Phytobiotic Effect of Anacardium occidentale L. Leaves Powder on Performance, Carcass Traits, and Intestinal Characteristics in Broilers

Abstract

In order to evaluate the phytobiotic effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) leaves powder (CLP) on growth performance, carcass traits, lymphoid organ weights and cecal lactic-acid bacteria in broilers, a total of 720 unsexed broilers of the Ross 308® genetic line were distributed according to a completely randomized design with three experimental treatments, five repetitions and 48 chickens per repetitions. The experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet (DB; T0) and DB + supplementation with 0.50 (T1) and 0.75% (T2) of CLP. At 32 days, the body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not modified (p>0.05) by the experimental groups; however, T1 increased (p<0.05) the viability compared to T0. Additionally, T2 improved (p<0.05) the carcass and leg yields, although without significant changes (p>0.05) for the other edible portions. Moreover, this natural product (A. occidentale) increased (p<0.05) the ash content and the range of the red tone and decreased (p<0.05) the L* in the breast, although moisture, fat, pH, and b* were not affected by the experimental diets (p>0.05). Similarly, T1 favored (p<0.05) the growth of green bacterial colonies with a white halo, and both treatments with CLP the total cecal acid-lactic bacteria. No significant changes were observed (p>0.05) in the relative weight of the immune organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen). Dietary supplementation with cashew leaves powder enhanced the viability of the batch (0.5%), some edible portions (0.75%), the breast pigmentation, and the cecal beneficial bacteria count in broilers.

Diets with Ganoderma lucidum Mushroom Powder and Zinc-Bacitracin on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Lymphoid Organ Weights and Intestinal Characteristics in Broilers

“…Although G. lucidum powder did not change (p>0.05) broiler's growth performance (Table 5), this natural product did promote a higher carcass yield, perhaps due to better intestinal health, which allowed for the increase of muscle synthesis. Other authors Farag & El-Rayes (2016) and Martínez et al (2021b) reported similar results in carcass yields when they used small concentrations of natural alternatives rich in beneficial secondary metabolites (mainly tannic, coumarins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and alkaloids). Azad et al (2013) and Mashayekhi et al (2018) have informed that the positive effects of these secondary metabolites on broiler carcass yields have been related to nutrient absorption, mainly that of essentials amino acids such as lysine, methionine, and threonine.…”

“…Therefore, the highest immunological activity in birds generally occurs with the involution of the primary lymphoid organs (Bursa de Fabricio and thymus). Moreover, Martínez et al (2021b) have reported the same effect on relative spleen weight when they used natural products rich in secondary metabolites (mainly tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, and with reduced sugars) in broilers. Other studies have found that the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom increases the spleen index in apparently healthy and sick laboratory animals (rats and mice), indicating a higher immune response (Wang et al, 2013;Zhu et al, 2019;Li et al, 2019;.…”

“…In this sense, Chen et al (2020) did not find improvements in body weight and feed intake when they used an extract of Ganoderma lucidum on broiler diets, despite the fact that this natural product increased antibody titers and improved gut heath. According to Martínez et al (2021b), natural or synthetic growth promoters have a better productive response in broilers when zootechnical conditions are not adequate. Apparently, the experimental conditions allowed the expression of broiler's genetic potential, considering that mortality (2 to 3%) and body weight were similar to those stipulated by Cobb-Vantress (2018) for this genetic line (Cobb 500).…”

“…Also, fat is related to moisture content and both oral additives increased this variable (moisture). It is known that lipids are insoluble in water, thus both indicators are inversely proportional (Martínez et al, 2021b). Despite the higher moisture, these breasts are in the acceptable range for chicken meat (Saelin et al, 2017).…”

Chemical composition of the foliage meal of Tithonia diversifolia

“…The chemical characterization of feeds is one of the most important aspects for the successful development of livestock production and complements the in vitro and in vivo results. Thus, these chemical studies are essential to formulate diets considering the animal species, productive category, physiological state, and productive purpose (Betancourt et al, 2017), which will allow taking advantage of the available raw materials and lowering the production costs associated with feeding (Martínez & Valdivié, 2021).…”