Impact of Two Herbal Seeds Supplementation on Growth Performance and Some Biochemical Blood and Tissue Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Authors: Hamada A. Ahmed, Kadry M. Sadek, Ayman E. Taha

Abstract:

The effects of basil and/or chamomile seed supplementation on the growth of Hubbard broiler chicks were evaluated. The antioxidant effects of these supplements were also assessed. 120 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups. The control group (group 1) was fed a basal diet (BD) without supplementation. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed the BD supplemented with 10g basil, 10g chamomile, and 5g basil plus 5g chamomile per kg of food, respectively. Basil supplementation alone or in combination with chamomile non-significantly (P≥0.05) increased final body weight (3.2% and 0.3%, respectively) and weight gain (3.5% and 3.6%, respectively) over the experimental period. Chamomile supplementation alone non-significantly (P≥0.05) reduced final body weight and weight gain over the experimental period by 1.7% and 1.7%, respectively. In comparison to the control group, herbal seed supplementation reduced feed intake and improved the feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios. In general, basil seed supplementation stimulated chicken growth and improved the feed efficiency more effectively than chamomile seed supplementation. The antioxidant activities of basil and/or chamomile supplementation were examined in the thymus, bursa, and spleen. In chickens that received supplements, the level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased, whereas the activities of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were significantly increased (P<0.05). Supplementation of basil and/or chamomile did not affect blood protein levels, but had lipid-lowering effects as evidenced by reduced serum levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. In conclusion, supplementation of basil and/or chamomile improved growth parameters in broiler chicks and had antioxidant and blood lipid-lowering effects. These beneficial effects of basil and/or chamomile supplementation resulted in economically viable production of high-quality white meat containing no harmful residues.

Keywords: Herbal additives, basil, chamomile, broiler, growth performance, antioxidant.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1099716

References:

[1] C. A. Rice-Evans, N. J. Miller and G. Paganga, “Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and phenolic acids” Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 1996, (20): 933-956.
[2] B. J. Kim, J. H. Kim, H. P. Kim and M. Y. Heo, “Biological screening of 100 plants for cosmetic use (II): antioxidative activity and free radical scavenging activity” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 1977, (19): 299-307.
[3] J. Z. Ansari, U. H. Ahsan, Y. Muhammad, A. Tanveer and K. Sarzamin, “Evaluation of different medicinal plants as growth promoters for broiler chicks” Sarhad Journal of Agriculture. 2008, (24): 323-329.
[4] P. N. Onu, “Evaluation of two herbal spices as feed additives for finisher broilers” Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry. 2010, (26): 383-392.
[5] W. B. Phippen and J. E. Simon, “Anthocyanin inheritance and instability in purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Journal of Heredity. 2010,(91): 289-296.
[6] J. A. Rabia, “Effect of Using Fenugreek, Parsley and Sweet Basil Seeds as Feed Additives on the Performance of Broiler Chickens" International Journal of Poultry Science. 2010, (9): 278-282.
[7] I. M. Abaza, M. A. Asar, G. E. El-Shaarrawi and M. F. Hassan, “Effect of using nigella seed, chamomile flowers, thyme flowers and harmala seed as feed additives on performance of broiler” Egyptian Journal of Agriculture Research., 2003, 81: 735-749.
[8] M. I. Abaza, N. M. Ali and S. M. Hassan, “Nutritional and physiological studies on improving the utilization of wheat bran in laying hen diets” Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 2004, (24): 1015-1031.
[9] G. A. M. Al-Kaisse and E. K. Khalel, “The potency of chamomile flowers (Matericaria chamomilla L.) as feed supplements (growth promoters) on productive performance and hematological parameters constituents of broiler” International Journal of Poultry Science. 2011, (10): 726-729.
[10] F. B. Onwurah, G. S. Ojewola and S. Akomas, “Effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) oncoccidial infection in broiler chicks” Academic Research International. 2011, 1: 438-442.
[11] NRC, “National Research Council: Nutrient requirements of poultry, 9th Ed.” 1994, National Academy press, Washington, DC.
[12] J.Sedlack and R. H. Lindsay, “Estimation of total protein bound and non-protein sulfhydryl groups in tissues with Ellman reagent” Analytical Biochemistry. 1968, (86): 271-278.
[13] Z. A. Placer, L. Crushman, B. C. Son, “Estimation of product of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) in biochemical system” Analytical Biochemistry. 1966, (16): 359-364.
[14] H. P. Misra and I. Fridovich, “The role of superoxide anion in the autooxidation of epinephrine and a simple assay for superoxide dismutase”. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 1972, (247): 3170-3175.
[15] A. K. Sinha, “Calorimetric assay of catalase” Analytical Biochemistry. 1971, (47): 389-394.
[16] SAS, “Users guide statistics” As. Institute Cary, North Carolina. USA. 2004.
[17] R. K. Murray, D. K. Granner, P. A. Mayes and V. W. Rodwell, “The text book of harpers biochemistry. 22nd Ed., Applecton and large” Norwalk, Connecticut/Loss Altos, California. 1991.
[18] F. Hernandez, J. Madrid, V. Garcia, J. Orengo and M. D. Meglas, “Influence of two plants extracts on broiler performance, digestibility and digestive organs size” Poultry Science. 2004, 83: 169-174.
[19] L. Seung-Jool, U. Katumi, S. Takayuki, L. Kwang- Geun, “Identification of volatile components in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their antioxidant properties” Food Chemistry. 2005, (91): 131-137.
[20] A. I. Hussain, F. Anwar, S. T. H. Sherazi and R. Przybylski, “Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oils depends on seasonal variations. Food Chemistry” 2008, (108): 986-995.
[21] M. Cabuk, A. Alcicek, M. Bozkurt and N. Imir, “Antimicrobial properties of the essential oils isolated from aromatic plants and using possibility as alternative feed additives” II. National Animal Nutrition Congress, 18-20 September, Konya, Turkey. 2003, pp: 184-187.
[22] R. S. Deshpande and H. P. Tipnis, “Insecticidal activity of Ocimum basilicum L”. Pesticides. 1977, 11: 11-12.
[23] R. Nishida, W. S. Bowes and P. H. Evans, “Synthesis of highly active juvenile hormone analogs of sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum from Thailand” Flavor Indian Journal. 1984, 47-49.
[24] R. N.AL-Hamo, “The inhabiting effect of some plant extracts on primary heads as examine in vitro” symposium about chamomile that hold a meeting in College of Pharmacology. Mosul University 1-3 march 2003 (Abstract in Arabic).
[25] J. M. Santurio, D. F. Santurio, P. Pozzatti, C. Moraes, P. R. Franchin and S. H. Alves, “Atividade antimicrobial dos leosessenciais de oregano, tomihoecanelafrente as orovares de salmonella enteric de origemavicola” Ciencia Rural. 2007(37): 803-808.
[26] M. Osman, H. M. Yakout, H. F. Motawe and W. F. Ezz El-Arab, “Productive, physiological, immunological and economical effects of supplementing natural feed additives to broiler diets” Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 2010, (30): 25-53.
[27] P. M. F.Debersac, M. Vernevaut, J. Aminot, M. Suschdet and M. H.Siess, “Effects of a water-soluble extract of rosmery and its purified component rosmerinic acid on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rat liver” Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2001, (39): 109-117.
[28] O. Politeo, M. Jukic and M. Milos, “Chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of free volatile aglycones from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) compared with its essential oil” Food Chemistry. 2007, (101): 379-385.
[29] M. Kividompolo and T. Hyotylainen, “Comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography in analysis of Lamiaceae herbs: Characterization and quantification of antioxidant phenolic acids” Journal of Chromatography. 2007(A1145): 155-164.
[30] D. K. Asami, Y. Hong, D. M. Barrett and A. E. Mitchell, “Comparison of the total phenolic and ascorbic acid content of freeze-dried and airdried marion berry, strawberry and corn grown using conventional, organic and sustainable agricultural practices” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003, (51): 1237-1241.
[31] K. M. Al-Ismail and T. Aburjai, “Antioxidant activity of water and alcohol extracts of chamomile flowers, anise seed sand dill seeds” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2004,(84): 173–178.
[32] A. K. Gupta, H. Chitme, S. K. Dass and N. Misra, “Antioxidant activity of chamomile methanolic extract against CCL4 induced liver injury in rats” Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2006, (1): 101-107.
[33] N. Y. Abdel-Malak, M. S. Abdel-Malak, G. M. El-Gendi and F. E. Naguib, “Effect of feeding different levels of herbal feed additive on broiler performance in relation to some metabolic functions” Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 1995, (15):111-139.
[34] A. M. M. Zeid, M. K. Mohsen, M. A. Ibrahem and A. M. E. El- Kamhawy, “Effect of feeding rations supplemented with chamomile flowers and dried yeast on productive performance of sheep” Journal of Animal and Poultry Production, Mansoura University. 2011, (2):168- 187.
[35] E. T. Kornegay, Z. Wang, C. M. Wood and M. D. Lindemann, “Supplemental chromium picolinate influences nitrogen balance, dry matter digestibility and carcass traits in growing-finishing Pigs” Journal of Animal Science. 1997, (75): 1319-1323.
[36] M. A. EI-Ashry, A. Z. Elbassiony, H. S. Soliman, H. M.EI-Sayed, “Effect of feeding inedible wheat flour and pasta industry waste in combination with broiler litter on the performance and blood serum parameters of buffalo calves” Egyptian Journal of Animal Production. 1996, 33-91.
[37] H. M. El-Hosseiny, S. M. Allam, S. A. El-Saadany, A. M. Abdel-Gawad and A. M. M. Zeid, “Medicinal herbs and plants as feed additives for animals. 2-Effect of using some medicinal herbs on growth performance of Zaraibi kids” Proc. Conf. Anim. Prod. in the 21th century (18-20, April), Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Cent., Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. 2000, pp. 189-199.
[38] T. T. C. Yang and M. W. L. Koo, “Chinese green tea lowers cholesterol level through an increase in fecal lipid excretion” Life Science. 2000, (66): 477-423.
[39] Z. Y. Deng, B. Y. Teo, X. L. Li, J. M. He, Y. F. Cheni and F. Chu, “Effect of tea on blood glucose, blood lipid and antioxidants activity in old rats” Journal of Tea Science. 1998, (18): 74-77.