Effect of Dietary Moringa oleifera Leaves Powder on Growth Performance, Blood Chemistry, Meat Quality and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chicks
2014
Kanika, | Mandal, A.B. | Biswas, A. | Yadav, A.S. | Biswas, A.K.
An experiment was conducted using 420 day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL), on growth performance, serum chemistry, gut microflora and meat quality. The six dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal based basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg antibiotic; and four levels of Moringa leaves powder (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%). Each treatment diet was fed ad libitum to seven replicated groups of 10 chicks up to 42d of age. At the end of feeding trial seven birds from each group were randomly selected for collection of blood and analysis of serum biochemical profile. Gut microflora and TBA value of meat were also estimated. There was no significant change in BW gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broilers among the groups. The dietary inclusion of MOL powder, in broiler ration significantly (P<0.05) decreased the serum total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, uric acid and creatinine. Inclusion of MOL upto 1.5% reduced ALT and AST activities. The TBA values of meat and microbial load were lower at 2.0% MOL as compared to control and group supplemented with antibiotic. These results suggested that MOL could improve the liver function and retarded catabolic rate in broiler chicks. In addition Moringa leaves had hypocholesterolaemic effect. Further, gut health of the bird improved and MOL can be suitable natural alternative to antibiotic. It may also provide several benefits in meat quality and finally to consumer health.
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