The effect of Boswellia serrata resin diet supplementation on production, hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters in broiler chickens

Abstract

Boswellia serrata resin (BSR), exhibiting a variety of therapeutic properties, is applied in Asian traditional medicine. These properties can be used in poultry production as well. Application of the resin as a phytobiotic in broiler chicken rearing can increase the productivity and improve meat quality. However, the optimum and maximum levels of BSR in broiler diets need to be assessed. The study determined the effect of different levels of supplementation of BSR (directly derived, unprocessed) in diets for broiler chickens on the production traits, selected slaughter analysis parameters, nutrient digestibility and selected hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. In total, 200 1-day-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four treatments with five replicate cages of 10 broiler chickens/cage (five females and five males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks, and the broiler chickens were fed diets containing 0% (control), 3% (BSR3), 4% (BSR4) or 5% (BSR5). In the broiler chickens receiving diets with addition of resin BSR3 and BSR4, there was an increase in (P<0.05) BW gain, ether extract, ADF, organic matter and energy digestibility of the diets. Moreover, the best carcass quality with a high proportion of muscles and low abdominal fat content (P<0.05) was noted in these groups. The content of uric acid (P<0.01) and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05) in blood plasma decreased upon the BSR supplementation. Globulin content increased in blood plasma (P<0.05) along the increasing level of BSR. The blood immunoglobulin A concentration was only affected by the BSR treatments (P<0.05). It may be concluded that BSR can be regarded as a safe and effective dietary additive for broiler chicken.

Effect of Dietary Boswellia serrata Resin on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, and Cecal Microbiota of Growing Rabbits

“…Boswellia serrata (BS) or frankincense from the Arabian Peninsula belonging to the Burseraceae family. It possesses various therapeutic activities, for example, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the precence of many aromatic compounds with boswellic acid the most active molecule (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Mono and diterpenes, ethyl acetate, octyl acetate, and methylanisole are natural anti-oxidants that constitute the major components of BS (5,6).…”

“…Mono and diterpenes, ethyl acetate, octyl acetate, and methylanisole are natural anti-oxidants that constitute the major components of BS (5,6). Application of the BS as a phytogenic in broiler diet can increase productive performance and enhance quality of meat (5,6,8,9). Al-Yasiry et al (8) reported that broiler chickens that were fed diets containing different levels of BS (0, 3, 4, or 5%) have increased significantly in their body weight, feed efficiency and absorption thereby, enhanced growth performance.…”

“…Application of the BS as a phytogenic in broiler diet can increase productive performance and enhance quality of meat (5,6,8,9). Al-Yasiry et al (8) reported that broiler chickens that were fed diets containing different levels of BS (0, 3, 4, or 5%) have increased significantly in their body weight, feed efficiency and absorption thereby, enhanced growth performance. Moreover, the broilers meat produced had lower fat content by diets supplemented with 3 or 4% BS (8,9).…”

“…Al-Yasiry et al (8) reported that broiler chickens that were fed diets containing different levels of BS (0, 3, 4, or 5%) have increased significantly in their body weight, feed efficiency and absorption thereby, enhanced growth performance. Moreover, the broilers meat produced had lower fat content by diets supplemented with 3 or 4% BS (8,9). Interestingly, it has been recognized that BS has enormous benefits as a natural product: it does not cause any residue in animal meat, as well as increases globulin, lymphocytes and improves the animal immune response (9).…”

“…Interestingly, it has been recognized that BS has enormous benefits as a natural product: it does not cause any residue in animal meat, as well as increases globulin, lymphocytes and improves the animal immune response (9). This suggests that BS is a natural favorable product especially in tropical and subtropical regions when there is a threat to the immune system from pathogens to reduce the massive use of anti-biotics (8,9). These therapeutic activities of BS can perhaps be used in livestock species to obtain many positive effects on animal production and well-being (8).…”