Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf  Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Among various sectors of agriculture and its allied components, poultry farming is one of the rapidly growing sectors in terms of production as well as providing job opportunities. Poultry meat, in particularly in developing countries like India, plays an important role as it serves as a source of high quality protein along with the minerals and vitamins availability. In India, in comparison to 2012, poultry population had raised by 16.8% in 2019, with aggregated population of 851.81 million as per 20^th Livestock Census conducted in 2019 by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India (Annual Report, 2019-20). India ranks at 6^th position in total poultry meat production and at 5^th position in terms of total poultry production. Numerous efforts have been applied to bridge the gap between demand and availability of consumer satisfying poultry meat. After considerable genetic exploitation of poultry, optimum nutrient utilization is the major segment for broiler production. Feed additives can be considered as an important factor to boost the economy of poultry producers.
       
Numerous studies revealed the close association between the use of sub therapeutic doses of antibiotics and development of antimicrobial resistance. The European Union issued a ban on the approval for antibiotics as growth promoters since 1 January, 2006 on precautionary grounds (Dibner and Richards, 2005; Castanon, 2007). So, the phytogenic feed additives have been recognized as a very promising alternative as they meet the requirements of consumers in terms of food safety and solve the problem of bacterial resistance that occurs due to the use of antibiotic growth promoters (Cardoso et al., 2012).
 
Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) referred as Indian Bay Leaf, is a member of Lauraceae family and a close relative of cinnamon. It is mainly used for flavoring food and widely used in pharmaceutical preparation because of its hypoglycemic, stimulant, carminative, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial properties (Pravin et al., 2013). Alpha-pinene, camphene, myrcene, limonene, eugenol, p-cymene, methyl eugenol, eugenol acetate and methyl ether of eugenol are the major chemical components found in the leaves of Tejpatta (Smith et al., 2002; Saino et al., 2003). In concern to mentioned peculiarities, a feeding experiment trial was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of Tejpatta as feed additive in broiler diet.

Experimental birds and besign
 
The study was conducted on two hundred and twenty five day-old (225), unsexed, apparently healthy broiler chicks (Vencobb-400) in year 2022 for six weeks, at Poultry Unit in Livestock Farm Complex of College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur (Rajasthan). The chicks were individually weighed and randomly divided using completely randomized block design into five dietary treatment groups (T₁-T₅) of 45 chicks each having relatively equivalent average body weight. Each group of 45 chicks was subdivided into three replicates (R₁, R₂ and R₃) having 1₅ chicks per replicate. The ISO certified (BIS, 2007) commercial basal feed in the form of broiler starter and broiler finisher was used in the experiment. Tejpatta leaf powder was obtained in dried form and ground to pass through 1mm sieve in Department of Animal Nutrition and stored in air tight plastic containers for further use. The proximate composition of broiler starter, broiler finisher and Tejpatta leaf powder (Cinnamomum tamala) are showed in Table 1.
 

       
The treatment groups were as follows: T₁ group fed basal diet (control), T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ group fed Tejpatta leaf powder @ 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 1.75%, respectively, along with basal diet. Feed and clean water were supplied ad libitum. Live body weight on individual basis and feed intake from each replicate were measured at weekly intervals. From the observations, body weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index were calculated.
 
Blood sample collection
 
At 42^nd day of experimental trial, blood samples were collected by puncturing wing vein of the brachial area, from randomly selected birds in each replicate of treatment groups (six birds/treatment group), in two set of tubes viz. labeled sterile tubes containing EDTA for hematology and another tubes without anticoagulant for serology. EDTA containing tubes were analyzed for hemoglobin, red blood corpuscle count and packed cell volume with the help of an automatic hematology analyzer. Serum total protein, creatinine, cholesterol and glucose were analyzed by using commercially available kits as per mentioned protocols.
 
Statistical analysis
 
The data obtained were analyzed by subjecting them to ANOVA as per Snedecor and Cochran (1994). Mean difference was tested by Duncan’s new multiple range test (DNMRT) as modified by Kramer (1956), in results having significant treatment effects. The level of statistical significance was kept at P<0.01.

Growth performance
 
The effect of adding Tejpatta leaf powder in broiler chicks on growth performance are presented in Table 2. Significant (P<0.01) effect was observed on growth performance of broiler. The highest (P<0.01) live body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain, performance index were observed in T₄ group. The feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.01) high in T₄ group. However, feed intake was significantly (P<0.01) high in T₅ group.
 

       
The aforementioned data demonstrate an improvement in growth performance that is highly significant (P<0.01) as a result of the addition of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) leaf powder, which is in line with the findings of Ansari et al., (2020), who observed a significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight, body weight gain and performance index as a result of the supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) leaf powder. Moreover, Gurjar (2021) reported a highly significant (P<0.01) effect on body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain of broilers with supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder as compared to control group. Gurjar (2021), reported significant (P<0.05) effect on feed consumption and performance index due to supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder. However, Ansari et al., (2020) found that supplementing broiler ration with Tejpatta powder had no influence on feed consumption (P>0.05) and feed conversion ratio.
       
The improvement in broiler live body weight may be due to Tejpatta’s hypoglycemic, stimulant and carminative, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and antibacterial, as well as antimicrobial properties related to Tejpatta derivatives. The major chemical components found in the leaves of Tejpatta are alpha-pinene, camphene, myrcene, limonene, eugenol, p-cymene, methyl eugenol, eugenol acetate and methyl ether of eugenol (Smith et al., 2002; Saino et al., 2003) this resulted in the modulation of normal intestinal microflora via competitive exclusion and antagonism, which improved nutrient digestibility in growing broilers. The anti-bacterial properties of Tejpatta leaf resulted in better absorption of nutrients present in the gut, which ultimately leads to improved body weight (Pravin et al., 2013).
       
The significant increase in body weight gain observed in the treatment group could be attributed to an increase in villus height observed in the current study, which could lead to an increase in nutrient absorption. Cinnamon essential oil contains antioxidants that protect the intestinal villi from oxidative damage by increasing the activity of catalase and superoxide enzymes, resulting in improved nutrient absorption and weight gain in broiler chicks (Windisch et al., 2008).
       
The increase in feed consumption observed in this study with supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder could be attributed to the flavour effect of herbs, as well as evidence that herbs, spices and various plant extracts have appetite and digestive stimulating properties (Kamel, 2001). A group of bioactive compounds that have the potential to stimulate digestive secretion, increase pancreatic digestive enzyme activity and improve liver function (Al-Kassie, 2009).
       
The improved feed conversion ratio may be attributed to the antibacterial activity of Tejpatta leaf powder in broiler diets, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli in the intestinal tract, allowing the birds to absorb more nutrients (Hernandez et al., 2004; Dickens et al., 2000 and Agarwal et al., 2012). Furthermore, the beneficial antioxidant compounds of medicinal plants may have a positive effect on nutrient uptake in terms of intestinal villi protection.
 
Hemato-biochemical parameters
 
The effect of adding Tejpatta leaf powder in broiler chicks on haemato-biochemical parameter are presented in Table 3. There was statistically non-significant effect on haemato-biochemical parameters due to Tejpatta leaf powder supplementation. Numerically highest hemoglobin level, packed cell volume and red blood corpuscle count and serum total protein were observed in T₄ group. Similarly lowest serum glucose and cholesterol values were found in T₄ group. Minimum serum creatinine level was observed in T₄ and T₂ groups.
 

       
These results were in accordance to the findings of Ansari et al., (2020) who reported non-significant effect on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum glucose, total protein and red blood corpuscle count due to addition of Tejpatta leaf powder in broilers. These data well correspond with the results of Koochaksaraie et al., (2011) who showed non-significant effect on serum cholesterol levels due to cinnamon addition in broilers. Our findings were in agreement with the results of Baghban et al., (2016) and Odutayo et al., (2021) with regard to creatinine levels.

In relation to the performance of broilers in terms of growth and nutrient utilization, it could be concluded that supplementation of 1.25% Tejpatta leaf powder is quite effective and could be potential feed supplement in broiler production. However, the results are definite and supportive but replication of feeding experiments with more number of broilers recommended before arriving to the final suggestion for supplementing broiler diet with the Tejpatta leaf powder as feed additive for well-being of poultry production.

There is no conflict of interest.