Effects of a Blend of Prunus Mume Extract as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Growth Performance, Activity of Digestive Enzymes and Microflora Population in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The current study was designed to define whether a blend of prunus mume extract (25%) containing lactic acid (75%) and grape seed extract (10 ppm) could affect in vitro antimicrobial activity and growth performance, intestinal microflora, plasma biochemical profiles and digestive enzymes activities in broiler chickens. In paper disc agar diffusion test, we clearly observed antimicrobial activity against E. coli in response to prunus mume extract or a blend of prunus mume extract. For in vivo test, a total of ninety six 3-d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to basal diet (CON), basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (ANTI) and 0.5% a blend of prunus mume extract (PRNUS) until 35 days of age. Throughout the entire experimental period (3-35 days), there were no differences in BW and FCR between the birds fed the basal diet with antibiotics and the diet supplemented with a blend of prunus mume. However, ANTI group showed a significant increase in BW and total gain compared to CON group. The weights of digestive organs such as the pancreas and mucosal tissues were not affected by dietary treatments. There was no difference in plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, AST and ALT activity. However, triglyceride in plasma increased (P<0.05) in the birds fed the diet supplemented with 0.5% a blend of prunus mume extract compared to those fed antibiotics supplemented diet. The activities of pancreatic trypsin and amylase, and intestinal hydrolase including disaccharidase were not affected by dietary treatment. The colony forming units (CFU) of lactobacillus in the lower ileal-cecum of the birds fed the diet supplemented with a blend of prunus mume extract was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of birds fed antibiotic supplemented diet without affecting the CFU of E. coli. In conclusion, the birds fed the diet supplemented a blend of prunus mume as an alternative to antibiotics showed a similar growth performance and an significant increase in lactobacillus population compared with the birds fed basal and antibiotics supplemented diets.