promote beneficial outcomes for the animal. The high-quality research conducted to understand the exact mechanism of action of PBs has demonstrated that it increases metabolic functions intrinsic to the microbiome that are able to detoxify unabsorbed amino acids and leaked host protein, independent of the microbiota composition. This leads to higher resilience to enteric stress, better nutrient utilisation, improved welfare and reduced emissions. Similar to its host, the microbiome possesses a metabolism


that can be modulated in specific ways. For example, being able to positively alter the protein metabolism of microbes would lead to an enhanced production of beneficial substances, such as branched and short-chain fatty acids, and polyamines. On the other hand, suppressing undesirable functions of the bacteria can reduce ammonia/ammonium production and emission, and reduce the generation of skatole and other indoles that increase luminal pH, cause epithelial damage and negatively impact litter quality and welfare, among other negative effects. We have demonstrated that our PB consistently shifts overall


microbial metabolism (Figure 1A), by increasing the abundance of beneficial pathways and decreasing the abundance of putrefactive pathways (Figure 1B). It is essential to understand that it’s not protein fermentation in


general that is a concern, but specific functions of bacterial protein fermentation. Being able to specifically reduce these undesirable functions is important in poultry production. Increasing nitrogen metabolism and the conversion of ammonia into amino acids can influence the total amount of nitrogen and ammonia excreted, with the amino acids potentially used to build microbial protein. Decreasing nitrogen and ammonia secretions can help lower producers’ environmental impact.


(B)


Final considerations Enteric bacterial infections are one consequence of modern intensive animal production and can lead to major financial losses and increase the risk of foodborne illness from bacterial contamination of meat and meat products. However, influencing the functions of the microbiome that can lead to higher utilisation of nitrogen and lower production of undesirable products may be a viable approach to mitigate intestinal issues. The increased production of propionic and butyric acids by the bacteria may be another mechanism by which precision biotics act on the host and support nutrient use. By modulating what bacteria are produced in the intestines of chickens, we can support performance and welfare and deliver more consistent results for producers. Regional restrictions on product availability may apply. Please speak with your local DSM representative for more information and advice: DSM Animal Nutrition & Health, Heanor:


Tel +44 (0) 1773 536539


Figure 1: Overall microbiome metabolism shift promoted by SymphiomeTM SymphiomeTM


(A), and abundance of pathways changed with relative to control.


(A)


FEED COMPOUNDER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 29


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