Modulation of Chicken Cecal Microbiota by a Phytogenic Feed Additive, Stodi®: A Metagenomic Analysis

Background: The cecal microbiota plays a critical role in gut health and utilization of nutrients left undigested in the small intestine. Objective: The impact of Stodi® on the composition of cecal microbiota was evaluated in broilers using high‑throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Materials and Methods: A total of 960 1‑day‑old Ross 308 chicks were allocated to four groups, namely, normal diet (ND), negative control (NTC; challenged with 1.7% magnesium chloride [MgCl2]), and Stodi® treatment groups which comprise NTC plus Stodi® (500 and 750 g/ton of feed). MgCl2 was used to increase the cecal moisture content, and in turn, to disturb the cecal microbiota. Results: Birds challenged with MgCl2 exhibited poor performance traits as compared to ND group, whereas the supplementation of Stodi® (500 and 750 g/ton) improved the performance of broilers. MgCl2 did not produce a notable change in the microbiota, but supplementation of Stodi® (500 and 750 g/ton) produced a statistically significant shift in the microflora in comparison with ND. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly elevated in comparison to ND. The abundance of energy harvesting bacteria belonging to specific families of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were increased by Stodi® supplementation, especially at 500 g/ton of feed. Conclusion: The supplementation of Stodi® was effective in modulating the cecal microbial population in a manner conducive for gut health and performance of broilers, as revealed by the increase in abundance of favorable microflora.