Haemato-biochemical indices and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with Prosopis africana (African mesquite) essential oil

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The aim of this experiment was to investigate the growth performance and physiological response of weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with a novel phytogenics (FCTNC). A total of 100 cross bred male pigs (Landrace × Duroc) with an initial weight of 6.31 ± 0.25 kg and weaned at 21 days were individually housed in a semi-open sided pens. Pigs were distributed into five treatments groups with five replicates, each replicates comprises of 20 pigs. Experimental diets were adequate in all nutrients recommended by NRC (2012). Treatment one (T1): basal diet without antibiotics; T2 (basal diet with neomycin at 1.5 g/kg-1); T3, T4 and T5 were fed basal diet with 5 g/kg-1, 10 g/kg-1 and 15 g/kg-1 respectively. Feed and water were offered unrestricted throughout the 56 days trial. Result revealed that there was effect of treatments (P ˂ 0.05) in average body weight gain (ADG), daily feed intake (ADFI), mortality and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Pigs in T4 (24.54 kg) and T5 (24.22 kg) had the highest weight gain, intermediate in T2 (21.55 kg) and T3 (22.51 kg) and lowest in T1 (12.83 kg) (P ˂ 0.05). There was a remarkable improvement in all the immune parameters examined among pigs fed FCTNC (P ˂ 0.05). Microbial population of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp decreased as the level of FCTNC increases (P ˂ 0.05). Conversely, Lactobacillus spp count were highest in T4 and T5 relative to the other treatments. Haematological parameters were significantly influenced (P ˂ 0.05) by the treatments. However, all values were within the normal range for a clinically healthy pigs. The study established that FCTNC could be fed to weaned pigs up to 15 g/kg-1 without having any negative effect on the health of animals.

Growth performance and physiological response of weaned pigs fed diet supplemented with novel a phytogenics

Alagbe,

Anorue,

Shittu

et al. 2023

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Impact of dietary supplementation of Rhamnus prinoides leaf extract on the growth performance, nutrient retention and intestinal microbial count of “japanese quails”

Alagbe

2024

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This research was carried out to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation of Rhamnus prinoides leaf extract (RPL) on the growth performance, nutrient retention and intestinal microbial count of “japanese quails”. 300-2 weeks old “japanese quails” were allocated sixty birds per group and group treatment had four replicates (15 quails per replicate). Corn-soya meal (basal diet) was formulated according to the nutritional needs of birds (NRC, 1994). Quails in group 1(G1) was fed basal diet with no R. prinoides leaf extract, G2, G3, G4 and G5 were fed basal diet with 0.2 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.6 mL and 0.8 mL respectively. Result on the bioactive components in RPL revealed the presence of 15 bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. Outcome on average daily weight gain showed that G3 (3.20 g), G4 (3.23 g) and G5 (3.24 g) were higher (P < 0.05) relative to G2 (3.06 g) and G1 (2.21 g). These groups also had a better feed conversion ratio (G3, G4 and G5). Average daily feed intake which varied from 703.81-708.33 g were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the group. Mortality was recorded only among quails in group 1 (2.0%) (P < 0.05). Dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and nitrogen free extracts which varied from 70.12-86.57%, 58.70-68.91% and 50.62-66.05% were higher (P < 0.05) in G3, G4 and G5, intermediate in G2 and lowest in G1. Conversely, crude fibre values were higher in G1 relative to the other groups. Population of Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus sp. count in the gut were lower in G2, G3, G4 and G5 relative to G1 while Lactobacillus sp. count were lowest in G1 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that RPL can be feed to quails up to 0.8 mL/L without causing any negative effect on the growth performance and health status of birds.

Analysis of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. fruit powder's antioxidant and phytochemical properties

Ojediran,

Alagbe,

Victor

et al. 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and phytochemical properties of Kigelia africana fruit powder. Fresh K. africana fruit was air-dried and processed into powder. K. africana fruit powder contained saponins (35.86 mg/100 g-1), tannins (106.1 mg/100 g-1), phenols (1340.6 mg/100 g-1), flavonoids (985.11 mg/100 g-1), steroids (81.20 mg/100 g-1), glycosides (18.32 mg/100 g-1), triterpenes (90.65 mg/100 g-1), and alkaloids (51.22 mg/100 g-1). The study found that phenolic chemicals were the most concentrated, followed by flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. The antioxidant activities of Kigella africana fruit meal revealed that it contains lipid peroxidation (71.80%), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (56.02%), vitamin C (6.22%), 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (26.11%), and hydroxyl radical inhibition (45.92%). Therapeutically, the phytochemicals revealed that K. africana fruit has antihelminthic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antifungal, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, hepatostimulatory, analgesic, and anticarcinogenic properties. The presence of lipid peroxidation, vitamin C, DPPH, and ABTS in Kigelia africana fruit indicates that it can be employed as an antioxidant supplement in animal diets.