Evaluation of water plantain (Alisma canaliculatum A. Br. et Bouche) and mistletoe (Viscum album L.) effects on broiler growth performance, meat composition and serum biochemical parameters

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the potential use of water plantain (Alisma canaliculatum A. Br. et Bouche) and mistletoe (Viscum album L.) as alternative feed additives for broiler chickens. A total of 140 Ross broiler chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments over a five-week period. The dietary groups included; control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 0.005% oxytetracycline), water plantain (basal diet + 0.5% water plantain powder), and mistletoe (basal diet + 0.5% mistletoe powder). Results indicated that body weight gain and feed intake were not affected by the addition of water plantain and mistletoe to the diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the water plantain and mistletoe groups did not differ from the control group, although a better FCR was observed in the antibiotic group compare to the water plantain group. Crude protein as well as crude fat content of both breast and thigh meat in the water plantain group decreased, whereas crude protein content in breast meat was increased by the addition of mistletoe to the diet. When fatty acid composition was evaluated, a low n6/n3 ratio was found in the breast meat of the water plantain group, and supplemented groups exhibited a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content in thigh meat. The average thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values did not significantly change; however, breast meat of the water plantain group showed susceptibility to oxidation at Day 7. Serum biochemical data revealed that mistletoe had a hepatotoxic effect compare to water plantain, although both plants effectively enhanced immune function. It is suggested from the study results that water plantain could be incorporated into the diet of broiler chickens as an alternative feed additive. Key words: Water plantain, mistletoe, feed additive, broiler.