Using metabolomics to assess the impact of different yeast fermentate dietary postbiotic supplementation levels on 14 day old broiler chick cecal contents

Yeast fermentate (YF) products possess postbiotic properties, which potentially impact gut microbial activities. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing a commercial YF product (ProBiotein^®, PB) in commercial broiler diets on cecal microbial activity, using metabolomic analysis. Birds were supplied ad libitum a corn–soybean meal basal diet supplemented with either 0.75% sand or diets with 0.00% PB, 0.20% PB; 0.50% PB; 0.75% PB substituted for sand. Untargeted metabolomics were incorporated to evaluate similarities and dissimilarities in the cecal metabolome of broilers fed control with no YF and those fed YF diets. Untargeted metabolomics analyses revealed that the YF product had a greater influence on the cecal metabolome than the control diet. For example, profiles of fatty acid and methionine associated metabolites were different in the 0.5YF group compared with the control group. In addition, significant modulations were detected in pathways of sphingolipid, purine and arachidonic acid metabolism. These results reveal that YF products have significant effects on early broiler cecal microbial metabolism. Further research into the effects of feed amendments at different phases of the production cycle may help the poultry industry design strategies for improving bird performance and address potential food safety issues.