Synergistic Effect of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> B3 and β-Glucanase on Solid-State Fermentation of Sunflower Meal.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Sunflower meal (SFM), a promising feed material, is constrained by its high content of crude fiber (CF) and chlorogenic acid (CGA).<h4>Methods</h4>This study utilized a synergistic solid-state fermentation process involving the <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> strain B3 and the enzyme β-glucanase to enhance SFM's application potential.<h4>Results</h4>The synergistic treatment notably reduced CF by 12.7% and CGA by 99.77%, while simultaneously increasing acid-soluble protein and reducing sugar by 111.3% and 283.1%, respectively. Positive impacts on its physical structure, characterized by a looser network with visible pores, and on its microbial community, evidenced by an enriched abundance of fungal species such as <i>Cyberlindnera</i> and <i>Aspergillus</i>, were also observed. In vitro assays indicated improved digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein, along with a non-significant reduction in methane production.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These results demonstrate that microbial-enzymatic synergy effectively enhances SFM's nutritional profile.