| Journal: |
Poultry Science
El-Sevier
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Volume: |
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| Abstract: |
The development of antibiotic-resistant
microorganisms prompted the investigation of possible antibiotic substitutes. As a result, the purpose of the current
study is to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina platensis
extract as an antibiotic alternative on Japanese quail
(Coturnix japonica) growth, antioxidant status, blood
parameters, and cecal microorganisms. There was a total of
150 Japanese quails used in this study, divided equally
among 5 experimental groups (10 birds per group with 3 replicates): group 1 (G1) received a basal diet without any S.
platensis extract, group 2 (G2) received a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 3 (G3)
received a basal diet supplemented with 2 mL S. platensis
extract/kg, group 4 (G4) received a basal diet supplemented
with 3 mL S. platensis extract/kg, and group 5 (G5)
received a basal diet supplemented with 4 mL S. platensis
extract/kg from d 7 until d 35. The results showed that compared to the control birds in G1, Japanese quail supplemented with 4 mL of S. platensis extract/kg of diet (G5)
had significantly better live body weight, body weight gain,
feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestive enzymes, blood
parameters, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile,
antioxidant profile, immunological parameters, and cecal
microorganism’s count. There were no significant changes in
the percentage of carcasses, liver, and total giblets among all
the 5 groups. Only gizzard percentage showed a significant
increase in G2 compared to birds in G1. In addition, intestinal pH showed a significant drop in G2 and G5 compared to
birds in G1. After cooking the quail meat, the juiciness and
tenderness increased as S. platensis extract levels increased,
whereas aroma and taste declined slightly as S. platensis
extract levels increased. Furthermore, when a high concentration of S. platensis extract was used, the lightness of the
meat reduced while its redness and yellowness increased.
The disk diffusion assay showed that S. platensis extract
had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus
aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and
Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zones ranging from 16 to
42 mm. This activity may be attributable to the volatile
chemicals in S. platensis extract, of which Geosmin and 2-
methylisoborneol are the primary components. In the diet of
Japanese quails, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the
extract of S. platensis can be utilized as a feed additive and
as an alternative to antibiotics
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