The effects of Pinus pinaster extract supplementation in low protein broiler diets on performance, some blood and antioxidant parameters, and intestinal histomorphology

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Pinus pinaster extract (PPE) and encapsulated Pinus pinaster extract (EPPE) supplementation in normal and low protein broiler diets on performance, some blood and antioxidant parameters, and intestinal histomorphology. In the present study, PPE was covered with alginate in order to obtain EPPE. The present research was conducted during 41-days with 288 one-day-old male broiler chicks. Chicks were classified into two groups that had different protein levels, one of with normal, the other one with 10% low protein. Also, normal and low protein level groups were divided into one control and two trial groups. The amount of 100 mg/kg PPE was added to each trial group diet; and the same amount of EPPE was added to other trial group diets. Consequently, compared to PPE and EPPE groups with control, statistically significant differences were observed for body weight and body weight gain in terms of protein on 41-day results (P<0.05). For feed conversation ratio, better results were detected in PPE groups at 41 days (P<0.05). Besides that, statistically significant differences were found in breast meat thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values and intestinal histomorphology in PPE and EPPE groups compared to the control groups (P<0.05). In this study, the findings suggest that 100 mg/kg PPE and EPPE can be supplemented in normal and low protein broiler diets without any adverse effects and considered alternative aromatic substances for broiler rations.