Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens

Carotenoids from different sources have different structures and functions, and their dietary components benefit the health of various organisms. The effects of halophilic Archaea-derived C50 carotenoids on poultry egg quality and gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated...

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Main Authors: Xufeng Dou, Guodong Zhang, Hao Tang, Xiaoxue Chen, Beibei Chen, Yuxia Mei, Haihong Jiao, Min Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3470
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author Xufeng Dou
Guodong Zhang
Hao Tang
Xiaoxue Chen
Beibei Chen
Yuxia Mei
Haihong Jiao
Min Ren
author_facet Xufeng Dou
Guodong Zhang
Hao Tang
Xiaoxue Chen
Beibei Chen
Yuxia Mei
Haihong Jiao
Min Ren
author_sort Xufeng Dou
collection DOAJ
description Carotenoids from different sources have different structures and functions, and their dietary components benefit the health of various organisms. The effects of halophilic Archaea-derived C50 carotenoids on poultry egg quality and gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated a carotenoid-secreting strain of <i>Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus</i>, TRM89021, from the Pamir Plateau. We characterized the carotenoid pigments produced by this strain; the major components were bacterioruberin and its derivatives. The effects of these carotenoids on the egg quality and cecal microbiota composition of hens were investigated. Compared to the basal diet group (BDG), supplementation with carotenoids in the carotenoids-supplemented diet group (CDG) resulted in significantly lower a* and b* scores at week 5 and lower b* scores and Haugh units at week 2, while egg strength and weight were higher. CDG also showed increased yolk antioxidant capacity, higher glutathione peroxidase levels, and significantly lower catalase levels (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Plasma analysis revealed elevated total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase levels, along with reduced inorganic phosphorus levels in the CDG (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No significant differences in cecal microbiota diversity were observed between the groups at any taxonomic level. This result suggests that halophilic archaea-derived carotenoids have the potential to be used as natural feed supplements to improve egg quality. Our study provides a theoretical basis for applying archaea-derived carotenoids in poultry diets.
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spelling doaj-art-10c445151a634644a91052b025ea19e62025-08-20T02:38:35ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011423347010.3390/ani14233470Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying HensXufeng Dou0Guodong Zhang1Hao Tang2Xiaoxue Chen3Beibei Chen4Yuxia Mei5Haihong Jiao6Min Ren7Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources in the Tarim Basin, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaKey Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources in the Tarim Basin, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaKey Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources in the Tarim Basin, Alar 843300, ChinaCarotenoids from different sources have different structures and functions, and their dietary components benefit the health of various organisms. The effects of halophilic Archaea-derived C50 carotenoids on poultry egg quality and gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated a carotenoid-secreting strain of <i>Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus</i>, TRM89021, from the Pamir Plateau. We characterized the carotenoid pigments produced by this strain; the major components were bacterioruberin and its derivatives. The effects of these carotenoids on the egg quality and cecal microbiota composition of hens were investigated. Compared to the basal diet group (BDG), supplementation with carotenoids in the carotenoids-supplemented diet group (CDG) resulted in significantly lower a* and b* scores at week 5 and lower b* scores and Haugh units at week 2, while egg strength and weight were higher. CDG also showed increased yolk antioxidant capacity, higher glutathione peroxidase levels, and significantly lower catalase levels (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Plasma analysis revealed elevated total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase levels, along with reduced inorganic phosphorus levels in the CDG (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No significant differences in cecal microbiota diversity were observed between the groups at any taxonomic level. This result suggests that halophilic archaea-derived carotenoids have the potential to be used as natural feed supplements to improve egg quality. Our study provides a theoretical basis for applying archaea-derived carotenoids in poultry diets.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3470carotenoidsegg quality<i>Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus</i>antioxidant capacitycecal microbiota
spellingShingle Xufeng Dou
Guodong Zhang
Hao Tang
Xiaoxue Chen
Beibei Chen
Yuxia Mei
Haihong Jiao
Min Ren
Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
Animals
carotenoids
egg quality
<i>Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus</i>
antioxidant capacity
cecal microbiota
title Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
title_full Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
title_fullStr Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
title_full_unstemmed Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
title_short Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
title_sort carotenoids from halophilic archaea a novel approach to improve egg quality and cecal microbiota in laying hens
topic carotenoids
egg quality
<i>Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus</i>
antioxidant capacity
cecal microbiota
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3470
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