Dietary supplementation with curcumin-loaded nanocapsules in lambs: Nanotechnology as a new tool for nutrition.

Curcumin-containing nanocapsule powder formulations have not been used in ruminant feed to date, despite the fact that curcumin is known to be a functional food additive. The objective of this study was to determine whether ethyl polymethacrylate (Eudragit L-100) nanocapsules loaded with curcumin (N-CU) would improve health and growth of lambs. Thirty-two male Lacaune lambs (body weight [BW] = 16 ± 0.99 kg; 45 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: T0, T1, T2 and T4, representing supplementation of curcumin at 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg concentrate, respectively. The animals in each treatment were allocated in 4 pens of 2 lambs each (8 lambs per treatment). The experiment lasted 17 d, with samples and measurements collected on d 0, 7, 12, and 17. The T2 lambs had greater average daily gain than T0 lambs. Regression analysis showed that the ideal dose of N-CU to enhance weight gain was 1.89 mg/kg concentrate. There were significant interactions (P < 0.05) between treatments × time for hematological variables, particularly for increases in erythrocytes (T2) and reductions in counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in T1 and T2. There were significant interactions between treatment × time for total protein, globulin, urea, and triglyceride levels. Stimulation of the antioxidant system was also observed. There were increased levels of non-protein thiols (NPSH), as well as increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the supplemented animals. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were lower in the serum of supplemented lambs. In general, the 4 mg/kg dose had no positive effects on growth or health. This was an unexpected result, given the known properties of curcumin. Taken together, these findings suggest that addition of low concentrations of nanoencapsulated curcumin (T1 and T2) in lamb feed improves health, minimizing oxidative stress and generates anti-inflammatory effects that may have contributed indirectly to greater weight gain. Nanocapsules potentiate the effects of curcumin and may emerge as a new tool in animal nutrition.

Phytogenic blend protective effects against microbes but affects health and production in broilers.

The aim of this study was to determine whether addition of a phytogenic blend in the feed of broilers to replace conventional antimicrobials as a performance enhancer would improve or maintain productive efficiency. The phytogenic blend was based on curcuminoids, cinnamaldehyde and glycerol monolaurate. We used 480 birds divided into three groups with eight repetitions per group and 20 birds per repetition. The groups were identified as antimicrobial-treated: basal feed with antibiotics and coccidiostatic agents; phytogenic blend: basal feed with blend; and control, only basal feed. Zootechnical performance was measured on days from 1 to 42, with body weight measured at days 1, 7, 21 and 42. We collected excreta for parasitological analysis and total bacterial counts to determine if the phytogenic blend had kept the bacteria and coccidia in counts smaller or similar to that resulting from use of conventional performance enhancer. Other variables were also measured to complement our research, i.e., if the consumption of bend is good for the health of the birds (without causing toxicity and negatively altering the metabolism and intestinal morphometry) and does not interfere in the quality of the meat. Because the bacteria are often opportunistic, we challenged all birds at 23 days of age with high doses of oral oocysts (28,000 oocysts). Birds supplemented with the blend showed inferior performance compared to birds in the control and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05). We found a smaller number of oocysts of Eimeria spp. in the excreta at 42 days in the treatment with blend and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05). In terms of total bacterial counts, there were lower counts in the birds of the blend group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The blend increased the yellow intensity and the luminosity of the meat (P < 0.05), as well as cooking weight losses (P < 0.05) compared those of the control. We observed higher total levels of saturated fatty acids in meat from the blend and antimicrobial treated group (P < 0.05), as well as lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids in the blend group (P < 0.05). The inclusion of a phytogenic blend to replace conventional antimicrobials and anticoccidial agents in the diet of chickens was able to control bacteria as well as coccidia; however, it ends up harming health and production.

Effects of curcumin and yucca extract addition in feed of broilers on microorganism control (anticoccidial and antibacterial), health, performance and meat quality.

The aim of this study was to determine whether curcumin and yucca extract addition in broiler feed improves growth, health, and meat quality, and to measure coccidiostatic and antimicrobial activity so as to enable replacement of conventional performance enhancers. We used 240 birds in four treatments: CN, basal feed with antibiotics and coccidiostatic drugs; CU, feed with 100 mg/kg of curcumin; YE, feed with 250 mg/kg of yucca extract; and CU + YE, feed with the combination of 100 mg curcumin/kg and 250 mg yucca extract/kg. A significant reduction in oocysts was observed in birds supplemented with combined additives (CU + YE) at days 37 compared to other treatments and at 42 days in relation to the CU treatment. At 42 days, the total bacterial counts for the CN and CU treatments were lower than the others. Birds fed the additive had lower numbers of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and heterophils than did those in the CN treatment. The highest levels of antioxidants in meat were observed in the treatments with the additives, together with lower levels of lipid peroxidation compared to the CN. The lowest protein oxidation was observed in the CU + YE treatment in relation to the other treatments. Lower total levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) were observed in the CU treatment than in the CN. There were lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in the meat of birds in the YE treatment in relation to the others. Higher levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were observed in birds that consumed curcumin, individually and in combination with yucca extract. Taken together, the data suggest that curcumin and yucca extract are additives that can potentially replace conventional growth promoters; they improved bird health. Changes in the fatty acid profile of meat (increase in the percentage of omegas) are beneficial to the health of the consumer.

Effects of glycerol monolaurate on growth and physiology of chicks consuming diet containing fumonisin.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is composed of lauric acid and glycerol. Research has shown that such organic acids can minimize negative effects caused by mycotoxins. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether adding GML (free or encapsulated) to chick feed minimizes the effects of natural contamination by fumonisin (Fusarium verticillioides), evaluating parameters such as biochemistry, antioxidant properties, histological analysis and chick growth. Were weighed 84 chicks of the Cobb 500 strain and randomly distributed them into six groups of two replicates each (n = 14). The F group consumed feed containing fumonisin (levels 400 ppb), with no performance enhancer; F + ZB- feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + zinc bacitracin; F + GLM100 - feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + 100 mg of GML/kg of feed; F + NGLM4 - feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + 4 mg GML/kg in nanocapsules added to the feed; F + NGLM8 - fumonisin feed (levels 400 ppb) + 8 mg GML/kg in nanocapsules in the feed; and F0 - fumonisin-free feed (negative control) + zinc bacitracin. The body weights of birds fed with feed fumonisin-contaminated feed (F, F + ZB, F + GLM100, F + NGLM4 and F + NGLM8) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the negative control (F0), despite the use of GML (free and nanoencapsulated). Serum levels of triglycerides, globulins and cholesterol were significantly lower in the F0 group than in the other groups (P < 0.05), except for the F + NGLM8 group. Significantly greater levels of lipid peroxidation were observed in livers in the groups that consumed fumonisin than in the control group (F0) (P < 0.05). Serum levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly lower in groups F + NGLM8 and F0 than in the other treatments (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly greater in groups F + NGLM8 and F0 than in groups F, F + ZB and F + NGLM4. Hepatic catalase activity was significantly lower in birds that consumed contaminated feed (F, F + ZB, F + GLM100, F + NGLM4 and F + NGLM8) than in the control group (F0). Greater hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was observed in the F + NGLM8 group than in the F0 group. Despite changes in cellular lesions in the liver, no histological changes were observed in the liver or intestines, even though visually there was yellowing of the liver. Taken together, the data suggest that free or nano-encapsulated GML did not minimize oxidative stress caused by fumonisin, and consequently, these birds had less weight gain.

Combination of herbal components (curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde) in broiler chicken feed: Impacts on response parameters, performance, fatty acid profiles, meat quality and control of coccidia and bacteria.

The objective of this study was to determine whether curcumin and a commercial microencapsulated phytogenic supplement containing thymol, cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol in broiler chicken feed would improve health and meat quality (fatty acid profile), as well as to determine the coccidiostatic and bactericidal potential of the additives. The broiler chickens were divided into five groups: NC - negative control feed; PC - positive control; CU - with 50 mg/kg of curcumin, PHY - 100 mg/kg phytogenic; and PHY + CU, a combination of both additives at 50 mg/kg (curcumin) and 100 mg/kg (phytogenic). We observed significantly higher levels of total proteins associated with increased circulating globulins, as well as lower levels of uric acid, cholesterol and triglycerides in the PHY + CU group than in the NC. There were significantly fewer oocysts in birds supplemented with additives in the NC group on day 21; on day 35, the NC, PHY and PHY + CU groups had significantly lower counts than the PC and CU groups; however, at 44 days, the lowest counts were in PC group. The bacterial counts were significantly lower on day 21 in all groups that received additives than those of the control group; however, at 44 days, the bacterial and Escherichia coli counts in these groups were significantly higher than those of the control. Curcumin with or without phytogenic agent improved meat quality, with increased antioxidant levels and reduction of lipid peroxidation. There were significantly lower total saturated fatty acid levels and significantly greater monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in broilers that consumed additives individually and in combination. The combination of additives significantly increased the crypt/villus ratio, a marker of improved intestinal health and performance. Additives potentiated their individual effects, suggesting they can replace conventional growth promoters without compromising health, intestinal mucosa or meat quality.

Reduction of stool bacterial counts and prevention of diarrhea using an oral homeopathic product in newborn lambs.

Lamb farming is generally a secondary activity for farmers, and many breeding systems suffer from management failures that impair production. One reason for decline in performance is enteritis, usually affecting newborn lambs. Enteritis can be fatal, especially in dairy herds. Generally, lambs are fed sucrose or unprocessed milk from sheep or cow that is heated and fed to animals two or three times a day in baby bottles. However, on most farms, milk temperature differs among feeds, as often the process of alteration among diet adaptations is deficient, contributing to enteritis and consequent diarrhea. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to verify the administration of the homeopathic product (Dia 100®) in newborn and bottle-fed lambs, in order to prevent or minimize the occurrence of diarrhea. We studied 60 lambs, divided into two groups with ten repetitions each (n = 30) and during the nursing period (1-45 days of life). Animals in the treated group received the homeopathic product (36 g) orally divided into three doses (1, 7 and 14 days of life). We measured weight gain, mortality, bacterial counts (Escherichia coli and total coliforms) in feces, hematological analysis (leukocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes) and biochemical analyses (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, urea and total protein) at four time-points. There were no differences in weight gain between groups (P > 0.05); however, there was a higher mortality rate in the control group (13%) than in the treated group (6%). E. coli counts were significantly higher in the stools of control group lambs on days 15 and 45 of the experiment (P < 0.05). Total leukocyte counts were greater in treated animals due to greater numbers of lymphocytes on day 15 of the experiment (P < 0.05). In the treated group, we found higher serum levels of total protein, urea (day 15), globulin and triglycerides (days 15 and 30). In the period of administration of the homeopathic product, there was substantial and significant reduction of cases of diarrhea (up to day 14); however, after this period, there were no difference between groups. Based on these results, we concluded that the homeopathic product had moderate efficacy in terms of control of diarrhea. The treated lambs made better use of nutrients, contributing to the development of their immune responses.