Effect of Brevibacillus laterosporus Probiotic on Hematology, Internal Organs, Meat Peroxidation and Ileal Microflora in Japanese Quails Fed Aflatoxin B1

In order to investigate the Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) removal ability of Brevibacillus laterosporus (Bl), 125 male Japanese quails aged 21-day-old were divided into 5 experimental groups with 5 replicates of 5 birds each. The experimental groups were control (basal diet), Bl (basal diet+10^8 cfu Bl mL^-1), AFB1 (basal diet+2.5 mg AFB1 kg^-1), AFB1+Bl (basal diet+2.5 mg AFB1 kg-1 and 108 cfu Bl mL-1), and AFB1+Improved Milbond-TX® (basal diet+2.5 mg AFB1 and 2.5 g Improved Milbond-TX® kg^-1). The AFB1 decreased hematocrit (P= 0.003), red blood cells (P 0.001), and white blood cells (P= 0.012) compared to the control while Bl probiotic improved those parameters. The highest relative liver and heart weight and lowest foam production and relative weight of bursa of Fabricius were observed in AFB1 group (P 0.05). However, the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and cloacal gland of birds fed Bl were similar to those in the control group. The low oxidation stability of meat samples resulting from the use of AFB1 improved due to use of Bl probiotic (P 0.001). The ileal population of Escherichia coli increased in AFB1 group while the lactic acid bacteria decreased. This condition was reversed due to administration of Bl probiotic (P 0.001). This study clearly showed that indigenous Bl probiotic could be effectively used to lessen the negative effects of AFB1 on meat quality and microbial ecosystem of growing quail chicks.