COMPARATIVE ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM CHICKS FED WITH BIODEGRADED CORN COB

The use of biodegraded agro wastes such as corn cobs in the formulation of poultry feeds is gaining attention due to the cost of conventional feeds and cereals. Furthermore, conventional feeds provide nutrients and may not address the spread of antimicrobial resistance among poultry birds, however, the use of biodegraded agro waste could serve a dual purpose; first by enhancing the nutritional value and reduce anti-nutritional factors of corn cobs and secondly, by introducing fermentative bacteria (Lysinibacillus spp.) which could suppress the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the growth performance characteristics and comparative antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from poultry birds fed with Lysinibacillus spp. biodegraded corn cob compared with conventional feeds. The corn cobs used as the agro waste for this study were milled and were designated as 25% and 10% (maize cob without microorganisms), 25% and 10% (bio-degraded maize cob); these feeds were used against commercial and local feeds for poultry birds. A total of twenty-four poultry birds four per each group, were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups. Group 1 (control) was fed with commercial feed, Group 2 was fed (with 25% maize cob), Group 3 (with 10% maize cob), Group 4 (25% degraded maize cob), Group 5 (with 10% degraded maize cob) and Group 6 (with local feed). The poultry birds were exposed to two weeks feeding regimen for growth performance and for the antibiotic susceptibility testing, the bacteria isolated from the birds’ droppings were tested against the Norfloxacin, Ampicillin, Cefoxitin, Amoxicillin, Imipenem, Meropenem, Cefotaxime, and Azithromycin. The results revealed that Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic (83.3%, 83.3% sensitivity) followed by Norfloxacin (50%, 66% sensitivity) and Meropenem (33.3%, 50% sensitivity) for both initial and final sample respectively. The highest resistance was observed for Cefoxitin (100%, 100%) and Amoxicillin (83.3%, 100%) for both initial and final sample. This study reveals the microbial dynamics in poultry birds fed with biodegraded corn cob and the potential risks of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for careful monitoring in animal feed practices. The findings suggest that the biodegradation of corn cobs by Lysinibacillus spp. may influence the microbial community in poultry birds, with implications for animal health and the management of antibiotic resistance in agricultural systems.