Intestinal Microbiota, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Oxidative Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Mushroom Waste Compost By-Products

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study investigated the effects of Pennisetum purpureum waste mushroom compost (PWMC) supplementation on microbiota, as well as its effects on the antioxidant capacities and inflammatory response characteristics of broiler chickens. Results showed that a 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PWMC feeds could enhance the health of chickens by maintaining intestinal microbiota balance, improving antioxidant capacities, and decreasing inflammatory response. Supplementation also further increased the appetite of broilers, thereby improving their growth performances. Furthermore, the number of Lactobacillus also increased in the intestinal tracts. High-fiber mushroom waste compost effectively increased the mRNA expression of appetite-related genes in broilers. The broilers’ gut barrier function also increased, while the number of Turicibacter in the cecum decreased. It was concluded that a 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PWMC could enhance intestinal health; therefore, it is recommended for the broiler chickens’ diet. ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of using mushroom waste compost as the residue medium for Pleurotus eryngii planting, which was used as a feed replacement; its consequent influence on broiler chickens’ intestinal microbiota, anti-inflammatory responses, and anti-oxidative status was likewise studied. A total of 240 male broilers were used and allocated to four treatment groups: the basal diet—control group (corn–soybean); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PWMC (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via FPW (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented PWMC); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PP (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2). Each treatment had three replicates and 20 birds per pen. The levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase mRNA as well as protein increased in the liver and serum in chickens, respectively; mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes were also suppressed 2 to 10 times in all treatments as compared to those in the control group. The tight junction and mucin were enhanced 2 to 10 times in all treatment groups as compared to those in the control, especially in the PWMC group. Nevertheless, the appetite-related mRNA levels were increased in the PWMC and FPW groups by at least two times. In ileum and cecum, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios in broilers were decreased in the PWMC, FPW, and PP groups. The Lactobacillaceae in the ileum were increased mainly in the PWMC and control groups. Overall, high-fiber feeds (PWMC, FPW, and PP) could enhance the broilers’ health by improving their antioxidant capacities and decreasing their inflammatory response as compared to the control. Based on the results, a 5% replacement of the soybean meal via PWMC is recommended in the broiler chickens’ diet.