Authors:
Martha Musukwa
, Felix Haazele
, Wilson Mwenya
, Francisco Kanyinji
, Pharaoh Sianangama
, Joseph
Simbaya
, Ashley Chishiba |
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess and compare the proximate composition of cultured
Following the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry there has been increased
research in plants having high bioactive compound content. Ficus sycomorus is an edible plant
species that has been reported to contain tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and alkaloids
which make it a possible alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production. The
incorporation of Ficus sycomorus bark in the feed of broilers could induce hepatotoxic stress
because the bark contains tannins and alkaloids. Therefore, the effects of 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg of
Ficus sycomorus bark powder (FSBP) in broiler feed on Body Weight, Feed Intake, Alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) activity levels, Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratio, Serum Total Protein
and serum Albumin of Cobb 500 broilers were investigated. The control had no bark added to
the feed. The treatment diets were fed up to 42 days of age. After floor-brooding the birds were
moved to experimental cages at 21 days of age. The cages were arranged in a Completely
Randomised design with nine replicates for each treatment and experimental units having five
birds each. There were no indications of liver toxicity effects from the dietary FSBP levels as
ALT activity levels and Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05)
for all the FSBP levels. Serum Total Protein and serum Albumin at 36 and 43 days of age were
positively correlated (P<0.05). The Body Weights at 22, 29, 36 and 43 days were positively
correlated (P < 0.05) to the serum Total Protein and Albumin levels at 36 days indicating
increased stimulation of protein synthesis for weight gain and further demonstrating that there
were no hepatotoxic effects of the dietary bark levels.
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