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Author: RAVI, K × End date: 2012 × Start date: 2012 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS IN COMBINATION WITH SPIRULINA AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBACTERIAL GROWTH PROMOTER IN BROILER PRODUCTION
    (SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI – 517 502. (A.P) INDIA, 2012-11) RAVI, K; BHARAVI, K (Major); RAVI KUMAR, P; ESHWARA RAO, B; NARENDRANATH, D
    ABSTRACT: The use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry industry is under serious criticism by policy-makers and consumers because of the development of microbial resistance to these products and the potential harmful effects on human health. Hence, there is a trend towards using alternative growth promoters in poultry feeds, particularly natural herbs. In the present study, the performance of broilers fed with diet containing neem, spirulina and their combination was tested. Day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six groups each group consisting of 15 chicks. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks and the treatment of various groups consisted of basal diet (group I), 0.05% oxytetracycline (group II), 0.2% neem (group III), 0.2% neem and 1% spirulina (group IV), 0.05% oxytetracycline and 1% spirulina (group V) and 1% spirulina (group VI). All the birds were assessed for growth performance, antioxidant status, liver and kidney function and carcass quality. In vitro analysis showed that the neem leaf extract and twig extract possesses antibacterial property against Escherisia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The performance of birds fed on antibiotic plus spirulina was found to be the best. Neem, spirulina and their combination could not outperform compared to using antibiotic as feed additive. However, use of neem, spirulina or their combinations could perform well compared to the control group. The physicochemical properties of the meat also followed same trend. Neem and spirulina did not effect the functioning of liver and kidney as was indicated by unaffected serum biochemical profiles and histological architecture. Neem, spirulina and their combinations were found to show cholesterol lowering capacity when compared to antibiotics group or control group. The study concludes that neem and spirulina or their combinations can be used as an alternative to antibiotics as feed additive.