A novel sustainable role of compost as a universal protective substitute for fish, chicken, pig, and cattle, and its estimation by structural equation modeling

TL;DR

This study explores compost's potential as a universal protective agent for various farm animals, using structural equation modeling to identify key microbial and metabolic components involved.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of compost as a sustainable protective substitute across multiple animal industries, supported by SEM analysis.

Findings

Compost and derived bacteria modulate prophylactic activities in animals.

SEM identified key bacterial and metabolic groups linked to health benefits.

Lactobacillus and 2-aminoisobutyric acid are central to the protective mechanism.

Abstract

Natural decomposition of organic matter is essential in food systems, and compost is used worldwide as an organic fermented fertilizer. However, as a feature of the ecosystem, its effects on the animals are poorly understood. Here we show that oral administration of compost and/or its derived thermophilic Bacillaceae, i.e., Caldibacillus hisashii and Weizmannia coagulans, can modulate the prophylactic activities of various industrial animals. The fecal omics analyses in the modulatory process showed an improving trend dependent upon animal species, environmental conditions, and administration. However, structural equation modeling (SEM) estimated the grouping candidates of bacteria and metabolites as standard key components beyond the animal species. In particular, the SEM model implied a strong relationship among partly digesting fecal amino acids, increasing genus Lactobacillus as inhabitant beneficial bacteria and 2-aminoisobutyric acid involved in lantibiotics. These results highlight the potential role of compost for sustainable protective control in agriculture, fishery, and livestock industries.