The effect of a multi-carbohydrase enzyme and yeast-derived product on intestinal microbiome structure, activity, and gut function of turkeys

The effect of a multi-carbohydrase (E) and its combination with an enzymatically modified yeast cell wall (Y) on the ileal and cecal microbiota and on gut function of turkeys was studied. The experimental diets, including the control (C), C + E, and C + E + Y, were fed to seven replicate pens of four birds from 22 to 56 days of age. The addition of E + Y resulted in a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and a significant increase of Actinobacteria in ileal digesta. A significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes was not followed by the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, one of the butyrate-producing bacteria. This coincided with a significantly increased concentration of butyrate in the ileal digesta and the proportion of butyrate within the total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). As opposed to the ileum, the addition of E or E + Y did not affect the relative abundance of Firmicutes in ceca. The higher content of SCFA in the cecal digesta than in the ileum would reflect differences in microbial activities in both compartments, and possible increased SCFA absorption from the ileum. Overall, the positive effects of enzyme and yeast bioactive supplements on bacterial communities appeared to be more pronounced in the small intestine.