Abstract
The effects of tea polyphenols on the caecal flora and caecal metabolites were studied in eight 24-d-old and eight 56-d-old chickens, which consumed a basal diet (control) or the diet supplemented with tea polyphenols (2 g/kg diet) for periods of up to 56d of age. On day 24 of tea polyphenols administration, the number of total bacteria and bacteroidaceae significantly decreased ( P < 0.01 ), but staphylococci increased ( P < 0.05). The frequency of the occurrences of pseudomonads and yeasts significantly increased ( P < 0.05), but that of moulds decreased ( P < 0.01). Also, caecal concentrations of ammonia ( P < O.O1). phenol ( P <0.01), p-cresol ( P < 0,05) and skatol ( P < O.05) were significantly reduced. On day 56 of administration, lactobacilli significantly increased ( P < 0.05), whereas enterobacteriaceae decreased ( P < 0.05). as did the detection rate of proteus ( P < 0.05). Caecal concentrations of ammonia ( P < 0.05) andethylphenol ( P < 0.05) weresignificantly reduced, but aceticand butyricacidincreased greatly ( P < O.OS). The deodorant effect on caecal contents was noticeable during tea polyphenols administration. Keywords - Caecal bacterial metabolism: Chicks; Intestinal flora; Tea polyphenols.
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