Impact of Enzymatically Hydrolyzed and Fermented Canola Meal on Broiler Performance, Intestinal Health, and Peptide Transporter Peptide Transporters Gene Expression

This study examined the impact of enzymatically hydrolyzed and fermented canola meal (CM) on broiler performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters, cecal microbiota, intestinal morphology, and gene expression. A total of 540 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into nine dietary groups: a con-trol group (soybean meal-based), CM at 5% and 10%, CM hydrolyzed with protease at 5% and 10%, and CM fermented with Lactobacillus reuteri at 5% and 10%. The birds were fed these experimental diets from day 10 to day 32. Enzymatic hydrolysis and solid-state fermentation were performed using commercial protease and L. reuteri, respectively. The results showed that including 5% fermented CM in the diet had a minimal negative effect on broiler performance compared to other CM-supplemented diets. Additionally, this treatment resulted in the lowest abdominal fat, the highest gene expression levels (PepT1, PepT2, LEAP2), and improved small intestinal morphology. These findings indicate that enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation can alleviate the negative impacts of CM on broiler performance and intestinal health.