Effect of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on performance, intestinal morphology, and meat yield of broiler chickens

Authors: MORENO-MENDOZA, YARITZA - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; LÓPEZ-VILLARREAL, KARLA - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; HERNÁNDEZ-MARTÍNEZ, CARLOS - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; RODRÍGUEZ-TOVAR, LUIS - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; HERNÁNDEZ-CORONADO, ANA - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; SOTO-DOMÍNGUEZ, ADOLFO - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon; Hume, Michael; MÉNDEZ-ZAMORA, GERARDO - Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2020
Publication Date: 2/1/2021
Citation: Moreno-Mendoza, Y., López-Villarreal, K.D., Hernández-Martínez, C.A., Rodríguez-Tovar, L.E., Hernández-Coronado, A.C., Soto-Domínguez, A., Hume, M.E., Méndez-Zamora, G. 2021. Effect of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on performance, intestinal morphology, and meat yield of broiler chickens. Poultry Science. 100(2):738-745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.058.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.058

Interpretive Summary: The addition of prebiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in broiler diets can benefit digestion and nutrient abortion. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and slaughter traits of broiler chickens over 40 d of grow-out. Broilers at 1-day-old were allocated to four treatments: T1 = control diet, T2 = control diet with moringa leaf powder, T3 = control diet with agave inulin, and T4 = control diet with moringa leaf powder and agave inulin. The results showed that treatments were not different for growth performance. However, villus heights at different sections of the intestines were different by treatments. The T1 group exhibited the highest pieces yields for leg, wing, and hip-back. T4 was lowest for leg and wing yields. Moringa leaf powder and agave inulin in diets did not affect broiler performance, while moringa leaf powder improved intestinal morphology and thigh yield, and agave inulin improved leg yield. Results demonstrated benefits of these two feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics to improve intestine health and meat yield in broilers over a 40-d grow-out. These results are of interest to growers and researchers working to identify antibiotic alternatives to improve broiler health and production.

Technical Abstract: The addition of prebiotics in broiler diets can benefit digestion and nutrient abortion. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and slaughter traits of broiler chickens over 40 d of grow-out. A total of 280 broilers (Ross-308) at 1-day-old were randomly allocated to four treatments with seven replicates each and 10 chicks per replicate: T1 = control diet, T2 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder, T3 = control diet with 15 g/kg of agave inulin, and T4 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder and 15 g/kg of agave inulin. The results showed that analysis of treatments at time were not different (P > 0.05) for growth performance. However, the villus heights of intestinal sections were different (P < 0.05) by treatments. In the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, villus lenghts were highest (P < 0.05) for T2, and lowest (P < 0.05) for T3 and T4. Villus widths in the duodenum and ileum were highest (P < 0.05) for T2, but T1 was highest (P < 0.05) in the jejunum sections. T3 and T4 were lowest (P < 0.05) in villus width in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Thigh yield was highest (P < 0.05) for T2 and lowest (P < 0.05) for T4. The T1 group exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) pieces yields for leg, wing, and hip-back. T4 was lowest (P < 0.05) for leg and wing yields. Moringa leaf powder and agave inulin at 15 g/kg in diets did not affect broiler performance, while moringa leaf powder improved intestinal morphology and thigh yield, and agave inulin improved leg yield. Results demonstrated benefits of these two feed additives to improve intestine health and meat yield in broilers over a 40-d grow-out.