Work

Effects of Mealworm‐Based Synbiotics on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Metabolites, and Gut Health in Laying Japanese Quails

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This study explored the potential of synbiotics, formulated by combining either Lactobacillus plantarum or a commercial probiotic (Parsilact) with 1% mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor , MW) as a prebiotic, on the productive performance, egg quality, blood chemistry, organ weights, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of laying quails. The study involved 192 22‐week‐old laying quails over 56 days. Productive performance parameters, including feed intake, egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio, were not affected by the treatments ( p > 0.05). In contrast, synbiotic supplementation significantly improved egg quality, with treated birds producing heavier eggs with a greater yolk proportion ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Blood analysis revealed higher phosphorus levels in birds fed synbiotic diets ( p = 0.021) and lower triglyceride concentrations in the Parsilact group compared with the control ( p = 0.001). Regardless of probiotic source, the inclusion of MW enhanced gut health by increasing cecal Lactobacillus counts ( p = 0.001), while Escherichia coli remained unaffected. Overall, the findings indicate that incorporating MW into the diet, particularly in a synbiotic formulation, holds potential for enhancing egg quality and gut microbiota in laying quails without compromising overall performance.

Source: Food Science & Nutrition

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.71281

Authors: Sosan Mohammadi, Mehran Torki, Maryam Darbemamieh

Institution: Razi University

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630