This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in mitigating stress and improving performance, carcass yield, carcass quality parameters, sensory acceptability, microbiological quality and economic profitability of broilers reared at different stocking densities. Two hundred and forty chicks were divided into four groups; two groups were reared at a low stocking density (LSD, 10 bird/m2), including one group that was provided with Protexin® probiotic (Enterococcus faecium) supplemented in water (LSDP). Similarly, the other two groups were reared at a high stocking density (HSD, 15 bird/m2), including one group that was provided with the same probiotic supplementation (HSDP). Throughout the growing cycle, bird performance was monitored. At the end of the growing cycle, stress indicators were measured in blood. Besides, carcass and giblet weights, dressing yield, carcass quality parameters, sensory acceptability, microbiological quality and economic profitability were assessed. As a result, HSD mostly impaired broiler performance, increased stress indicators, reduced carcass yields, carcass quality parameters and sensory acceptability, while boosted profitability and slightly lowered microbiological quality. On the other hand, probiotic supplementation reversed the negative effects of HSD. As probiotic supplementation boosted broiler performance, reduced blood stress indicators, increased carcass and giblet yields, carcass quality parameters and sensory scores, besides, it improved the microbiological status of broiler meat in terms of fecal coliforms and E. coli MPN. To conclude, rearing broilers at high stocking density induced stress, compromised performance and reduced carcass quality. These negative impacts could be successfully faced by using probiotic supplementation in drinking water.

The broiler chicken digestive tract microbiome maintains the bird’s immunity. Its composition has been shown to be important not only for the immune system but also for the gastrointestinal function and productivity of broiler chickens. If the microbiome is populated by supplementation with Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Saccharomyces spp. – microorganisms with probiotic properties and alternatives to antibiotics – the immune system is stimulated. The use of probiotic supplements in the broiler production cycle can boost bird immunity and prevent adenovirus infection. The resilience of broiler chickens in different feeding schemes including supplementation with these microorganisms was assessed.

Objectives: The research was carried out on broilers to determine the efficacy of probiotics (Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces boulardii combined) supplementation on growth performances, nutrient retention (metabolizable energy, dry matter, and crude protein), and cecal microbiology (Bifidobacteria spp., Clostridium spp., and coliforms). Materials and Methods: A total of 160 broiler chicks (day-old) were selected and differentiated randomly into 4 groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3) (40 × 4) comprising 40 birds in every single group. The control group (T0) was fed commercial broiler feed only and the other three groups, referred to as treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3), were treated with 1 gm ciprofloxacin, 1 gm probiotic, and 1 gm probiotic plus 0.5 gm enzyme, respectively, in per liter of fresh dietary water 8 h daily for 7 days in each phase. Experimental trials were divided into 2 phases, the starter phase from day 0 to 21 and the finisher phase from day 22 to 35. Results: Bodyweight gain and nutrient retention in experimental broiler birds in treatment groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group. Overall body weight gain and nutrient retention of broiler chicks in treatment groups T2 and T3 were better than T1. From day 22 to 35, cecal Clostridium and coliform bacterial load counts were significantly lower p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively, in T1, T2, and T3 treatments than T0. Overall, Clostridium and coliform bacterial counts in the birds of treatment group T2 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than T0. Conclusion: The probiotics, in addition to enzyme supplementation, had suitable influence effects on growth performance of broilers, birds retention of nutrient, and microfloral count in birds cecum. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 534-539]

Objectives: The objectives of our study were to determine the presence of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in market milk in Aswan province, Egypt and studying the effect of addition of some strains of probiotics microorganisms on AFM1 level in milk. Materials and Methods: Between July and October 2018, 90 market milk samples (15 Ultra Heat Treated (UHT) , 75 raw) were collected from different dairy shops in Aswan City, Egypt to be examined for AFM1 presence by rapid strip test and the results were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The results revealed that all UHT milk samples were negative, while 37 (49%) raw milk samples were positive for AFM1 residues. All 37 positive milk samples were examined by HPLC to determine the level of AFM1. The results showed that the level of AFM1 ranged between 0.053 and 0.207 with mean ± SE of 0.1003 ± 0.008 ppb. Some probiotics strains were used to determine their effect on AFM1 by milk fermentation; the result showed that the probiotics have significant effect on the reduction of AFM1 level in milk (p < 0.05). Also, Public health importance of AFM1 was discussed. Conclusion: Presence of AFM1 in 49% of examined raw milk samples indicate widespread occur¬rence of AFM1 in market milk in Aswan province, Egypt which considered possible hazards for consumers, while the absence of AFM1 from UHT milk indicates that type of milk is safer. So, regular monitoring of AFM1 in market milk is necessary for evaluating their contamination status. Mixed starter culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus could be used as a biological agent for the reduction of AFM1 in milk. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(2.000): 197-201]

Objective: This experiment investigated the effects of synbiotic supplementation produced from probiotics and prebiotics from trimmed asparagus by-products (TABP) on broiler chicken diets in order to yield designer meat production. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 one-day-old Ross 308® chicks were randomly allocated to dietary treatments with four replications each (n = 20). The dietary treatments were composed of a control group without supplementation and treatment groups fed with 10, 30, and 50 gm/kg of TABP supplementation in diets combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics. Results: The results showed that broilers fed dietary supplementation of TABP with 2 gm/kg had a lower level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum, which reduced the atherogenic indices of the serum, such as cardiac risk ratio and atherogenic coef¬ficient (p < 0.05). In addition, the cholesterol content and the fatty acid profile of breast meat, including palmitic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acid, and omega 9 levels, also declined with the increasing levels of TABP inclusion (p < 0.05). Moreover, the supplementation of TABP in diets caused a decline in the atherogenic and thrombogenicity indices and a rise in Δ-9 desaturase (16) index and hypocholesterolemic to the hypercholesterolemic ratio of meat (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation of up to 30 gm/kg TABP combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics in the chicken diet can potentially be utilized for the production of designer meat. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 516-526]

Objective: The present work was conducted on Cobb-500 broilers fed with either probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) or antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) to assess the effects on body weight and biochemical parameters.Materials and methods: A total of 30 day-old broiler chicks were purchased and acclimatized for 7 days in the experimental shed. After initial acclimatization, the broilers were allotted into five equal groups (n=6). Group A was considered as control and was fed commercial ration and fresh drinking water. Groups B and C were fed commercial ration and probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) respectively mixed in water. Groups D and E received commercial ration and antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) respectively with water. Body weight of each bird was recorded on day 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. At the end of trial period, the birds were sacrificed to collect blood in order to prepare serum samples for biochemical analyses considering total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipids (HDL), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).Results: Body weight in all treatment groups (B, C, D and E) was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to control (A) group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly (P<0.05) decreased in probiotics treated groups as compared to control and antibiotic growth promoters treated groups. AST and ALT values increased significantly (P<0.05) in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to control whereas, these values decreased in probiotics treated groups. Creatinine levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to all others groups. Conclusion: Significantly increased body weight is observed in probiotics and antibiotic growth promoters supplemented broilers. Probiotics also improve the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters as compared to growth promoter. Probiotics (like Yogurt and Promax&reg;) seem to be better choice than antibiotic growth promoters as feed supplements. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 288-294]

This research aimed to investigate the impact of a high-fiber diet with an additional dietary supplement prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acid on the performance, carcass characteristics, meat yields, intestinal microbial load, and immunity of broiler chickens. A total of 500 newly hatched one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks, with similar average body weights of 35-40g, were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: control (high fiber diet), prebiotics (Inmunair 17.5), probiotics (ProBax®), and organic acid (acetic acid 1% in drinking water). Each treatment group consisted of five replicates, with twenty five birds in each replicate, and the experiment lasted for 33 days. The birds were raised under standard conditions and fed with experimental diets formulated to meet their nutritional requirements. The results showed that broilers in the probiotics and prebiotics groups exhibited improved growth performance, body weight gain, and feed conversion rate compared to the organic acid group. Carcass traits, including live chicken body weight, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) weight, and GIT/Chick weight ratio, were also significantly better in the probiotics and prebiotics groups than in the organic acids group. Moreover, the intestinal bacteriological analysis indicated lower total bacterial counts in the probiotics and prebiotics groups, suggesting better gut health. The findings from this study may have implications for the poultry industry, providing valuable guidance for the development of practical and sustainable strategies to improve broiler production and meat quality. Further research in this area is warranted to explore the long-term effects and economic viability of incorporating dietary fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids into broiler diets.

Kishk is a traditional dry fermented dairy product prepared from a mixture of salted sour butter milk or yoghurt with wheat grains. Goal was to evaluate the microbiological quality, together with isolation and identification of LAB from kishk and assessed their protective effects against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo. One hundred samples of kishk were randomly obtained from farmers’ houses and food stores in the Assuit province, Egypt. Total viable count and, total yeasts and molds were performed by plating the samples on selective media. Further, LAB were isolated on de Man Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar and identified by biochemical tests. The antagonistic effect of the obtained LAB was evaluated against two of foodborne patogens (E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in vitro using well diffusion method and in vivo after inoculation in cow’s milk. The average count of total bacterial counts and, total yeasts and molds were 8.13 ± 0.09 and 2.92 ± 0.16 log10 CFU/g, respectively. On the basis of phenotypical examination, LAB were identified and classified into three groups of LAB namely Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Lactococcus. Notably, LAB had more inhibitory activity against against E. coli in comparison to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. However, there was no changes in the mean count of the tested organisms versus control group after inoculation in milk. This study discovered that kishk contain LAB bacteria that have antagonistic properties on E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, kishk could be a useful candidate for the human health.

One issue that intensive farming has to deal with is neonatal calf diarrhea, and probiotics are seen to be a viable solution to improve the health of calves. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of short-term administration of an antibiotic or probiotic to diarrheal calves on total leukocytic count, serum bactericidal activity, and phagocytosis, as well as to identify potential bacteria that may cause calf diarrhea in early life stages. 55 diarrheal calves, ranging in age from 1 to 20 days, were sampled for feces at a private dairy farm in the Sharkia governorate. E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium species were among the isolated bacteria, with prevalence rates of 58.2%, 8%, and 12%, respectively. The O26, O111, O119, O128 and O125 serogroups of E. coli isolates were the identified serotypes. While S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis were the recovered Salmonella serotypes. The results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that the invA gene was amplified in the four salmonella isolates but the phoA gene was amplified in all E. coli isolates. Since only the alpha toxin gene was present in each isolate of C. perfringens, they were all type A. Antibiogram test results showed that most isolated species were multi-drug resistant to the ten commonly used antibiotics. On the other hand, isolates of E. coli, salmonella, and clostridium that demonstrated sensitivity for amoxicillin with percentages of 93.3%, 100%, and 66.7%, respectively, represented the medicine that was most successful. Regardless of infection, probiotic or antibiotic treatment, the total leukocytic count values in all diarrheal calves were considerably greater than those in the control group. Serum bactericidal activity in probiotic-treated calves was significantly higher than in the control and antibiotic-treated groups, while it was significantly lower in the antibiotic-treated group. Calf polymorphonuclear leukocytes treated with antibiotics or probiotics had considerably increased phagocytic activity than the control group. In conclusion, probiotics supplementation is an effective strategy for the prevention and control of calf diarrhea.

Various artisanal dairy products such as kariesh cheese, Laban Rayeb (a type of fermented fluid milk), zabady (a type of artisanal yoghurt), Butter milk and soured cream (a type of cream separted from skim milk after overnight natural fermentation of milk in earthenware pots) are poular for human consumption in Egypt. However, they are manufactured from raw milk depending on natural fermentation by wild microflora without guaranteed heat treatment processing or addition of permissible additives. Thus, the current study included the microbiological investigations on 50 samples of each of afore-mentioned products (total of 250 samples) primarily to isolate and discriminate different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) flora and secondly to search for some LAB to be further considered as a probiotic culture. Accordingly, several characteristics were investigated including, their ability to resist and survive gastrointestinal tract conditions represented in gastric acidity (pH 3) and duodenal bile acids, and at the same time, ability to produce antimicrobial substances such as organic acids (lactic acid), hydrogen peroxide and diacetyl. At the same time, the isolates were tested for having safety or non-pathogenicity, which principally includes non-harboring of antibiotic resistance (AR) features or blood haemolysis activity. Three important technological properties including the salt tolerance, β-galactosidase production and milk acidification ability were tested for selected isolates as important features needed for optimum fermentation by LAB as starter or non-starter cultures that can be incorporated in dairy processing. Finally, the LAB strains were tested as inhibitors for bacteria of food-safety concern such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our results showed that the examined fermented artisanal dairy products proved to harbor a wide variety of LAB microflora. After screening the probiotic, technological and safety related properties of 40 selected LAB isolates from examined products, 7 strains were proven to meet all required criteria, thus could be tested in future studies as promising strains to be incorporated in manufacture of various dairy products as starter and non-starter cultures.