Investigation of Trehalose Supplementation Impacting Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium perfringens from Broiler Farming

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Trehalose, a disaccharide, which can be found in animals, plants and micro-organisms, was permitted to be used as a legal food additive by the FDA (USA) and the European Union. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether trehalose can impact growth performance and pathogenic bacteria inoculation in broilers. In the first experiment, the tolerance of broilers to the addition of trehalose to their feed was investigated. During the 35-day feeding period, it was observed that a trehalose dosage up to 10% does not exert a negative effect on broiler farming. The antibacterial tests of trehalose on Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium perfringens were observed over a 5-week feeding period. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the bacterial counts of C. jejuni and C. perfringens in broilers. However, Lactobacillus counts significantly increased in these groups with 3% and 5% trehalose supplementation. In summary, trehalose cannot directly impact broilers’ growth performance when C. jejuni and C. perfringens are found in the broilers’ gut, but it can be used as a prebiotic in their feed by raising Lactobacillus counts. Although trehalose did not show promise in reducing C. jejuni and C. perfringens in poultry, the results of this research are helpful in the study of the pathogen-specific characteristics of trehalose. ABSTRACT: In 2006, the European Commission banned the use of antibiotic promoters in animal feed. However, there is a new situation in poultry disease where it is necessary to study feed additives, which can overcome the diseases that were previously controlled through the addition of antibiotics and antimicrobial growth promoters in the feed. Therefore, trehalose was investigated to determine whether it impacts the growth performance and pathogenic bacteria (C. jejuni and C. perfringens) inoculation in broilers. In the first experiment, the tolerance of broilers to the addition of trehalose to their feed was investigated. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in body weight changes, daily weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion ratio during the feeding period. Within a 35-day feeding period, it was concluded that a trehalose dosage up to 10% does not exert a negative effect on broiler farming. Moreover, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the broilers’ growth performance, as well as C. jejuni and C. perfringens counts in the intestines and feces of broilers observed over a 5-week feeding period. However, Lactobacillus counts significantly increased in these groups with 3% and 5% trehalose supplementation. The findings indicate that trehalose supplementation in the feed cannot directly decrease C. jejuni and C. perfringens counts but may enhance gut health by raising Lactobacillus counts in chicken gut, particularly when enteropathogenic bacteria are present.