The incorporation of novel secondary metabolites from Sorghum bicolor into the diet of broiler chickens to improve gut health and performance in non-conventional production systems

Project Summary: Title: The incorporation of novel secondary metabolites from Sorghum bicolor into the diet of broiler chickens to improve gut health and performance in non-conventional production systems PD: Zachary Brenton PhD - Carolina Seed Systems Inc. Co-PDs: M. Terry Coffey PhD - Carolina Seed Systems Inc. Mireille Arguelles-Ramos PhD - Clemson University and Xiuping Jiang PhD - Clemson University In order for US animal production to remain competitive in the worldwide marketplace animal producers must continually focus and target increased productivity while continuously adapting to changes in consumer preferences. This is especially true for non-conventional systems: organic antibiotic-free non-GMO etc. Obtaining acceptable productivity in non- traditional production settings can be challenging from both a profitability and animal welfare standpoint. Without antibiotics new technologies are needed to increase feeding efficiency reduce mortality and promote overall animal health. Carolina Seed Systems Inc. in collaboration with Clemson University has identified select breeding lines and developed a hybrid with an enhanced metabolite profile (e.g. polyphenols including proanthocyanins and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins) that have the potential to confer numerous health benefits in non-conventional poultry operations. In vitro studies have demonstrated the potential to reduce the occurrence of both C. perfringens and E. maxima which are common and costly enteric pathogens in poultry. Unlike other 'natural' plant-based products with supposed antibiotic properties sorghum is widely used as a feed grain in US poultry production which would allow for easier commercial adoption. We hypothesize that the incorporation of sorghum with an improved metabolite profile will have a definitive measurable and positive impact on animal health which will translate to improved performance in non-conventional poultry production. Our overall objective is to determine if the putative secondary metabolites in Sorghum bicolor confer benefits in poultry nutrition and generate data needed for further commercialization of these underutilized plant metabolites. Our Phase I project will focus on generating proof-of-concept of these benefits in a small live animal challenge study to support the conclusions drawn from our in-vitro and plant- based research as we prepare for largescale feeding studies that seek to properly define the impacts of proprietary high metabolite sorghum on animal performance.