The intestinal microbial fermentation of poultry may be alternatively shifted to suppress growth of the pathogens Salmonella arizonae and Salmonella heidelberg by feed ingredient Original XPC, according to research using an in vitro poultry intestinal model. Original XPC is manufactured and marketed by Diamond V, a supplier of all-natural, microbial, fermentation-based feed additives.
Two experiments were conducted. In the first, the level of acetate, butyrate and total volatile concentrations increased in vitro in conjunction with the inclusion of Original XPC, and the growth of Salmonella arizonae was suppressed significantly. In the second experiment, the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids likewise increased, and the growth of Salmonella heidelberg was suppressed significantly.
The research was presented as a poster at the recent annual Poultry Science Association meeting. Previous research demonstrated suppression of Salmonella enteritidis with Original XPC.
Increased concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the small intestines has been linked to reduced colonization by pathogens such as Salmonella. The volatile fatty acids butyrate is of particular interest in animal agriculture because feeding butyrate has multiple known benefits to gut and overall health. Most notable among these are decrease of the inflammatory response, suppression of pathogen growth and morphological improvements in the intestinal mucosa. Recently, research showed that adding exogenous butyrate to an in vitro intestinal model challenged with Salmonella typhimurium resulted in inhibited growth of the bacteria.
The experiments presented at the Poultry Science Association meeting had similar methodology. Under anaerobic conditions, predigested turkey diet was combined with fecal inoculum and either a control grain or Original XPC. The test tubes were challenged with either Salmonella arizonae or Salmonella arizonae and then incubated, after which the contents were analyzed for volatile fatty acids by gas chromatography. The test was replicated five times in the Salmonella arizonae experiment, 10 times in the Salmonella heidelberg experiment.
In the Salmonella arizonae experiment, intestinal microorganisms were sourced from the fresh excreta of 10 young turkeys, and Salmonella arizonae was originated with a young turkey in a commercial operation with re-occurrence problems. In the Salmonella arizonae experiment, the intestinal microorganisms were sourced from the fresh excreta of 12 laying hens; Salmonella arizonae originated with a human being with an egg-associated illness.
