Effects of black cumin (Nigella Sativa) seed meal on growth performance, blood and biochemical indices, meat quality and cecal microbial load in broiler chickens

Black cumin seed (Nigella Sativa) meal (BCSM) is by-products resulting from the extraction of black cumin seed oil. It contains valuable functional nutrients such as proteins, dietary fibers and phytochemicals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of BCSM in broiler diets on productive performance, oxidative status, immune response, qualitative characteristics of meat, and caecal microbial population. A total of 400 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allotted into four groups in ten replicates of 10 chicks each. The control group was fed a basal diet without BCSM, whereas BCSM-20, BCSM-40, and BCSM-60 groups were fed diets containing BCSM (20, 40, and 60 g/kg diet, respectively) for 42 days. Results showed that the inclusion of BCSM at all three levels reduced the feed conversion ratio, mortality and breast meat content of MDA, LPO, and lipid. The BCSM-40 and BCSM-60 groups increased body weight gain, RBCs count, HGB, and HCT and reduced the ALP concentration in serum of birds. Moreover, BCSM at all three levels, enhanced the WBCs count, IgG, and IgM and reduced ALT, TC, and TG levels in serum of birds. Furthermore, a significant increase in LYM and IgA content and reduce in HET, HET / LYM ratio, and AST by BCSM supplementaion at 60 g/kg level compared to the other groups.BCSM-60 group had higher GSH-Px, T-SOD, and CAT in serum, lower MDA in liver and greater values of pH and DM of the breast meat. BCSM-40 and BCSM-60 groups enhanced the GSH-Px content in liver and breast, TSOD in liver, and reduced MDA in serum. Moreover, BCSM-40 and BCSM-60 groups compared to control enhanced values of CP, ash, total volatile bases nitrogen (TVBN) contents, redness, juiciness, tenderness, taste, aroma, and reduced lightness of breast meat. BCSM supplementation at all three levels increased yellowness values of breast meat of birds. A reduction in caecal coliform and E. coli population by 40 and 60 g/kg of BCSM supplementation. Moreover, BCSM supplementation at all three levels reduced the caecal total yeast and molds count population. In conclusion BCSM supplementation has a multi-fold benefit: it improved the broiler's performance traits, increases antioxidant, immune, and meat quality and reduced pathogenic bacteria papulation. It should, therefore, be considered a good supplement in the broiler industry.