Effects of Curcuma longa on the intestinal health of chicks infected with Salmonella Typhimurium

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Curcuma longa on the growth performance, intestinal integrity, and antimicrobial activity of chicks colonized by Salmonella Typhimurium. The study included 672 one-day-old male chicks of the CobbTM lineage, which were divided into eight treatment groups with 14 birds per group and six repetitions, for a total of 48 experimental units per treatment. A randomized 4x2 factorial design scheme (C. longa levels x inoculation by Salmonella Typhimurium) was used. Chicks were orally inoculated with 1.2x104 cfu/mL of Salmonella Typhimurium in 0.5 mL of 0.85% buffered saline solution. Curcuma was added to the feed of chicks at 0, 1, 2, and 3% for 35 days. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Optimal feed conversion was observed in chicks given feed supplemented with 1% C. longa, regardless of infection, and 1% C. longa prevented intestinal colonization by Salmonella Typhimurium. Supplementation and bacterial infection influenced the histomorphometry and pH of the intestine. Bacterial infection reduced the intestinal pH, whereas C. longa supplementation increased the pH, but only in infected chicks. Thus, supplementation with 1% C. longa favors feed conversion, inhibits intestinal colonization by Salmonella Typhimurium, and does not alter intestinal integrity. In contrast, supplementation with 3% Curcuma longa decreases feed intake, affecting the performance of 35-day-old chicks.