Possibility of using nutmeg flesh (Myristica fragrans houtt) extract in broiler diet to improve intestinal morphology, bacterial population, blood profile and antioxidant status of broilers under high-density condition

Y. Sapsuha¹, E. Suprijatna², S. Kismiati² and S. Sugiharto²*

¹Universitas Khairun, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia
²Universitas Diponegoro, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Science, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
*Correspondence: sgh_undip@yahoo.co.id

Abstract:

This study investigated the impact of nutmeg flesh extract on intestinal morphology, bacterial population, blood profile and antioxidant status of broiler chickens stocked at high density pens. After 15 days of rearing, 370 Lohmann broiler chicks (unsexed) were assigned to five treatment groups based on a completely randomized design, including T0 (chicks were raised at a density of 10 birds m^-2 and received no nutmeg flesh extract), T1 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds m^-2 and received no nutmeg flesh extract), T2 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds m^-2 and received 0.5 mL kg^-1 nutmeg flesh extract), T3 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds m^-2 and received 1.0 mL kg^-1 nutmeg flesh extract), and T4 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds m^-2 and received 1.5 mL kg^-1 nutmeg flesh extract). Sampling was conducted on day 35 of age. The results showed that the administration of nutmeg flesh extract (regardless of its levels) to broilers diets at high density (16 birds m^-2) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the performance, villi height in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, decreased pH in the ileum and cecum, increased lactic acid bacteria and decreased coliform bacteria in the ileum and cecum, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the blood profile of broiler chickens. The findings demonstrated that nutmeg flesh extract improved performance, intestinal bacterial population and morphology and antioxidative status of broilers raised under high density condition.

Key words:

Antioxidant, broilers, intestinal bacterial population, intestinal morphology, nutmeg flesh extract