Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> <i>L</i>.) peel powder meal supplementation in broilers: effect on growth performance, digestibility, carcase and organ weights, serum and some meat antioxidant enzyme biomarkers

This study determined the dietary effects of pomegranate peel powder meal (PPPM) supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, carcase and organ weights, serum, some meat antioxidant enzyme indices Cobb 500 birds. Birds (n = 432) were randomly assigned to six experimental groups four replicates each fed either diets supplemented with 2, 4, 6 8 g/kg PPPM (PPPM2, PPPM4, PPPM6 PPPM8), 0% additives (Negative control; NEGCON), or α-Tocopherol acetate at 200 g/tonne (Positive POSCON). The diet × week interaction effect feed intake (FI) conversion ratio (FCR) showed that POSCON promoted a better FI FCR 3. However, birds was comparable NEGCON, PPPM4 average final body weight daily gain highest in PPPM2 birds, whereas, had improved protein efficiency compared Thigh group, whereas PPPM8 breast POSCON. also nutrient digestibility Spleen gizzard weights NEGCON group. concentration serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased from group catalase activity. It can be concluded 4 outperformed α-tocopherol (POSCON) terms indices. pronounced decreasing AST increasing activity diets.HighlightsDietary improve performance broilers.Dietary enhance broiler meat.