Green Tea and Pomegranate Extract Administered During Critical Moments of the Production Cycle Improves Blood Antiradical Activity and Alters Cecal Microbial Ecology of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Phytobiotics are usually tested in feed and throughout the production cycle. However, it could be beneficial to evaluate their effects when administered only during critical moments, such as changes in feeding phases. The aim of the trial was to investigate the effect of a commercial plant extract (PE; IQV-10-P01, InQpharm Animal Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on growth performance, blood antiradical activity and cecal microbiome when administered in drinking water to broiler chickens during the post-hatching phase and at each change of diet. In the experiment, 480 1-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups in a 50-day trial. Broilers received drinking water (C) or drinking water plus PE (T) at a rate of 2 mL/L on days 0 to 4, 10–11 and 20–21. PE did not affect performance and water intake, while total antiradical activity was improved (p < 0.05). A greater abundance of lactic acid bacteria (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) was found in the T group and the result was confirmed at a lower taxonomic level with higher Lactobacillaceae abundance (FDR < 0.05). Our findings suggest that PE administration during critical moments of the production cycle of broiler chickens may exert beneficial effects at a systemic level and on gut microbial ecology.

Immunostimulatory Potential of Fruits and Their Extracts in Poultry

“…Pomegranates have also been used in feed and drinking water. The addition of pomegranate rind extract and green tea to broilers' water during critical periods in development showed a significant increase in the population of bacilli, specifically Lactobacilli, in the caeca (75). Another study compared pomegranate peel, pomegranate peel extract, and purified a-tocopheryl acetate, and found a significantly higher antioxidant activity in most of the treated groups, with the exception of the birds treated with the lowest concentration of pomegranate peel (84).…”

Phytogenic Feed Additives in Poultry: Achievements, Prospective and Challenges

“…Keeping in view the importance of intestinal microbiome [ 115 ], several authors studied the effects of PFAs on the microbiota composition ( Table 5 ). The results showed that these effects are both phytogenic composition and inclusion level dependent [ 116 , 117 ], and can range from neutral with no effect [ 117 , 118 , 119 ] up to beneficial [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 ].…”

“…Green tea and pomegranate have also been proven to modulate the intestinal microbiota [ 122 , 134 ], especially by promoting beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract [ 125 , 135 ]. In a recent study conducted by Perricone et al [ 123 ], broilers receiving a plant extract composed of green tea leaves ( Camellia sinensis ) and pomegranate rinds ( Punica granatum ) promoted greater relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria compared to the control group. These results are of particular interest because lactic acid bacteria are recognized to positively affect the intestine by regulating the composition of intestinal microflora, developing intestinal immunity and promoting gut health [ 136 ].…”

In-vitro and in-vivo Antimicrobial Properties of Pomegranate Peel Extract Genotypes against Bacterial Vaginosis in bovine

“…The effect of pomegranate extract feeding on animal health has been reported in previous studies. Those effects included modifying the microbial ecology of broiler chickens (Perricone et al, 2020) and the microbiome in mice (George et al, 2019). There are also studies on the effects of concentrated pomegranate extract on lactating cow rations (Jami et al, 2012) and pomegranate extract feeding on health, growth, and nutrient digestion in calves (Oliveira et al, 2010).…”