https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e34317
Received: 19/08/2023 Accepted: 11/09/2023 Published: 03/01/2024
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Revista Científica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34317
ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of
Plectranthus amboinicus in the feed of Cobb 500 broilers, on carcass
and visceral parameters, using an open house located at the "Santa
Inés" farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Technical
University of Machala (Ecuador). A Completely Randomized Design was
used, where 6 treatments were evaluated, each with 4 Experimental
Units of 10 birds·m
2
, for a total of 240 broilers. Treatments (T)
arrangement were as follows: T1, consumed a basal diet with Antibiotic
as a Growth Promoter (GPA) (Bacitrazine zinc 15%) and coccidiostat
(LERBEK® "Clopidol 20% + Methylbenzoquate 1.67%"), while in T2, T3,
T4 and T5 contained the dehydrated ground leaf of P. amboinicus at
0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00%, respectively and, nally, T6 or Control,
which did not include APC, coccidiostat or dehydrated P. amboinicus
in the balanced mixture. The variables evaluated were: antemortem
weight, expressed in kg; in percentage, blood, feathers, evisceration,
carcass yield, thighs, against–thighs, breast, shoulder, wings, neck,
paws, head, heart, liver, gizzard, spleen, intestines and gizzard fat,
in relation to antemortem weight; and thickness of abdominal fat
in mm. To discriminate the results, an ANOVA was applied prior to
assumptions of normality and homogeneity, using Tukey's honest
signicant difference (HSD) procedure, with a condence level of 95%.
All data were processed using the PROC GLM (General Linear Model)
procedure of the SAS statistical package. The results conrm that
P. amboinicus does not have a detrimental effect on the carcass or
viscera, which shows the margin of safety and potential use in feed.
Key words: Plectranthus amboinicus; carcass yield; abdominal fat;
chicken
RESUMEN
El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la inclusión
de Plectranthus amboinicus en la alimentación de pollos de engorde
Cobb 500, sobre parámetros de canal y viscerales, utilizando una nave
abierta ubicada en la nca “Santa Inés” de la Facultad de Ciencias
Agropecuarias de la Universidad Técnica de Machala (Ecuador).
Se utilizó un Diseño Completamente al Azar, donde se evaluaron
6 tratamientos (T), cada uno con 4 Unidades Experimentales de 10
aves·m
2
, para un total de 240 pollos de engorde. La disposición de los T
fue la siguiente: T1, consumió una dieta basal con Antibiótico Promotor
de Crecimiento (APC) (Bacitracina zinc 15 %) y coccidiostático
(LERBEK® “Clopidol 20 % + Metilbenzocuato 1,67 %”), mientras
que en T2, T3, T4 y T5 contenían la hoja molida deshidratada de P.
amboinicus al 0,25; 0,50; 0,75; y 1,00 % respectivamente y, nalmente,
T6 o Control, que no incluía APC, coccidiostato ni P. amboinicus
deshidratado en la mezcla balanceada. Las variables evaluadas
fueron: peso ante mortem, expresado en kg; en porcentaje, la sangre,
plumas, evisceración, rendimiento de la canal, muslos, contra–muslos,
pechuga, espaldilla, alas, cuello, patas, cabeza, corazón, hígado,
molleja, bazo, intestinos y grasa de molleja, en relación con el peso
ante mortem; y espesor de grasa abdominal en mm. Para discriminar
los resultados se aplicó un ANOVA previo supuestos de normalidad y
homogeneidad, utilizando el procedimiento de diferencia signicativa
honesta (HSD) de Tukey, con un nivel de conanza del 95 %. Todos
los datos fueron procesados mediante el procedimiento PROC GLM
(General Linear Model) del paquete estadístico SAS. Los resultados
conrman que P. amboinicus no tiene un efecto perjudicial sobre la
canal o las vísceras, lo que muestra el margen de seguridad y uso
potencial en la alimentación.
Palabras clave: Plectranthus amboinicus; rendimiento de canal;
grasa abdominal; pollo
Effect of Plectranthus amboinicus on carcass and visceral parameters of
Cobb 500 chicken
Efecto de Plectranthus amboinicus sobre parámetros de la canal y visceral del pollo Cobb 500
Angel Roberto Sánchez–Quinche
1
* , Erika María León–Armos
2
, Dervin Bartolo Dean–Gutiérrez
3
1
Universidad Técnica de Machala, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Career. Research Group on Food Production and Animal Health (GIPASA).
Seedbed for Animal Production Research (SIPA). Machala, El Oro, Ecuador.
2
Universidad Técnica de Machala, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Career, Seedbed for Animal Production Research (SIPA). Machala, El Oro, Ecuador.
3
Universidad del Zulia, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela.
*Corresponding Author: arsanchez@utmachala.edu.ec
FIGURE 1. Reception of the baby chick
FIGURE 2. Distribution of treatments and Experimental Units
Influence of use of Plectranthus amboinicus in broilers / Sánchez-Quinche et al. __________________________________________________
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INTRODUCTION
Awareness of Animal and Human Health has led to a breakthrough
in organic food production, in regard to the environment and animal
welfare, two of the main reasons for its progress, which is why the poultry
industry is ideal to implement organic farming and has become an
attractive gateway for many consumers of such products [1]. Although
there is an increase in organic production, it does not have the desired
increment in their use, due to socioeconomic factors such as increased
production costs, lower yields, lack of industries and marketing channels
for livestock products that encourage this area [2]. It is mentioned that
in poultry productions without antibiotics there is a greater bacterial
proliferation (Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, among others.) in the
digestive tract of the birds and in the nal product (meat or eggs), but
in traditional production systems, although there is not so much risk of
contamination, it is known with certainty that microorganisms resistant
to antibiotics will be found in their products [3].
Bacterial resistance is a serious Public Health problem; there is an
increase of pathogenic microorganisms resistant to a great variety of
antibiotics, nding large traces of antimicrobials in animal products
for human consumption. In conventional breeding, the use and abuse
of antibiotics is observed, not only as bacterial treatments, but also
as preventive and growth promoters (GPA), being the consumers the
most affected, because in human health there is a need to seek new
antibiotics and better treatments for patients who do not respond
to traditional treatments because they are no longer effective, in
addition new digestive problems arise due to an imbalance of the
intestinal microbiota and there is an increase in chronic diseases [4].
Natural alternatives to replace GPA are varied, among them, are
highlighting phytobiotic additives, these are derived from herbs, plants
and / or spices that are used to improve animal performance, with
good effects on growth, immunity and stress [5], is so, Plectranthus
amboinicus is a plant that has shown diuretic, anti–inammatory,
antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, larvicidal, with
nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, antihelmintic, antileishmania,
antidiarrheal, antipsoriasis, antidiabetic action and that can be used
as an additive in animal feed [6].
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the
inclusion of P. amboinicus in the feed of Cobb 500 chickens on carcass
and visceral parameters.
MATERIALS Y METHODS
Location of research
The present experiment was carried out on the farm "Santa Inés"
belonging to the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Technical
University of Machala, located at kilometer 5 ½ via Machala – Pasaje,
at a Longitude of: 79°54'05", Latitude: 3°17'16", altitude: 5 meters
above sea level, and with a temperature ranging from 22 to 35°C.
Bird management and experimental design
For the management of the birds, everything described by González–
Eras et al. [7] and Ramírez–Rojas et al. [8] was used throughout the
experiment, with the difference that the open house was adapted
to contain 240 broilers (more treatments, more experimental
units, equipment and materials), with an average weight of 46 g at
reception (FIG.1).
A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used (FIG. 2), where
6 treatments were used, each with 4 Experimental Units (EU) of
10 birds·m
–2
. Treatments were as follow: T1 birds fed a basal diet
with Antibiotic as Growth Promoter "GPA" (Bacitrazine zinc 15%) and
coccidiostat (LERBEK® "Clopidol 20% + Methylbenzoquate 1.67%"),
while T2, T3, T4 and T5 included the dehydrated ground leaf of P.
amboinicus at 0.25%, 0.50% 0.75% and 1.00% respectively. And
nally, T6 or Control, which did not contain GPA, coccidiostat and P.
amboinicus dehydrate.
For the formulation of diets, the Excel Solver tool was used, using
the data published in the FEDNA 2019 tables by De Blas et. al [9] and
the 2018 FEDNA poultry manual by Santomá and Mateos [10], using
the maximum and minimum nutritional requirements according to
their physiological stage. For which three formulas were administered:
Starting diet, from 0 to 21 d, with 21.2% of Crude Protein (CP) and 2860
kcal·kg
-1
of Metabolizable Energy (ME); Growing diet, fed from 22 to
28 d, with 20% of CP and 2990 kcal·kg
-1
of ME; and, Finishing diet, fed
FIGURE 3. Antemortem weighing of birds at day 35
______________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34317
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from 29 to 35 d, with 18.5 % of CP and 3050 kcal·kg
-1
of ME, ensuring
that all treatments received isoproteic and isoenergetic diets.
Balanced food formulas published by Sánchez–Quinche et al. [11].
Sacrice methodology and description of variables evaluated
The methodology for slaughtering the birds and the data obtained
for the analyzed variables, followed the methodology used by
Ramírez–Rojas et al. [8], with the difference that 48 birds were
slaughtered at random (2 animals per EU, 8 in total per T). For all weight
measurements, a Camry digital scale with a margin of error ± 1 g (Model
EK9332–F302, China) was used. To obtain abdominal fat thickness
data, moderate pressure was applied to the local fat with a caliper
(PRETUL TRUP–21455, VER–6P, México), with a capacity of 150 mm.
Slaughter variables evaluated
Antemortem weight
Variable obtained in kg, prior to animal slaughter (day 35) (FIG. 3).
Blood (%)
It was measured by weighing the blood obtained, and was taken as
a percentage in relation to the antemortem weight. It was obtained
with the following formula:
(%)
()
() ()
Blood
Antemortem weight g
Antemortem weight gWeightafter bleeding g
100
#
=
-
Feathers (%)
It was obtained by weighing the bird after plucking and then
the data is converted to a percentage. It was obtained with the
following formula:
(%)
()
() ()
Feathers
Weight afterbleedingg
Weight afterbleedingg Weight afterpluckingg
100
#
=
-
Variables obtained with evisceration (%)
Immediately after plucking the bird, the viscera (crop, heart, liver,
gizzard with its fatty covering, spleen and intestines) were manually
extracted, the resulting carcass was weighed and the difference
with respect to the initial weight and this result were calculated was
transformed to percentage. It was obtained with the following formula:
(%)
()
() ()
Evisceration
Weight with viscerag
Weight with viscerag Weight withoutviscera g
100
#
=
-
Carcass yield (%)
It was obtained by dividing the weight of the eviscerated bird carcass
(including legs, head, neck, heart, liver, gizzard and spleen) over the
ante mortem weight, multiplied by 100, with the following formula:
(%)
()
()
Carcass yield
Antemortem weight g
Evisceratedweightg
100
#
=
Abdominal fat thickness (mm)
This data was obtained by measuring the thickness of the fat in
the abdomen with the caliper.
Carcass variables
These data were generated by cutting the carcass, were weighed
and the thighs, against–thighs, breast, shoulder, wings, neck,
paws and head were recorded separately. They were converted to
percentages, using the following formula:
(%)
()
()
Carcass part
Antemortem weight g
Carcass part weight g
100
#
=
Viscera variables
After the removal of the viscera (heart, spleen, liver, gizzard,
intestines), they were separated and weighed. To obtain data on
the gizzard fat, all the fat covering the organ was extracted. The
following formula was applied:
(%)
()
()
Viscera
Antemortem weight g
Visceraweightg
100
#
=
Statistical Analysis.
An ANOVA was applied for all variables analyzed in the experiment,
prior to assumptions of normality and homogeneity, to discriminate
between averages, Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD)
procedure was used with a condence level of 95%. All data were
analyzed using the PROC GLM (General Linear Model) procedure of
the SAS statistical package [12].
FIGURE 4. Comparison of carcass parts expressed in percentage and their
condential limits
FIGURE 5. Comparison of viscera expressed in percentage and their condential
limits
Influence of use of Plectranthus amboinicus in broilers / Sánchez-Quinche et al. __________________________________________________
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
TABLE I shows that there was not signicant statistical difference in
the in the percentage of slaughter variables and even in the thickness
of abdominal fat, these results are similar to those found by Rewatkar
et al. [13], who in their research "Assessment of supplementation
of oregano oil and probiotic on carcass yields of broiler chicken
(Gallus gallus domesticus) " with 240 Ven–Cobb 400Y broilers, where
they used among others Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil,
slaughtering 2 birds per replicate at day 42, did not nd differences
in the variables evaluated in that study. Similarly, when the carcass
yield was analyzed by Campozano–Marcillo et al. [14], in their study
" Aceite esencial de orégano (Origanum vulgare L.) y sexo como
factores en la respuesta productiva en pollos de engorde", used
400 Cobb 500 broilers where they tested different concentrations
of oregano essential oil, slaughtering 40 birds of 42 d of age, did not
nd + differences, it should be noted that they used a treatment with
APC; this also differs from the ndings of Batista et al. [15], in their
study "Antibioterapia natural para el tratamiento de la coccidiosis y
su repercusión en el comportamiento productivo del broiler", using
120 broilers and evaluating for 45 d, and found differences when
using the mother tincture (mixture tincture) at 20%, assuming that
the garlic + Oregano combination was effective in this percentage
mentioned above, emphasizing that there was a treatment with
commercial coccidiostat. Regarding abdominal fat, Sandra et al. [16],
in their research "Oregano extract (Origanum vulgare) in female broiler
chickens of free–range strain raised in the Western Amazon", using
300 female Heavy red broilers, where they tested different amounts of
oregano extract, sacricing 30 birds of 70 d of age, found differences,
with a tendency to present a higher percentage of abdominal fat
(5.81%) at a dose of 450 mg·kg
-1
.
FIG. 4 shows that there was not signicant statistical difference
when comparing the different treatments in their respective variables;
these results are similar to those found by Campozano–Marcillo etal.
[14], regarding breast and thigh–leg, considering that they used
Bacitracin Zinc as APC. Regarding the other study variables, no
current information was found for discussion.
FIG. 5 shows that there is no signicant statistical difference
between treatments with respect to viscera, these results in the liver
percentage are similar to those found by Languido et al. [17], in Bounty
Fresh chickens, who in their experiment "Performance of Bounty Fresh
Broiler Chicken Fed Diet Supplemented with Oregano (Plectranthus
amboinicus L.) Leaf Meal", where they included P. amboinicus leaf meal
in the diet in different percentages did not show any effect, although
they differed from the ndings of Sandra et al. [16], who found lower
percentages in the treatments with 350 and 450 mg·kg
-1
of Oregano
extract, these same authors did not report statistical differences in
the data of heart, gizzard and intestinos. For the spleen and gizzard
fat variables, no information was found to contrast the results.
TABLE I
Averages obtained with the sacrice of the birds at the end of the experiment
Variables T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 CL Sig.
Ant. weight
(Kg)
2.32 2.39 2.33 2.35 2.22 2.27 0.13
NS
Yield
(%)
81.80 82.72 81.25 81.00 82.77 81.46 1.58
Blood
(%)
3.64 4.13 4.13 4.27 3.92 3.41 0.77
Feathers
(%)
3.79 3.73 3.76 3.52 3.95 3.69 0.62
Viscera
(%)
14.79 13.88 15.13 15.05 13.69 15.81 1.59
Abd. Fat.
(mm)
1.68 1.24 2.56 1.88 1.91 1.87 0.70
Variables: Ant.weight (Kg), Antemortem weight; Yield (%), representation of the carcass
yield; all expressed in percentage with respect to the antemortem weight; Abd. Fat.(mm):
Abdominal fat. Treatments: T1 feed with APC; T2, T3, T4, T5 feed with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and
1.00 % of
Plectranthus amboinicus respectively and T6 feed without APC or P. amboinicus.
CL: Condence limit. Sig. NS o *: statistically signicant dierence (
P–value<0.05).
______________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34317
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CONCLUSIONS
The use of P. amboinicus as an alternative to replace GPA as
growth promoters in broilers feed had no effect on the evaluated
slaughter, carcass and visceral variables, due to the aforementioned
and according to the results of this experiment, it could work with
doses of 0.25% or more of inclusion of the dehydrated product in
the animal's diet.
Despite of being a pure phytobiotic (ground dehydrated leaf),
P.amboinicus does not have a detrimental effect on the proportions
or percentages of red and white viscera, which conrms its safety
margin and its potential use in feed for the safety of broilers.
The results obtained suggest that P. amboinicus can be used
without impacting the nal product (poultry protein).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
To the authorities of the Technical University of Machala for their
support in the doctoral training and to the Faculty of Agricultural
Sciences for their collaboration in the development of this research.
Conict of interest
The authors declare no conict of interest.
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