Effects of Dietary Catechin Uncaria gambir Extract on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Plasma Lipids, Antioxidant Activity and Nutrient Digestibility in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of adding catechin gambir extract (Uncaria gambir Roxb) (CGE) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood plasma constituents, antioxidant activity, and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. 160 chicks were allocated to receive four treatment diets adding CGE was 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3g/kg in basal diets with four replications. Bodyweight and feed intake were recorded to calculate growth performance. Digestibility measurements were carried out at the age of 31-40 days, and at 40 days, blood samples were taken to determine the total protein levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and Malondialdehyde (MDA). Then these chickens are slaughtered to determine the percentage of viscera and muscles. Adding CGE to basal diets linearly (P<0.05) increased body weight gain and improved the feed conversion ratio of broiler grower, finisher, and the overall age of 1-40 days. The effect of GCE on carcass characteristics significantly (P<0.05) increased the percentage of thigh and drumstick and decreased abdominal fat. CGE linearly reduced total cholesterol and LDL while increased HDL and total protein in blood plasma. The MDA concentration linearly decreased in serum and broiler meat aged 40 days. In addition, CGE increased (P<0.05) the digestibility of crude protein and decreased fat digestibility in the diet. Adding 0.3g/kg CGE to the basal diet can be a feed additive to produce better performance and broiler meat.