Combination of herbal components (curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde) in broiler chicken feed: Impacts on response parameters, performance, fatty acid profiles, meat quality and control of coccidia and bacteria

Effect of curcumin dietary supplementation on growth performance, physiology, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs

This study evaluated the effects of curcumin dietary supplementation on growth, physiology, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs. Thirty-two male Lacaune lambs (15.6 ± 0.63 kg, 60 ± 2.8 days of age) were randomly allocated in 16 pens (four treatments of four replicates with two lambs each) for 30 days. The animals were assigned to the following treatments: T0, T100, T200 and T300, representing 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of curcumin/kg of concentrate, respectively. Curcumin dietary supplementation increased (P = 0.02) weight gain; on regression analysis, 315.1 mg curcumin/kg of concentrate was the dosage that provided the greatest weight gain. T200 and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.04) erythrocytes numbers; T100 and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.01) leukocyte numbers and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.04) lymphocyte numbers, compared to T0 lambs. Globulin levels were significantly greater in the T200 group (P = 0.04) only on day 15 but not day 30; levels of total protein were significantly higher (P = 0.01) only in T200 and T300 group on day 15 and only in T200 group on d 30. Gamma-glutamyltransferase concentrations tended to be lower (P = 0.08) in T100, T200 and T300 group on d 15, and only in the T100 group on d 30. Curcumin dietary supplementation increased (P = 0.01) the serum activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced (P = 0.01) levels of reactive oxygen species. In meat samples, T200 and T300 had greater total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.03) and lower (P = 0.01) lipoperoxidation rates. In carcasses, T300 lambs had greater (P ≤ 0.02) cooling weight losses and yields than did T0 lambs. Curcumin dietary supplementation also reduced (P ≤ 0.03) redness and yellowness. T200 and T300 lambs had fewer (P = 0.01) cooking losses and T200 lambs had greater (P = 0.03) water holding capacity than did T0 lambs. These findings suggest that curcumin dietary supplementation improves growth and antioxidant responses, as well as influencing meat quality in lambs.

Impact of juçara (Euterpe edulis) fruit waste extracts on the quality of conventional and antibiotic-free broiler meat

Juçara (Euterpe edulis) is a native Brazilian palm tree from the Atlantic Forest, whose fruit-processing waste can present high concentration of antioxidant compounds. This research was assessed to determine the antioxidant potential of juçara waste extracts aiming to reduce the lipid and protein oxidation processes on conventional and antibiotic-free broiler meat throughout 9 d during refrigerated storage. The juçara waste extracts were obtained by microwave-assisted extraction. Two different extracts were tested based on the optimum point obtained when checking total phenolic (TPC) contents (Extract P) and antioxidant activity (Extract A) based on a previous study. The treatments using conventional and antibiotic-free broiler meat included: chicken patties without antioxidant addition (AFBNC and CBNC), with synthetic antioxidant (BHT) (AFBPC and CBPC), with Extract P (AFBEP and CBEP) and with Extract A (AFBEA and CBEA), totaling 8 treatments. Antioxidant activity of extracts along with TPC, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and tannin contents of extracts and patties were assessed. Proximate composition, fatty acid profile, lipid and protein oxidation process, and instrumental color were analyzed in patty treatments. Although both extracts had similar content of TPC and tannin, extract A presented the highest anthocyanin, while extract P exhibited the highest flavonoid. While extract A exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, extract P was highly influential in the stability of lipid oxidative degradation in both types of broiler meat (AFBEP and CBEP), and as successful as BHT (AFBPC and CBPC). In addition, extract P was also able to stabilize protein oxidation in conventional broiler meat (CBEP) from the third day, until the end of the storage period. Therefore, the fruit waste extract P of juçara can be a promising source of natural antioxidants to prevent the oxidative process in conventional and antibiotic-free broiler meat.

Inclusion of a phytogenic bend in broiler diet as a performance enhancer and anti-aflatoxin agent: Impacts on health, performance, and meat quality

The objective of this study was to determine whether a phytogenic blend (PB), formulated based on organic acids, tannins, curcumin, and essential oils, could replace the antimicrobials commonly used as growth promoters in the poultry industry without compromising zootechnical performance, health, or meat quality. In addition, our goal was to report the anti-aflatoxin effect of this phytogenic blend. Four treatments were used: TC, or control; T250, T500, and T1000, representing test doses of 250, 500, 1000 mg PB/kg of feed, respectively, or a 34-day experiment (initial and growth phases). On day 22 of the study and age of the birds, 500 ppb of aflatoxin was included in the diet to represent an intestinal challenge and to evaluate the growth-promoting effects of PB. In the initial phase (up to 21 days), there were no differences between groups in weight gain, feed intake, or feed conversion. After adding an aflatoxin-contaminated feed, doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg minimized the adverse effects on feed consumption and feed conversion caused by aflatoxin; but 1000 mg/kg did not differ between groups. In birds that consumed PB (T250, T500, and T1000) compared to the control, there were the following changes: 1) lower counts of heterophiles, lymphocytes, and monocytes; 2) lower lipid peroxidation and high non-protein thiols levels in breast meat; 3) lower bacteria counts in broiler litter; and 4) lower ALT levels. Greater intestinal villus/crypt ratios were observed at T250 and T500. The dose of 250 mg/kg reduced saturated fatty acids and increased unsaturated fatty acids. The chemical-physical composition of the meat did not differ between treatments. The findings suggest that the addition of a PB has a high potential to improve performance for chickens in the growing stage and minimize the adverse effects of aflatoxicosis.

Effects of Scrophularia striata hydroalcoholic extract in comparison to salinomycin on growth performance, intestinal health and immunity in broiler chickens following a mixed-species Eimeria challenge

Poultry coccidiosis is an important disease affecting performance which is characterized by intestinal epithelium damageand increased mortality and is caused by the protozoa parasites of the genus Eimeria. This study evaluated the growth-promoting (experiment 1), protective, and immunostimulatory effects (experiment 2) of salinomycin and Scrophularia striata hydroalcoholic extract (SSE) against coccidiosis in broilers. Two experiments were conducted with 300 1-day-old broiler chickens, which were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 6 replicate pens of 10 birds (experiment 1) or 10 replicate cages of 6 birds (experiment 2). In both experiments, treatments were: negative control (NC: untreated, and uninfected); positive control (PC: untreated, infected); or PC supplemented with salinomycin (Sal); 200 mg/kg of SSE (SSE200); or 400 mg/kg of SSE (SSE400). All these groups (except NC) were challenged via oral gavage with of sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species (Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella) on d 10 (experiment 1) or d 14 (experiment 2). In the first trial, all treatments improved growth and feed conversion compared with the PC group, where the best values were noticed in the NC, SAL, and SSE400 groups throughout the entire experimental period (d 1-42). Further, a lower mortality rate (P < 0.05) was observed in the NC, Sal, and SSE400 groups as compared to that in the PC group. In the second trial, intestinal lesion scores and total oocyst numbers were reduced in the Sal and SSE400 groups compared to the PC group, although all coccidiosis-challenged groups had higher intestinal lesion scores (P < 0.05) compared to NC group. Immune responses revealed that among challenged birds, those fed diets Sal and SSE400 had significantly higher Eimeria-specific cecum IgG and IgM levels, but lower serum IFN-γ concentration than the PC group. Among the experimental treatments, broiler chickens fed diet SSE400 had greater (P < 0.05) Eimeria-specific serum IgG and TGF-β levels, but lower (P < 0.05) serum IL-6 concentration than those fed the PC diet at d 24. Considering the results, dietary SSE, especially at high levels of inclusion in broiler diet (400 mg/kg), could result in a comparable growth performance and a better immune response, compared to a salinomycin supplement under coccidiosis challenge.

The impact of essential oils on antibiotic use in animal production regarding antimicrobial resistance - a review

Population growth directly affects the global food supply, demanding a higher production efficiency without farmland expansion - in view of limited land resources and biodiversity loss worldwide. In such scenario, intensive agriculture practices have been widely used. A commonly applied method to maximize yield in animal production is the use of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics as growth promoters. Because of the strong antibiotic selection pressure generated, the intense use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has been associated to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Also, cross-resistance can occur, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and limiting treatment options in both human and animal health. Thereon, alternatives have been studied to replace AGP in animal production. Among such alternatives, essential oils and essential oil components (EOC) stand out positively from others due to, besides antimicrobial effectiveness, improving zootechnical indexes and modulating genes involved in resistance mechanisms. This review summarizes recent studies in essential oils and EOC for zoonotic bacteria control, providing detailed information about the molecular-level effects of their use in regard to AMR, and identifying important gaps to be filled within the animal production area.

Essential oils as growth-promoting additives on performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal microbes, and serum metabolites of broiler chickens: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of dietary essential oils (EOs) on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum metabolite profiles of broiler chickens and to compare their effectiveness as growth-promoting additives against antibiotics.

METHODS

Peer-reviewed articles were retrieved from Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google scholar and selected based on pre-determined criteria. A total of 41 articles containing 55 experiments with 163 treatment units were eligible for analyses. Data were subjected to a meta-analysis based on mixed model methodology considering the doses of EOs as fixed effects and the different studies as random effects.

RESULTS

Results showed a linear increase (p<0.001) on body weight gain (BWG) where Antibiotics (FCR) and average daily feed intake decreased (p<0.001) linearly with an increasing dose of EOs. Positive effects were observed on the increased (p<0.01) digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and cecal Lactobacillus while Escherichia coli (E. coli) population in the cecum decreased (p<0.001) linearly. There was a quadratic effect on the weight of gizzard (p<0.01), spleen (p<0.05), bursa of fabricius (p<0.001), and liver (p< 0.10) while carcass, abdominal fat, and pancreas increased (p<0.01) linearly. The dose of EOs linearly increased high density lipoprotein, glucose, protein, and globulin concentrations (p<0.01). In comparison to control and antibiotics, all type of EOs significantly reduced (p<0.001) FCR and tended to increase (p<0.1) BWG and final body weight. Cinnamaldehyde-compound was the only EOs type showing a tendency to increase (p<0.1) carcass weight, albumin, and protein of serum metabolites while this EOs together with EOs-Blend 1 decreased (p<0.01) E. coli population. Low density lipoprotein concentration decreased (p<0.05) with antibiotics and carvacrol-based compound when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

This evidence confirms that EOs are suitable to be used as growth promoters and their economical benefit appears to be promising.

Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde replace growth-promoting antibiotics: Effect on performance and meat quality in broiler chickens

The aim was to evaluate the use of mixture of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde as a replacement for growth-promoting antibiotics in broiler diets on performance, intestinal quality, organ development, carcass yields and cuts, and meat quality. In the trial were used 600 male chicks, allocated in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and eight replicates of 15 birds, reared up to 41 days of age. The treatments were: Negative Control (NC), Positive Control (PC) 30 mg/kg of virginiamycin, NC+100 mg/kg of essential oils, NC+200 mg/kg of essential oils and NC+400 mg/kg of essential oils. Essential oils were composed by a micro-encapsulated blend, with of 60% cinnamaldehyde, 30% carvacrol and 10% carrier. Birds received essential oils achieved performance equivalent to those birds received PC diets, having better development than NC broilers. No differences were found on relative organ weight, intestinal mucosa and meat quality parameters, however, higher villus:cript ratio was found in PC, NC+200 and NC+400 groups. Meat crude protein and yellowness were influenced by inclusion of carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde. It was concluded microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde can replace growth-promoting antibiotic in broiler diets, ensuring performance, intestinal integrity and broiler meat quality.

Phytogenic blend protective effects against microbes but affects health and production in broilers

The aim of this study was to determine whether addition of a phytogenic blend in the feed of broilers to replace conventional antimicrobials as a performance enhancer would improve or maintain productive efficiency. The phytogenic blend was based on curcuminoids, cinnamaldehyde and glycerol monolaurate. We used 480 birds divided into three groups with eight repetitions per group and 20 birds per repetition. The groups were identified as antimicrobial-treated: basal feed with antibiotics and coccidiostatic agents; phytogenic blend: basal feed with blend; and control, only basal feed. Zootechnical performance was measured on days from 1 to 42, with body weight measured at days 1, 7, 21 and 42. We collected excreta for parasitological analysis and total bacterial counts to determine if the phytogenic blend had kept the bacteria and coccidia in counts smaller or similar to that resulting from use of conventional performance enhancer. Other variables were also measured to complement our research, i.e., if the consumption of bend is good for the health of the birds (without causing toxicity and negatively altering the metabolism and intestinal morphometry) and does not interfere in the quality of the meat. Because the bacteria are often opportunistic, we challenged all birds at 23 days of age with high doses of oral oocysts (28,000 oocysts). Birds supplemented with the blend showed inferior performance compared to birds in the control and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05). We found a smaller number of oocysts of Eimeria spp. in the excreta at 42 days in the treatment with blend and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05). In terms of total bacterial counts, there were lower counts in the birds of the blend group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The blend increased the yellow intensity and the luminosity of the meat (P < 0.05), as well as cooking weight losses (P < 0.05) compared those of the control. We observed higher total levels of saturated fatty acids in meat from the blend and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05), as well as lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids in the blend group (P < 0.05). The inclusion of a phytogenic blend to replace conventional antimicrobials and anticoccidial agents in the diet of chickens was able to control bacteria as well as coccidia; however, it ends up harming health and production.

Effects of curcumin and yucca extract addition in feed of broilers on microorganism control (anticoccidial and antibacterial), health, performance and meat quality

The aim of this study was to determine whether curcumin and yucca extract addition in broiler feed improves growth, health, and meat quality, and to measure coccidiostatic and antimicrobial activity so as to enable replacement of conventional performance enhancers. We used 240 birds in four treatments: CN, basal feed with antibiotics and coccidiostatic drugs; CU, feed with 100 mg/kg of curcumin; YE, feed with 250 mg/kg of yucca extract; and CU + YE, feed with the combination of 100 mg curcumin/kg and 250 mg yucca extract/kg. A significant reduction in oocysts was observed in birds supplemented with combined additives (CU + YE) at days 37 compared to other treatments and at 42 days in relation to the CU treatment. At 42 days, the total bacterial counts for the CN and CU treatments were lower than the others. Birds fed the additive had lower numbers of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and heterophils than did those in the CN treatment. The highest levels of antioxidants in meat were observed in the treatments with the additives, together with lower levels of lipid peroxidation compared to the CN. The lowest protein oxidation was observed in the CU + YE treatment in relation to the other treatments. Lower total levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) were observed in the CU treatment than in the CN. There were lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in the meat of birds in the YE treatment in relation to the others. Higher levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were observed in birds that consumed curcumin, individually and in combination with yucca extract. Taken together, the data suggest that curcumin and yucca extract are additives that can potentially replace conventional growth promoters; they improved bird health. Changes in the fatty acid profile of meat (increase in the percentage of omegas) are beneficial to the health of the consumer.

Curcumin, Curcumin Nanoparticles and Curcumin Nanospheres: A Review on Their Pharmacodynamics Based on Monogastric Farm Animal, Poultry and Fish Nutrition

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that is widely used in medical sciences. However, it has limited uses in monogastric farm animal as well as fish and poultry nutrition. There are some works that have been done on curcumin and curcumin nanoparticles as pharmaceutics in animal nutrition. However, studies have shown that ingestion of curcumin or curcumin nanoparticles does not benefit the animal health much due to their lower bioavailability, which may result because of low absorption, quick metabolism and speedy elimination of curcumin from the animal body. For these reasons, advanced formulations of curcumin are needed. Curcumin nanospheres is a newly evolved field of nanobiotechnology which may have beneficial effects in terms of growth increment, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects on animal and fish health by means of nanosphere forms that are biodegradable and biocompatible. Thus, this review aims to highlight the potential application of curcumin, curcumin nanoparticles and curcumin nanospheres in the field of monogastric farm animal, poultry and fish nutrition. We do believe that the review provides the perceptual vision for the future development of curcumin, curcumin nanoparticles and curcumin nanospheres and their applications in monogastric farm animal, poultry and fish nutrition.