Production performances and antioxidant activities of laying hens fed Aspergillus oryzae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran

Objective Wheat bran (WB) was co-fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and phytase to see if co-fermentation improve wheat bran phosphorus and fiber utilization in Isa-brown layers. Methods A total of 112 Isa brown layer were randomly divided into 7 treatments with 8 replicates per a treatment and 2 hens per a replicate. The treatment include basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with 250 unit/kg phytase (Control+Phy), diet with 10% WB (10% WB), diet with 5% WB and 250 unit/kg phytase (5% WB+Phy) diet with 10% WB and 250 unit/kg phytase (10% WB+Phy), diet with 5% PCFWH and 125 unit/kg phytase (5% PCFWH), and diet with 10% PCFWH (10% PCFWH). The intestinal microbial population, intestinal morphology, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and excreta phosphorus content was assessed. Results In PCFWH, spore counts, protease activity, xylanase activity, and ferulic acid were 8.50 log/g DM, 190 unit/g DM, 120 unit/g DM, and 127 μg/g, respectively. Xylobiose and xylotriose were released in PCFWH, while they were not detectable in WB. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced in PCFWH compare to WB. The 10% WB+Phy and 10% PCFWH groups produced higher egg mass, a but hens fed 5% WB+Phy consumed the lowest amount of feed intake. Eggs from 10% PCFWH had better eggshell weight, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness. Birds fed with 10% PCFWH also had higher serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Compare to control, 10% PCFWH significantly reduced excreta phosphorus content. Conclusion 10 % PCFWH in diet improved egg quality, antioxidant status, and excreta phosphorus content of laying hens.