Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

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Livestock Science
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/livsci

Effects of replacement of soybean meal with fermented soybean meal on

growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics
in broiler
Ali Husnain a,† , Urooj Anwar a,† , Asfa Fatima a , Riaz Mustafa b, Umar Farooq b,
Waseem Abbas a , Muhammad Farooq Khalid b, Muhammad Ashraf a,
Muhammad Aziz ur Rahman a,*
a
Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
b
University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Constituent College, Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

H I G H L I G H T S

• Replacement of 2.5 % soybean meal with fermented soybean meal results in better nutrient digestibility in broilers.
• Fermented soybean inclusion in broiler diet improves feed efficiency in broilers.
• 2.5 % fermented soybean level is recommended in broiler diet for optimum growth performance.

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The study’s objective was to evaluate the impacts of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with fermented soybean meal
Anti-nutritional factors (FSBM) in the diet of broilers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. A total of
Broilers 800 day-old broiler chicks weighing 39 ± 2 g were reared for the trial of 35 days. Chicks were randomly
Feed intake
divided into four treatments of 10 replicates, having 20 chicks per replicate. Treatments were basal diet having
Fermented soybean
Growth performance
0 % FSBM (control group), 2.5 %, 5 % and 7.5 % replacement of SBM with FSBM. Weekly feed intake (FI), body
Ileal nutrient digestibility weight gain and mortality were determined and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also calculated. Ileal
nutrient digestibility was determined on days 21 and 35 by using an external marker method. For the evaluation
of carcass parameters, two birds from each replicate were randomly slaughtered on 35th day. The results showed
that dietary treatments did not affect the FI of birds (P > 0.05). However, the birds fed 2.5 % FSBM-based diet
showed better weight gain and decrease in FCR (P < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility (ether extract and crude
protein) was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) by 2.5 % FSBM on day 21st and 35th day (P < 0.05). Similarly, no
effect was shown (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments on carcass characteristics on days 21 and 35 of the experiment.
In conclusion, replacing 2.5 % of SBM with FSBM in the diet improves growth performance and ileal nutrient
digestibility in broilers without affecting FI or carcass characteristics.

1. Introduction nutrition, the majority of protein share in the diet is fulfilled by soybean
meal (SBM) (Habib et al., 2016; Santos et al., 2013). Soybean meal is
In poultry production, the quality of protein sources is essential for considered the best plant-based protein source, having a well-balanced
optimum growth, feed intake (FI), production and carcass characteris­ amino acid profile (Xue et al., 2024). However, SBM contains ANFs
tics of broilers (Gilani et al., 2012; Li et al., 2020). Protein quality is like trypsin inhibitors, soy globulins, lectins and lipoxygenase (Cao
determined by the contents of amino acids, its digestibility as well as the et al., 2024; Feng et al., 2007). Hence, the use of elevated concentrations
amount of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) (Beski et al., 2015). In poultry of SBM protein in broilers, especially in young chicks, is not considered

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. Aziz ur Rahman).
†
Contributed equally.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105779
Received 22 January 2025; Received in revised form 12 April 2025; Accepted 1 July 2025
Available online 2 July 2025
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A. Husnain et al. Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

safe (Ward, 1996; Abdel-Raheem et al., 2023). Various studies have assistant was mixed with 300–500 liters of water. Further 1000 kg of
suggested that the purification of SBM from ANFs is possible by the SBM was also included and the resultant blend was maintained at 35 ∘ C
process of fermentation (Engberg et al., 2009; Miao et al., 2024). Zeng for 48 to 72 hours. The finished product had a moisture content of ≤
et al. (2017) reported that fermentation is an effective tool that can 12%, crude protein (CP) content of ≥48 % and pH ≤5.6 %. The
reduce the ANFs of SBM and improve its nutritional value. Engberg et al. experimental birds were reared on floor litter (Anwar et al., 2023a;
(2009) also demonstrated in a study that fermentation of SBM reduces Mohamed et al., 2023) with pens having dimensions 2.43 m × 0.91 m
ANFs and produces a significant amount of lactic acid bacteria. (length and width) in the environment control house with the provision
Furthermore, the fermentation of SBM increases the levels of organic of light for 24 hours and at 35 ◦ C temperature during the first week,
acids (Canibe and Jensen, 2012) that ultimately lead to an increased which was then reduced weekly by 2.78 ◦ C until reaching 24 ◦ C
shelf life of the feed (Niba et al., 2009). Various studies have summa­ (Rehman et al., 2024). A two-inch deep layer of rice husk was evenly
rized that including fermented soybean meal (FSBM) results in better spread on the floor as a bedding material. The pelleted form of feed and
growth performance (Naveed et al., 2024), carcass yield and nutrient water were available without any restriction to the experimental birds.
digestibility in broilers (Kim et al., 2016). For example, Li et al. (2020) The basal diets having specific nutrient and chemical compositions as
reported that a 25 % replacement of SBM with FSBM promotes growth shown in Table 1 were prepared as stated by the National Research
performance, immune response and healthy cecal microbiota in broiler Council (2001).
birds. Furthermore, Chachaj et al. (2019) also reported that the
replacement of SBM at a concentration of 6 % with FSBM improves 2.2. Feed intake and growth performance
immune status and growth performance in broilers. Similarly, Guo et al.
(2020) concluded that 2.5 % inclusion of FSBM improves carcass char­ To evaluate the parameters of growth performance such as body
acteristics and stability of broiler meat. weight gain (BWG) and FCR during the 35 days of experimental trial, FI
Based on the review, it is observed that broiler birds show better as well as body weight (BW) was calculated weekly as demonstrated by
performance at lower levels of FSBM in the diet (Akhirini et al., 2024). Abd-El Ghany et al. (2023) and Ahmad et al. (2023). In short, a differ­
Previous studies used fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae and ence method was used to calculate FI weekly by subtracting the refused
Neurospora crassa) and bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum feed from the offered feed. To avoid any chances of error and to calculate
and Lactobacillus acidophilus) for the fermentation of SBM to evaluate its the FI correctly, daily mortality was also noted. Similarly, to obtain the
inclusion level and changes in FI, growth performance, feed conversion BWG, the initial BW at the onset of every week was subtracted from the
ratio (FCR), nutrient digestibility and carcass parameters in the broiler final BW at the end of every week. Furthermore, the FCR was also
(Jazi et al., 2019; Mathivanan et al., 2006). However, to our knowledge, determined weekly using the following equation:
the collective use of Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces
FCR = Feed intake in grams /Weight gain in grams
cerevisiae as a fermentation agent for SBM and its inclusion in broiler diet
has not yet been determined. Therefore, this study aims to assess the
impacts of SBM replacement with FSBM in the broiler diet on growth 2.3. Carcass characteristics
performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. The
current study hypothesized that SBM replacement with FSBM (fer­ On days 21 and 35, at random two birds per replicate were hand­
mented with Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and yeast) will show better picked then individually weighed and bled to death by cutting the ju­
growth, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics because of gular vein (Ramaiyulis et al., 2023). After slaughtering, the feathers
higher digestibility, lower toxin level and shorter peptide length of were removed and the abdominal cavity was then opened to get the
FSBM. required organs as described in previous study (Yu et al., 2024). To
determine the percentage of dressing, breast and thigh meat, the weights
2. Materials and methods of carcass, breast and thigh meats was divided by the live weight and
then respectively, multiplied by 100 (Enriquez and Secondez, 2024;
2.1. Experimental design and animal management Wahid et al., 2024). Similarly, the relative organ weight percentage of
various internal organs (heart, liver, bursa, spleen and gizzard) of the
The experimental trial was conducted at Research and Development slaughtered birds was assessed by using the equation such as respective
Farm, Sindh Feeds and Allied Products (Pvt. Ltd) Karachi. Experimental organ weight divided by carcass weight multiplied by 100, following Gul
and feeding trials and slaughtering procedure were carried out under the and Alsayeqh (2023).
recommendations of the Advanced Studies and Research Board, Uni­
versity of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan (IADS/2021/015). In total, 2.4. Nutrient digestibility and chemical analysis
800 day-old Ross broiler birds weighing 39 ± 2 g were purchased
for the experimental trial of 35 days. The chicks were randomly allo­ The nutrient digestibility of feed and digesta was determined by
cated into four experimental treatments of 10 replicates, consisting of 20 using the external marker method. Celite® (a source of acid-insoluble
chicks per replicate. Dietary treatments were a control diet, having corn- ash) was included (1 %) in the experimental diets on days 21st and
soy based diet with 0 % FSBM, 2.5 % substitution of SBM with FSBM, 5 35th of the trial. To determine the ileal nutrient digestibility, one bird
% substitution of SBM with FSBM and 7.5 % substitution of SBM with from each replicate was dissected immediately following sacrifice using
FSBM in the basal diet. Fermented soybean meal was provided by Sindh sodium pentobarbitone. The ileum contents were collected by carefully
Feeds and Allied Products (Pvt. Ltd), Karachi. Complex bacterial strains pouring distilled water into a culture plate from the site of Meckel’s
of Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and yeast were used as fermentation diverticulum to roughly 2 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction, as
assistants. Lactobacillus with ≥ 2 × 10⁸ CFU/g, Bacillus subtilis with ≥ 2 × demonstrated by Anwar et al. (2023b). The samples taken from the
10⁸ CFU/g, and yeast with ≥ 2 × 10⁷ CFU/g were used as the fermen­ ileum were composited based on replicates and frozen immediately at
tation assistant. During the fermentation process, 4–5 kg of fermentation − 18 ◦ C and then kept in a lyophilizer. After removing from the lyoph­
ilizer, the digesta samples were grounded, passed through a 60-mesh

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A. Husnain et al. Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

Table 1
Ingredient and chemical composition of diets with fermented soybean meal offered during starter, grower and finisher phases of broiler (as-fed basis).
Starter (1–10 days) Grower (11–21 days) Finisher (22–35 days)

FSBM (%) 0 2.5 5 7.5 0 2.5 5 7.5 0 2.5 5 7.5

Ingredients Inclusion levels

Maize 46.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00
1
FSBM 0.00 2.50 5.00 7.50 0.00 2.50 5.00 7.50 0.00 2.50 5.00 7.50
2
SBM 29.60 27.10 24.60 22.10 28.33 25.83 23.33 20.83 21.00 18.50 16.00 13.50
Rice polish 5.60 6.00 6.50 7.50 9.58 10.1 1.70 11.3 9.51 10.00 10.50 11.20
Canola meal 10.00 9.70 9.30 8.50 6.40 6.00 5.54 5.08 8.47 8.06 7.66 7.18
Oil 4.20 4.10 4.00 3.80 5.40 5.28 5.14 5.00 6.18 6.06 6.00 5.72
3
MCP 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
Limestone 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Sodium Chloride 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42
Lysine sulphate 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44
L-Methionine 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
L-Thrionine 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.24
L-Valine 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.19
Premix* 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Chemical composition
4
CP 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 21.50 21.50 21.50 21.50 19.50 19.50 19.50 19.50
5
ME (Kcal/Kg) 3000 3000 3000 3000 3100 3100 3100 3100 3200 3200 3200 3200
Lysine sulphate 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15
Methionine 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47
Methionine+Cystine 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77
Isoleucine 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61
Valine 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88
Arginine 1.27 1.27 1.27 1.27 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96
Tryptophan 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18
Threonine 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76
Phosphorus 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38
Calcium 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78
Sodium 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17
Chlorine 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29
*
Per kg premix contains: 10,000 IU of vitamin A, 11.0 IU of Vitamin E, 1.1 mg of Vitamin K, 1100 IU of Vitamin D3, 5 mg of Riboflavin, 12 mg Calcium, 0.11 mg D-
biotin, 0.3 mg Iodine, 60 mg Manganese, 50 mg Zinc, 1.55 mg Folic acid, 0.1 mg Cobalt, 30 mg Iron, 5 mg Copper and 1 mg Selenium
1
FSBM: Fermented soybean meal
2
SBM: Soybean meal.
3
MCP: Monocalcium phosphate.
4
CP: Crude protein.
5
ME: Metabolizable energy.

sieve and finally stored in plastic tubes at 4 ◦ C until chemical analysis treatments. Results were declared significantly different at a P-value
was performed. <0.05.

)
% marker in feed % nutrient in feces
Digestibility coefficient (%) = 100 − (100 × ×
% marker in feces % nutrient in feed

3. Results

The CP, ether extract (EE) and dry matter (DM) contents of feed 3.1. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio
samples were analyzed. The nitrogen present in the feedstuff was
calculated using the Kjeldahl apparatus while the CP was then assessed The impacts of SBM replacement with FSBM in the diet of broilers on
by multiplication of nitrogen with 6.25. The EE of the samples was the growth performance (FI, weight gain and FCR) of birds during the
calculated Soxhlet apparatus. Moreover, to determine the DM content, experimental trial are shown in Table 2. The FI of birds remained un­
the 5 g sample was oven-dried at 105 ∘ C overnight according to AOAC affected (P > 0.05) from days 1 to 35 but showed a slight numerical
(1990). decrease in FI with 2.5 % supplementation of FSBM. The statistical
analysis showed that maximum weight gain (P < 0.05) was shown in
birds that received 2.5 % FSBM in the diet and the least weight gain was
2.5. Statistical analysis
noted in the birds that received 0 % FSBM in the diet. It was observed
that FCR was better in 2.5 % substitution of SBM with FSBM during the
For the statistical analysis, all the experimental data was processed
trial (P < 0.05).
through the software SPSS 19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). To assess
differences among the treatments, one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) was performed. For the determination of which specific
groups are different, Duncan’s post-test was used for the comparison of

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A. Husnain et al. Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

Table 2
Impacts of substitution of soybean meal with fermented soybean meal in diet of broiler on growth performance parameters.
Fermented soybean meal

Parameters 0% 2.5 % 5% 7.5 % SEM P-value

Growth performance (day 1–21)

Feed intake 1133.87 1108.15 1115.87 1128.40 0.592 0.823
Weight gain 788.24c 830.89a 819.09b 809.61bc 3.201 0.012
*FCR 1.43a 1.33d 1.36c 1.39b 0.011 0.037
Growth performance (day 22–35)
Feed intake 1716.53 1704.10 1713.86 1714.72 1.599 0.962
Weight gain 1008.11c 1084.11a 1058.14b 1029.55bc 3.447 0.014
FCR 1.70a 1.57c 1.61ab 1.66b 0.023 0.039
Overall growth performance (day 1–35)
Feed intake 2848.59 2812.25 2829.73 2844.93 0.877 0.943
Weight gain 1796.35c 1915.00a 1877.23b 1839.16bc 3.516 0.011
FCR 1.58a 1.46d 1.50c 1.54b 0.016 0.041
*
FCR: Feed conversion ratio, SEM: 10 replicate standard error of means, SEM: 10 replicate standard error of means, values within the same row having different
superscripts (a, ab, b) vary significantly (P < 0.05).

3.2. Nutrient digestibility SBM with FSBM (fermented by mixed strains of Lactobacillus plantarum,
L. acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus oryzae) in the diet resulted
The data on the impacts of substituting SBM with FSBM on nutrient in enhance BWG from day 11–42 of in broilers (Soumeh et al., 2019).
digestibility ( %) on days 21 and 35 are presented in Table 3. Regarding Similarly, Mathivanan et al. (2006) also checked the impact of FSBM
the digestibility of DM, it was observed that the replacement of SBM (fermented with Aspergillus niger) at 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 1.5 % on growth
with FSBM had no significant impact on DM digestibility (P > 0.05). On performances and intestinal characteristics of broilers and noticed that
the other hand, the birds fed with 2.5 % FSBM showed maximum (P < broiler birds showed increased body weight when fed 0.5 % FSBM. The
0.05) CP and fat digestibility while the lowest digestibility of CP and EE enhanced growth performance of broilers in the studies by Mathivanan
was observed with a diet containing 0 % FSBM. et al. (2006) and Soumeh et al. (2019) was associated with the reduction
of ANFs in the diet and improved intestinal morphology and digestive
3.3. Carcass characteristics enzyme activity. Studies have also shown that the fermentation of SBM
improves the nutritional value of SBM as well as reduces the pH and
The carcass characteristics of broilers including breast meat yield, ANFs of fermented feedstuff (Jazi et al., 2019; Mathivanan et al., 2006).
thigh meat yield, abdomen fat, heart weight, liver weight and gizzard Therefore, it could be assumed that fermentation of SBM may reduce
weight were measured. Statistical analysis regarding carcass charac­ ANFs such as phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, and allergenic proteins in
teristics on days 21 and 35 is represented in Table 4 expressing no sig­ FSBM in the current study and improve intestinal morphology and
nificant effects of replacing SBM with FSBM (P > 0.05). digestive enzyme activity of birds, which might contribute to the better
weight gain of birds. If fermentation of SBM reduces ANFs, allergenic
4. Discussion proteins, improve intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activity
of birds then higher level of FSBM in the diet should show improved
Soybean meal is often employed as a source of plant protein in growth performance in birds, however, the opposite was found in the
poultry production. However, some ANFs, including trypsin inhibitors current study where higher level of FSBM in the diet of broilers reduced
and antigenic proteins, confine the use of SBM in poultry feed (Li et al., growth performance of the birds. Reduced performance as observed in
2024; Zhang et al., 2018). Several studies have revealed that microbial current study could be explained by findings of previous researchers
fermentation is a viable and economical procedure for resolving the who reported that the relationship between FSBM inclusion in the diet of
challenges regarding SBM and poultry production (Hamidoghli et al., broiler and growth performance can vary depending on the microbial
2020; Medeiros et al., 2018; Yang et al., 2018). Therefore, this study was species used in fermentation and the fermentation conditions
planned to check the effect of SBM replacement with FSBM in the broiler
diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass charac­ Table 4
teristics. The results of the study demonstrated that the weight of broiler Impacts of substitution of soybean meal with fermented soybean meal in diet of
birds was significantly affected by the replacement of SBM with FSBM in broiler on carcass characteristics on 21st and 35th day of production.
the diet of broilers. Similar to current results, the substitution of total Fermented soybean meal

Parameters (g) 0% 2.5 % 5% 7.5 % SEM P-value

Table 3
Impacts of substitution of soybean meal with fermented soybean meal in diet of On the 21st day of production
Breast meat yield 530 590 570 424 0.345 0.815
broiler on nutrient digestibility on 21st and 35th day of production.
Thigh meat yield 431.7 418.0 422.3 350.3 1.231 0.567
Fermented soybean meal Abdominal fat 30.46 45.34 52.21 40.01 0.976 0.598
Heart weight 8.45 9.23 8.55 7.01 1.261 0.236
Digestibility % 0% 2.5 % 5% 7.5 % SEM P-value
Liver weight 44.45 50.63 49.80 43.89 0.209 0.790
On the 21st day of production
Gizzard weight 30.06 34.79 36.00 32.53 0.139 0.298
Dry matter 70.09 78.19 76.80 77.03 2.131 0.069 On the 35th day of production
Crude protein 69.90c 75.51a 74.10b 72.26bc 0.290 0.005 Breast meat yield 586 615 614 504 0.443 0.722
Ether extract 81.80c 86.09a 84.12b 83.10ab 0.636 0.041 Thigh meat yield 451.6 441.0 437.3 372.3 2.225 0.685
On the 35th day of production Abdominal fat 32.33 49.33 56.00 43.00 0.908 0.491
Dry matter 81.31 85.17 84.43 83.90 2.435 0.072 Heart weight 9.00 11.33 9.00 7.33 0.651 0.365
Crude protein 70.37b 76.36a 74.15ab 75.26ab 0.701 0.004 Liver weight 46.33 54.33 52.00 47.67 0.484 0.862
c
Ether extract 82.14 86.22a 84.71b 83.39ab 1.072 0.031 Gizzard weight 33.00 37.33 39.00 34.83 0.058 0.443

SEM: 10 replicate standard error of means, values within the same row having SEM: 10 replicate standard error of means, values within the same row having
different superscripts (a, ab, b) vary significantly (P < 0.05). different superscripts (a, ab, b) vary significantly (P < 0.05).

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A. Husnain et al. Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

(Mathivanan et al., 2006; Soumeh et al., 2019). Therefore, based on the FSBM could be justified by higher nutrient digestibility at this level. The
findings of current study it is suggested that SBM should be replaced substitution of SBM with FSBM in the diet has shown no significant
with Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and yeast fermented SBM at 2.5 level impact on the carcass characteristics of the broilers in the current study.
in the diet for better growth performance. Similarly, Mathivanan et al. (2006), Premathilaka et al. (2020) and
During the fermentation of SBM various kinds of byproducts are Soumeh et al. (2019) also reported that FSBM in the diet of broilers has
produced like acetic acids and biogenic amines that limit intake in no impact on the carcass characteristics of the broilers. Moreover, Pre­
livestock. Premathilaka et al. (2020) reported that higher level of FSBM mathilaka et al. (2020 also reported that partial or complete replace­
(4 % FSBM) have no impact on growth performance of birds that was ment of FM with FSBM in the diet did not affect carcass characteristics of
due to low palatability of FSBM. Although, in the study Premathilaka broilers. However, microbial strains used for fermentation and type of
et al. (2020) 4 % inclusion of FSBM in the diet of broilers have no impact yeast or differences processing techniques in FSBM production could
on growth performance of birds but they reported compromised intake influence carcass characteristics. For example, study of Wang et al.
due to FSBM. Therefore, it could be speculated that higher levels of (2012) reported that the relative weight of organs, and carcass charac­
FSBM in the diet of broilers may not only compromise the intake in birds teristics were not affected by the inclusion of FSBM at the concentration
but influence performance negatively. Interestingly, previous study of of 1 to 3 % in a broiler diet, while, in the study of Li et al. (2020) it was
Canibe and Jensen (2012) have reported decreased FI and reduced examined that 25 % and 50 % inclusion of FSBM in the diet improve
weight gain in birds when FSBM was included in the diet at a higher carcass yield in the broilers. Wang et al. (2011) reported that the
level. It is worth mentioning that biogenic amines, particularly hista­ replacement of SBM with FSBM (fermented with Lactobacillus, Bacillus
mine and putrescine, may provoke allergenic reactions, potentially subtilis and yeast) in the diet of broiler showed better carcass charac­
aggravating the low palatability and affecting the bird’s performance. In teristics because of higher digestibility, lower toxin levels and shorter
the current study, feed intake was not statistically affected by any di­ peptide length of FSBM. Therefore, the differences in carcass charac­
etary treatments, however, a numerical decrease in FI was observed in teristics in current study and previous studies are possibly due to the
2.5 % and 5 % supplementation of SBM with FSBM that could be presence of the diverse microbial species utilized in the fermentation of
attributed to biogenic amines like histamine and putrescine and acetic SBM or the variable levels of FSBM in the diet of birds.
acid compounds produced during the fermentation process as stated in
previous studies (Kim et al., 2016; Obianwuna et al., 2024; Rode­ 5. Conclusions
hutscord et al., 2012; Zheng et al., 2017). As stated by Premathilaka
et al. (2020), it might be possible that there were some allergenic pro­ Based on the present study, it can be inferred that the replacement of
teins or biogenic amines produced during the fermentation process of SBM with FSBM in the diet of the broiler improves the weight gain of the
SBM, which could be responsible for the low FI of birds compared to the birds and the nutrient (CP and EE) digestibility of the feed. Therefore,
control group during the current study. FSBM could be substituted with SBM at the levels of 2.5 and 5.0 % to
In contrast, a higher intake in birds was also observed in the study of improve the outcomes of broiler birds in future. Additionally, prospec­
Cheng et al. (2019) when 10 % FSBM was included in the diet of broilers tive studies should assess higher inclusion levels of FSBM employing
from days 1 to 21. Improved feed intake at higher level of FSBM could be different fermentation approaches or investigate the potential benefits
explained by findings of previous studies who reported that fermenta­ of enzyme supplementation to enhance broiler productivity.
tion reduce ANFs and increase the dipeptides which result in reduce
bulkiness of feed that ultimately FI of birds (Jazi et al., 2018; Wang et al., Funding
2011). Within the scope of the present study, a better impact on FCR was
observed at 2.5 % SBM substitution with FSBM while a comparatively No outside monetary support was received for the current
decreased effect at 5 % substitution that is in alignment with the findings experiment.
of Cheng et al. (2019) who stated that supplementation of 5 % and 10 %
FSBM in the diet of broilers did not impact FCR. CRediT authorship contribution statement
It was noticed in the current study that CP and fat digestibility of feed
were significantly affected by the substitution of SBM with FSBM in the Ali Husnain: Software, Methodology, Investigation, Formal anal­
diet which was reflected in the birds’ growth performance. Similar to ysis. Urooj Anwar: Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data
current results, Wang et al. (2011) partially replaced the SBM with curation. Asfa Fatima: Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing,
enzymolytic SBM in the diet of the broiler to check its influence on Writing – original draft, Software. Riaz Mustafa: Software, Resources,
nutrient digestibility and growth performance of birds and stated there Methodology, Investigation. Umar Farooq: Validation, Resources,
was a linear increase in coefficients of ileal apparent digestibility of DM, Investigation, Data curation. Waseem Abbas: Validation, Software,
CP with increased enzymolytic SBM feeding. Similarly, Soumeh et al. Resources, Formal analysis. Muhammad Farooq Khalid: Visualization,
(2019) reported that adding FSBM (derived from diverse strains, con­ Methodology, Investigation, Data curation. Muhammad Ashraf: Visu­
sisting of Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum and alization, Validation, Software, Data curation. Muhammad Aziz ur
L. acidophilus) in the diet remarkably improved the apparent ileal di­ Rahman: Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Resources, Project
gestibility of CP. Furthermore, Li et al. (2020) have also stated that 25 % administration, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization, Writing – re­
and 50 % inclusion of FSBM resulted in an improvement in the nutrient view & editing, Writing – original draft.
digestibility of feed in birds.
Fermentation has also shown beneficial impacts on the nutrient Declaration of competing interest
content of various feedstuffs by lowering the amount of ANFs that
reduce lectins and trypsin inhibitors in SBM, and phytate in maize meal I have nothing to declare.
(Chiang et al., 2009; Feng et al., 2007; Yusuf et al., 2008) as well as
glucosinolates in rapeseed meal (Chiang et al., 2009). Therefore, it could Acknowledgements
be assumed that in the current study, improved digestibility of CP and
fat content of feed was possibly due to reduced levels of ANFs, signifi­ Authors appreciate the contribution of undergraduate students.
cantly phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors, allergy-causing proteins and
elevated soluble protein contents of SBM as a result of fermentation. In
the current study, higher CP and fat digestibility was observed in the
birds fed 2.5 FSBM diet. Therefore, higher performance in birds fed 2.5

5
A. Husnain et al. Livestock Science 299 (2025) 105779

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