Administration of Fermented Averrhoa bilimbi L. Fruit Filtrate on Growth, Hematological, Intestinal, and Carcass Indices of Broilers

Abstract

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.

Effect of novel natural feed additive containing Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance and meat characteristics of broilers

“…Our findings reveal no impact of the dietary additive on the yield of carcass and commercial proportions. This is consistent with Pratama et al [4] who reported no significant effect of fermented A. bilimbi L. fruit filtrate on the broilers' carcass characteristics. Regarding wheat bran, Semjon et al [23] reported no Means with various letters within the same row are substantially different (p<0.05).…”

“…CNTRL=Chicks given feed without additives, NOV25=Chicks given feed administrated with 0.25% novel additive, NOV50=Chicks given feed administrated with 0.50% novel additive, NOV100=Chicks given feed supplemented with 1.00% novel additive, BW=Body weight, WHC=Water-holding capacity, A=Analysis of variance (ANOVA), L=Linear regression, SEM=Standard error of the means the treatment groups. A study by Pratama et al [4] reported that fermented A. bilimbi L. fruit filtrate increased the villi length of jejunum of broilers. Similarly, wheat bran [21] and S. cerevisiae [22] have been confirmed to improve the intestinal morphology of broilers.…”

“…A study by Pratama et al . [ 4 ] reported that fermented A. bilimbi L. fruit filtrate increased the villi length of jejunum of broilers. Similarly, wheat bran [ 21 ] and S. cerevisiae [ 22 ] have been confirmed to improve the intestinal morphology of broilers.…”

“…Averrhoa bilimbi L. is one of several herbal plants with the potential to be used as an additive for broilers. The fruit filtrate of this plant is naturally acidic (high in citric acid) and can be used as a natural acidifier to increase broiler growth and improve health [ 3 , 4 ]. It contains lactic acid bacteria (LAB) [ 3 , 5 ], which function as probiotics for broiler chickens [ 4 ].…”

“…The fruit filtrate of this plant is naturally acidic (high in citric acid) and can be used as a natural acidifier to increase broiler growth and improve health [ 3 , 4 ]. It contains lactic acid bacteria (LAB) [ 3 , 5 ], which function as probiotics for broiler chickens [ 4 ]. A previous study reported that using acidifiers and probiotics in combination had a greater impact on broiler production and health than using an acidifier and probiotic separately [ 2 ].…”