Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Research
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): InJAR, Vol. 9, No. 2, July 2026

Optimal level of Bacillus spp. fermented soybean meal utilization in broiler diets under commercial conditions: effect on gut morphology and microbiota

Arif Martien Putra (Master program of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)
Ma’ruf Tafsin (Animal Science Program Study, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)
Nevy Diana Hanafi (Animal Science Program Study, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)
Winda Fransisca Saragih (Animal Science Program Study, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)
Yusni Khairani Tampubolon (Animal Science Program Study, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jul 2026

Abstract

Fermented soybean meal (FSM) using Bacillus spp. has the potential to be used as a functional feed ingredient to improve the intestinal health of broiler chickens, but the optimal level of use in feed in the commercial broiler industry has not yet been determined. A total of 20.000 cobb 500 broilers were allotted to four dietary treatments: control (T0) and rations containing 1.5% (T1), 2.5% (T2), and 5.0% (T3) FSBM, each with five replications. The chickens were reared under commercial industry conditions. Over a 28-day period, parameters measured included Growth performance indicators, small intestine histomorphometry, microbial populations, catalase and motility activity, and lactic acid bacteria counts. FSBM supplementation had no significant (P>0.05) effect on performance (feed intake, body weight gain, feed change ratio). However, T2 significantly increased basal and apical pH in the jejunum (P<0.05), along with elevated LAB counts and reduced intestinal pH, compared to the control. In conclusion, fermentation with Bacillus spp. represents an effective strategy to reduce anti-nutritional factors and enhance feed quality. The improved intestinal morphology and lactic acid bacteria populations in broilers observed in this study suggest that 2.5% FSBM. Therefore, Bacillus spp. fermented soybean meal has potential as a functional feed ingredient for commercial broiler production.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

InJAR

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Social Sciences Veterinary

Description

Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Research (InJAR) is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal published by TALENTA (Universitas Sumatera Utara's Journals Publisher) and managed by Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara. It is based on DIKTI accreditation standard and covers all aspects of ...