The study investigated the effects of administration of graded levels of fermented Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit filtrate in drinking water on the growth performance, hematological variables, intestinal ecology, and carcass characteristics of broilers. The experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design. Two hundred day-old-Lohmann broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups, each consisting of 5 replications with 10 chicks in each replication. The treatments were administration of fermented A. bilimbi L. fruit filtrate through drinking water at concentrations of 0% (CONT), 0.5% (FAB05), 1.0% (FAB1), and 2.0% (FAB2). Blood was sampled on days 21 and 33, while intestinal segments and digesta were collected on day 33. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (p<0.05) with the increased concentrations of fermented filtrate in drinking water. Body weight, cumulative feed intake, and mortality of broilers were not affected by the treatments. On day 21, thrombocytes decreased (p<0.05) with the increased concentrations of fermented filtrate. On day 33, leukocytes and lymphocytes were lower (p<0.05) in treated chicks than in control. On day 21, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased (p<0.05) with the enhanced fermented filtrate concentrations. On day 33, creatinine and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased (p<0.05) following the increased fermented filtrate concentration in drinking water. Fermented fruit filtrate increased (p<0.05) jejunal villi height and ileal crypt depth. Fermented filtrate also resulted in higher (p<0.05) pH values of jejunum. The Enterobacteriaceae counts in the ileum decreased (p<0.05) with the increased fermented filtrate concentration in drinking water. Fermented fruit filtrate decreased (p<0.05) the liver and caeca weights and increased (p<0.05) the proventriculus weight. In conclusion, administration of 2% of fermented A. bilimbi L. fruit filtrate (pH 1.83) through drinking water improved FCR, physiological condition, and intestinal ecology of broilers. The addition of fermented fruit filtrate up to 2% in drinking water did not exert a negative effect on the carcass characteristics of broilers.

The study investigated the effect of acidified turmeric, black pepper or its combination on growth and meat quality of broilers. The Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. fruit filtrate was used to acidify the herbs. A number of 392 day-old Lohmann broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four groups, including CONT (control diet), TRMC (diet supplemented with 1% acidified turmeric), BLPR (1% acidified black pepper) and TRPR (1% acidified turmeric and 1% acidified black pepper). Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were weekly recorded. Internal organ weight and carcase traits were determined at day 35. The CONT and TRMC showed greater (p < 0.05) weight gain than BLPR and TRPR. The FCR was lower (p < 0.05) in TRMC than in BLPR and TRPR, but did not differ from CONT. The gizzard was greater (p < 0.05) in BLPR than that in CONT and TRMC. The BLPR had smaller (p < 0.05) pancreas than other chickens. Abdominal fat was lower (p < 0.05) in TRMC, BLPR and TRPR than that in CONT, of which BLPR was the lowest. Drumstick was greater (p < 0.05) in BLPR than in CONT. CONT had lighter and less yellow (p < 0.05) breast meats than other broilers. In thigh meats, the lightness (L*) values were higher (p < 0.05) in CONT than in TRMC and BLPR. The yellowness (b*) were lower (p < 0.05) in CONT than in TRPR meats. In conclusion, acidified turmeric reduced abdominal fat deposition and improved meat quality of broilers.

The present experiment investigated the impact of administrations of lactic fermented turmeric, black pepper or a mixture of both into diets on the hematological parameters and intestinal ecology and morphology of broilers. Three hundred and ninety two broilers were spread to T0 (control), T1 (feed administrated with 1% lactic fermented turmeric), T2 (feed administrated with 1% lactic fermented black pepper) and T3 (feed administrated with 1% lactic fermented turmeric and 1% lactic fermented black pepper). Blood sampling was conducted at days 21 and 35, while intestinal sampling was at day 35. At day 21, erythrocyte counts were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for T1 compared to that for T2 and T3. Broilers in T1 had deceased (P ≤ 0.05) serum total triglyceride compared to that of T0 and T3. The concentration of globulin was reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in T3 than that in T0 and T1. At day 35, serum triglyceride level was more elevated (P ≤ 0.05) in T0 compared to that in T2 and T3 groups. Serum cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein levels were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in T3 than that in T0. Compared to other broilers, total protein and globulin concentrations were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in T3. A bigger (P ≤ 0.05) ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G) was seen in T3 compared to that in T1 and T2. Creatinine was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in T1 than in others. The titer of antibody toward vaccine of Newcastle disease was elevated (P ≤ 0.05) in T1 and T2 than in T0. The LAB counts were enhanced (P ≤ 0.05) in ileum of T1 and T2 than that in T0. Compared to T0, the villi height of jejunum was elevated (P ≤ 0.05) in treated broilers. In conclusion, administration of fermented turmeric powder improved erythrocyte counts, antibody titer toward Newcastle disease vaccine, LAB population and jejunal villi height of broilers.

The study evaluated the influence of fermented papaya leaf and seed powder (FPLS) and/or multienzymes on the growth, physiology, antioxidant, and gut ecology of the Indonesian crossbred chicken (ICC) at high stocking density. Three hundred and seventy ICC were randomly allotted to LSD (chicks fed conventional feed at low stocking density), HSD (chicks fed conventional feed at high stocking density), HSD+mE (chicks fed conventional feed plus multienzyme at high stocking density), HSD+FPLS (chicks fed FPLS at high stocking density) and HSD+FPLS+mE (chicks fed FPLS plus multienzyme at high stocking density). Body weight and feed intake were determined weekly. Two ICC were taken from each pen ( 10chicks per treatment group) at week 10 for sampling. The study was arranged based on a completely randomized design with five treatment groups, each consisted of five replicates. Except for performance, analysis of variance was conducted on two chicks from each replicate (10 chicks per treatment group). Chicks in LSD consumed more (p<0.05) feed and had a higher (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was lower (p<0.05) in HSD, HSD+FPLS, and HSD+FPLS+mE chicks than in LSD chicks. Lymphocyte counts were lower (p<0.05) in HSD relative to HSD+mE chicks. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher (p<0.05) in HSD and HSD+FPLS+mE chicks than in LSD, HSD+mE, and HSD+FPLS chicks. High-density lipoprotein was smaller (p<0.05) in HSD+mE chicks than in LSD, HSD, and HSD+FPLS chicks. Compared to the other treatment groups of chicks, HSD+FPLS chicks had a lower (p<0.05) albumin level. Creatinine level was lower (p<0.05) in HSD chicks than in the other group of chicks. Enterobacteriaceae counts were lower (p<0.05) in HSD+FPLS cecal content of chicks than in LSD and HSD chicks. The redness values of breast meats were lower (p<0.05) in HSD+FPLS chicks than the chicks in HSD+mE and HSD+FPLS+mE dietary treatments. LSD chicks had higher (p<0.05) redness values of thigh meat than the other treatment groups of chicks. LSD chicks also had higher (p<0.05) yellowness values than HSD+mE and HSD+FPLS+mE chicks. In conclusion, high stocking density resulted in mild stress conditions, as was demonstrated by the increased SOD and decreased PDW and redness meat values. A combination of FPLS and multienzyme ameliorated the adverse influence of high stocking density in ICC.

Background and Aim: In the post-antibiotic era, consumer demand for healthy and safe meats has prompted poultry producers to seek alternative effective feed additives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a novel natural feed additive based on a mixture of Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth rate, internal organ weight, and breast meat characteristics of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 280 1-day-old chicks were divided into one control (CNTRL; feed without additives) and three treatment groups: NOV25, feed with 2.5 g/kg novel additive; NOV50, feed with 5.0 g/kg novel additive; and NOV100, feed with 10 g/kg novel additive. The body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly. On day 35, the chickens from each group were slaughtered, and their internal organs and breast meat samples were collected. Results: The BW of broilers in NOV100 was greater (p=0.016) than that in the other groups. The FCRs in the treatments groups were lower (p<0.001) than that in the control group. Elevated levels of the novel additive increased (p=0.051) the relative weight of the duodenum. The pH values in the breast meat of broilers receiving the novel additive were higher (p<0.001) than that in control. The C20:3n-6 of the NOV100 breast meat was lower (p=0.012) than that of NOV25 and NOV50, but it did not differ from that of the control. The unsaturated fatty acid-to-saturated fatty acid ratio in the breast meats of the treatments was higher (p=0.032) than that in control. The L-tyrosine content in NOV50 breast meat was higher (p=0.036) than that in CNTRL and NOV100 but did not differ from that in NOV25. Conclusion: The proposed feed additive improved the live BW and FCR of broilers and the physical and nutritional qualities of broiler breast meat.

A. bilimbi fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and S. cerevisiae contain bioactive components favorable to broiler health. The use of these compounds in combination was expected to exert synergistic effects on broilers. The study investigated the effect of a combination of A. bilimbi fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and S. cerevisiae on haematological indices and intestinal selected bacteria and morphology of broilers. A total of 280 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 7 replications, including CONT (chicks offered diet without additive), TBLEND1, BLEND2, and BLEND3 (chicks offered diet with 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% of the additive combination of A. bilimbi fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and S. cerevisiae]), respectively. For data collection, the chicks were blood sampled at day 21 and 35, and slaughtered at day 35. The data were statistically treated with analysis of variance according to a completely randomized design. On day 21, the erythrocytes and haemoglobin levels were lower in BLEND2 and BLEND3 than those in CONT and BLEND1 (p<0.05). The leukocytes and lymphocytes values were lower in BLEND2 and BLEND3 than those in CONT (p<0.05). On day 35, erythrocytes were lower (p<0.05) in BLEND3 than that in CONT and BLEND1. The increased additive levels linearly decreased (p<0.05) erythrocytes, haemoglobin, and haematocrits values. At day 21, total triglyceride was lower (p<0.05) in BLEND3 than that in BLEND1 and BLEND2. The LDL level was lower (p<0.05) in BLEND3, whereas the HDL level was higher (p<0.05) in CONT than that in other groups. Creatinine was higher (p<0.05) in BLEND3 than in other groups. The ileal lactose negative Enterobacteriaceae counts were lower in BLEND1, BLEND2, and BLEND3 than in CONT (p<0.05). The duodenal villi height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD ratio) was higher (p<0.05) in BLEND1 than that in CONT and BLEND2. In the ileum, the VH/CD ratio linearly increased (p<0.05) with the elevated additive levels. In conclusion, the combination of A. bilimbi fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and S. cerevisiae was beneficial in reducing intestinal pathogen load and improving intestinal morphology of broilers.

The study investigated the effect of sprouted papaya seed meal (SPSM) on physiological conditions, intestinal bacteria and meat quality of broilers. A 390 broiler chicks were distributed to T0 (control feed), T1 (feed with 2.5% papaya seed meal [PSM]), T2 (1% SPSM), T3 (2.5% SPSM), and T4 (5% SPSM). Blood, intestinal digesta and meat were obtained at day 36. Feeding 2.5% PSM lowered (P<0.05), but SPSM up to 5% had no effect on daily gain. PSM reduced (p<0.05) feed intake, but not SPSM. Feed efficiency was lower (P<0.05) in T4. Feeding 5% SPSM increased (P=0.06) bursa of fabricius. T1, T3 and T4 had lower (P=0.09) heterophils. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were lower (P<0.05) in T4. Cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio of PSM and SPSM was lower (P<0.05) than control. SPSM at 2.5% increased (P<0.05) serum HDL. PSM-fed birds had lower cholesterol (P=0.07), triglyceride (P=0.09) and lowdensity lipoprotein (P=0.09). PSM or SPSM decreased (P<0.05) serum total protein, albumin and globulin. PSM and SPSM reduced (P<0.05) creatinine. Alanine aminotransferase was reduced (P<0.05) with SPSM at 1 and 2.5%. Ileal lactic acid bacteria to coliform ratio in PSM and SPSM was greater (P<0.05) than in control. Ileal coliform was lower (P=0.08) in PSM and SPSM. PSM reduced (P=0.08) saturated fatty acids, while 1 and 2.5% SPSM increased (P=0.09) unsaturated fatty acids contents of meats. In conclusion, SPSM improved immune competence, blood lipid profile and gut bacterial population of broilers.

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of graded levels of A. bilimbi-acidified papaya leaf and seed meal (APLS) on growth performance, physiological conditions and intestinal ecology of broilers. Two hundred broiler chicks were grouped into CONT (chicks provided control diet), ACID1 (chicks provided with diet containing 1% APLS), ACID25 (diet containing 2.5% APLS) and ACID5 (diet containing 5% APLS). The ratio between the acidified papaya leaf meal and seed meal in the mixture was 3:1. Live body weight and feed consumption were weekly recorded. At day 35, the birds were blood sampled and slaughtered. The use of APLS in diets had no substantial effect (P > 0.05) on final weight and weight gain of broilers. Dietary inclusion of APLS linearly increased (P < 0.05) the accumulative feed consumption of broilers. Inclusion of APLS, particularly at the level of 5%, compromised (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers when compared to that of control. The graded levels of APLS in diets linearly increased (P < 0.05) the gizzard weight. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol were higher (P < 0.05) in ACID1 than in other treatment groups. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol tended (P = 0.08) to be higher in ACID1 than in other groups. The increased levels of APLS in feed linearly increased (P < 0.05) HDL to LDL ratio, while linearly decreased (P = 0.06) cholesterol to HDL ratio of broilers. The elevated levels of APLS in feed tended (P = 0.08) to decrease the pH values of duodenum. There was no significant effect of APLS on final body weight and weight gain, intestinal bacterial populations, complete blood counts, carcass and commercial cuts of broilers. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of APLS at 5% compromised FCR, but improved serum lipid profile of broilers. The high fibre content of APLS may limit the use of such alternative feed ingredients in broiler feeds. Overall, the APLS can be used up to 2.5% in broiler chicken diets without causing harm to their growth, physiological conditions, and intestinal ecology.