Effect of Citrullus Colocynthis Fruit Pulp and Antibiotic Growth Promoter on Performance, Blood Biochemistry and Intestinal Microbial Count of Broilers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating Citrullus colocynthis fruit pulp (CCFP) into the diet of broiler chickens as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and intestinal microbial count. A total of 600 unsexed Ross-308 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 groups using a completely randomized design. Each group had 5 replicates, with 20 chicks per replicate. The study included a control group (T1) that did not receive any CCFP or AGP supplementation. The other experimental groups were as follows: T2 (0.15 g/kg AGP, 0 g/kg CCFP), T3 (0.11 g/kg AGP, 0.75 g/kg CCFP), T4 (0.075 g/kg AGP, 1.5 g/kg CCFP), T5 (0.037 g/kg AGP, 2.25 g/kg CCFP), and T6 (0 g/kg AGP, 3 g/kg CCFP). The results indicated a reduction in feed intake (p = 0.045) in group T3 compared to the control group (T1). Blood biochemical analysis showed that group T6 had higher levels of serum total protein (p = 0.050) and globulin (p = 0.044) compared to the control group (T1). The cecal microbial count revealed a lower total bacterial count (p = 0.01) in groups T2 and T3, and a reduced E. coli count (p = 0.050) in group T3 compared to the group T5. However, the ileal microbial count showed no significant differences between treatments. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a diet containing 0.75 g/kg CCFP combined with 0.11 g/kg AGP may improve the growth of broiler chickens while maintaining a healthy microbial balance.

Keywords

• Citrullus colocynthis fruit pulp
• antibiotics
• blood biochemistry
• microbial count