Abstract
Background: Phytogenic compounds are one of many alternatives to current industry feed ingredients for the poultry industry. However, despite increased reports on the activity of phytogenic compounds against disease in poultry, there is a lack of data regarding safety and residual toxicity. This two-part study investigated the general health of broiler chickens fed Berberine, Ursolic Acid, Piceid, Honokiol and Baicalin in-feed at three different levels, and assessed the poultry tissue residue of Berberine in breast muscle, upper and lower thigh, and liver through LC/MS-MS. Methods and Findings: Phase 1 trial results demonstrated that all birds appeared normal, with all gastrointestinal histologic lesions and liver histologic lesions identified within normal limits for broiler chickens in a production environment. Phase 2 trial showed that the lowest amount of Berberine, 0.03 g/kg in-feed, resulted in tissue residues below the lower limit of detection (<2 ng/g), and the highest amount of Berberine, 0.3 g/kg in-feed, yielded detectable values, although the significance of these results is still not clear. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study suggests that the five tested phytogenic compounds are safe for use in starter, grower and finisher feeds for broiler chickens. Further exposure and risk assessment calculations regarding appropriate residue levels are necessary to evaluate the use of Berberine as a feed ingredient for poultry.
Highlights
In recent decades, phytogenic compounds have become increasingly examined as alternatives to antibiotics in feed for the livestock industry
A recent review on antimicrobial resistance states that over 70% of medically important antibiotics in the US are sold for use in animals, with the primary use being for prevention of disease and increase of feed conversion efficiency, rather than treatment of sick animals
feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average weight gain: Table 4 summarizes the general effects of five phytogenic compounds in poultry
Summary
Phytogenic compounds have become increasingly examined as alternatives to antibiotics in feed for the livestock industry. Berberine is an isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid and has been identified as the major active component of many plants such as Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) and B. vulgaris (barberry) and Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread) [2,3,4] It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicines for the treatment of intestinal maladies in humans [5]. Despite increased reports on the activity of phytogenic compounds against disease in poultry, there is a lack of data regarding safety and residual toxicity This two-part study investigated the general health of broiler chickens fed Berberine, Ursolic Acid, Piceid, Honokiol and Baicalin in-feed at three different levels, and assessed the poultry tissue residue of Berberine in breast muscle, upper and lower thigh, and liver through LC/MS-MS
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