Effect of microencapsulated and non-encapsulated of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) algae powder on the antioxidant enzymes activity and nutrient digestibility of broiler chicks (Ross 308)

This study was done to investigate the effect of microencapsulated and non-encapsulated spirulina (Spirulina platensis) powder on the antioxidant enzymes activity and nutrient digestibility of broiler chicks for 6 weeks. A total of 360 one-day old broiler chicks (male) Ross 308 strain was divided into 9 treatments, 4 replicates (10 chicks in each replicate) in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments include: basal diet without any additives (negative control), basal diet + antibiotic (positive control), 1-basal diet + vitamin E, 2-basal diet + 0.33% spirulina microencapsulated, 3-basal diet + 0.66% spirulina microencapsulated, 4-basal diet + 1% spirulina microencapsulated, 5-basal diet + 0.33% non-encapsulated spirulina, 6-basal diet + 0.66% non-encapsulated spirulina and 7-basal diet + 1% non-encapsulated spirulina. Results showed that the blood super oxide dismutase activity increased in chicks fed with encapsulated spirulina powder and non-encapsulated spirulina powder at the level of 1 percent (p<0.05). But the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes did not show any significant difference (p>0.05). The effect of experimental treatments on nutrient digestibility showed that no significant different experimental groups (p>0.05). The addition of spirulina powder and encapsulated spirulina powder increased antioxidant activity in the diet of Ross 308 broiler chicks.