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Effects of Galacto-Oligosaccharides and a Bifidobacteria lactis-Based Probiotic Strain on the Growth Performance and Fecal Microflora of Broiler Chickens

S. J. Jung^*, R. Houde, B. Baurhoo, X. Zhao and B. H. Lee^*,,1

^* Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada; Agro-Kimika Concepts, Dorval, Quebec, H9P 2A2, Canada; Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada; and Food Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ste-Hyacinthe, Quebec, J2S 8E3, Canada

¹ Corresponding author: byong.lee{at}mcgill.ca

A galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotic was prepared by reacting a high concentration of lactose (40% wt/vol) with a β-galactosidase enzyme for 24 h at 37°C. The enzyme was produced from recombinant Pichia pastoris X-33 cells. The study aimed at evaluating the effects of the prebiotic, a Bifidobacterium lactis-based probiotic, and the combination of these dietary additives on BW, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and fecal counts of total anaerobic bacteria, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria in broiler chickens. No significant differences in BW, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were found among the various groups. The study showed that GOS selectively stimulated the fecal microflora of broiler chickens. Total anaerobic bacteria and lactobacilli were increased by 3.4- and 3.56-fold, respectively, in chickens fed the diet containing GOS (3 kg per 25 kg) and B. lactis for 40 d compared with those fed the control diet. The bifidobacteria population in chickens fed the diet containing GOS (3 kg per 25 kg) and B. lactis significantly increased 21-fold in comparison to the control-fed birds. In particular, increasing the dietary concentration of GOS was accompanied by significant increases (P < 0.05) in bifidobacteria counts. The detectable population of bifidobacteria was also greater (P < 0.05) in chickens fed the diet containing GOS and bifidobacteria when compared with chickens fed a bifidobacteria-containing ration only. These results suggest that using GOS in combination with a B. lactis-based probiotic favored intestinal growth of bifidobacteria in broiler chickens.

Key Words: galacto-oligosaccharide • prebiotic • recombinant lactase • bifidobacteria • probiotic