Isolation and Molecular Identification of Multidrug-resistant Bacteria Associated with Feline Otitis in Mosul, Iraq
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Phytobiotics and probiotics are widely used as functional feed additives in poultry production, yet their standalone application is frequently limited by the presence of antinutritional factors and colonization challenges. Fermentation has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations synergistically by enhancing bioactive bioavailability and probiotic metabolic activity. This study investigated the effects of supplementing broiler chickens with L. acidophilus-fermented P. angulata fruit filtrate on their growth performance and physiological conditions. A total of 280 mixed-sex Cobb broiler chicks were allotted to four groups, each consisting of seven replicates with 10 chicks per pen. The groups included T0 (chicks received untreated drinking water), T1 (drinking water containing 1% P. angulata fruit filtrate), T2 (drinking water with 1% probiotic L. acidophilus), and T3 (drinking water with 1% L. acidophilus-fermented P. angulata fruit filtrate). During the 32-day experiment, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly, while blood and internal organs were collected at day 32. Throughout the study, T3 exhibited a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to T0. The duodenal length in T2 and T3 was greater than in T1 but did not differ from T0. The relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius was higher in T1, T2, and T3 compared to T0. Thrombocyte counts were elevated in T1, T2, and T3 compared to T0. The concentrations of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), total protein, albumin and globulin in T3 were lower than in T0 and T1 but comparable to T2. Creatinine concentrations in T1 and T3 demonstrated a significant increase compared to T0. Compared to the control and T1 groups, T3 exhibited reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; meanwhile, the treatment had no effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In conclusion, L. acidophilus-fermented P. angulata fruit filtrate stimulated longitudinal growth of the duodenum, maintained hepatic health, reduced protein concentrations in the circulation, promoted bursa of Fabricius development, and mitigated free radical challenges as reflected by the reduced SOD activity.
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $30
OpenAlex ID: W7204469070