Serum biochemistry, meat quality and oxidative stability in broiler chicken supplemented with a novel phytogenic feed additive formulated from P. betle, P. nigrum, A. lanata and C. dactylon

The present study investigated the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) formulated with Aerva lanata, Piper betle, Cynodon dactylon and Piper nigrum on the haematological and serum biochemical profiles in broiler chicken, and its efficacy to improve quality and oxidative stability of chicken meat. In a six-week experiment, a total of 192 day-old broiler chicks were subjected to four dietary treatments that included, basal diet+ chlortetracycline; only basal diet without chlortetracycline and PFA; and basal diet + 1 or 2% PFA. Each treatment group included six replicates of eight birds per replicate. The results showed improved albumin and cholesterol in serum of birds fed 1% PFA. The meat of birds supplemented 1% PFA showed a significant reduction in drip loss after 1 and 4 days of storage. The lipid peroxidation of breast meat measured as malondialydehyde concentration was not altered by dietary treatments at different periods of storage. Feeding 1% PFA did not induce any toxic effects on liver, kidney and spleen histology. It was concluded that the PFA when used as a feed additive improved serum biochemistry and meat quality in broiler chickens.