Effects of corn husks derived xylooligosaccharides on performance of broiler chicken

Pentose based prebiotic xylooligosaccharides attracts greater attention around the world because it exhibits several beneficial effects to the host. Therefore, an in vivo experiment was carried out to reveal the effects of corn husks derived xylooligosaccharides in broiler chicken. The day-old broiler chickens (96; divided into 2 groups) were raised for 3 weeks on control diet or same diet supplemented with 0.5% xylooligosaccharides (XOS); derived from corn husks. In order to produce the XOS, xylan was extracted from the corn husks by alkaline extraction. The xylan was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at pH 5.8, temperature 44°C, enzyme dose of 5.7U/ml for 17h to yield XOS. The concentrated XOS was supplemented in the diet of broiler chicken during the entire experimental periods. Albeit, no positive influence was noticed on either the live weight or feed conversion efficiency, but 0.5% XOS supplementation resulted in to selective stimulation of Bifidobacteria, coupled with reduction in the population of Streptococci and E. coli in the caecum of broiler chicken. In line with the caecal microflora changes, blood biochemical profiling reflected reduced cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentration as a result of XOS supplementation. Thus, corn husks derived XOS showed positive influence on caecal microflora and blood biochemical profile in broiler chicken and could be incorporated in the diets for ensuring beneficial effects.