Effects of microencapsulated essential oils and seaweed meal on growth performance, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, liver functions, and plasma biomarkers in broiler chickens
Abstract
Globally, poultry production has increased to meet the demand for animal protein. Traditionally, antibiotic growth promoters have been used to enhance growth performance and prevent infections in commercial poultry practices. However, concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance have triggered interest in alternative solutions, such as essential oils (EOs) and seaweed additives. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of a microencapsulated blend of EOs (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and thymol) and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed meal on growth performance, intestinal function, blood biomarkers, and hepatic gene expression in broiler chickens. A total of 440 Arbor Acres chicks were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) or treatment (NEX) group. Each treatment was divided into 11 replicates (20 birds per replicate). NEX chicks were supplemented with 100 mg/kg feed containing a microencapsulated blend of EOs (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and thymol) and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed meal. Data were analyzed using the UNIVARIATE procedure in SAS software. Each replicate was considered an experimental unit. Over a 35-d period, NEX supplementation improved the feed conversion ratio (P = 0.02), reduced mortality rate (P = 0.01), and increased the European performance efficiency factor. No differences in carcass traits were observed between the 2 treatments (P > 0.05). Jejunal digestive enzyme activities, particularly those of amylase and lipase, were higher in NEX birds (P <…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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