Application of pumpkin oil as a new feed additive in Cobb Avian 48 broilers: its effect on performance, carcasses, digestive enzyme, blood metabolites and cecal bacterial load

SUMMARY: This study evaluated the effects of pumpkin oil (PKO), a novel feed additive, on growth, carcass, digestive enzymes, blood metabolites, and cecal bacterial load in broiler chickens. 250 one-wk-old chicks were randomly assigned into 5 equal groups. Group 1(control) was fed the basal diet (BD). Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were fed the basal diet (BD) with 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 ml of PKO/kg diet, respectively. According to GC-MS analysis, pumpkin oil contains Anthracene, Pyrene, Anethole, Estragole, Oleic Acid, Eugenol, 1-Dodecanamine, N, N-dimethyl- and Hexadecanoic acid, etc. The broilers fed the PKO-supplemented diet had better growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed the control diet, with no effect on feed intake (P > 0.05). The highest body weight gain (P < 0.05) was obtained with 1 and 2 ml of PKO/kg diet compared to 0.5 and 1.5 ml/kg. The best FCR (P < 0.05) was achieved with 1 ml of PKO/kg diet compared to other treatments. Ileal lipase, amylase, and protease levels were increased significantly while the reverse was observed for plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, urea, and uric acid (P < 0.05) by PKO-supplemented diets. PKO supplementation did not, however, alter the percentage of giblets, internal organs, dressing, or carcass (P > 0.05). When compared to control birds, broilers' plasma level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was higher and those of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower at every tested level of PKO (P < 0.05). Similarly, all PKO levels increased Lactobacilli and decreased the caecal counts of Salmonella, coliforms, and E. coli (P < 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (P < 0.05) increased while the malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased in broilers fed PKO-supplemented diet vs control birds. PKO enhanced immune response parameters including total protein, globulin, IgA, IgG, and C3 (P < 0.05) dose dependently. It was concluded that adding PKO in the broilers’ diet positively affected growth performance, induced hypolipidemic effect, enhanced immunity, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.