Importance of Azolla plant in poultry production.

Azolla (Azolla pinnata) is a heterosporous aquatic fern distributed all around the world. Azolla looks like other typical ferns that are green in colour however it looks more like duckweed or mosses, freely floating on the water surface. It can be used in animal and poultry feed as a protein source. Azolla has several pharmacological effects and can be used as antioxidant, immune-stimulating, hepato-protective, phytoremediation, bioremediation and also as nutritious material. Azolla contains vitamins (B12, beta carotene, vitamin A), biopolymers, minerals and amino acids. Azolla is rich in trace minerals and carotene. It looks to be potentially hepatoprotective drug against hepatotoxic substances. Its decoction (concentrated liquor of plant) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic characteristics, making it an attractive preventive and therapeutic drug against super hepatotoxicity. Moreover, laying geese fed Azolla-based diets enhanced their FCR, overall performance, performance index, egg weight, egg production, egg shape index, and yolk colour. Thus, the goal of this explorative study was to learn more about the health advantages of Azolla, as well as to Azolla pinnata's potential should be made known to scientists, veterinarians, and poultry nutritionists in order to boost chicken productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]