| dc.description.abstract | The increasing human population demands the availability of animal protein.
Broiler is a source of animal protein that grows fast and can be harvested in a
relatively short time. Broiler productivity can be supported by providing feed
additives to broiler feed. The prohibition of the use of antibiotics as feed additives
for broilers has made it important to look for non-antibiotic feed additives, one of
which is plant-based. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of E.
scaber ethanolic extract on the nutritional content of meat, blood biochemistry,
digestive tract microbes, immune system, liver histopathology, blood cholesterol,
and broiler performance.
Extracts were obtained by percolation of Elephantopus scaber leaves using
96% ethanol as solvent. This study used 80 male broilers which were divided into
five treatments. Each treatment was repeated four times, where each replication unit
consisted of four chickens. The treatments consisted of control (T0) wherein the
chickens were given basal feed, T1 (basal feed + 50 mg tetracycline/kg feed), T2
(basal feed + 2 g extract/kg feed), T3 (basal feed + 4 g extract/kg feed) ) and T4
(basal feed + 6 g extract/kg feed). Measurement of water content, protein, fat and
cholesterol levels of breast meat was successively using gravimetric, Kjeldahl,
Folch, and enzymatic methods. Measurement of blood biochemical parameters using
colorimetric method. Histological examination of the liver using tissue preparation
and hematoxylin-eosin staining and scoring using the Incidence Method based on the
Gibson-Corley percentage. Performance of body weight gain, feed consumption,
feed conversion and feed efficiency using the equation after weighing body weight
and feed consumption. Total bacteria were counted using the TPC (total plate count)
method with PCA (plate count agar) media and E. coli were counted using EMB
(eosin-methylene blue) specific media. Antibody titers were measured using the
Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) method. Total cholesterol and serum HDL levels
were measured using the CHOD-PAP photometric system. Statistical significance
statement is based on P<0.05.
Ethanol extract of E. scaber leaves reduced the cholesterol level of breast
meat (41.75 ± 1.71 mg/100 g). Administration of 6 g extract/kg feed caused
disturbances in liver function where AST levels increased (208.21 ± 82.20 IU/L),
increased pycnotic cell nuclei (15.18 ± 3.49%), vacuole degeneration (15.65). ±
3.47%) and cell necrosis (16.61 ± 3.88%). Administration of 4 g extract/kg feed
reduced creatinine levels (0.28 ± 0.03 mg/dL). An increase in body weight of
1353.75 ± 4.58 g was found in the administration of ethanol extract of E. scaber 4
g/kg of feed followed by an increase in feed consumption, feed conversion and feed
efficiency (2401.25 ± 17.02 g, 1.774 ± 0.007 and 0.564 ± 0.002% respectively).
Intestinal total bacteria were 8.65 ± 0.065 (log 10) and 8.33 ± 0.035 (log 10) at 4
g/kg and 6 g/kg extracts, respectively. The number of E. coli bacteria decreased on
the administration of 6 g/kg extract (5.73 ± 0.123 (log 10)). Antibody titers against
Newcastle Disease vaccine at 28 days after vaccination were significantly different
in the administration of extract 6 g/kg of feed compared to other treatments (2.50 ± 1.00 (log 2)). The highest HDL level was found in the administration of E. scaber
ethanol extract 4 g/kg of feed (62.91 ± 2.01 mg/dL).
Administration of E. scaber leaf ethanol extract had a positive effect on
broilers, but the effect depended on the concentration given. The optimum
concentration in this study was 4 g of extract/kg of feed. At this concentration,
broiler performance parameters showed the best value, supported by findings on
other parameters such as decreased total intestinal bacterial population, as well as
good liver health. Administration of extract at high concentrations (6 g of extract/kg
of feed) can cause liver tissue damage. | en_US |
