Nano-formulated β-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhance immunity and protection against coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

This study investigated the effects of a β-glucans nanoformulation (β-GN) derived from Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae on immune responses and protection against coccidiosis in broilers. For this purpose, S. cerevisiae was cultured from baker's yeast followed by enzymatic extraction of β-glucans with a yield rate of 36.67 ± 1.17%. The β-GN was prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterized by FTIR-spectroscopy, which confirmed the structural integrity of β-glucans. Toxicological safety of β-GN was assessed prior to the experimental trial. The β-GN was supplemented to the broiler diets at three inclusion levels of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of feed. Results revealed that supplementation with β-GN significantly enhanced lymphoproliferative responses to T-cell mitogens and humoral immune responses to sheep red blood cells and to Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis vaccines (p < 0.05). β-GN supplementation also significantly improved feed conversion ratios (p < 0.05). Following the Eimeria challenge, β-GN supplemented groups exhibited significantly higher daily weight gains and markedly reduced oocyst counts compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, β-GN supplementation also resulted in higher protective indices and lower intestinal lesion scores. In conclusion, nano-formulated β-glucans demonstrated notable immunostimulatory and growth promoting effects in broilers, contributing to enhanced resistance against coccidiosis, and highlighting their potential as an effective immunomodulatory feed supplement in poultry production.