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Utilization of Sake lees as Broiler Feedstuff and its Effects on Growth Performance and Intestinal Immunity
Ken R Ito1, Tomonori Sato2, Hiro Goto1
1Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita-City 010-0195, Japan.
The Journal of Poultry Science
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Sake lees, a byproduct of Japanese rice wine production, can be used as poultry feed. Raw sake lees improved broiler intestinal immunity without hindering growth, unlike dried sake lees, indicating immediate use is best.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Food Science
Background:
- Food loss and waste (FLW) is a global challenge, with Japan seeking solutions for animal feed. Sake lees, a nutritious byproduct of sake production, are prone to spoilage.
- Limited self-supplied feed in Japan necessitates exploring alternative feed materials like sake lees for livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of raw sake lees (RSL) and dried sake lees (DSL) as poultry feed ingredients.
- To determine the impact of RSL and DSL on broiler growth performance and intestinal immunity.
Main Methods:
- A two-week feeding trial with three-week-old broilers (n=8 per group) using control, RSL, and DSL diets.
- Assessment of feed efficiency, growth performance, and intestinal immunity via RT-qPCR analysis of specific gene expression (TGF-β1, AvBD12).
Main Results:
- Broilers fed the RSL diet showed growth performance equivalent to the control group.
- The DSL diet led to decreased growth performance due to reduced feed intake.
- RSL feeding significantly increased mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and avian β-defensin (AvBD)12 in the broiler ileum.
Conclusions:
- Raw sake lees should be used immediately as animal feed without drying to maintain palatability and growth performance.
- Sake lees can activate intestinal immunity in chickens, suggesting potential health benefits.
- Sake lees have a lower fat content than corn, necessitating supplementation with high-energy feed sources for optimal broiler nutrition.
