Yeast sludge and its components ameliorate ochratoxin Ainduced toxicity in broiler chicks

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of yeast sludge (YS) and its components against ochratoxin A (OTA) in broiler chicks. Methods: Ochratoxin A (OTA) was produced through solid state fermentation, and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 1250 one-day old broiler chicks of Arbreaker breed were randomly assigned to five diet groups (A - E) replicated five times in such a way that each replicate had 50 chicks. The five diet groups were: A (normal poultry feed), B (200 µg/kg OTA), C (200 µg/kg OTA plus 2 g/kg YS), D (200 µg/kg OTA plus 2 g/kg yeast sludge cell mass, YSCM), and E (200 µg/kg OTA plus 2 g/kg yeast sludge cell wall (YSCW). The study lasted 35 days. Indices of liver and kidney functions were determined, as well as histopathological examination of samples of kidney, liver and bursa of Fabricius. Results: Supplementation of chicks diet with OTA at a dose of 200 ppb significantly reduced serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin, and creatinine, but significantly raised the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05). However, inclusion of YS, YSCM, and YSCW in OTA-contaminated diet significantly reversed the effect of OTA on the indices of liver and kidney functions (p < 0.05). Yeast sludge and its components also significantly ameliorated OTA-induced histological changes in the liver, kidney and bursa of Fabricius. Conclusion: These results indicate that YS and it components improve hepatorenal function and histological changes induced by OTA.