Phytogenic feed additives gained considerable interest in the strategic replacement of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) after European regulations for animal feed production which imposed a complete ban on antibiotics in animal feed used as growth promoters. Natural phytogenic growth promoters modify animal metabolism and gut microbiota population and positively affect the production and growth performance. Research in the animal feed production has established the basis for better feed efficiency, desired carcass traits and manipulation of bioactive compounds in the poultry eggs and meat, which resulted in the idea of functional foods and phytogenic feeds additives. In response to the above challenges a lot of research on aromatic plants, herbs, and spices was conducted in comparison with conventional antibiotic growth promoters. The data were recorded and analysed regarding gut morphology, gut ecology, feed digestibility, nutrients availability and meat and eggs bioactive compounds index of meat and eggs. Moringa oleifera might be used as phytogenic feed additives on the basis of diverse volatile compounds present in its leaves, pods and roots. Moringa belongs to family Moringaceae and is commercially grown in many tropics and subtropics countries globally. Moringa oleifera leaves and pods are very nutritious and retain their nutrients even when dried and converted to leaf powder. They can be utilized in both fresh as well as dried forms. Moringa leaves contain bioactive compounds like β-carotene, Quercetin and selenium in addition to basic nutrients (crude protein, metabolizable energy, ether extract, and ash). Moringa leaf meal contains 29.7, 22.5, 14.7, 4.3, 2.7, 0.26, 10.6% and 7.86Mj/Kg of CP, CF, Ash, EE, Ca, P, NFE and ME respectively. On the basis of above nutritional and bioactive compounds Moringa oleifera leaves meet the needs of a growth promoter and phytogenic feed additive as lot of studies on antimicrobial, anti-coccidial, AGP replacer and feed ingredient attributes have been conducted. Even then, very limited data was available regarding its phytogenic feed additive attributes. On the basis of above addressed issues the below experiments were designed. For this purpose following experiments were planned and executed. In the first experiment, authors took 200 day old broiler chicks and assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design replicated five times having ten birds each. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated for both the starter as well as finisher phases of production and four levels (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) of Moringa leaf meal (MLM) were used over and above. Data regarding growth performance were collected and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) techniques under Completely Randomized Design and means were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range (DMR) test. Growth was monitored by feed intake, body weight, total gain, FCR and liveability. Feed intake was linearly decreased whereas quadratic response was observed in FCR (P≤0.05). Body weight, total gain and liveability remained same among the treatment groups. Dressing percentage showed quadratic response and highest values was observed in the group offered 0.5% of supplementation, whereas all other parameters including live weight, carcass weight, digestive organs (liver, gizzard) and heart size showed no effect. Bioactive compounds β-carotene, Quercetin and selenium in breast meat samples were lineally increased resulting in higher DPPH values (P≤0.05). Cholesterol, SGPT, creatinine and glucose levels in serum and breast meat samples were linearly decreased resulting in improved animal as well as consumer health. Moisture level of breast meat samples was linearly decreased whereas all other nutrients including Crude protein (CP), Ash, Ether extract (EE) and all minerals were linearly increased with the supplementation level (P≤0.05). Newcastle dis□ease titers remained unchanged while linear increase in IBD titers was observed. In second trial Moringa oleifera pods meal was added in the diet (starter and finisher) with same levels 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%. Two hundred broiler birds were purchased from commercial market and assigned to four treatments with five replicates and ten birds per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and feed intake was decreased (P≤0.05) with the increase in the supplementation level, whereas total gain was improved. Dressing percentage was negatively affected (P≤0.05), whereas organs weights (liver, hear & gizzard) were improved with the supplementation levels. β-carotene and Quercetin content of broiler breast meat were respectively 0.08μg/100g and 8μg/100g breast meat samples. Cholesterol level was decreased whereas selenium content was significantly increased (P≤0.05) in the treatment groups. Highest DPPH radicals scavenging activity was recorded in the treatment groups. When proximate analysis of meat was done, the moisture, ether extract, crude protein and ash contents were decreased (P≤0.05). Moreover biochemical indicators SGPT, Creatinine, Glucose and cholesterol were recorded significantly lowest (P≤0.05) in the treatment groups. In the third experiment Moringa oleifera leaf meal was used as feed additive in layers diet to its impact on performance, bioactive compounds and nutrient profile of eggs. For this purpose two hundred, fifty weeks (50) old, HyLine W36 layers were purchased from the commercial market and assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design with five replicates and ten birds per replicate. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated and Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) was supplemented at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% over and above of basal diet. Results of this experiment significantly affected the production. Egg mass, production percentage and FCR were significantly affected whereas total feed intake and egg weight remained unchanged (P≤0.05). Egg shape and yolk index showed a quadratic response, whereas Haugh units and shell thickness was linearly decreased (P≤0.05). Bioactive compounds like β-carotene, Quercetin and Selenium content were enriched up to the levels 4906 and 241 and 56.82 μg/100g of egg yolk respectively (P≤0.05). Linear decrease in the serum biochemical compounds SGPT, Glucose, Creatinine and cholesterol
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levels (serum and eggs) at 4th and 6th week of supplementation was recorded (P≤0.05). Antibody titers against Newcastle disease were also significantly improved
(P≤0.05). Nutrients and minerals profile of egg yolk was also significantly changed (P≤0.05). In experiment No 4, effect of Moringa oleifera pods meal was investigated on 200 HyLine W36 layer birds of 50 weeks age. Diets were formulated having same caloric and protein levels and Moringa oleifera pods meal was added at top with the dose levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of basal diet. The results of this study showed quadratic response on egg mass and FCR per dozen eggs whereas feed intake, egg weight and production percentage remained same. Haugh unit showed a quadratic response whereas shell thickness was decreased linearly in the treatment groups (P≤0.05). Antioxidants like, β-carotene, Quercetin and Selenium showed same trend as in the previous experiment. Serum biochemical profile (SGPT, Glucose, Creatinine and cholesterol) were improved along with lower cholesterol content in egg yolk (P≤0.05). Proximate analysis of egg yolk showed that moisture and ether extract was decreased whereas CP, Ash and minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P) profile was improved with the supplementation (P≤0.05). Results of all these four experiments support our hypothesis that Moringa oleifera can be a good phytogenic functional feed additive and can even perform at these lower supplementation levels. Moreover it can also be stated that eggs and meat produced from Moringa oleifera leaf and pods supplemented birds may serve as a functional food.
Conclusion
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On the basis of above experiments, it can be concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf and pods meal could be used to enhance the growth and production performance of broilers and layer bird along with bioactive compounds, like antioxidants, minerals and vitamins index of meat and eggs which could meet the advance concept of phytogenic feed additives.
Suggestions and recommendations
Outcomes of the present study including positive impact on growth performance, carcass traits, serum biochemical profile, immunity in broilers, and production percentage, egg geometry, and egg quality in layers in addition to enrichment of β-carotene, Quercetin and selenium in meat eggs suggest that Moringa oleifera can be considered as phytogenic feed additive.
Recommendations for the farmers
Keeping in view the above study following recommendation are given for the poultry producers
1. Moringa oleifera on the basis of its availability and nutrient profile can be a good phytogenic feed additive but there are multiple limitations most important are anti-nutritional compounds like saponins, phytosterols and high fibre and ash content in the leaves and pods meal inclusion in the feed.
2. Moringa pods are available once in a year and its availability is scarce so proper storage should be monitored.
3. Depending on the soil composition and climatic condition and varieties the nutrient especially ash content and bioactive compounds differ in its concentration so proper validation of nutrients is required before supplementation.
4. Supplementation is dependent on the nutrient profile so proper protocol and care must be considered while its use.
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5. In present study it is suggested that Moringa oleifera could be an option to be used as phytogenic feed additives to meet the condition including ban on AGP, better growth, production performance and safe and healthy meat and eggs.
Suggestions for the researchers
1. In the present study four levels of supplementation were used but future researchers can explore different levels in their studies.
2. Comparative studies with synthetic antioxidants, carotenoids and organic selenium can be designed.
3. Effect on shelf life can be studied in the animal products can be investigated in future studies.
Subsequent effect on acceptability of consumers regarding effect on the health including cholesterol levels, hypertension and cancer diseases can be studied.