Humic substances (HS) from different sources have been evaluated to replace or reduce the use of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) in the feeds of broiler chickens. The objective was to evaluate the growth performance, tibia measurements, nutrient balance, meat quality, and microbiological status of broiler fed with an HS extract (EHS) under ad libitum (ADLIB) or feed restriction (REST). Individually caged broilers (n = 180, 14–35 day of age) were assigned to a factorial arrangement of three dietary treatments: (1) positive control with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) and salinomycin; (2) negative control without BMD nor salinomycin, and (3) same as negative control with 0.25% EHS, and two feeding regimens 1) ADLIB or REST for 24 h on d 1, 7, and 14. Results were subjected to ANOVA. Positive control and EHS-fed broilers showed higher carcass yield (p < 0.05) and lower oocyst excretion (p < 0.01) compared to negative control birds. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) were higher in negative control and EHS-broilers compared to positive control (p < 0.01). In conclusion, higher carcass yield, lower C. perfringens and oocyst excretion were found in positive control and higher carcass yield, higher LAB and lower oocyst excretion were found in EHS-fed broilers. Broilers subjected to REST had reduced growth performance and meat quality. In conclusion, EHS could be used to increase the carcass yield and beneficial LAB in broilers.

Different sources and inclusion levels of humic substances (HS) have been tested in broiler rations as an alternative to the addition of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) with promising results. The current study was carried out to assess the influence of HS extracted from worm compost on broiler production parameters, carcass yield, tibia characteristics, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts, excretion of Eimeria oocysts, and antioxidant status of breast meat. A total of 1200 broilers were used, housed in groups of 30 per pen, and assigned to five treatments: 1 = basal diet with GPA (positive control), 2 = basal diet without GPA (negative control), 3–5 = basal diet with 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45% HS, respectively. The data was subjected to a variance analysis and orthogonal contrasts. The FI decreased linearly (p < 0.05) from 1–14, 29–42, and 1–42 days as the inclusion of HS in the feed increased. The FCR had quadratic responses (p < 0.01) from 29–42 and 1–42 days concerning the HS inclusion levels. Lactic acid bacteria was higher (p ˂ 0.05) in ten-day-old chicks with 0.45% HS in the diet. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity antioxidant potential decreased linearly (p < 0.05) concerning increasing HS in the feed. The results indicate that HS can be used as growth promoters in broiler feeds.

Background: Many studies have investigated endogenous loss of proteins and amino acids (AAs) at the ileal level in growing pigs. However, only a few studies have researched this subject in piglets. Knowledge regarding AA ileal digestibility in piglets would be helpful during the formulation of diets for weaning piglets, rather than just using coefficients obtained in growing pigs. Therefore, in this study, we sought to estimate endogenous protein and AA ileal losses in piglets. Furthermore, apparent and true ileal digestibility (AID and TID) of protein and AAs from casein were measured. Results: The average flow of protein was 20.8 g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI). Basal protein loss, as estimated by regression, was 16.9 g/kg DMI. Glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid (2.2, 1.4, and 1.2 g/kg DMI, respectively) were the AAs for which greater losses were seen. The AID of protein and AAs increased as the protein level in the diet increased. A higher increment in AID was observed between diets with 80 and160 g CP/kg of feed; this finding was mainly attributable to increases in glycine and arginine (46.1% and 18%, respectively). The TID of protein was 97.8, and the TID of AAs varied from 93.9 for histidine to 100.2 for phenylalanine. Conclusions: The basal endogenous protein loss in piglets was 16.9 g/kg DMI. Endogenous protein was rich in glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and arginine, which represented 32.7% of endogenous protein loss in weaning piglets. The TID of casein was high and varied from 93.0 for histidine to 100.2 for phenylalanine.

Sesame meal as the first protein source in piglet starter diets and advantages of a phytase: a digestive study

In the face of agricultural and environmental crises, the ocean and its diverse abundance of species have garnered attention as sources of beneficial compounds for humans, offering sustainable solutions across various sectors with minimal environmental impact. Sargassum, a genus of macroalgae, has long been used in alternative medicine and culinary applications. This genus encompasses a wide variety of species, many of which contain bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential that remain under investigation. Some Sargassum species not only represent a valuable resource but also pose challenges due to their overgrowth, making their utilization both essential and strategic. In this narrative review we highlight many of the major physiological effects of these compounds, concentrating on their promising role in addressing global challenges.

The Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) lectin fraction (TBLF) exhibits differential cytotoxicity on colon cancer cells and inhibition of early tumorigenesis in the colon (50 mg/kg, three times per week, for 6 weeks). TBLF showed low toxicity with the ability to activate the immune system; however, some adverse effects are the loss in body weight gain, intestinal atrophy, and pancreatic hyperplasia. After a recovery period of 2 weeks after treatment, reversion of pancreatic hyperplasia but no recovery of intestinal atrophy was observed. As TBLF has shown anticancer effects on the colon, it is important to characterize the adverse effects and how they can be reversed. Sprague Dawley rats were administered with TBLF (50 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, three times per week, and then allowed to recover for 6 weeks post-treatment. After TBLF administration, small intestine atrophy, villus atrophy, and cryptic hyperplasia were confirmed, as well as increased intestinal mucus production, increased permeability and a decrease in the apparent ileal digestibility of crude proteins. The colon showed damage in the simple prismatic tissue and decreased crypt depth, and changes in microbiota and a decrease in the apparent fecal digestibility of crude protein were determined. Our results show that the adverse effects provoked by TBLF were partially reversed after 6 weeks of recovery post-treatment, suggesting that increasing the recovery period it could be possible to reverse all adverse effects observed.