EFFECT OF VARYING DIETARY LEVELS OF BENZOIC ACID ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA OF FINISHER BROILERS

Authors

  • A. O. Ani University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
  • P. C. Okafor University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
  • C. O. Osita University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
  • H. O. Edeh
  • C. E. Oyeagu University of Fort Hare, P.M.B X1314, Alice 5700, SA
  • E. A. Akuru University of Fort Hare, P.M.B X1314, Alice 5700, SA
  • M. C. Ogwuegbu University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
  • C. M. Ugwu University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
  • L. N. Torhemen University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
  • P. B. Egbunu Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.8446

Keywords:

Broiler birds, diet, benzoic acid, carcas, gut microbiota

Abstract

A four -week study was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying dietary levels of benzoic acid on carcass characteristics and intestinal microbiota of broiler birds. A total of 120 day-old unsexed “Arbor acre” strain of broiler chicks was randomly assigned to five treatment groups. Each treatment group contained 24 birds replicated three times with 8 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The five treatments were designated as follows: Treatment 1,0g benzoic acid; Treatment 2, 2.5g benzoic acid per kg of feed; Treatment 3, 5.0g benzoic acid per kg of feed; Treatment 4, 7.5g benzoic acid per kg of feed and Treatment 5, 10g benzoic acid per kg of feed.  Feed and water were provided ad libitum to the birds. At the end of the feeding trial, 3 birds from each treatment were selected, starved overnight and slaughtered for carcass and gut microbiota evaluation. Results showed that dietary levels of benzoic acid had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on dressed weight, dressed percentage, back cut, spleen, and kidney of birds, but had significant (p < 0.05) increase in the live weight, weights of the breast, thigh, wing, shank, drumstick and heart.  Dietary treatments also decreased Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Bifidobacteria and increased Lactobacillus significantly (p < 0.05). It was concluded that up to 10g of benzoic acid can be included in the diet of broiler birds for increase in live weight and carcass yield without any deleterious effect on birds.

Author Biographies

A. O. Ani, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

P. C. Okafor, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

C. O. Osita, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

H. O. Edeh

Department of Animal Science

C. E. Oyeagu, University of Fort Hare, P.M.B X1314, Alice 5700, SA

Department of Livestock & Pasture Science

E. A. Akuru, University of Fort Hare, P.M.B X1314, Alice 5700, SA

Department of Livestock & Pasture Science

M. C. Ogwuegbu, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

C. M. Ugwu, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

L. N. Torhemen, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Nutrition

P. B. Egbunu, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa

Department of Agricultural Education

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Published

2025-03-20

How to Cite

Ani, A. O. ., Okafor, P. C. ., Osita, C. O. ., Edeh, H. O. ., Oyeagu, C. E. ., Akuru, E. A. ., Ogwuegbu, M. C. ., Ugwu, C. M. . ., Torhemen, L. N. ., & Egbunu, P. B. . (2025). EFFECT OF VARYING DIETARY LEVELS OF BENZOIC ACID ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA OF FINISHER BROILERS . Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 1118–1121. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.8446

Issue

2025: Proceedings 2025

Section

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