Effects of supplementation of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder on growth performance, Meat quality and gene expression in broilers
Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of phytogenic feed additives as an alternative
to antibiotic on growth performance of broiler chicken. A total of 300 commercial broiler chicks (Ven
Cobb strain) were randomly distributed into six treatments having five replicates consisting of ten birds
each. The chicks fed with standard basal diet in two different growth phase i.e. starter (0-28d) and
finisher (29-42 d). The first group was kept as a control (T1) and given the basal diet without antibiotic
while second (T2) basal diet with antibiotic, third (T3), fourth (T4) , fifth (T5) and sixth (T6) groups
were supplemented with amla fruit powder @ 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1%, respectively.
Significantly lower feed intake was found in 0.75% and 1% amla supplemented group as compared to
control. The lower feed consumption in higher levels of amla supplemented group than control group
might be due to better utilization of nutrients and results into higher body weight gain in 0.75% (T5)
and 1% (T6) amla supplemented group. With lower feed intake and more body weight gain in higher
levels of amla supplemented group results in significantly improved FCR as compared to control
group. Nutrients metabolizability was significantly higher in 0.75% (T5) and 1% (T6) amla
supplemented group as compared to control group. The morphometric analysis results of present study
showed that the supplementation of antioxidants increased villus height but decreased crypt depth in
broilers. Feeding diets containing phytobiotics may result in inhibition of the growth and colonization
of entero-pathogenic microbes in the digestive tract, thus contributing to the balance of gut microflora.
Relative mRNA expression of TLRs showed that the supplementation of amla fruit powder at higher
levels i.e. 0.75% and 1% results in up regulation of TLR2 and down regulation of TLR4 showing
potent immune modulating activity. Based upon the above study it can be concluded that amla fruit
powder can be effectively supplemented as an alternative to antibiotics growth promoters in poultry
ration and best results was obtained at 0.75% amla supplementation level (T5) regards to gut
morphology, ecology and immune modulating activity resulted in improved weight gain and improved
FCR.