The Role of Probiotics in Enhancing Poultry Health
In recent years, the application of probiotics has surfaced as a scientifically validated and sustainable approach to improve gut health and performance in poultry, especially in the context of decreasing antibiotic reliance.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in sufficient quantities, provide health advantages to the host. For poultry specifically, the gastrointestinal tract plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and disease resistance, making gut health a pivotal focus area.
Among various probiotic options, spore-forming Bacillus subtilis strains, such as DSM 29784 (commercially known as Alterion or Bs29784), shine for their durability, consistent efficacy, and diverse mechanisms of action. Research indicates that Bs29784 positively influences gut microbial balance, preserves intestinal barrier integrity, and modulates immune responses, effectively germinating in vivo to deliver its health benefits.
Enhancing Microbial Balance for Improved Gut Function
A robust and diverse microbiota is vital for optimal gut function. Bs29784 boosts microbial equilibrium by raising the abundance of beneficial bacterial taxa while suppressing harmful organisms.
A study conducted over 42 days at Southern Poultry Research (US) found that broilers supplemented with Bs29784 (1×10⁸ CFU/kg feed) showcased a significant increase in beneficial genera like Ruminococcus (6.99% compared to 3.74% for control) and Lachnoclostridium (0.94% versus 0.47%). These bacteria expedite the degradation of complex carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate, which nourishes enterocytes and mitigates inflammation.
Strengthening the Gut Barrier
The intestinal barrier, made up of epithelial cells and tight junctions, is essential for preventing harmful substances from entering systemic circulation. Disruption of this barrier causes increased permeability, inflammation, and reduced nutrient absorption. Bs29784 enhances this barrier through various unique mechanisms.
In vivo supplementation with Bs29784 resulted in longer microvilli in the ileum (+18%) and cecum (+17%), thus supporting improved nutrient absorption. Gene expression analysis of jejunal tissue revealed the upregulation of crucial tight junction proteins including CLDN1, JAM2, and TJP1, indicating strengthened junctional integrity.
In an in vitro model using Caco-2 cells challenged with TNF-α (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), Bs29784 restored transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to near non-stimulated control levels (from 1,287 Ω·cm² to 1,723 Ω·cm²) and significantly reduced D-mannitol permeability (from 22.19 to 14.11 fmol/cm²), thereby showcasing its protective function in maintaining epithelial cohesion under stress.
Regulating Inflammation for Optimized Performance
Managing overactive inflammatory responses is crucial, as they redirect energy from growth towards immune activity. Bs29784 demonstrates capabilities to modulate the immune system by diminishing pro-inflammatory mediators and bolstering anti-inflammatory pathways. In an in vitro Caco-2 cell model exposed to IL-1β, a potent inflammation inducer, Bs29784 substantially reduced IL-8 secretion to levels similar to non-stressed controls, alongside polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Other commercial Bacillus strains (Bs A and Bs B) showed no reduction in IL-8 levels and, in some cases, even intensified the inflammatory response when challenged with mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol.
Bs29784 further contributes to immune balance by enhancing gut microbial production of SCFAs like butyrate, which prompts the secretion of antimicrobial host defense peptides (HDPs) and suppresses the expression of pathogenicity genes associated with Salmonella (SPI-1), reinforcing gut homeostasis.
Effective Germination: Key to Beneficial Effects
The ability of Alterion to effectively germinate in the gut is crucial for its beneficial outcomes. Its spores are metabolically dormant yet highly resistant to environmental factors such as heat and acidity. Upon ingestion, they necessitate germination into active vegetative cells to fulfill their functions. Unique in vivo confirmation of Bs29784’s germination was achieved using a dual-fluorescence reporter system, tagging spores with green fluorescence and vegetative cells with red fluorescence.
A recent 13-day study with broilers indicated predominant red fluorescence in the ileum of Bs29784-supplemented birds, signaling successful germination and activation of spores within 72 hours.
A field trial in Thailand, involving two production cycles across four farms, assessed intestinal contents (ileum, cecum) of broiler chickens over their 35-day lifespan. Results from quantitative digital-PCR confirmed the efficacy of the germination process under commercial conditions. Additionally, in vivo metabolite quantification—such as niacin, pantothenate, and hypoxanthine—was closely correlated with Alterion-derived Bacillus counts, underscoring the strain’s metabolic activity and efficacy post-germination.
Conclusion
Alterion serves as a next-generation probiotic designed specifically for poultry. By enhancing microbial diversity, reinforcing the gut barrier, regulating immune responses, and demonstrating proven in vivo germination, it consistently enhances bird performance while supporting a sustainable, antibiotic-free production system.
References available upon request.
