the presence of free gossypol (FG)—a potent antinutritional toxin. This study aimed to isolate FG-degrading bacteria from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, and to evaluate their potential as probiotics in vitro. Eleven gossypol-tolerant strains were isolated from the gut of Helicoverpa armigera larvae using a screening medium containing gossypol as the sole carbon source. Among these, four lactic acid bacteria strains—Pediococcus acidilactici GM-NP, Pediococcus acidilactici GM-P, Enterococcus faecalis GM-6, and Weissella confusa GM-2—were selected for further investigation of their gossypol degradation capacity and probiotic potential. Probiotic characterization revealed that all strains exhibited tolerance to gastrointestinal fluids and bile salts, safe γ-hemolysis, and strong auto-aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, and antimicrobial activity. Solid-state fermentation of CSM with these strains reduced FG content by more than 50%, increased crude protein by over 6%, and elevated acid-soluble protein content by more than 70%, thereby effectively enhancing the nutritional quality of CSM. This study is the first to demonstrate that bacterial isolates from the gut of Helicoverpa armigera possess concurrent high-efficiency gossypol degradation and probiotic properties, providing a theoretical foundation for developing novel probiotic resources and promoting the safe utilization of CSM.