Effects of Liquid Yucca Supplementation on Nitrogen Excretion, Intestinal Bacteria, Biochemical and Performance Parameters in Broilers

Abstract

This study was done to determine the impacts Yucca schidigera supplementation to drinking water on the excretion of nitrogen, and subsequently the level of ammonia, intestinal bacterial count, hematological and biochemical parameters, and some performance parameters. A total of 270 one-day old Cobb 500 chicks were equally divided into three groups (90 chicks/group). The first control group (G1) was fed on the basal diets without any yucca supplementation. The 2nd and 3rd groups (G2 and G3) were fed on basal diets with Yucca Plus liquid®, at an 8 h/day supplementation rate of 0.5, and 1 mL/L to drinking water, respectively. The chicks that received yucca showed significant decreases in litter nitrogen content, when compared to controls. The chicks that received liquid yucca had reduced counts of total bacteria (TBC) (p < 0.05), Escherichia coli, and a non-significant increase in the number of lactic acid producing bacteria. They also showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, increased levels of immunoglobulins M and G, and decreased levels of lipid peroxidation biomarkers, without a harmful effect on liver and kidney function. The chicks that received yucca showed a better feed conversion ratio. In conclusion, the use of natural additives is necessary to decrease nitrogen losses, feed cost, and environmental pollution; without adverse impacts on animal performance. Liquid supplementation of saponins is valuable for the performance, gut health, and welfare of broiler chickens.

Effect of Aspergillus japonicas culture filtrate on performance, carcase yield, digestive enzymes, intestinal microbiota and blood constituents of quail

“…Feed additives including organic acids have been added effectively in poultry feed to lower the existence of pathogenic bacteria, especially Salmonella spp. and mycotoxins produced by fungi; organic acids have the ability to lower pathogens in the intestines of poultry (Dittoe et al 2018;Al-Hashedi et al 2019;Ayoub et al 2019;Reda et al 2020b). The results of the present study were in agreement with Attia et al (2018) who stated that organic acids inhibit the activity of pathogenic bacteria and improve the beneficial bacteria in the gut.…”

The Effects of Yucca Schidigera Extract and Multi-carbohydrase in Different Crude Protein Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Carcass Parameters and Excreta Noxious Gas Contents in Broilers

“…The usage of natural products such as a yucca schidigera extract product, which can assist the moderation of ammonia supply, is the key to dealing with the ammonia problem in the poultry sector. Saponin, the major steroidal chemical element of YS extract, does this by physically binding ammonia and lowering its amount (Ayoub et al, 2019). In the current study, supplementation of YS and multi-carbohydrase on the broiler diets significantly affected the reduction of NH3.…”

Effects of Yucca schidigera extract on serum biochemical parameters, humoral immune response, and intestinal health in young pigeons

“…In our study, the serum IgM level in the YSE10 group was significantly higher than in the control group. Dietary supplemental YSE significantly increased the IgG level observed in laying hens and broilers ( 11 , 37 ). These results indicated that YSE seems to be more advantageous in production of immunoglobulin.…”