Submit

Full Research Article

Effect of Two Different Phytobiotic Mixtures on Production Performance and Gut Health in Broilers

R. Kavitha1,*, C. Valli1, R. Karunakaran1, K. Vijayarani1, R. Amutha1
1Animal Feed Analytical and Quality Assurance Laboratory, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal-637 001, Tamil Nadu, India. Part of the thesis submitted to Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

ABSTRACT

Background: In broiler production, antibiotics are used to prevent/control infectious diseases and as a growth promoter. The incorrect application of antibiotics increases the risk of residues in chicken tissues. In human’s continuous exposure of antibiotic residue containing meat results antimicrobial resistance. So the demand towards antibiotic free meat is increasing. In this condition studies related with alternatives to antibiotic feeding in broilers gaining importance. Among the alternatives, phytogenic feed additives have antimicrobial and growth promoting effect without causing side effects to the birds. The current study aimed to evaluate two different phytobiotic mixtures on production performance and gut health in broilers.

Methods: The study of six weeks duration was carried out between the months of July and August, 2019, at Poultry Farm Complex, Department of Poultry Science, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, which falls in the North-Western agro climatic zone of the state. 150 day old chicks (vencobb) used to evaluate two different phytobiotic mixtures on production performance and gut health of birds.  

Result: Birds fed with phytobiotic mixture (II) - E. officinalis fruits + M. kenigii leaves + S. aromaticum buds (1:1:1) at 2 kg/ton of feed resulted in significant improvement in bodyweight, weight gain and lactobacillus count was observed. So this phytobiotic mixture recommended as alternative to antibiotic feed additive in broilers. 

INTRODUCTION

In commercial broiler production, antibiotics have been used extensively, to prevent or control infectious diseases and also to serve as a growth promoter. The misuse and incorrect application of antibiotics increases the risk of antibiotic residues in edible tissues of the chicken (Marazuela and Bogialli, 2009). Low and continuous exposure to antibiotic residues produce potential threats of direct toxicity in humans, alteration of microflora with possible development of resistant strains, that leads to failure of antibiotic therapies (Nisha, 2008). Therefore, the demand by consumers for antibiotic residue free chicken meat is growing very fast. This has led to the emergence of organic broiler farming where use of antibiotics in any form for prevention of disease or improving the productivity of birds is not allowed (Nagarajan et al., 2017). In this scenario there has been a significant increase in number of studies focused on searching for alternatives to antibiotics, having similar antimicrobial and growth promoting effects, without causing any potential side effects to the birds fed on it. Probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, enzymes and phytobiotics have been widely studied as potential alternatives to antibiotics in feed. Numerous studies on phytobiotics have demonstrated their positive effects in terms of antimicrobial, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity and it has been stated that the primary mode of action of phytogenic feed additive is controlling potential pathogens and beneficially modulating the intestinal microbiota (Murugesan et al., 2015). A healthy gut is extremely important for enhanced broiler performance and production of hygienic chicken meat. However, very limited research exists on the use of a mixture of indigenous herbs as phytobiotics, it is in this context that this study was executed to evaluate two different phytobiotic mixtures on production performance and gut health in broilers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study of six weeks duration was carried out between the months of July and August, 2019, at Poultry Farm Complex, Department of Poultry Science, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, which falls in the North-Western agro climatic zone of the state (Anonymous, 2019).
 
Experimental birds and experimental design
 
One hundred and fifty, one-day-old Vencobb broiler (feather sexed) chicks belonging to the same hatch were wing banded, weighed and distributed randomly into five treatment groups, each group had three replicates, with 10 birds per replicate.
 
The treatments adopted for this study were as follows:
 
 
The following was the composition of phytobiotic mixtures used in the study.
  1. Phytobiotic mixture (I) - Syzygium  aromaticum buds + Mentha spicata leaves + Emblica officinalis fruits in 1:1:1 ratio.
  2. Phytobiotic mixture (II) - Emblica officinalis fruits + Murraya kenigii leaves + Syzygium  aromaticum buds in 1:1:1 ratio.
 
Management system
 
The experimental birds were reared in a deep litter system. All management practices adopted except for the feed offered, were similar to all treatments.
 
Experimental feed
 
Feed ingredients, procured locally were used for the formulation of experimental feed. Experimental broiler pre starter (0-2 weeks), starter (3-4 weeks) and finisher (5-6 weeks) feeds were formulated as per Vencobb 400 specification. The phytobiotic mixtures (ground form) at their respective levels as per the treatments were mixed with the feed. The ingredients and nutrient composition of experimental broiler pre starter, starter and finisher ration is presented in Table 1.
 

Table 1: Ingredients and nutrient composition of experimental broiler pre starter, starter and finisher ration.


 
Production performance
 
The birds were weighed individually every week till the end of the study period (6th week) in a calibrated electronic weighing balance of 10 g accuracy to document their body weight and calculate weight gain (g). Every day the left-over feed was weighed to record the accurate feed intake (g). Feed consumption was calculated after correction of feed wastage. The feed conversion ratio per kilogram weight gain was calculated.
 
Gut health
 
At the end of the experimental period six birds per treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered and the gut contents and portion of ileum of the birds were collected to study the microbial profile of gut contents and gut histomorphology.
 
Microbial profile of gut contents
 
To study the microbial profile, the ileum (from the duodenum and Meckel’s diverticulum) of each bird was accurately removed and samples of the intestinal contents were collected and diluted with sterile saline solution and different medias (Mac-Conkey agar (MAC), De Man Rogosa  and Sharpe agar (MRS) and C. perfringens agar were used respectively for the enumeration of E.coli, Lactobaccilli spp. and C. perfringens.  The plates were incubated at 37°C for overnight. Finally the grown colonies were counted using colony counter.
 
Histomorphology of ileum
 
A piece of the mid portion of the ileum was collected and washed with normal water and stored in 10 per cent formalin. The tissues were processed as per the method of Bancroft and Stevens (1996). The sections were examined by Carl Zeiss Image analyser using soft ware KS 300.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Production performance
 
The production performance and gut health characters of birds in the various treatments are presented in the Table 2. At the end of sixth week, significantly (P<0.05) highest body weight (2668.47 g) and body weight gain (2616.28 g) was observed in the birds of T5 - supplemented with phytobiotic mixture II (E.officinalis fruits + M.koenigii leaves + S.aromaticum buds) at level II (2 Kg/ tonne of feed). The cumulative feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) lowest in T1 (4013.70 g) and in T2 compared to other treatment groups. T3 and T5 groups documented significantly (P<0.05) highest cumulative feed intake. No significant variations (P>0.05) were observed between treatments with respect to feed conversion ratio of birds, though numerically lowest FCR was observed in T5. Nuan et al., (2016) also reported that the birds fed diets supplemented with Murraya koenigii powder had a higher weight gain (P<0.05; ADG), improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05; FCR) and lower mortality (P<0.05) rates compared to the birds in the control group.
 

Table 2: Effect of supplementing different phytobiotic mixtures on production parameters, gut microbiome and histomorphology of ileum of broilers (Mean*±S.E).


 
Gut health
 
Microbial profile of gut contents
 
Both the phytobiotic mixtures significantly increased Lactobacilli spp. count compared to control in the gut contents of birds. Significantly (P < 0.05) highest (60.00) Lactobacillus spp. count was observed in T5 - birds supplemented with phytobiotic mixture II (E. officinalis fruits + M. koenigii leaves + S. aromaticum buds) at level II. Supplementing selected phytobiotic mixture II significantly reduced E.coli count compared to control in the gut contents of birds. Significantly (P<0.05) lowest E.coli (31.83 cfu /g) and C. perfringens (450.00 cfu /g) count were observed in birds supplemented with phytobiotic mixture II at level II. Supplementing selected phytobiotic mixture significantly reduced C. perfringens count compared to control in the gut contents of birds.
       
Savage et al., (1996) also reported that supplementation of oligosaccharides may have a prebiotic effect through an increase in production of lactic acid, thus increasing the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and reducing the presence of gram negative bacteria. The plant extracts are known to beneficially modulate the composition of the microflora in the ileum and caeca by increasing the number of Lactobacilli spp. and reducing harmful bacteria, such as potential pathogenic coli forms and C. perfringens (Vidanarachchi et al., 2010). In another study, colonization of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. and reduction in Clostridium spp. load were comparatively better in polyherbal product supplemented groups which was attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds in the herbal product (Vasanthakumar et al., 2012). The mechanism of action of phytochemicals is not clearly understood, but may depend upon the composition of the active ingredients in the product being used. The beneficial effects of phytochemicals are attributed to their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In addition, the inclusion of phytochemicals in the diets alters and stabilizes the intestinal microbiota and reduces microbial toxic metabolites in the gut, owing to their direct antimicrobial properties on various pathogenic bacteria, which results in relief from intestinal challenge and immune stress, thus improving performance (Kim et al., 2015).
 
Histomorphology of ileum
 
Supplementing phytobiotic mixtures I or II at either dose (level I or II) in broiler diets significantly (P<0.05) increased villus height, of the birds. Significantly (P<0.05) highest (1159.87 µm and 353.56 µm) villus height and crypt depth were observed in birds of T5, supplemented with phytobiotic mixture II (E. officinalis fruits + M. koenigii leaves + S. aromaticum buds) at level II. Significantly (P<0.05) highest (1128.43 µm and 246.76 µm) villus height and crypt depth ratio were observed in birds of T2 and T3. Rajput et al., (2013) had reported that villus height was significantly (P<0.05) increased in duodenum, jejunum and ileum in curcumin supplemented broilers. In another study, basal diet supplemented with amla fruit powder at the rate of 0.25 per cent, 0.50 per cent, 0.75 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively increased the villi height and significant (P<0.05) increment was observed in one per cent supplementation (Dalal et al., 2018). Increased intestinal villi height and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth is an indication of the vast area for nutrient absorption and higher absorption function (Sieo et al., 2005). Higher villi height, low crypt depth and high villi height/crypt depth ratio are desirable parameters for better absorption of nutrients (Xu et al., 2003).

CONCLUSION

Phytobiotic mixture comprising powder of E. officinalis fruits + M. koenigii leaves + S. aromaticum buds in 1:1:1 ratio at 2 kg/tonne of feed recorded significantly (P<0.05) highest weight gain, highest Lactobacillus count, significantly (P<0.05) lowest E.coli and C. perfringens count in gut contents and significantly (P<0.05) highest villi height and crypt depth and hence this phytobiotic mixture is recommended as an alternate feed additive.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

REFERENCES


  1. Anon, (2019). Report from Nodal officer, Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme. Indian Meteorological Service. Government of India.Bancraft, J.D. and Stevens, A. (1996). Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 3rd Ed. J. D. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. 

  2. Dalal, R., Ahlawat, P.K., Vinus, S., Panwar, V.S., Tewatia, B.S. and Sheoran, N. (2018). Evaluation of antimicrobial effect of Emblica officinalis fruit powder on intestinal microbiota in broilers chicken. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci. 7(4): 1432-1438.

  3. Kim, J.E., Lillehoj, H.S., Hong, Y.H., Kim, G.B., Lee, S.H., Lillehoj, E.P. and Bravo, D.M. (2015). Dietary Capsicum and  Curcuma longa oleoresins increase intestinal microbiome and necrotic enteritis in three commercial broiler breeds.  Res. Vet. Sci. 102: 150-158.

  4. Marazuela, M.D. and Bogialli, S. (2009). A review of novel strate gies of sample preparation for the determination of anti bacterial residues in foodstuffs using liquid. Anal. Chim. Acta. 645(1-2): 5-17.

  5. Murugesan, G.R., Syed, B., Haldar, S. and Pender, C. (2015).  Phytogenic Feed Additives as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens. Front. Vet. Sci. 3(2): 21. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00021.

  6. Nagarajan, P., Prevost,  C.T., Stein, A., Kasimer, R., Kalifa, L. and Sia, E.A. (2017). Roles for the Rad27 Flap Endonuclease in mitochondrial mutagenesis and double-strand break repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics. 206(2): 843-857.

  7. Nisha, A.R. (2008). Antibiotic residues-A global health hazard. Vet. World. 1(12): 375-377.

  8. Nuan, S.K.A., Wickramasuriya, S.S., Jayasena, D.D., Tharangani, R.M.H., Zhang, S., Young-Joo, Y. and Heo, J.M. (2016). Evaluation of growth performance, meat quality and sen sory attributes of the broiler fed a diet supplemented with curry leaves (Murraya koenigii). Korean J. Poult. Sci. 43(3): 169-176.

  9. Rajput, N., Muhammad, N., Yan, R. and Zhong, X. (2013). Effect of dietary supplementation of curcumin on growth per formance, intestinal morphology and nutrients utilization of broiler chicks. J. Poult. Sci. 50(1): 44-52.

  10. Savage, T.F., Cotter, P.F. and Zakrewska, E.I. (1996). Effect of feeding a mannan oligosaccharide on immunoglobulin, plasma IgG and bile IgA of Wrolstad MW male Turkey. Poult. Sci. 75(1): 143.

  11. Sieo, C.C., Abdullah, N., Tan, W.S. and Ho, Y. (2005). Influence of glucanase producing Lactobacillus strains on intestinal characterisitics and feed passage rate of broiler chickens. J. Poult. Sci. 84(5): 734-741.

  12. Vasanthakumar, P., Chandrasekaran, D., Mani, S., Malmarugan, S., Kathirvelan, C., Purushothaman, M.R. and Senthilkumar,  S. (2012). Efficacy of poly herbal product salcochek on gut health and reducing the impact of Clostridium species induced enteritis in broilers. Int. J. Agric. Environ. Biotechnol.  5(4): 361-366.

  13. Vidanarachchi, L., Janak, M., Sims, I., Iji, P. and Choct, M. (2010). Selected plant extracts modulate the gut microflora in broilers. Zootecnica Int. 18: 44-48.

  14. Xu, Z.R., Hu, C.H., Xia, M.S., Zhan, X.A. and Wang, M.Q. (2003). Effects of dietary fructo oligosaccharide on digestive enzyme activities, intestinal microflora and morphology of male broilers. J. Poult. Sci. 82: 1030-1036.
Reviewed By

Download Article
In this Article
    Contact us
    Follow us

    Editorial Board

    View all (0)