Growth performance, intestinal microflora, plasma fatty acid profile in broiler chickens fed herbal plant (Euphorbia hirta) and mix of acidifiers

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate two feed additives containing Euphorbia hirta and acidifiers on broiler chickens performance, gut microflora and blood fatty acid profiles. A total of 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned in groups of 15-16 floor pens. On day one, the chicks were assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments; (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet. +. 7.5. g/kg E. hirta (EH7.5), (3) basal diet. +. 1.5. g/kg acidifier (OA) and (4) basal diet. +. 7.5. g/kg E. hirta+. 1.5. g/kg acidifier (EHOA). Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. On days 21 and 42, eight birds from each dietary treatment were chosen at random for ileum viable bacterial counts. On day 42, thiobarbituric acid reactive species as an indicator of lipid peroxidation level were measured. The EH7.5, EHOA and OA supplementation improved overall FCR (P=0.0275). The serum of chickens fed with EH7.5, OA and EHOA showed the lower malondialdehyde value than that of chickens fed the control diet (P=0.0068). On day 42, the lowest total bacteria count and Escherichia coli was observed in EH7.5, OA and EHOA fed birds (P<0.0001). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that dietary supplementation with E. hirta in combination with acidifier have a positive impact on FCR and their combination displays antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics in broiler chickens.

Effects of Coriander Essential Oil on the Performance, Blood Characteristics, Intestinal Microbiota and Histological of Broilers

“…All samples were diluted 1:10 with normal saline solution and their weight was recorded (Hashemi et al, 2012). Further serial dilutions (10 -5 to 10 -6…”

“…Lactobacillus was counted on the MRS agar (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, 2013) and Plates were incubated at 37°C for 48-72 h (Engberg et al, 2000). Results were expressed as log of colony forming units (CFU) per gram of caecum content (Hashemi et al, 2012).…”

“…The use of feed additives has been an important part of achieving this success. Common feed additives used in poultry diets include antimicrobials and antioxidants (Hashemi et al, 2012). Phytogenics are a relatively new class of feed additives.…”

Effects of exogenous tannase enzyme on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response, gut morphology and intestinal microflora of chicks fed grape pomace

“…The variables that were measured were villus height, crypt depth and thickness of the muscularis layer. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth was calculated (Hashemi et al, 2012).…”

Desempenho produtivo e microbiota intestinal de frangos de corte suplementados com ß-ácidos do lúpulo (Humulus lupulus) após desafio com Eimeria acervulina e E. tenella

“…(MIZOBUCHI e SATO, 1985). O lúpulo e o extrato de suas flores são utilizados pela indústria cervejeira para conferir o sabor e aroma da cerveja, mas eles foram inicialmente utilizados para inibir o crescimento de bactérias ácido lácticas no processo de produção desta bebida (GRUESO et al, 2013 (TIIHONEN et al, 2010;MOUNTZOURIS et al, 2011;ABDEL-WARETH et al, 2012;HASHEMI et al, 2012;KIM et al, 2013). Tiihonen et al (2010) ZHOU et al, 2007;CRESSMAN et al, 2010;OVIEDO-RONDON et al, 2010;LEE et al, 2010;LA-ONGKHUM et al, 2011) e T-RFLP (GONG et al, 2002;GEIER et al, 2010 (YUN et al, 2000).…”