Optimization Of Cordyceps Militaris Solid-ferment Schisandra Chinensis Dregs And The Effects Of Its Products On Intestinal Structure And Function Of Weaned Piglets

In recent years, large amount of waste traditional Chinese herbal dregs (TCHD) were produced due to the rapid growth in demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).TCHD containing considerable number of crude fiber, protein, fat and polysaccharide, as well as amino acids and many trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. Moreover, many medicinal active ingredients remain in the dregs due to poor extraction process. Currently, there were so many researches on the utilization of the Chinese herbal dregs, but mostly were exploratory research. Not much can really put into practical application, and less can large-scale digest the dregs to turning waste into treasure and relieve on the environment pressure.In this study, Schisandra chinensis dregs were used as the fermentation medium to cultivate Cordyceps militaris without adding any other nutrients, and the fermentation conditions were optimized by response surface method (RSM). A maximal yield of cordycepin (5.1202mg/g) could be obtained when the water ratio, medium weight, inoculation ratio, fermentation temperature were 2mL/g,37g,23%,26 ℃, respectively. Furthermore, the content of polysaccharide in the final fermentation products was 2.87% which was increased 24.96% compared with original Schisandra chinensis dregs. Using Schisandra chinensis dregs as the fermentation medium of Cordyceps militaris can not only improve the utilization value of Schisandra chinensis dregs, but also reduce the costs of cordycepin production by Cordyceps militaris.Fermentation Schisandra chinensis dregs were as evaluated as a feed additive for its effects on intestinal mucosal morphology, intestinal mucosal immune and intestinal microflora of weaned piglets. Ninety 28 days of age weaned piglets were divided randomly into 5 treatment groups:control group, in which piglets were fed with basal diet; 0.5%SC group, in which piglets were fed with basal diet supplemented with Schisandra chinensis at 5mg/kg; 0.1%FSD group, in which piglets were fed with basal diet supplemented with fermentation Schisandra chinensis dregs at lmg/kg; 0.3%FSD group, in which piglets were fed with basal diet supplemented with fermentation Schisandra chinensis dregs at 3mg/kg; 0.5%FSD group, in which piglets were fed with basal diet supplemented with fermentation Schisandra chinensis dregs at 5mg/kg. On day 7,14,21 of the study,3 piglets were selected from the control group,0.5%SC group,0.5%FSD group, slaughtered, respectively. The middle tissue of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were excised and fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution to determine villus height, crypt depth, number of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIEL) and goblet cells; Jejunum mucosa was collected to determine the content of SIgA; the chyme of jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon were collected to detect the number of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus used plate count method, and analyze the diversity of intestinal microflora by PCR-Deformation gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE).The results showed as follow. In terms of the diarrhea rate and feed conversion, the diarrhea rate of 0.1%FSD group,0.3% FSD group and 0.5% FSD group were 13.87%, 30.82%,41.72% lower than the control group, respectively; And the FCR of 0.1% FSD group,0.3% FSD group and 0.5% FSD group were 1.7%,4.02%,8.6% lower than the control group, respectively. In terms of the intestinal epithelial morphology, compared 0.5%FSD group with control group, the villus height of duodenum, jejunum and ileum increased (p<0.05), while the crypt depth decreased (p<0.05), and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth increased. In terms of the intestinal mucosal immunity, compared 0.5% FSD group with control group, the number of ilEL and goblet cells increased (p<0.05), while the SIgA levels increased (p<0.05). In terms of the intestinal flora, the number of E. coli in the intestinal of 0.5%FSD group was lower than control group (p<0.05), and the number of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus was higher than control group (p<0.05); the DGGE bands number and diversity index H’ of DGGE profiles of 0.5%FSD group were higher than the control group and 0.5%SC group. Overall, this study suggest that dietary supplementation with fermentation Schisandra chinensis dregs can regulate the intestinal micro-ecological balance and maintain a normal morphology of intestinal mucosa of weaned piglets, thereby decreasing negative impacts of weaning stress.