Effect of fermented ginkgo biloba and camelia sinensis-based probiotics on growth performance, immunity and caecal microbiology in broilers

Abstract

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with fermented Ginkgo biloba and Camelia sinensis-based probiotics on growth performance, immunity and caecal microbiology in broilers. A total of three hundred twenty day old Ross broilers were randomly allocated based on completely randomized design into five treatments with eight replications (eight birds per replicate). Dietary treatments included: (1) Control (basal diet); (2) FGB1 = basal diet+0.2% fermented Ginkgo biloba probiotics; (3) FGB2 = basal diet+0.4% fermented Ginkgo biloba probiotics; (4) FCS1 = basal diet+0.2% fermented Camelia sinensis probiotics, (5) FCS2 = basal diet+0.4% fermented Camelia sinensis probiotics. Results of the present study elucidated that average daily gain was higher in FGB2 than FCS1 and FCS2 (p<0.05) during starter period; where feed intake was unaffected after dietary supplementation during starter, finisher and overall period (p>0.05). However, feed conversion ratio was improved in FGB2 during starter period (p<0.05), as well as in FGB1, FGB2, FCS1 and FCS2 during finisher and overall period relative to control (p<0.05). In addition, serum immunoglobulin was elevated in the FGB and FCS supplemented group compared to control (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation of FGB and FCS significantly suppressed caecal pathogenic E. coli (p<0.05). To sum up, dietary FGB and FCS can be utilized as potential feed additives in broiler nutrition with significant improvement in the growth performance, immunity and suppression of pathogenic caecal E. coli. Further detailed study is required on mechanism and meat quality analysis in broilers.