Inclusion of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Powder in Broiler Chicken Feed and its Effect on Growth Performance, Biochemical Profile and Metabolism Stimulation: Case Study of the Synthesis of Some Sulphur Compounds

Abstract

In recent decades, the availability of sulphur in soil has become a limiting factor compromising plant growth and consequently affecting animal and human feeding. Moringa oleifera L. is known as one of the most useful multipurpose plants. It can be effectively utilized as food supplement and help in the management of nutrient shortage and sulphur metabolism stimulation because of its nutrient and sulphur content. The present experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Moringa leaf powder supplementation on growth performance, biochemical profile and sulphur metabolism stimulation of broiler chicken. A total of fifty-six broiler chicks of 21-day old (Cobb500) were purchased and randomly divided into four groups with two replicates containing seven birds each. Broiler starters were fed with the same starter diet; while at growth stage, four types of diet were formulated: F0 (Moringa 0%), F1 (Moringa 2%), F2 (Moringa 4%) and F3 (Moringa 8%). Chicks were fed twice a day and water was given ad libitum with the experimental diets till completion of the experiment. Collected data were analysed using ANOVA and were statistically significant if p<0.05. Significantly higher body weight was recorded in birds fed with F1 whereas feed conversion ratio was not significantly affected. No significant differences were observed in ash and carbohydrate content of broiler meat due to feed supplementation. The experimental diets did not considerably affect broiler chicken serum parameters, indicating no harmful or deleterious effect. Likening result to control, the consumption of Moringa leaf powder by birds significantly increased the synthesis of protein up to 30% and 38% respectively in the serum and breast meat, glutathione as well as the glutathione S-transferase activity. It may thus be concluded that, the inclusion of Moringa leaf powder in broiler chicken diet increases growth performances and metabolism stimulation through the synthesis of some sulphur compounds.

Composition of Slow-Growing Male Chicken’s Meat and Bone Quality as Affected by Dietary Moringa oleifera Lam. Meal

“…However, Muis et al [ 40 ] detected a major increase in protein content and an important decrease in fat content in meat from male broiler chickens fed with up to 15% of MOM powder. Furthermore, chicken meat’s moisture, lipid, and protein contents were statistically different with 0, 2, 4, and 8% of MOM powder in a study by Djouhou et al [ 41 ], where the birds were reared in total confinement. Moreover, the work of Mickdam et al [ 42 ] demonstrates that the addition of up to 7% MOM resulted in a significant increase in dry matter, protein, and ether extract in the breast and thigh of unsexed broilers intensively raised, while ash content was unaltered.…”