Metagenomics analysis of gut microbial diversity in broiler chicken

This study describes the metagenomics analysis of chicken gut bacteria based on dietary variation. Amplification and analysis of V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene using high-throughput amplicon sequencing was performed. Assessment of species richness, abundance and diversity among various bacterial communities was done through computational tools.Metagenomics analysis of chicken cecum samples showed higher bacterial diversity richness in plant-derived feed additive group with 313 operational taxonomic units. The identified bacteria were belonged to three main phyla; Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Proteobacteria. The presence of rare genus Akkermansia in plant-derived group depicted dietary variation can change the composition of chicken gut. The comprehensive taxonomic and metagenomics characterization of chicken gut bacteria in future serve as the baseline data to get an ultimate objective of rearing healthy chickens economically in Pakistan.