Protective Effects of Benzoic Acid,

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Antibiotic growth promoters are increasingly restricted globally.
• Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) poses a significant threat to piglet health and performance.
• Alternative feed additives are needed to maintain animal health and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of benzoic acid, bacillus coagulans, and oregano oil supplementation in piglets challenged with ETEC.
• To assess the impact of these supplements on growth performance, intestinal barrier integrity, and immune response.

Main Methods:

• Thirty piglets were randomly assigned to six treatment groups, including control, ETEC-challenged, antibiotic-treated, and groups supplemented with benzoic acid, bacillus coagulans, and oregano oil combinations.
• Piglets were orally challenged with ETEC on day 22, and the trial lasted 26 days.
• Growth performance, diarrhea incidence, serum cytokine and LPS levels, jejunal mucosal sIgA, gene expression (Claudin-1, Mucin2, TLR4, NOD2), and gut microbiota were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Dietary supplementation with benzoic acid, bacillus coagulans, and oregano oil (AO and ABO) significantly inhibited the reduction in growth performance and diarrhea incidence induced by ETEC.
• These supplements prevented elevated serum TNF-α and LPS concentrations.
• The ABO combination notably alleviated jejunal inflammation, improved intestinal barrier integrity (upregulated Claudin-1 and Mucin2, downregulated TLR4 and NOD2 pathways), and enhanced jejunal and cecal microbiota composition.

Conclusions:

• Combined supplementation of benzoic acid, bacillus coagulans, and oregano oil effectively improves growth performance and alleviates ETEC-induced diarrhea in piglets.
• These benefits are attributed to enhanced intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, improved gut microbiota, and modulated immune status.
• The specific combination tested (3000 g/t benzoic acid + 400 g/t bacillus coagulans + 400 g/t oregano oil) shows promise as a safe and effective antibiotic alternative in piglet feed.