Effect of Different Levels of Wild Pistachio (pistaciaatlantica) Leaves Extract on Performance, Ceca Microbial Population and Immunity Responses in Broiler Chickens

Document Type : Poultry Nutrition

Authors

• Sadegh Kord Zanganeh
• Mohammad Reza Ghorbani
• Ahmad Tatar
• Hassan Barzegar

Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22067/ijasr.v10i3.64501

Abstract

Introduction: The focus on maximizing productivity, production efficiency, and profitability led to the development of intensive animal husbandry conditions. In this case, many diseases were outbreak, and therefore, for controlling of them and enhance performance of farm animals, using of chemical substances such as antibiotics was inevitable. The use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry production began from several years ago. They were added to diets growth stimulation. The usage of AGPs is possibly an important factor that promotes the emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms in veterinary and human medicine. The use of AGPs has been banned in some countries. Removal of antibiotics from the diet may negatively affect profitability of the animals. Therefore, the feed industry will have to research alternatives instead of antibiotics (15). Various aromatic plants and spices as well as fruits constitute valuable phytogenic sources. The Pistacia (genus) plant is known for its medicinal property. The plant species Pistacia Atlantica available in western mountains of Iran and in Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Lorestan provinces. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the native species are known. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wild pistachio leaves extract (WPLE) (Ethanolic, EtOH-H2O; 80%) on performance, cecal microbial population and immunity responses of broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: 241 days old (mixed sex) broiler chicks (Ross308 strain) were used in a completely randomized design in 5 treatments, with 4 replicates and 12 chicks per each replicate. Dietary treatment included: 1)positive control (PC, corn-soybean meal bases diet); 2) negative control (NC, positive control supplemented with 0.1% Flavomicine; 3) WPLE1 (positive control supplemented with 0.1 WPLE); 4) WPLE2 (positive control supplemented with 0.2 WPLE) and 5) WPLE3 (positive control supplemented with 0.3 WPLE).The chicks were fed a corn-soy meal based diet (isocaloric and isonitrogenous (2969.0 kcal/kg metabolizable energy, 21.30% crude protein in starter period (1-21 d) and 3081.0 kcal/kg metabolizable energy, 19.20% crude protein in grower period (22-42 d)) supplemented with different levels of  WPLE and Flavomicine as on top. The diets were in mash form and formulated according to the NRC (1994) recommendations. Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the experiment. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) andfeed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds in each pen was recorded weekly and calculated forstarter, grower and total phases for each bird. On day 42, two chicks per replicate were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were determined. Blood samples were collected from two birds per replicate to determine blood characteristics including cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)at the end of the experiment (42 d of age). On day 42, two chicks per replicate were selected randomly and killed aseptically and cecal content of each bird was pooled for determination of microbial population. The ileum digesta samples collected from two slaughtered birds and mixed with distilled water (1:10) and vortexed vigorously and pH was measured using a standard pH meter. For determination of immune response, at 21 and 35 d of age, 1 mL of 25% sheep red blood cell (SRBC) solution was injected into their breast muscle of 2 chicks per replicate and blood samples were collected from brachial vein of the birds 7 d after each injection.
 Results and Discussion: The results of this experiment showed that FI and BWG were not affected by antibiotic and WPLE in starter, grower and total phase (P>0.05). FCR was increased significantly in starter by addition of feed additives (WPLE and flavomicine). Means by non-significant differences in this study, maybe due to normal rearing condition. Researcher believed that plant secondary metabolite can exert their positive effects on critical condition. There were no significant differences in immunity and carcass parameters (P>0.05).TG and VLDL content of broiler serum were lower in WPLE2 and WPLE3 groups rather than PC. Dietary treatments did not affected Coliform population but increased Lactobacillus and decreased Escherichia coli population of cecal content significantly (P<0.05). The antibacterial properties of plant extracts could be attributed mainly to their phenolic components and their mechanisms of action on the microbial cell. A possible explanation for the stimulatory effect of polyphenolic compounds on beneficial bacterial growth is that some microorganisms are able touse these compounds as nutritional substrates. In the particular case of lactobacilli, these bacteria possess the ability to metabolize phenolic compounds supplying energy to cells and positively affecting the bacterial metabolism. The pH of ileal digesta was decreased significantly in 0.2 and 0.3% of WPLE (P<0.05). Increasing lactobacilli bacteria population can decrease pH of gut digesta.
Conclusion: The results of this experiment suggest that WPLE can increase population of beneficial bacteria and decrease pathogen bacteria in cecal content and can lowering pH of ileal digesta.

Keywords

• Wild Pistachio
• Performance
• Broiler Chickens

20.1001.1.20083106.1397.10.3.2.9

---

References

1. Abdulkarimi, R., A. M. Aghazadeh, and M. Daneshyar. 2011. Growth performance and some carcass characteristics in broiler chickens supplemented with Thymus extract (Thymus vulgaris) in drinking water. Journal of American Science, 7(11): 400-405.‏

2. Al-Kassie, G. A. 2010. The role of peppermint (Mentha piperita) on performance in broiler diets. Agriculture Biology, 1(5): 1009-1013.‏

3. Almirall, M., and E. Esteve-Garcia. 1994. Rate of passage of barley diets with chromium oxide: Influence of age and poultry strain and effect of β-glucanase supplementation. Poultry Science, 73(9): 1433-1440.‏

4. Al-Sultan, S. I. 2003. The effect of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on overall performance of broiler chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 2(5): 351-353.

5. Denli, M., F. Okan, and A. N. Uluocak. 2004. Effect of dietary supplementation of herb essential oils on the growth performance, carcass and intestinal characteristics of quail (Coturnix japonica). South African Journal of Animal Science, 34: 174-179.

6. Dophne, P. D., P. S. James, B. Burke, S. Greg, W. John, and K. John. 2004. Effects of mastic resin and its essential oil on the growth of protolithic Clostridium botulinum. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 94(3):313-322.

7. Douissa, F. B., N. Hayder, L. Chekir‐Ghedira, M. Hammami, K. Ghedira, A. M. Mariotte, and M. G. Dijoux‐Franca. 2005. New study of the essential oil from leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) from Tunisia. Flavors and Fragrance Journal, 20(4): 410-414.‏

8. Elson, C. E. 1994. The chemoprevention of cancer by mevalonate-derived constituents of fruits and vegetables. Journal of Nutrition, 124: 607-614.

9. Ford, D. J. 1974. The effect of the microflora on gastrointestinal pH in the chick. British Poultry Science, 15(1): 131-140.‏

10. Garcia-Ruiz, A., B. Bartolome, A. J. Martinez-Rodriguez, E. Pueyo, P. J. Martin-alvarez, and M. V. Moreno-Arribas. 2008. Potential of phenolic compounds for controlling lactic acid bacteria growth in wine. Food Control, 19(9): 835-841.

11. Ghalamkari, G., M. Toghyani, E. Tavalaeian, N. Landy, Z. Ghalamkari, and H. Radnezhad. 2013. Efficiency of different levels of Satureja hortensis L. (Savory) in comparison with an antibiotic growth promoter on performance, carcass traits, immune responses and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(61): 13318-13323.‏

12. Gholamrezaie Sani, L., M. Mohammadi, J. Jalali Sendi, S. A. Abolghasemi, and A. Roostaie. 2013. Extract and leaf powder effect of Artemisia annua on performance, cellular and humoral immunity in broilers. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research, 14(1): 15-20.‏

13. Ghorbani, M. R., M. Bojarpur, M. Mayahi, J. Fayazi, R. Fatemi Tabatabaei, and S. Tabatabaei. 2013. Effect of purslane powder on immunity responses and cecal microflora composition of broiler chickens. Iranian Journal of Animal Science Research, 6(2):150-156. (In Persian).

14. Gourine, N., M. Yousfi, I. Bombarda, B. Nadjemi, and E. Gaydou. 2010. Seasonal variation of chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil from pistscia atlantica Desf. Leaves. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 87(2): 157-166.

15. Grasman, K. A. 2010. In vivo functional tests for assessing immunotoxicity in birds. Immunotoxicity Testing: Methods and Protocols, 387-398.‏

16. Greathead, H. 2003. Plant and Plants extracts for improving animal Productivity. Nutrition Society, 62(2): 279-290.

17. Hammer, K. A., C. F. Carson, and T. V. Riley. 1999. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 86(6): 985-990.

18. Hanafi, G. M., Sh. Darvishi, N. Darvishi, S. M. S. Ardabili, and F. Mirahmadi. 2012. Study antibacterial properties of pistachio syrup essential oil on Staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli and Clostridium sporogenes. Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 17: 1-11. (In Persian).

19. Heidarian, E., R. Hajihossaini, E. Jafari Dehkordy, and H. Omidi. 2008. Effects of pistachio nut powder on rat liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and serum lipids and lipoproteins profile. Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences, 16(1): 49-58. (In Persian).

20. Hernandez, F., J. Madrid, V. Garcia, J. Orengo, and M. D. Megias. 2004. Influence of two plant extracts on broilers performance, digestibility, and digestive organ size. Poultry Science, 83(2): 169-174.

21. Izat, A. L., N. M. Tidwell, R. A. Thomas, M. A. Reiber, M. H. Adams, M. Colberg, and P. W. Waldroup. 1990. Effects of a buffered propionic acid in diets on the performance of broiler chickens and on microflora of the intestine and carcass. Poultry Science, 69(5): 818-826.‏

22. Khalaji, S., M. Zaphari, K. H. Hatami, S. Hedari-Dastjerdi, L. Lotfi, and H. Nazarian. 2011. Black cumin seeds, Artemisia leaves (Artemisia sieberi), and Camellia L. plant extract as phytogenic products in broiler diets and their effects on performance, blood constituents, immunity, and cecal microbial population. Poultry Science, 90(11): 2500-2510.

23. Koutsos, E. A., and V. J. Arias. 2006. Intestinal ecology: Interactions among the gastrointestinal tract, nutrition, and the microflora. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 15: 161-173.

24. Lan, P. T., T. Binhle, and Y. Benno. 2003. Impact of two probiotic Lactobacillus strains feeding on fecal lactobacilli and weight gains in chicken. Journal of General and Applied Microbiology, 49:29-36.

25. Leite, A. M., E. D. O. Lima, E. L. D. Souza, M. D. F. F. M. Diniz, V. N. Trajano, and I. A. D. Medeiros. 2007. Inhibitory effect of beta-pinene, alpha-pinene and eugenol on the growth of potential infectious endocarditis causing Gram-positive bacteria. Revista Brasileira de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, 43(1): 121-126.

26. Mansouri, S. M. T., B. Naghi Zadeh, and H. Hossein Zadeh. 2005. The effect of Pistacia Vera L. gum extract on oxidative damage during experimental cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Iranian Biomedical Journal, 4(9): 181-185.

27. Martin, A., E. A. Dunnington, W. B. Gross, W. E. Briles, R. W. Briles, and P. B. Siegel. 1990. Production traits and alloantigen systems in lines of chickens selected for high or low antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes. Poultry Science, 69(6): 871-878.‏

28. Mathivanan, R., and K. Kalaiarasi. 2007. Panchagavya and Andrographis paniculata as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters on hematological, serum biochemical parameters and immune status of broilers. The Journal of Poultry Science, 44(2): 198-204.‏

29. Nanekarani, S., M. Goodarzi, M. Heidari, and N. Landy. 2012. Efficiency of ethanolic extract of peppermint (Mentha piperita) as an antibiotic growth promoter substitution on performance, and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(3):1611-1614.‏

30. Omidi, H., H. Omidi, and H. Naghdi Badi. 2008. The Effect of Pistacia atlantica nut powder on liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and serum lipid profile in rat. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2(26): 70-78.‏

31. Rahimi, S., Z. Teymori Zadeh, K. Torshizi, R. Omidbaigi, and H. Rokni. 2011. Effect of the three herbal extracts on growth performance, immune system, blood factors and intestinal selected bacterial population in broiler chickens. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 13: 527-539.

32. Saeb, M., S. Nazifi, and M. Yavari. 2005. Studies on the effects of turpentine oil on the serum concentration of lipids and lipoproteins of male rabbits. Tabibe Shargh, 7 (1):1-8. (In Persian)

33. Sanderson I. R. 2004. Short chain fatty acid regulation of signaling genes expressed by the intestinal epithelium. Journal of Nutrition, 134:2450-2454.

34. Si, W., J. Gong, R. Tsao, T. Zhou, H. Yu, C. Poppe, R. Johnson, and Z. Du. 2006. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and structurally related synthetic food additives towards selected pathogenic and beneficial gut bacteria. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 100: 296-305.

35. Siegel, P. B., E. A. Dunnington, D. E. Jones, C. O. Ubosi, W. B. Gross, and J. A. Cherry. 1984. Phenotypic profiles of broiler stocks fed two levels of methionine and lysine. Poultry Science, 63(5): 855-862.‏

36. Steiner, T. 2009. Phytogenics in animal nutrition (Natural concepts to optimize gut health and performance). Nottingham University Press.

37. Tavakkoli, H., A. Derakhshanfar, and S. Salandari. 2014. Effect of dietary Pistacia atlantica oil on performance and pathological conditions in chukar partridge. Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies, 2 (2): 19-25.

38. Toghyani, M., M. Tohidi, A. A. Gheisari, and S. A. Tabeidian. 2010. Performance, immunity, serum biochemical and hematological parameters in broiler chicks fed dietary thyme as alternative for an antibiotic growth promoter. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(40): 6819-6825.‏

39. Tohidi, M., M. Khayami, V. Nejati, and H. Meftahizade. 2011. Evaluation of antibacterial activity and wound healing of Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk. Medicinal Plants Research, 5(17): 4310-4314.

40. Walton, P. A., and F. Possmayer. 1989. The effects of Triton X-100 and chlorpromazine on the Mg2+-dependent and Mg2+-independent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities of rat lung. Biochemical Journal, 261(2): 673-678.‏

41. Whitehead, C. C., and H. D. Griffin. 1984. Development of divergent lines of lean and fat broilers using plasma very low density lipoprotein concentration as selection criterion: the first three generations. British Poultry Science, 25(4): 573-582.‏

42. Yamuna, K, and A. Thangavel. 2011. Effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on immune status in broiler chickens. Tamilnadu Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 7 (6): 303-306.