Effects of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed powder and extract on performance of broiler chickens

 

 

M. Naeemasa^I; A.A. Alaw Qotbi^I; A. Seidavi^I,; D. Norris^II,; D. Brown^II,; M. Ginindza^II

^IDepartment of Animal Science, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
^IIDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa

 

 

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ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed powder and extract on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 420 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated randomly into seven treatments of 60 birds per group. Each treatment had four replicates (15 chicks per replicate). The trial was designed with seven treatments, consisting of a control diet without coriander, this is, the control group (CG); three treatments, which included the control diet plus three levels of coriander extract in water (750, 1000, and 1250 mg/kg); and the another three, which received the control diet plus three levels of coriander powder (1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%). Performance parameters were monitored throughout the experimental period. At 21 - 42 d old, the inclusion of 952 mg/kg of coriander extract in drinking water maximized weight gain, while the feed intake of the experimental period (1 - 42 d) was maximized at the coriander powder level of 1.2%. Feed conversion ratios improved with the inclusion of coriander powder in the diet throughout the experimental period. These results suggest that coriander powder in the diet and coriander extract in water could replace synthetic antibiotics and could be regarded as natural feed additives and growth promoters in poultry diets.

Keywords: Additives, broiler, herbs, spices

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Introduction

In recent times, consumers of poultry products have become more concerned about synthetic additives in animal feed, which have reportedly shown DNA damage induction in the gastrointestinal organs of mice at low doses (Sasaki et al., 2002) and may pose a serious threat to human health. The use of herbs and spices is a promising alternative to these synthetic additives. Herbs and spices possess anti-oxidant activities (Madsen & Bertelsen, 1995) and are known for their potential antimicrobial and stimulating effects on the digestive system (Windisch et al., 2008). Lippens et al. (2005) reported that broiler chicks supplemented with plant extract had better feed conversion ratios (FCRs) and reached higher bodyweights than the control and avilamycin groups. In general, the use of herbs, spices and their extracts improved the flavour and palatability of feed, thus enhancing production performance.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is regarded as both a herb and a spice, and reputedly has health advantages. It has been used in medicine for thousands of years (Nadeem et al., 2013). Certain parts of this plant, such as the leaves, flowers, seeds and fruit, possess antioxidant, diuretic, anti-diabetic, sedative, antimicrobial, anthelmintic and anti-mutagenic qualities (Pathak et al., 2011; Rajeshwari & Andallu, 2011).

However, reports about the effects of herbal extracts and seeds on broilers are inconsistent. Some authors found that many herbs and spices had positive effects on animal nutrition (Wenk, 2006; Al-jaff, 2011), whereas others did not find clear evidence (Windisch et al., 2008). Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of various levels of coriander seed powder and extract as diet ingredients on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.

 

Materials and Methods

A feeding trial was conducted at the poultry farm of the Animal Science Department, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University. The study was carried out in an environmentally controlled poultry house. Birds were housed in pens. Floor pens were assigned to the seven treatments. The distribution of experimental pens was arranged to avoid effects from location in the poultry house. A total of 420 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated randomly into seven treatments of 60 birds per group. Each treatment had four replicates (15 chicks per replicate). The trial was designed with seven treatments, consisting of a control diet without coriander as the control group (CG); three treatments which included the control diet plus three levels of coriander extract in water (750, 1000 and 1250 mg/kg); and three treatments which received the control diet plus three levels of coriander powder (1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%). The experiment involved two feeding periods, namely starter (1 - 21 d old) and finisher (22 - 42 d old). The experimental diets were formulated according to National Research Council (NRC) regulations (1994). The ingredients and chemical composition of the experimental basal diets are presented in Table 1.

The birds had free access to feed and water. Each pen was equipped with a feeder and drinker. New wood shavings were used as litter. The initial brooding temperature was held at 32 °C for the first three days, then gradually lowered to 23 °C by the end of the experiment. Photoperiods were maintained at 24 h/d for the first week and decreased to 23 h/d for the rest of the trial.

The birds were vaccinated against Infectious bronchitis (1st and 7th day), Newcastle Disease (1st and 7th day), Avian Influenza (1st day) and Infectious bursal disease (21st day).

Coriander seeds were purchased from the local market, and were ground separately to a fine powder. In preparing the coriander extract for the experiment, dried coriander seeds were ground to a fine powder, of which 100 g was added to 500 mL distilled water. After 24 h maceration at room temperature (37 °C), the mixture was heated for 30 minutes in a water bath set to 65 °C. The extract was filtered, concentrated by heating over the water bath (65 °C), and dried under vacuum (Gray & Flatt, 1999) with a yield of 5.9% (w/w). The extract was stored at 4 °C and used in the experiment as needed. Proximate analysis of coriander powder (Table 2) was determined according to the methods of AOAC (1990).

 

 

The live weights of the birds were measured at the beginning of the experiment, then at weekly intervals. Feed intake, growth rate and FCR were determined according to the procedures of McDonald et al. (2011). At 42 d, four birds per replicate were randomly chosen, weighed and slaughtered by cervical dislocation, as recommended by Islamic Azad University Committee on Animal Ethics. The feathers were removed and internal organs were collected. Weights of fresh heart, liver, gall bladder and gizzard were measured relative to live bodyweight (g/kg), as indicated by Jiménez-Moreno et al. (2011).

The dose-related responses to coriander extract in water and coriander powder in diet were modelled according to this quadratic equation:

Y = a + b₁x + b₂x²

where Y = live weight, feed intake, growth rate, FCR, carcass characteristics; a = intercept; b₁ and b₂ = coefficients of the quadratic equation; x = coriander extract in water and powder in diet; and -b/2b₂ = x value for optimal response. The quadratic model was fitted to the experimental data by using the nonlinear regression model (NLIN) procedure of SAS (2008). Linear regressions were modelled using the following equation:

Y = a + bx

where Y = live weight, feed intake, growth rate, FCR, carcass characteristics; a = intercept; and b = coefficient of the linear equation.

Before performing the statistical analysis, all data were tested with a normality test. Ethical clearance for the experiment was sought from the University's Ethics Committee.

 

Results and Discussion

The effects of various dietary levels of coriander extract on the growth performance indices and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broilers, aged 1 - 42 days, are presented in Table 3. The results showed that coriander extract supplementation had no effect (P >0.05) on the growth performance indices of chickens during the starter period. However, from 21 d to 42 d old, coriander extract in the drinking water improved the weight gain of broiler chickens (quadratic, P <0.05). Inclusion levels of 952 mg/kg of coriander extract in water optimized weight gain (Table 4). From 1 d to 42 d old, feed intake improved (linear, P <0.05) with the inclusion of 1000 mg/kg coriander extract in water, but no improvements were observed with further increases. Jang (2011) observed that feed intake and weight gain were improved significantly by the addition of coriander oil to the diet of broilers. According to Rahimi et al. (2011), the feed intake of broiler chickens was improved significantly by the addition of herbal extract at 42 d old.

Noticeable positive effects of essential oils on feed intake have also been documented (Hertrampt, 2001; Willams & Losa, 2001). Phytogenic feed additives reportedly improve the flavour and palatability of feed, thus enhancing production performance (Windisch et al., 2008). Brenes & Roura (2010) observed that herbs and spices and their active compounds act as food condiments through the oronasal (oral and nasal cavities) system. Oronasal sensing prepares the gastrointestinal tract for food reception and stimulates digestive secretions (Teff, 2000; Hiraoka et al., 2003). Furthermore, Jamroz et al. (2003) reported that herbs and spice extracts have appetite- and digestion-stimulating properties and antimicrobial effects. In contrast, other authors have reported non-significant effects of plant extracts on broiler feed intake and general bird performance (Boutsoglou et al., 2002; Lee et al., 2003a; b; Barreto et al., 2008). According to Lee et al. (2003a), the absence of effects on bird performance may be related to the composition of the basal diet and to the environmental conditions of the experiment. Feeds containing highly digestible ingredients limit the proliferation of bacteria in the intestinal tract because no substrate is left for bacterial growth, thereby reducing the antimicrobial potential of plant extracts (Lee et al., 2003a). This is also observed when birds are raised under low immune challenge conditions or strict health control.

In this study, coriander extract in water did not improve FCR. This finding is similar to that of Hernandez et al. (2004), who found no improvement in FCR of broilers supplemented with essential oil extract from oregano, cinnamon and pepper. It has been reported that environmental and genetic factors influence the chemical composition of plant essential oils and their extracts (Brenes & Roura, 2010). Other factors that could affect the results of in vivo experiments are species and subspecies, geographical location, harvesting time and state of maturity of plants, parts of plant, extraction methods and duration of conservation of plant extracts (Cosentino et al., 1999; Juliano et al., 2000; Faleiro et al., 2002; Brenes & Roura, 2010).

Most of the viscera and carcass variables were not affected by the level of coriander extract supplementation except for the eviscerated carcass and relative heart weight. Relative heart weight was augmented (linear, P <0.05) as coriander extract was increased in the water. Inclusion levels of 625 mg/kg and 101 mg/kg optimized these two parameters, respectively. Contrary to the present study, Aguilar et al. (2013) and Barcelos et al. (2010) reported a reduction in the relative weight of heart with increasing levels of supplementation of plant extract. The discrepancy in this result merits further study. Non-significant effects of plant extract on carcass yield have been reported by various authors (Hernandez et al., 2004; Barreto et al., 2008; Aguilar et al., 2013).

The effects of dietary coriander powder supplementation levels on performance and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 1 - 42 d are presented in Table 5. These growth production parameters were not influenced (P >0.05) by supplementation during the starter period. However, during the grower stage and the entire experimental period, FCR improved (linear, P <0.05) with the supplementation level.

Hamodi et al. (2010) and Al-Jaff (2011) reported similar results to those of the current study. The inclusion of coriander seed in the diets of broiler chickens resulted in improved FCRs. This improvement in feed conversion is owing to the active component (linalool) in coriander, causing greater efficiency in the utilization of feed, resulting in enhanced growth (Brenes & Roura, 2010). Additionally, Przybilla & Weiss (1998) reported that the mode of action of the herb mixtures on feed conversion takes place through the enhancement of digestive functions. Rajeshwari & Andallu (2011) observed that coriander is an excellent appetizer and helps in the secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach, which stimulates digestion and peristaltic motion, thus improving FCR.

From 1 d to 42 d old, the feed intake of broiler chickens improved significantly (quadratic, P <0.05). Coriander powder supplementation of 1.2% optimized feed intake (Table 4). The improvement in the feed intake with the addition of coriander seed powder could be owing to essential oils and their main component, linalool, in coriander seeds. Cabuk et al. (2003) reported that linalool has an appetizing effect in diets and stimulates the digestive process in animals. Positive effects of essential oils on feed intake have also been reported previously (Ather, 2000; Hertrampf, 2001; Williams & Losa, 2001). In the present trial, coriander powder supplementation level had no effect (P >0.05) on the carcass traits. This result was in agreement with Case et al. (1995), Botsoglou et al. (2002), Jang et al. (2007) and Amouzmehr et al. (2012), who reported that the use of herbal plants had no effect on the dressing percentage of broiler chickens.

 

Conclusions

In the current study, coriander supplementation generally improved production performance of broiler chickens. A coriander powder supplementation level of 1.2% maximized feed intake of broiler chickens, while weight gain was maximized at an inclusion level of 952 mg/kg of coriander extract in drinking water. Increases in coriander seed powder supplementation resulted in improved FCRs. Coriander may therefore present an opportunity to enhance broiler performance when used as a dietary supplement. However, further research is required to establish the mode of action of the bioactive compounds in this herb.

 

Acknowledgements

Financial support by Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Iran, grant no 4.5830 for is acknowledged.

 

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Received 7 May 2014
Accepted 9 March 2015
First published online 3 September 2015

 

 

# Corresponding authors: David.Norris@ul.ac.za; David Brown-db4010396@gmail.com; alirezaseidavi@yahoo.com