AUTHOR=Jiang Dahai , Yang Manqi , Xu Jun , Deng Liping , Hu Cong , Zhang Liangliang , Sun Yunzhang , Jiang Jianchun , Lu Liming 

TITLE=Three-stage fermentation of the feed and the application on weaned piglets

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1123563

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1123563

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Numerous studies have demonstrated that soybean meal (SBM) contains high levels of anti-nutritional factors, which interrupt gastrointestinal homeostasis or metabolism normally of the weaned piglets. Here, the mixed probiotics, including <italic>Bacillus licheniformis</italic> (<italic>B. licheniformis</italic>, CGMCC 8147), <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> H11 (<italic>S. cerevisiae</italic> H11) and <italic>Lactobacillus casei</italic> (<italic>L. casei</italic>, CGMCC 8149) were applied to the three-stage fermentation of functional feed. Our research investigated the optimum ratio of inoculation, optimal time of inoculation, combination of substrates, and nutritional value of the fermented feed. The optimal microbial combination was <italic>B</italic>. <italic>licheniformis</italic>: <italic>S</italic>. <italic>cerevisiae</italic>: <italic>L</italic>. <italic>casei</italic> = 2:2:1, inoculating at 0, 12 and 24 h, respectively. The results revealed that crude protein and acid-soluble protein were remarkably improved and had lower pH. Trypsin inhibitor, glycinin and β-conglycinin were reduced by 79.86, 77.18, and 69.29%, respectively. Moreover, animal trials further evaluated the growth-promoting effects of the fermented feed. It was noted that the average daily gain of weaned piglets was significantly higher, and the ratio of feed with weight, diarrhea incidence and mortality were lower significantly. The concentrations of serum immunoglobulin G(IgG), IgA, IgM, Complement C3 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and lysozyme activity were all increased. The relative abundance of fecal microbiota improved, especially <italic>lactobacillus</italic>, which increased the abundance of fecal dominant probiotics. Overall, the fermented feed may be conducive to the growth and health of weaned piglets by improving nutritional value, immunity properties, relative abundance of fecal microflora, and decreasing anti-nutritional factors of feed, thereby making them viable and usable feedstuffs for potential use in livestock industries.</p>