Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers

The hybrid plant edible grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS), a member of the Rumex genus, presents a novel food source with a protein content of approximately 30–40%. By incorporating non-traditional feed sources, such as edible grass leaf po...

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Main Authors: Xinyao Li, Hao Ling, Zengyang He, Zihui Yang, Tao Jiang, Peng Huang, Jianguo Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Antioxidants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1291
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author Xinyao Li
Hao Ling
Zengyang He
Zihui Yang
Tao Jiang
Peng Huang
Jianguo Zeng
author_facet Xinyao Li
Hao Ling
Zengyang He
Zihui Yang
Tao Jiang
Peng Huang
Jianguo Zeng
author_sort Xinyao Li
collection DOAJ
description The hybrid plant edible grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS), a member of the Rumex genus, presents a novel food source with a protein content of approximately 30–40%. By incorporating non-traditional feed sources, such as edible grass leaf powder (EGLP), into broiler production, costs could be reduced. The experimental subjects of this study were Arbor Acres (AA) broilers. A total of 300 newly hatched broilers were randomly divided into to five groups, with each group consisting of six cages, housing 10 birds per cage. The control group was fed a basal diet composed of maize and soybean meal. In the experimental groups, varying percentages (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) of EGLP were substituted for the corn–soybean meal in the basal diet. In the diet, for days 1–21, the corn content was reduced from 1.90% to 8.20%, and the soybean meal content was lowered from 1.50% to 6.00%. Similarly, in the diet, for days 22–42, the corn content was decreased from 1.17% to 7.00%, while the soybean meal content was reduced by 1.50% to 6.00%. The experiment lasted 42 days and was divided into two phases: the brooding phase (days 1 to 21) and the finishing phase (days 22 to 42). The results show that substituting 3% and 6% EGLP for corn and soybean meal significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) during the brooding period compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Additionally, the group with a 3% substitution rate exhibited a significant increase in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the brooding phase (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Throughout the 42-day experiment, substituting 3% and 6% of EGLP for maize and soybean meal did not significantly affect the overall growth performance of broilers (<i>p</i> > 0.05). However, a 6% supplementation notably reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Both the 3% (EG3) EGLP and 6% (EG6) EGLP replacement meals significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens, as indicated by the increased levels of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Additionally, broilers supplemented with 3–12% showed a marked increase in cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The 3% EGLP replacement diet also significantly boosted the prevalence of <i>Lactobacillus</i> in the cecum (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Furthermore, after EGLP supplementation, there was a higher abundance of SCFA-metabolizing bacteria, particularly <i>Alistipes</i> and <i>Christensenellaceae_R-7</i>, compared to pre-treatment (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The prevalence of <i>Clostridium</i> was significantly greater in the groups receiving 9% and 12% EGLP (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while <i>Butyrivibrio</i> levels were notably higher after supplementation with 12% EGLP (<i>p</i> < 0.05).
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spelling doaj-art-b67944e24db54d599e7ceee56d2067112025-08-20T02:08:12ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212024-10-011311129110.3390/antiox13111291Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in BroilersXinyao Li0Hao Ling1Zengyang He2Zihui Yang3Tao Jiang4Peng Huang5Jianguo Zeng6College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaHunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaHunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaHunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaHunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaThe hybrid plant edible grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS), a member of the Rumex genus, presents a novel food source with a protein content of approximately 30–40%. By incorporating non-traditional feed sources, such as edible grass leaf powder (EGLP), into broiler production, costs could be reduced. The experimental subjects of this study were Arbor Acres (AA) broilers. A total of 300 newly hatched broilers were randomly divided into to five groups, with each group consisting of six cages, housing 10 birds per cage. The control group was fed a basal diet composed of maize and soybean meal. In the experimental groups, varying percentages (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) of EGLP were substituted for the corn–soybean meal in the basal diet. In the diet, for days 1–21, the corn content was reduced from 1.90% to 8.20%, and the soybean meal content was lowered from 1.50% to 6.00%. Similarly, in the diet, for days 22–42, the corn content was decreased from 1.17% to 7.00%, while the soybean meal content was reduced by 1.50% to 6.00%. The experiment lasted 42 days and was divided into two phases: the brooding phase (days 1 to 21) and the finishing phase (days 22 to 42). The results show that substituting 3% and 6% EGLP for corn and soybean meal significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) during the brooding period compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Additionally, the group with a 3% substitution rate exhibited a significant increase in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the brooding phase (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Throughout the 42-day experiment, substituting 3% and 6% of EGLP for maize and soybean meal did not significantly affect the overall growth performance of broilers (<i>p</i> > 0.05). However, a 6% supplementation notably reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Both the 3% (EG3) EGLP and 6% (EG6) EGLP replacement meals significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens, as indicated by the increased levels of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Additionally, broilers supplemented with 3–12% showed a marked increase in cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The 3% EGLP replacement diet also significantly boosted the prevalence of <i>Lactobacillus</i> in the cecum (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Furthermore, after EGLP supplementation, there was a higher abundance of SCFA-metabolizing bacteria, particularly <i>Alistipes</i> and <i>Christensenellaceae_R-7</i>, compared to pre-treatment (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The prevalence of <i>Clostridium</i> was significantly greater in the groups receiving 9% and 12% EGLP (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while <i>Butyrivibrio</i> levels were notably higher after supplementation with 12% EGLP (<i>p</i> < 0.05).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1291broilersgrowth performanceedible grassantioxidantSCFAsmicrobiota
spellingShingle Xinyao Li
Hao Ling
Zengyang He
Zihui Yang
Tao Jiang
Peng Huang
Jianguo Zeng
Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
Antioxidants
broilers
growth performance
edible grass
antioxidant
SCFAs
microbiota
title Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
title_full Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
title_fullStr Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
title_short Effects of Edible Grass (<i>Rumex patientia</i> L. × <i>Rumex tianschanicus</i> A. LOS) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Microbial Community Levels in Broilers
title_sort effects of edible grass i rumex patientia i l i rumex tianschanicus i a los leaf powder on growth performance antioxidant properties cecal short chain fatty acids and microbial community levels in broilers
topic broilers
growth performance
edible grass
antioxidant
SCFAs
microbiota
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1291
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