Black cumin seeds, Artemisia leaves (Artemisia sieberi), and Camellia L. plant extract as phytogenic products in broiler diets and their effects on performance, blood constituents, immunity, and cecal microbial population

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of using black cumin seeds (BCS), Artemisia leaves (AL), and Camellia L. plant extract (CLE) in the diets of broiler chicks. Experiment 1 was conducted as a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) with 8 replicates of 4 chicks in each battery cage. Factors included 2 levels of BCS and AL (0 and 1%). Experiment 2 was conducted as a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (control, 0.3 and 0.5 g/kg of CLE, and 0.5 g/kg of mannanoligosaccharide) of 8 replicates and 4 chicks in each. Body weight and cumulative feed intake were measured at 21, 35, and 42 d of age. Antibody response against SRBC was measured on d 28 and 42. Blood characteristics, relative weight and length of different parts of the carcass, gastrointestinal pH, villi length, and crypt depth were measured at 42 d of age. Artemisia addition did not affect BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) but decreased feed intake significantly up to 21 d of age (P ≤ 0.01). Black cumin significantly increased BW (P ≤ 0.05) at 21 and 42 d of age and decreased FCR throughout the experimental period (P ≤ 0.01). Artemisia significantly increased monocytes but had no effect on gastrointestinal pH, antibody response, and relative weight and length of different parts of the carcass. Black cumin increased red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, gizzard relative weight, and pH but decreased antibody response and monocytes percentage (P ≤ 0.01). Artemisia did not affect plasma lipid profile but decreased coliform and Escherichia coli populations of ceca significantly (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05, respectively). Addition of 0.5 g/kg of CLE decreased BW, feed intake, and FCR throughout the experiment (P ≤ 0.01). Camellia increased gizzard and proventriculus pH, villi length, and crypt depth (P ≤ 0.01) but decreased primary antibody response, total white blood cell count, and cholesterol concentration (P ≤ 0.05). The results of this experiment showed that using BCS alone or mixed with AL improved broiler health and performance but CLE negatively affected broiler BW and feed intake and is not a good alternative to commercial mannanoligosaccharide.

Intestinal morphology, digestive organ size and digesta pH of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with or without <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf meal

“…Morphologically, this might have been expected. Khalaji et al (2011) studied the effects of dried Artemisia sieberi leaves on digesta pH in broiler chickens, and reported a significant increase in pH of jejuna contents.…”

Artemisia spicigera Essential Oil: Assessment of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties

“…In another study, the level of IC 50 of the methanol extract from the aerial parts of Artemisia, collected from different areas of East Azarbaijan, was 29.74 to 64 .18 µg per mL (23). In another report, the level of inhibition of the free radical form of 2, 2 diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl of Artemisia, collected from Babak city of Kerman, was 71.6 ± 1.7 µg per mL (24).…”

“…Also in the study of Khalaji and et al the level of flavonoids of methanol extract of aerial parts of Artemisia, collected from different regions of East Azerbaijan, was 0.4 to 2.1 µM quercetin per 100 gram extract (23).…”

“…In the study of Khalaji et al the level of phenol of the methanol extract of aerial parts of Artemisia, collected from different regions of East Azerbaijan, was 1.4 to 2.3 µg per 100 µg extract (23). In the mentioned study, the level of total flavonoid of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia, collected from areas of Golestanak Alborz, was 0.6 ± 12.4 mg quercetin per gram of extract (22).…”

Egg Production, Egg Quality, Blood Profiles, Cecal Microflora, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens Fed withFenugreek (<i>Trigonella foenum-graecum</i> L.) Seed Extract

“…When used in diets, these substances exhibit antioxidative properties and antimicrobial activity, improve nutrient absorption, and could ultimately improve animal performance (Hernandez et al, 2004;Khalaji et al, 2011;Park et al, 2014). PFA are less toxic, have fewer side effects, and are residue-free compared with synthetic feed additives, and are thought to be ideal feed additives in animal production (Hashemi et al, 2008).…”