Effects of different delivery forms of the novel Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y on redox status and liver function in peri-weaning piglets

Anna Czech; Łukasz Wlazło; Marcin Łukaszewicz; Agnieszka Lewińska; Wojciech Łopuszyński; Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0051

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Effects of different delivery forms of the novel Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y on redox status and liver function in peri-weaning piglets

Journal of Veterinary Research

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By: Anna Czech , Łukasz Wlazło , Marcin Łukaszewicz , Agnieszka Lewińska , Wojciech Łopuszyński and Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek

Open Access

|Sep 2026

Abstract

Introduction

Weaning is a critical stage in piglet rearing, and dietary strategies are needed to support metabolic balance and oxidative resilience during the peri-weaning period.

Material and Methods

A total of 384 Yorkshire × Danish Landrace piglets at 28 days old were allocated to four groups: positive controls with feed additives including ZnO (PC), negative controls without additives (NC), NC + 8% fermented rapeseed meal (FR) and NC + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis 87Y (BS). Blood was collected from 24 males (one per replicate) for redox and biochemical analyses, and liver and small intestine samples were collected post mortem for oxidative marker assessment and histopathology.

Results

Compared with NC, FR and BS supplementation increased antioxidant defence (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione) and reduced lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxides) in plasma and tissues; changes were accompanied by favourable shifts in selected lipid metabolism indices and liver enzyme activities. The pure probiotic form of Bacillus subtilis was not inferior to the fermented matrix and, for selected parameters, produced an effect stronger than that observed in the PC diet.

Conclusion

Bacillus subtilis 87Y improved redox status and supported liver function in peri-weaning piglets, with efficacy largely independent of the delivery form, indicating potential as a feed additive.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0051 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608 (formerly 2300-3235)

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Language: English

Submitted on: Feb 4, 2026

Accepted on: Sep 9, 2026

Published on: Sep 16, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

fermented rapeseed meal,

Bacillus subtilis 87Y,

ferric-reducing antioxidant power,

solid-state fermentation,

Related subjects:

Microbiology and virology,

Life sciences, other,

Medicine,

Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Anna Czech, Łukasz Wlazło, Marcin Łukaszewicz, Agnieszka Lewińska, Wojciech Łopuszyński, Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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