Growth Performance and Gut Microbiota of Broilers Administered Different Levels of Mango Seed Kernel Extract

ABSTRACT The current global trend to eradicate the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) from the poultry industry has led to the exploration of effective alternatives for sustainable poultry production and to overcome intestinal diseases in the post-AGP era. Therefore, medicinal plants and their extracts are being used as safe and natural substitutes. In this study, a research trial was conducted to explore the effect of different levels of mango seed kernel extract on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and gut microbiota of broiler birds, since mango is well known for its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Broiler birds (n=720) were allocated to six treatment groups under a completely randomized design; T1: positive control (basal diet with antibiotic), T2: negative control (basal diet without antibiotic), and T3, T4, T5 and T6 representing treatment groups supplemented with respectively 10 mL/kg, 20 mL/kg, 30 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg of feed of mango seed kernel extract (MSKE). Among the different levels of mango seed kernel extract, birds supplemented with 30 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg showed decreased total bacterial and differential bacterial counts, better Lactobacillus counts, and increased leg quarter and breast quarter weights. However, among the groups supplemented with 30 and 40 mL/kg, increased body weight gain and better FCR was observed in the 30 mL/kg group. Hence, it can be concluded that mango seed kernel extract given in broilers’ diet at the dose level of 30 mL/kg of feed can improve birds’ growth performance and function well as an AGP replacement, being a good option for sustainable poultry production.