In vivo assessment of antibacterial and growth promoting effect of soursop (Annona muricata Linn.) leaf extract in broiler chickens

Phytochemicals have demonstrated considerable influence against pathogenic microbes in vitro without antimicrobial resistance. A number of studies  have also reported an improved growth performance in poultry with their supplementation. In vivo antimicrobial efficacy of soursop leaf extract (SLE) was  evaluated in a 49-day study on the growth performance (GP), intestinal microbes and morphology of broiler chickens. Two hundred day-old chicks  (Arbor Acres) were randomly distributed to five treatments and four replicates, with ten birds each in a completely randomized design. The treatments  included: CTRL (control), 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5% SLE per litre of drinking water. Ciprofloxacin 10% was administered to the control group as antibiotics in  drinking water at 1ml/2L. Feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated. Two birds per replicate were sacrificed on  day 49 and eviscerated. Ileum and caeca content were collected and cultured for total coliforms, Lactobacillus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Mid-ileum  section was cut, rinsed with distilled water and fixed in 10% formalin for evaluation of villus height and crypt depth. Analysis of variance was used for  data analysis at p<0.05 confidence. Weight gain increased from 7.5% SLE while FI reduced from 10.0% and above giving the best FCR at 12.5% SLE. SLE  improved WG, eliminated salmonella and reduced total coliform (1.30 to 0.00) in the ileum section. Total coliforms were eliminated, Salmonella and   Escherichia colli decreased (6.02 to 1.85; 6.91 to 2.24) in the caeca section. It was concluded that SLE reduced pathogenic intestinal microbes, improved  intestinal morphology and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens.