# Phytosynbiotic Containing Double-Layer Microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra Leaf Extract Improve Growth Performance and Gut Health in Broiler Chickens

## TL;DR

A new plant-based feed supplement improves chicken growth and gut health by combining probiotics and plant extract.

## Contribution

A novel phytosynbiotic with microencapsulated probiotics and plant extract is shown to enhance poultry productivity sustainably.

## Key findings

- DMP improved growth rate, feed efficiency, and economic returns in broiler chickens.
- DMP increased lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids in gut fermentation.
- DMP enhanced intestinal morphology and enriched beneficial gut bacteria.

## Abstract

The novel phytosynbiotic formulation of double-layer microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra leaf extract (DMP) represents a green and sustainable nutritional approach to modern poultry production. This natural feed innovation integrates plant-based bioactive compounds with beneficial probiotics to support gut health, improve growth performance, and reduce the reliance on antibiotic growth promoters. Dietary supplementation with the DMP improved the growth rate, feed efficiency, productive index, and economic returns in broiler chickens. These benefits were associated with improved nutrient digestibility and favorable changes in gut fermentation, including increased lactic acid and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. The DMP also promoted healthier intestinal morphology and selectively enriched beneficial gut taxa, such as Lachnospirales, Oscillospirales, and Lactobacillales, which are linked to intestinal function. Overall, the DMP demonstrates strong potential as an environmentally friendly and sustainable feed supplement that supports nutrient utilization and productive efficiency while aligning with responsible and safe broiler-farming practices.

This study investigated the effects of a novel phytosynbiotic feed supplement derived from double-layer microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra leaf extract (DMP) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut fermentation, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 250 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: basal control diet, antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) with chlortetracycline at 0.07%, and DMP supplementation at 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00% (w/w) for 42 days. Compared with the control diet, feeding the DMP led to linear or quadratic responses (p < 0.05) on average daily gain, feed efficiency, productive index, and economic returns. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and apparent metabolizable energy was enhanced in DMP-fed broilers, indicating improved nutrient utilization efficiency. These performance responses were accompanied by pronounced alterations in cecal fermentation, characterized by increased lactic acid, total volatile fatty acids, and particularly acetic and butyric acid levels (p < 0.01). Microbiome analysis revealed that the DMP selectively enriched fermentative SCFA-producing bacterial orders, including Lachnospirales, Oscillospirales, and Lactobacillales. It also reduced the relative abundance of less desirable taxa. As evidenced by an increased villus height and surface area in the duodenum and jejunum, along with a higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the ileum, feeding the DMP also enhanced small intestinal morphology. These coordinated morphological adaptations are indicative of enhanced epithelial maturation and reduced crypt hyperplasia, likely mediated by elevated microbial SCFA production in the gut. In conclusion, the DMP improved broiler growth performance by coordinating the modulation of the gut microbiota, SCFA levels, and intestinal morphology, resulting in enhanced nutrient digestibility and productivity. This phytosynbiotic strategy represents a sustainable plant-based alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for environmentally responsible poultry production.