Rhamnolipids enhance growth performance by improving the immunity, intestinal barrier function, and metabolome...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Rhamnolipids (RLS) are biodegradable glycolipid biosurfactants with low toxicity and antibacterial properties.
• Investigating RLS as a sustainable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Rhamnolipids (RLS) as a substitute for antibiotics in broilers.
• To assess RLS effects on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal barrier function.
• To analyze the impact of RLS on broiler metabolome composition.

Main Methods:

• Broilers were supplemented with RLS.
• Growth performance, immunity, and intestinal barrier function were measured.
• 16S rRNA sequencing and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS metabolomics were employed to analyze gut microbiota and metabolites.

Main Results:

• RLS supplementation significantly improved broiler growth, immunity, and intestinal barrier function.
• The genus Alistipes became dominant in the gut microbiota of RLS-treated broilers.
• RLS altered sphingolipid, glycine/serine/threonine, glycerophospholipid, and tryptophan metabolism.

Conclusions:

• L-Tryptophan may mediate RLS's effects on growth and metabolism.
• RLS demonstrate potential as effective dietary alternatives to antibiotics in broiler production.
• The optimal RLS supplementation level was determined to be 1000 mg/kg diet.