Evaluation of Cellulosic Polymers and Curcumin to Reduce Aflatoxin B1 Toxic Effects on Performance, Biochemical, and Immunological Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of cellulosic polymers (CEL) and curcumin (CUR) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxic effects on performance, and the biochemical and immunological parameters in broiler chickens, 150 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into five groups with three replicates of 10 chickens per pen: Negative Control (feed); AFB1 (feed + 2 ppm AFB1); CUR (feed + 2 ppm AFB1 + Curcumin 0.2%); CEL (feed + 2 ppm AFB1 + 0.3% Cellulosic polymers); and, CEL + CUR (feed + 2 ppm AFB1 + 0.3% Cellulose polymers + 0.2% Curcumin). Every week, body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. On day 21, liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, and intestine from five broilers per replicate per group were removed to obtain relative organ weight. Histopathological changes in liver, several biochemical biomarkers, antibody titers, and muscle and skin pigmentation were also recorded. Dietary addition of 0.3% CEL and 0.2% CUR separately significantly diminished some of the toxic effects resulting from AFB1 on performance parameters, relative organs weight, histopathology, immune response, and serum biochemical variables (P < 0.05); however, the combination of CUR and CEL showed a better-integrated approach for the management of poultry health problems that are related with the consumption of AFB1, since they have different mechanisms of action with different positive effects on the responses of broiler chickens.

Grape Seed Waste Counteracts Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity in Piglet Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

“…Although the immune system represents one of AFB1’s targets, few studies have investigated the potential beneficial role of bioactive compounds on the immune organs. For example, curcumin, a powerful plant antioxidant, decreases the weight of spleen and bursa of Fabricius, as well as the ratio of spleen/bursa, in broilers fed AFB1, towards similar values to the control group [ 48 ]. Additionally, in AFB1-intoxicated mice, lycopene, another plant bioactive compound, can alleviate AFB1-induced immunosuppression by increasing spleen weight, spleen coefficient, T-lymphocyte subsets, and IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α gene expression in spleen [ 49 ].…”

“…Some hypotheses concerning the GSM way of action can be formulated based on previous literature studies. The first one, related to the high cellulose content (37.8%) of GSM [ 24 ], has a great potential to adsorb AFB1 by electrostatic attractions and hydrogen bonding, resulting in the formation of a mycotoxin monolayer on its surface [ 48 ]. The second one is based on the ability of polyphenols to form a complex with AFB1 mycotoxins.…”

Impact of Turmeric Curcuma longa on the Body Weight and Liver Function of Japanese Quails Exposed to Dietary Aflatoxins

“…More recently, Solis-Cruz et al [9] have reported the effects of adding 0.2% curcumin to the diet of broiler chickens (1-21 day old) infected with 2 mg/kg AFB1 in the diet. This study confirmed that adding curcumin to the toxic diet improved the body weight, and decreased the liver weight relative to the whole body weight.…”

“…Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound, with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It also offers detoxifying effects and protects against cellular damages caused by radiation and chemotherapy [8][9][10].…”

Assessment of Food By-Products’ Potential for Simultaneous Binding of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone

“…For example, Banlunara et al (2005) described glucomannan, a polysaccharide from yeast cell walls of Saccharomyces cervisiae, consisting in functional carbohydrates which contains a large surface and number of pores of different sizes to trap a wide range of chemicals as an excellent AFB1 binder [ 29 ]. Also, Solis-Cruz et al (2019) showed that cellulose has a great potential to adsorb AFB1 by electrostatic attractions and hydrogen bonding resulting in formation of a mycotoxin monolayer on its surface [ 30 ]. Waste by-products contain also other bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), etc.…”