Original scientific paper
Synergistic Work of Encapsulated Acalypha australis L. Leaf Extracts and Chitosan in Improving Production Performance of Broilers
Yuki Zulpa
; Universitas Diponegoro
Ikania Agusetyaningsih
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Endang Wdiastuti
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Hanny Indrat Wahyuni
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Turrini Yudiarti
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Tri Agus Sartono
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Sugiharto Sugiharto
; epartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the effect of encapsulated Acalypha australis L. leaf extract (EALE), chitosan (CHIT) or blend of both on production parameters, internal organ weight, carcass traits and meat colour of broilers. A number of 280 broiler chicks were arranged randomly into four groups of seven replicates. The groups were control (CNTL, basal feed without additives), basal feed supplemented with 0.01% EALE (EALE), basal feed supplemented with 0.01% CHIT (CHIT), and basal feed supplemented with 0.01% EALE and 0.01% CHIT (EACH). The dietary treatment was applied from day 1 to 36. Body weight (BW), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were weekly recorded, whereas internal organ weight, carcass traits and meat colour were determined at harvest. Compared to control, EALE, CHIT or a combination of both improved (P < 0.05) FCR of broilers throughout the rearing period. Unlike EALE or CHIT alone, blend of EALE and CHIT resulted in greater (P < 0.05) BW gain compared to control. Broilers receiving CHIT or blend of EALE and CHIT had higher (P < 0.05) production efficiency index (PEI) compared to control. Liver relative weight of broilers given a combination of EALE and CHIT was lower (P < 0.05) compared to control. The thymus was heavier (P < 0.05) in broiler receiving EALE than that of control. There was no significant (P > 0.05) effect of treatments on eviscerated carcass and commercial cuts of broilers. Contrast analysis showed that the lightness values were lower (P < 0.05) in CHIT and EALE than in CNTL birds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with EALE, CHIT, or a combination of both improved FCR of broilers. In comparison to other treatments, the combination of EALE and CHIT was more effective in increasing broiler chicken growth and PEI.
Keywords
broiler, carcass, chitosan, growth, herbs, synergy
Hrčak ID:
333057
URI
Publication date:
26.8.2026.
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