Mixed fungal polysaccharides enhance intestinal health, antioxidant capacity, and microbiota diversity in broiler chickens

Poultry production faces escalating challenges from intensive farming practices, where stressors, including high stocking density, pathogen exposure, and dietary fluctuations, disrupt intestinal integrity, microbiota balance, and antioxidant defenses [1].These disruptions impair nutrient absorption, growth performance, and immune function, leading to significant economic losses [2].Although antibiotics have historically mitigated such issues, growing restrictions due to antimicrobial resistance necessitate natural alternatives [1].Fungal polysaccharides (FP)-notably lentinan (LNT) from Lentinula edodes and polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum (GLP), are promising candidates owing to their immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and prebiotic properties [3].However, existing research focuses predominantly on individual FP, neglecting potential synergies in blended formulations.Structurally, LNT (-(13)-D-glucan backbone) enhances rumen volatile fatty acid production and fiber degradation [4], whereas GLP (heterogeneous /-glycans) potently activates the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and modulates Th1/Th2