Search Results (203)

The transition toward industrial-scale, year-round production of Pleurotus pulmonarius necessitates efficient and standardized spawn production. Liquid spawn technology plays a pivotal role in this process; however, recommended formulations and science-based quality criteria remain lacking. This study aimed to screen a high-performance liquid spawn medium and define key quality parameters for industrial application. Ten culture media formulations were evaluated to determine their effects on mycelial growth, as well as the subsequent yield and quality of fruiting bodies. The optimal formulation (Formula 4) contained glucose (1.6%), soybean meal (0.3%), corn flour (0.2%), peptone (0.2%), KH₂PO₄ (0.1%), and MgSO₄ (0.055%). The growth rhythm of the selected formulation was meticulously tracked, leading to the identification of a critical inoculation window between 4.75 and 5.5 days. Spawn within this window exhibited a mycelial biomass of 1.60~1.86 g/L, pellet diameter of 1.83~1.92 mm, pellet density of 12.25~13.75 per mL, and fermentation broth pH of 6.35~6.44, which were strongly correlated with peak yield (up to 284 g/bag) and premium-grade ratio (up to 87.97%). The multi-parameter composite standard is proposed as a practical tool for quality control in industrial fermenters, enabling precise harvest timing and ensuring the consistent, high-yield, and high-quality production of P. pulmonarius. Full article

This study investigated the effects of replacing soybean meal with fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) in the diets of sika deer (Cervus nippon) during the pre-antler growth period. A single-factor experimental design was employed. A total of 24 male sika deer aged 2–3 years were randomly divided into four groups with six deer per group, including a control group (0% substitution) and three treatment groups fed diets containing 2.8%, 5.6%, and 8.4% fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM), defined as the low (L-FRSM), medium (M-FRSM), and high (H-FRSM) substitution groups, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 63 days, with measurements collected on days 30 and 63. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical indices, and rectal fecal microbiota were determined. The results showed that the final body weight, total weight gain, and average daily gain L-FRSM were higher in the L-FRSM group than in the control group and other substitution groups (p < 0.05), accompanied by a reduced feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). In addition, body height and chest circumference were improved in the L-FRSM group. Regarding nutrient digestibility, the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and dry matter at day 30, as well as calcium digestibility at day 63 were higher in the L-FRSM group compared to the control and higher-substitution groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, crude fat and dry matter digestibility were significantly lower in the H-FRSM group (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed among treatments in serum biochemical indices related to energy metabolism, protein metabolism, liver function, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, or humoral immunity (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were detected in core microbial composition or α-diversity of rectal fecal microbiota among groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, substituting soybean meal with 2.8% fermented rapeseed meal effectively improves growth performance and nutrient utilization without compromising health status or intestinal microbial stability in sika deer during the pre-antler growth period. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing dietary strategies and support the rational application of fermented rapeseed meal in sika deer production. Full article

This study investigated the synergistic effects of liquid fermentation of rapeseed meal (RSM) on feed microbiota, growth performance, and muscle development in growing pigs. RSM was fermented using four compound probiotics and eleven enzyme preparations, and microbial changes were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Seventy-two Duroc × Jingfen White pigs were randomly assigned to three groups: soybean meal (Ctrl), RSM, and fermented RSM (FRSM). FRSM showed higher trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein (TCA-sp) content and significantly lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and toxins (TS) (p < 0.01). Fermentation increased microbial diversity, with higher abundances of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Compared with Ctrl and RSM, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) decreased in the FRSM group (p < 0.01). FRSM also improved serum antioxidant capacity, enhanced intestinal villus height (VH)and villus height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin) and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 (p < 0.01). FRSM group also increased myofiber diameter and cross-sectional area in the longissimus dorsi and elevated MyoD, MyoG and Myf5 expression (p < 0.01). RNA-seq revealed 2094 differentially expressed genes enriched in metabolic pathways. Overall, FRSM improved growth performance, intestinal health, and muscle development in growing pigs, which may guide the development of protein resource utilization technologies. Full article

Soybean meal (SBM) is a foundational protein source, but its industrial application is constrained by a complex matrix of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs). This review provides a critical synthesis of the biochemical transition from raw SBM to fermented SBM (FSBM), focusing on the synergistic mechanisms of fungal and bacterial co-fermentation. We identify that the efficacy of FSBM is primarily driven by the microbial proteolysis of glycinin into low-molecular-weight bioactive peptides (<1000 Da). These peptides serve as the primary drivers for improved intestinal morphology (increased villus height) and the modulation of the gut microbiota, providing a mechanistic basis for reported probiotic effects. Furthermore, we establish that the 5–10% improvement in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) documented for swines mathematically offsets the processing premium of fermentation. However, critical gaps remain in the standardization of solid-state fermentation (SSF) protocols, specifically regarding the selection of fungal (Aspergillus) and bacterial (Bacillus or Lactobacillus) strains, whose distinct metabolic pathways significantly diversify the functional profile of the resulting FSBM. Full article

The effects of dietary supplementation of enzyme–microbe co-fermented Ganoderma lucidum spent substrate (EFGLS) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, organ indices, and cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers are investigated. Healthy broilers (450 individuals of 22 days age) of similar body weight were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (five replicates/treatment, 30 birds/replicate). A control group received a corn–soybean meal-based basal diet; treatments received diets containing 1.5% or 3.0% EFGLS. Over six weeks, treatment-group broilers exhibited significantly greater average daily gain and a lower feed-to-gain ratio compared with the control group (p < 0.001); differences in apparent nutrient digestibility in EFGLS-supplemented groups were not significant. A thymus index was significantly higher in the 1.5% than 3.0% EFGLS group (p < 0.05); Pielou’s evenness, Shannon, and Simpson indices of cecal microbiota were significantly higher in the 3.0% EFGLS group than control group (p < 0.05); and a dominance index was significantly higher in the control group than in treatment groups. Under study conditions, dietary supplementation with EFGLS improved growth performance in broilers, associated with favorable changes in apparent nutrient digestibility, immune organ development, and cecal microbial community structure. Accordingly, we recommend a dietary supplementation level of 1.5% EFGLS. Full article

The study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with marula oilcake (MOC) at equal inclusion (10% fresh weight) levels in whole-crop maize silage treated with or without lactic acid bacteria inoculants on fermentation characteristics, nutritive value, aerobic stability, and in vitro nutrient degradability. Maize was ensiled with SBM or MOC in a non-iso-nitrogenous 2 × 3 factorial design and either inoculated or uninoculated with Lalsil Fresh or Sil-All 4×4 for 90 days. Protein sources differed significantly (p < 0.05). The MOC showed high DM, EE, GE, and ADL, whereas SBM had high CP, ash, and IVOMD. Fibre fractions (aNDF and ADF) were similar (p > 0.05). The SBM control showed significantly high (p < 0.05) LA, NH₃-N, CP, IVOMD, propionic acid, and early gas production, indicating efficient fermentation. The SBM + Lalsil maintained low pH, and early OM, CP, and GE degradability. The SBM + Sil-All achieved the highest (p < 0.05) OM, NDF, and ADF degradability and acetic acid production than other treatments. The MOC control showed low (p < 0.05) pH, high fibre and GE, reduced butyric acid, and low 48 h gas production, indicating slower fermentation but improved stability. The MOC + Lalsil had high (p < 0.05) DM, low CO₂ and yeasts and moulds, and the highest (p < 0.05) CP degradability, propionic acid, and peak gas production at 12 h. The MOC + Sil-All showed high (p < 0.05) GE and WSC with peak GE degradation at 12 h, but low NDF degradability and reduced gas production. Overall, SBM improved degradability and fermentation efficiency, particularly with Sil-All, whereas MOC enhanced energy density and aerobic stability, with Lalsil optimising protein utilisation. Matching inoculant type to protein source is essential to optimise silage quality and rumen fermentation. Further research should assess different inoculant inclusion rates and include a maize-only control, and evaluate protein source inclusion under iso-nitrogenous conditions to allow more accurate comparisons. Full article

The rising cost of conventional protein sources such as soybean meal has prompted the search for sustainable and economical alternatives in aquafeeds. Sugar beet pulp (SBP), an abundant by-product of the sugar industry, possesses nutritional potential but is limited by its high fiber and anti-nutritional factors. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a promising approach to enhance its nutritive value and functional properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of mixed microbial solid-state fermented beet pulp (FBP) on the growth, systemic health and intestinal function of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). First, orthogonal optimization determined Lactiplantibacillus plantarum:Saccharomycopsis fibuligera:Bacillus subtilis = 1:3:3 as the optimal ratio, significantly improving the nutritional profile of FBP. Based on this optimized FBP, an 8-week feeding trial, five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated by replacing 0–12% soybean meal with FBP. The results demonstrated that 9% FBP inclusion yielded optimal growth performance and significantly improved muscle texture. At the systemic level, FBP supplementation reduced serum lipid markers and liver enzyme activities while enhancing antioxidant capacity. At the intestinal level, FBP promoted intestinal health by increasing key digestive enzyme (lipase, trypsin, amylase) activities, stimulating villus development, and improving intestinal antioxidant status. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis revealed that dietary FBP supplementation significantly modulated intestinal microbial composition, with notable enrichment of genera such as Leucobacter. In conclusion, FBP is a multi-functional ingredient that enhances growth, product quality, systemic physiology, and intestinal health in yellow catfish aquaculture. These findings provide a viable strategy for the sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products in aquafeeds. Full article

This experiment was designed to determine the effect of the Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (paracasei) strain NSMJ27, isolated from Korean fermented vegetable food (home-made kimchi), on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, cecal short-chain fatty acids, and ileal antioxidant/immunity indicators of laying hens. Ninety-six 55-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments with each treatment comprising eight replicates of six hens each. Experimental diets were prepared by mixing corn and soybean meal basal diets without or with L. paracasei NSMJ27 at 2.5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. Laying hens fed with the NSMJ27-supplemented diet were not affected (p > 0.05) in their laying performance or egg quality. With respect to ileal morphology, villus height: crypt depth ratio tended to be higher (p = 0.067) in laying hens fed with L. paracasei NSMJ27 vs. control diets. Dietary L. paracasei did not affect (p > 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, malondialdehyde contents, or secretory immunoglobulin A in ileal mucosa, but increased (p = 0.048) the activity of superoxide dismutase compared with the control diet-fed laying hens. Dietary L. paracasei elevated (p = 0.016) the relative percentage of butyrate but lowered (p = 0.057) that of isovalerate in cecal digesta. Dietary L. paracasei did not affect the percentages of cells expressing macrophages, B cells, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, or TCRγδ T cell surface markers (p > 0.05). Overall, these results suggest that dietary L. paracasei NSMJ27 could enhance gut health via increasing gut antioxidant capacity and butyrate production in the cecal digesta of laying hens. Full article

This study aimed to determine the ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) in various protein sources for 21-day-old broilers. A total of 448 Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to eight dietary treatments with eight replicates in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets included one nitrogen-free diet and seven test diets, each containing one of the following feed ingredients—dehulled soybean meal (SBM), fermented SBM (FSBM), rapeseed meal (RM), copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and fish meal (FM), as the sole source of AA. On day 21, all birds were euthanized and subsequently ileal digesta was collected from the distal two-thirds of the ileum, extending from Meckel’s diverticulum to 1 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction. The ileal digestibility of AA in the FM was the greatest, followed by the SBM. The ileal digestibility for AA in the SBM was greater than that in the RM. The ileal AA digestibility in the RM was greater than or not different from that in the FSBM, except for Val and Pro, and superior to the CM and the PKM. The ileal digestibility of AA in the FSBM was greater than or not different from those in corn DDGS, except for Met and Cys. Corn DDGS exhibited greater or not different ileal digestibility of AA compared to that of the CM and the PKM, except for Val and Asp, and the PKM was the lowest. In conclusion, the ileal digestibility of AA was the greatest in the FM, followed by the SBM, FSBM, the RM, corn DDGS, the CM, and the PKM. Furthermore, the results underscore the necessity for continuous evaluation of ileal AA digestibility in various protein sources. Full article

Cottonseed meal (CSM) is a cost-effective protein source, but its application is limited by the toxicity of free gossypol. Traditional physical and chemical detoxification methods are costly, energy-intensive, and cause nutrient loss, while microbial fermentation-based biological detoxification is considered more sustainable than chemical or physical approaches. This study reports an alkaline protease from the marine strain Bacillus safensis DL12 isolated from Yellow Sea sediments. Following cloning of its encoding gene and heterologous expression, enzymatic characterization of the purified enzyme revealed optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 50 °C, with Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and dithiothreitol (DTT) significantly enhancing its activity. Substrate hydrolysis analysis using the purified enzyme on soybean meal, peanut meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal demonstrated that, compared to the control group, cottonseed meal hydrolysates exhibited a 55.6% relative increase in peptide content and a 41.5% relative improvement in the degree of hydrolysis (DH), indicating higher hydrolysis efficiency among the four substrates. Notably, when hydrolyzing cottonseed meal with purified enzyme versus crude enzyme preparation at equivalent activity, the purified enzyme effectively reduced free gossypol content by 70% compared to the control, achieving more efficient detoxification than the crude enzyme preparation and most reported microbial treatments. These results highlight the potential of B. safensis DL12 protease as a marine-derived enzyme, offering promising prospects for enhancing protein digestibility and addressing the long-standing challenge of gossypol toxicity in cottonseed meal utilization. Full article

Global agriculture faces unprecedented challenges, including a projected population of 10 billion by 2050, declining arable land, and the urgent need to phase out antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to stem antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review evaluates fermentation technology as a sustainable solution to the “food–feed–fuel” three competing land uses. We systematically compare solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF), highlighting their quantitative advantages: SSF offers 2–3× higher volumetric productivity and 70–90% lower water usage for solid wastes (e.g., soybean meal, wheat bran), while SmF provides superior process control for high-value products (e.g., single-cell protein). Key molecular mechanisms are discussed, including enzymatic degradation of anti-nutritional factors (up to 95% phytate and 98.8% tannin removal), mycotoxin detoxification (60–80% reduction), and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds (e.g., vitamin B12 enrichment up to 15-fold). Fermented feeds benefit many livestock species, particularly in organic and high-density farming systems, improving growth performance, gut health, and disease resistance while reducing environmental footprints. Advanced technologies such as AI-driven digital twins, CRISPR-based strain engineering, and precision fermentation are explored to overcome bottlenecks, including heat dissipation, strain stability, and process control. Despite challenges in scale-up, economics, and divergent global regulations (EU, USA, China, Southeast Asia, and Africa), fermentation is a critical biotechnological paradigm for circularity—the circular bioeconomy—and long-term food security. Future research should prioritize cost-effective large-scale implementation and the harmonization of regulatory frameworks. Full article

The aquafeed industry is currently facing severe challenges such as increasingly tight supply and price fluctuations of traditional high-quality protein ingredients like fish meal and soybean meal. Therefore, actively exploring and developing new, stable, efficient, and sustainable feed protein sources to replace fish meal and soybean meal has become an urgent task and an important strategic direction for ensuring the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. Copra meal is a widely available plant protein source with lower cost compared to fish meal and soybean meal, demonstrating good application potential. However, copra meal has disadvantages including low protein content, imbalanced amino acid profile, high crude fiber content, numerous anti-nutritional factors, and low digestibility. These issues can be addressed through certain treatments (e.g., fermentation or water soaking) to enhance its nutritional value. Currently, research on copra meal in aquafeed is still relatively scarce. To enable the broader and more effective application of this promising feed ingredient in aquafeed, this review systematically summarizes the current research progress on the nutritional characteristics, appropriate inclusion levels, processing improvement technologies, and the effects of copra meal on the growth and health of aquatic animals, aiming to provide references for promoting resource diversification and sustainable development in the aquafeed industry. Full article

Due to the lack of corn and soybean meal in animal feeding, rice bran meal (RBM) has been proposed as a beneficial substitute for these feedstocks’ ingredients. Its fermentation by using diverse microbes has been adopted as a beneficial technique. In this study, 18 five-month-old finishing pigs (castrated Duroc × Landrace × Large White) were assigned to three dietary groups with six replicates in each group, designated as the control (CON), unfermented RBM (RBM), and fermented RBM (FRBM) groups. RBM was fermented with a mixture of Lactobacillus johnsonii L63 and hydrolytic enzymes at 37 °C and pH 4.8 for 60 h. The results indicated that incorporating 30% fermented or unfermented rice bran meal into the diets of finishing pigs had no significant effect on growth performance. Regarding serum biochemical parameters, most indicators, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and triglycerides, showed no significant alterations. However, in both the unfermented and fermented rice bran meal groups, the concentrations of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas serum nitric oxide levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The FRBM group improved intestinal morphology and the digestibility of nutrients (crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and gross energy) by altering the mTORC1 pathway and upregulating the relative expression of amino acid and peptide transporter genes in the jejunum. However, the dry matter digestibility decreased compared to the CON group. The RBM group reduced nutrient digestibility, along with alterations in hepatic gene expression related to amino acid metabolism and transport. Therefore, fermented rice bran meal may offer a potential substitute feed ingredient for use in swine diets when conventional ingredients like corn and soybean meal are in short supply. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of enzyme-bacteria co-fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, meat quality, and lipid metabolism of finishing pigs. A total of twenty-eight Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire finishing pigs (4 months of age; initial body weight: 60.92 ± 1.08 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments for a 45-day feeding trial, consisting of corn-soybean meal diet (CSD) and three experimental diets in which 50, 75 and 100% of soybean meal in the corn-soybean diet was replaced with FRSM. Results showed that replacing soybean meal with FRSM had no negative effects on the growth performance of finishing pigs, maintaining average daily gain and feed efficiency (p > 0.05). Compared with the CSD group, the FRSM group exhibited lower serum cholesterol (p < 0.05). The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and urea content levels were lower in the FRSM75 or FRSM100 groups than in the CSD group (p < 0.05). Compared to the CSD, FRSM feeding increased the pH_24h and triglyceride content but significantly decreased the drip loss, shear force and chewiness in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle (p < 0.05). Importantly, compared with the CSD, FRSM feeding significantly lowered the muscle SFA/UFA ratio, increased the PUFA/SFA ratio, and elevated threonine and valine levels (p < 0.05). The FRSM100 group exhibited further increases in umami amino acids (AAs), total essential AAs, and total AAs (p < 0.05). Morphological analysis indicated that, compared to CSD, the FRSM100 group had a significantly reduced muscle fiber perimeter in the LTL muscle (p < 0.05). Moreover, FRSM feeding up-regulated the expression levels of MyHC I and MyHC IIa and the lipogenic genes FASN, SREBP1, and SCD (p < 0.05). These results indicated that compared with rapeseed meal, FRSM exhibited a positive effect on improving the meat quality and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs and can be used as a suitable alternative protein source for soybean meal in finishing pig diets. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary xylanase and protease supplementation, applied individually or in combination, on growth performance, intestinal characteristics, gut fermentation, meat quality, and skeletal traits in broiler chickens. A total of 540-day-old male broiler chicks were allocated to six experimental groups and fed a control corn-soybean meal-based diet or diets supplemented with xylanase, protease, or a xylanase–protease combination. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved body weight gain and feed efficiency, particularly between days 22 and 42, and reduced intestinal digesta viscosity. Improvements in gut morphology were reflected by increased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratios, accompanied by higher cecal total volatile fatty acid concentrations, increased Lactobacillus populations, and reduced coliform counts. In contrast, breast meat physicochemical composition and antioxidant status were not affected by dietary treatments. Skeletal development was positively influenced, with improvements observed in selected morphometric and structural bone traits. Overall, dietary xylanase and protease supplementation enhanced broiler performance and skeletal development primarily through improved digestive efficiency and favorable modulation of gut morphology, microbial ecology, and intestinal fermentation, without adverse effects on meat quality. Full article