Abstract: |
Probiotics as novel antibiotics’ substitutes are verified to provide barriers for hindering
the colonization of enteric bacterial pathogens with nutritional benefits. For enhancement of the
probiotics’ effectiveness, their integration within nanomaterials is a paramount tool to support the
progress of new compounds with functional features. Therefore, we addressed the impact of effective
delivery of probiotics (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) loaded nanoparticles (BNPs) on performance and
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) shedding and colonization in poultry. Two hundred Ross broiler
chickens were divided into four groups fed various BNP levels: BNPs I, BNPs II, BNPs III, and BNPsfree
diets for 35 days. Nanoparticles delivery of probiotics within broiler diets improved growth
performance as reflected by higher body weight gain and superior feed conversion ratio, especially
in BNPs II- and BNPs III-fed groups. In parallel, the mRNA expression levels of digestive enzymes
encoding genes (AMY2a, PNLIP, CELA1, and CCK) achieved their peaks in BNPs III-fed group (1.69,
1.49, 1.33, and 1.29-fold change, respectively) versus the control one. Notably, with increasing the
levels of BNPs, the abundance of beneficial microbiota, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
species, was favored over harmful ones, including Clostridium species and Enterobacteriaceae. Birds fed
higher levels of BNPs displayed significant improvement in the expression of barrier functions-linked
genes including DEFB1, FABP-2, and MUC-2 alongside substantial reduction in cecal colonization and fecal shedding of C. jejuni. From the aforementioned positive effects of BNPs, we concluded their
potential roles as growth promoters and effective preventive aids for C. jejuni infection in poultry
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