# Effects of Enzyme–Microbe Co-Fermented Ganoderma lucidum Spent Substrate on Growth Performance, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, Organ Indices, and Gut Microbiota in Yellow-Feathered Broilers

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding a fermented Ganoderma lucidum product to broiler chicken feed improves growth and gut health, with 1.5% being the most effective level.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating that enzyme–microbe co-fermented Ganoderma lucidum spent substrate improves broiler growth and gut microbiota structure.

## Key findings

- EFGLS supplementation improved growth performance and feed efficiency in broilers.
- A 1.5% EFGLS diet enhanced thymus development and enriched beneficial gut microbes.
- Cecal microbial diversity increased with 3.0% EFGLS, but 1.5% was more consistently beneficial.

## Abstract

This study evaluated the use of enzyme–microbe co-fermented Ganoderma lucidum spent substrate (EFGLS) as a feed additive for yellow-feathered broiler chickens. In a six-week feeding trial, broilers were fed diets supplemented with 1.5% or 3.0% EFGLS, partially replacing corn and soybean meal in a conventional basal diet. Both supplementation levels improved growth performance and feed efficiency compared with a control diet, while apparent nutrient utilization also trended upwards. A dietary inclusion level of 1.5% EFGLS was associated with improved thymus development, whereas the 3.0% supplementation level increased cecal microbial diversity. Notably, beneficial dominant microbial populations were more consistently enriched in broilers fed the 1.5% EFGLS supplemented diet. Overall, EFGLS represents a promising functional feed ingredient for broiler production, and under the conditions of this study, a supplementation level of 1.5% EFGLS is recommended.

The effects of dietary supplementation of enzyme–microbe co-fermented Ganoderma lucidum spent substrate (EFGLS) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, organ indices, and cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers are investigated. Healthy broilers (450 individuals of 22 days age) of similar body weight were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (five replicates/treatment, 30 birds/replicate). A control group received a corn–soybean meal-based basal diet; treatments received diets containing 1.5% or 3.0% EFGLS. Over six weeks, treatment-group broilers exhibited significantly greater average daily gain and a lower feed-to-gain ratio compared with the control group (p < 0.001); differences in apparent nutrient digestibility in EFGLS-supplemented groups were not significant. A thymus index was significantly higher in the 1.5% than 3.0% EFGLS group (p < 0.05); Pielou’s evenness, Shannon, and Simpson indices of cecal microbiota were significantly higher in the 3.0% EFGLS group than control group (p < 0.05); and a dominance index was significantly higher in the control group than in treatment groups. Under study conditions, dietary supplementation with EFGLS improved growth performance in broilers, associated with favorable changes in apparent nutrient digestibility, immune organ development, and cecal microbial community structure. Accordingly, we recommend a dietary supplementation level of 1.5% EFGLS.