• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.970-984
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• 2022

Thermal stress is a tremendous health predicament encountered by poultry farmers with adverse effects on the performance, product stature, health condition, survival, and overall welfare of poultry birds, and so requires urgent dietary user-friendly strategy to curb. This study was conducted with 200-day old broilers for the purpose of investigating the potential of phytogenics in refining the negative effects of heat stress on broiler chicken. Moringa, Phyllanthus and mistletoe leaves were processed as phytogenic supplements and incorporated into standard ration for broilers as treatments B1 (control), B2, B3 and B4 diet during the peak of thermal discomfort in humid tropics. Growth and carcass indices were monitored in a 49-day trial and blood samples were harvested at the end of the ordeal period to assess haematology, serum biochemical and oxidative stress markers with the use of standard procedures. The results obtained showed that the prevailing environmental condition in the study site indicated that the birds were exposed to heat stress. Birds fed on moringa and mistletoe supplements had higher performance index than birds without supplementation during heat stress condition, while birds fed on mistletoe supplement had the highest survival rate across the treatments. The liveweight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and eviscerated weight of heat stressed birds fed on moringa, phyllanthus and mistletoe supplements were significantly higher than birds on control treatment. Heterophyl/lymphocyte ratio of heat stressed birds without supplement were higher than birds on phytogenic supplements, with least values recorded in phyllanthus and mistletoe fed birds. Birds on phytogenic supplement tend to have lower cholesterol profile, lipid peroxidation and better antioxidant profile than birds on control treatment during heat stress conditions. Mistletoe supplementation in broiler ration enhances the survival rate, as well as promotes growth indices better among the phytogenic supplements. However, phytogenic supplements did ameliorate the negative effects of thermal discomfort on performance, physiological and oxidative stress in heat-stressed broiler chicken.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1300-1308
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytogenic additive and antibiotic growth promoter in laying Japanese quails. One hundred and sixty five quails were divided into three groups of 5 replicates and 11 quails (8 females and 3 males) in each replicate. Treatment 1 was fed control diet, treatment 2 was fed control diet supplemented with 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate as antibiotic growth promoter and treatment 3 was fed control diet supplemented with 0.1% phytogenic feed additive (PFA) for two periods of 3 weeks each from 37 to 42 weeks of age. Results showed that egg production, eggshell strength, eggshell weight, villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio were significantly (p${\leq}$0.05) increased and feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, albumen, Haugh unit, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, number of goblet cell, crypt depth and intestinal bacterial population of Coliforms, Salmonella and E. coli were significantly (p${\leq}$0.05) decreased in PFA fed group. It is concluded that addition of PFA containing phytomolecules and organic acids as main ingredients could significantly improve the production parameters and the general health of laying quails as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.471-481
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• 2024

Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE) is derived from a medicinal plant Achyranthes japonica, known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. AJE contains multiple bioactive compounds, including saponins, triterpenoids, phytoecdysteroids, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and inokosterone. The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of AJE as a phytogenic feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta microbial count, noxious gas emissions, breast meat quality in broilers. About three hundred and sixty, day-old broilers (Ross 308) were assigned into four treatments (five replication cages/treatment, and 18 birds/cage). Dietary treatments: CON, basal diet; 0.02% AJE, basal diet with 0.02%; 0.04% AJE, basal diet with 0.04% AJE, and 0.06% AJE, basal diet with 0.06% of AJE. Body weight gain increased linearly (p < 0.05) through the inclusion of AJE during days 7 to 21, 21 to 35, as well as the entire experimental period. Besides, feed intake increased (p < 0.05) linearly during days 21 to 35 and the entire experiment with the increased AJE doses in broiler diet. Dry matter digestibility was increased (p < 0.05) linearly along with increasing amounts of AJE. With increasing AJE supplementation, nitrogen and energy utilization tended to improve (p < 0.10). In summary, the addition of AJE in the corn-soybean meal diet led to higher body weight gain and increased feed intake as well as enhanced nutrient digestibility, among them the highest improvement was found in 0.06%-AJE indicating the acceptance of AJE as a phytogenic feed additive.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.281-294
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• 2016

The advantages of nano-scale materials (size 1-99 nm in at least in one dimension) could be realized with their potential applications in diversified avenues. Herein, we report for the first time on the successful synthesis of homogeneous epoxy coatings containing phytogenic silver nanoparticles (Ag) on PVC and glass substrates by room-temperature curing of fully mixed epoxy slurry diluted by acetone. Alstonia scholaris bark extract was used to reduce and stabilize the silver ions. The surface morphology and mechanical properties of these coatings were characterized using the techniques like, UV-Vis (UV-Visible) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), Epifluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of incorporating Ag nanoparticles on the biofilm (scale) resistant epoxy-coated PVC was investigated by total viable counts ($CFU/cm^2$) from epoxy coating from (Initial) $1^{st}$ day to $25^{th}$ days. The phytogenic Ag nanoparticles were found to be significantly improving the microstructure of the coating matrix and thus enhanced the anti-biofilm performance of the epoxy coating. In addition, the antimicrobial mechanism of Ag nanoparticles played an important role in improving the anti-biofilm performance of these epoxy coatings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.266-274
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• 2013

The effect of different phytogenic feed additives on reducing odorous compounds in swine was investigated using in vitro fermentation and analyzed their microbial communities. Soybean meal (1%) added with 0.1% different phytogenic feed additives (FA) were in vitro fermented using swine fecal slurries and anaerobically incubated for 12 and 24 h. The phytogenic FAs used were red ginseng barn powder (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, FA1), persimmon leaf powder (Diospyros virginiana L., FA2), ginkgo leaf powder (Ginkgo biloba L., FA3), and oregano lippia seed oil extract (Lippia graveolens Kunth, OL, FA4). Total gas production, pH, ammonianitrogen ($NH_3$-N), hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), nitrite-nitrogen ($NO_2{^-}$-N), nitrate-nitrogen ($NO_3{^-}$-N), sulfate (${SO_4}^{--}$), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and other metabolites concentration were determined. Microbial communities were also analyzed using 16S rRNA DGGE. Results showed that the pH values on all treatments increased as incubation time became longer except for FA4 where it decreased. Moreover, FA4 incubated for 12 and 24 h was not detected in $NH_3$-N and $H_2S$. Addition of FAs decreased (p<0.05) propionate production but increased (p<0.05) the total VFA production. Ten 16S rRNA DGGE bands were identified which ranged from 96 to 100% identity which were mostly isolated from the intestine. Similarity index showed three clearly different clusters: I (FA2 and FA3), II (Con and FA1), and III (FA4). Dominant bands which were identified closest to Eubacterium limosum (ATCC 8486T), Uncultured bacterium clone PF6641 and Streptococcus lutetiensis (CIP 106849T) were present only in the FA4 treatment group and were not found in other groups. FA4 had a different bacterial diversity compared to control and other treatments and thus explains having lowest odorous compounds. Addition of FA4 to an enriched protein feed source for growing swine may effectively reduce odorous compounds which are typically associated with swine production.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 2017

The experiment was carried out on 648 Ross 308 broilers ($40.4{\pm}0.2$ g; 1 d) chickens. It lasted for 28 days to evaluate the effects of phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, cecum microbiota, bone minerals contents, meat quality and internal organ weights. The chickens were haphazardly divided into any 1 of 6 dietary treatments (6 replicate pens/treatment; 18 broilers/pen). The experimental diets were: CON, control; T1, CON + 150 ppm PFA; T2, CP 0.5% reduced from basal diet; T3, T2 + 150 ppm PFA; T4, Ca 0.07% reduced + available P (aP) 0.065% reduced from basal diet; T5, T4 + 150 ppm PFA. Overall, broilers fed with T3 diet tended to have higher (P=0.08) body weight gain (BWG), and lower (P=0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than T2 diet. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P was lower (P=0.03) in T2 as compared to CON and it was higher (P=0.02) in T3 as compared to T2. There were no differences in meat quality, relative organ weight, and cecum microbiota (P>0.05). The supplementation of PFA showed trends in improvement in ash content in the bone of birds fed T1, T2 and T4 diets compared with CON. Likewise, the supplementation of PFA tended to increase (P=0.07) Ca content in the bone of birds fed T1 diet compared to CON. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 150 ppm PFA could improve BWG in birds fed protein reduced diet, improve apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P, and the bone Ca contents in broilers.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.285-294
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the supplementary effect of a phytogenic blend (SPA: a mixture containing fermented Schisandra chinensis pomace, fermented Pinus densiflora needle extract, and Allium tuberosum powder in the ratio of 2:2:1) on egg production, egg quality, blood constituents, and visceral organs in laying hens. Methods: A total of 135 Hy-line brown laying hens (48-wk-old) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 9 hens. The control group (CON) was fed a basal diet (no exogenous SPA addition) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet containing SPA at the level of 0.1% and 0.3% for 6 weeks. Results: The feed intake was significantly improved in SPA supplemented groups as compared with the control (p<0.05). However, egg production, daily egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were not different among the dietary treatments (p>0.05). For egg quality traits, only Haugh unit (HU) was significantly improved in SPA (0.3%) (p<0.05) as compared with other groups. However, HU was not affected during 4-wk of storage at 18℃ among the dietary treatments (p>0.05). Furthermore, SPA supplementation did not affect the blood biochemical constituents except for the phosphate content, which was significantly higher in SPA groups than the CON group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in visceral organ characteristics and immune indicators (immunoglobulin A [IgA], IgG, and IgM) in SPA or CON groups. Conclusion: This study suggested that the supplementation of SPA may have beneficial effects on feed intake and egg quality in laying hens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.981-998
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• 2024

This study was to investigate effects of different phytogenic feed additives (PFA) in grower finishing pigs with stressed by high stocking density. A total of 84 growing pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) with initial body weight (BW) of 28.23 ± 0.21 kg were used for 10 weeks (4 replicate pens with 3 pigs per pen). The dietary treatment consisted of basal diets in animal welfare density (positive control [PC]), basal diet in high stocking density (negative control [NC]), NC + 0.04% bitter citrus extract (PT1), NC + 0.01% microencapsulated blend of thymol & carvacrol (PT2), NC + 0.10% mixture of 40% bitter citrus extract and 10% microencapsulated blend of thymol and carvacrol (PT3), NC + 0.04% premixture of grape seed and grape marc extract, green tea and hops (PT4), and NC + 0.10% fenugreek seed powder (PT5). The reduction of space allowance significantly decreased (p < 0.05) growth performance (average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed efficiency) and nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein). Also, the fecal score of NC group increased (p < 0.05) compared with other groups. In blood profiles, lymphocyte decreased (p < 0.05), and neutrophil, cortisol, TNF- α increased (p < 0.05) when pigs were in high stocking density. Basic behaviors (feed intake, standing, lying) were inactive (p < 0.05) and singularity behavior (biting) were increased (p < 0.05) under high stocking density. However, PFA groups alleviated the negative effects such as reducing growth performance, nutrient digestibility, increasing stress indicators in blood and animal behavior. In conclusion, PFA groups improved the health of pigs with stressed by high stocking density and PT3 is the most effective.

• Monthly Korean Chicken
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2012

계사내 공기중의 암모니아 농도 감소 목적으로 식물 기원 소화율 촉진제(phytogenic digestibility enhancer) 사용이 가능하다. 이 소화율 촉진제는 사료 설계 명세서 내 특정 성분(조단백질)을 감소시키고 영양소 이용성을 개선하여 동물생산성을 향상시키기 때문이다. 조단백질 함량이 낮은 사료 급여는 가금에게 적정 요구량 이상 흡수된 단백질(excess protein)의 뇨산(尿酸 : uric acid) 전환에 에너지를 소비하지 않아서 열역학적 이점(熱力學的 利點 : energetic advantage)이 있고, 이 에너지는 유익한 성장에 사용이 가능하도록 존재한다. 더욱이 동물 사료 중 조 단백질 1%는 약 3% 더 많은 물의 섭치가 필요하고, 그 중 80%는 다시 배설되므로 단백질 함량 적정화 사료들(protein optimized diets)은 음수 요구량을 감소시킨다. 이러한 단백질 적정화 사료는 동물 사육업자들에게 관심의 대상으로 명확한 경제적 이득이 발생한다.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.297-318
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• 2021

Coccidiosis is a major parasitic disease in the poultry industry, with great economic implications worldwide. It is a ubiquitous protozoan infection caused by several species of the genus Eimeria (host-specific) that colonize and reproduce in the intestine of birds, ultimately altering the health and performance of the flock. At present, several methods are used to diagnose coccidiosis in poultry, including field and laboratory techniques (intestinal lesion scoring, oocyst counting in feces, and biochemical and molecular diagnosis). Traditionally, diagnosed flocks have been treated either by vaccination to improve the active immunity of the birds against coccidiosis or supplementation of prophylactic anticoccidials to ameliorate the deleterious effects of coccidiosis. However, these methods has certain drawbacks such as vaccine-induced coccidiosis, drug resistance, and residual drug accumulation in the host. Consequently, alternative safe anti-coccidial agents, including the use of phytogenic compounds, have been explored for preventing coccidiosis. Here, we provide a simple overview of the literature on poultry coccidiosis by focusing on the etiology, diagnostic practices, and preventive measures.