Alternanthera Brasiliana: an Organic Growth Promoter in Poultry

Abstract

The possible application of aqueous and ethanol leaf-extracts of Alternanthera brasiliana as poultry growth promoters were investigated. Standard methods were used to study the vitamin, mineral and phytochemical contents of the leaves. Seventy-two broilers were grouped into nine of eight birds per treatment. Carcass yield, meat qualities and blood components evaluations were done using standard methods. Results revealed the presence of water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C), fat soluble vitamins (A, E, D), minerals and phytochemicals necessary for improving broiler performance. The carcass yield and meat qualities of the test broilers were better than the negative control group. Also, the blood proteins and hematological conditions of the chickens were improved by the extracts better than the negative control group. Communality studies showed that all the blood parameters evaluated were affected by the extracts administered to the broilers. It can therefore, be inferred from the results that leaf-extracts of A. brasiliana could replace chemical growth promoters in poultry production, with the aqueous extracts as a preferred choice, having produced better effects than the ethanol counterpart.