Nowadays, the development of phytobiotics, an antibiotic-replacing agent, has attracted a considerable attention as poultry feed additive. The present study aims to develop the microcapsules loaded with a blend of essential oils (thyme, peppermint, savoury, and black pepper), and evaluate its health-promoting activity among the Clostridium perfringens-challenged broiler chickens. Based on the results, the spherical microcapsules containing a blend of thyme, summer savoury, peppermint, and black pepper essential oils had the particle size of 158.6 µm and encapsulation efficiency of 94.2%. The major bioactive compounds were thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene. The microencapsulation of essential oil effectively prevented the release of bioactive phenolic compounds in the upper parts of the GIT. Additionally, it increased the delivery of the phenolic compounds to the lower segments of the GIT in the broiler chickens. The administration of the essential oil-loaded microcapsules (0.5, 1, and 2 kg/ton) in the C. perfringens-infected broiler chickens enhanced growth parameters, total feed intake, FCR, body antioxidant status, ileum morphostructure, and intestinal microbial population. Further, this treatment resulted in regulating the antioxidant and inflammation genes in ileum tissue. Consequently, the essential oil-loaded microcapsules can be considered as a promising phytobiotic against C. perfringens infection in broiler chickens.

Background: There have been some reports regarding supplementation of saffron petal extract on performance and egg quality in laying hens. However, the effect of saffron petal extract fed diet at different amounts on antioxidant status of laying hens and the impact of the resulting egg yolk on growth/inhibitory activity of cancer cells has not been fully studied.Objectives: The effect of dried saffron petal extract on the laying performance, egg qualitative traits, antioxidant status, and its inhibitory effect on cancer cells was studied.Methods: A total of 200 39‐week‐old Hy‐line W36 Leghorn laying hens were selected based on a completely randomised design in four treatments with five replications (10 hens per replication). The four treatment diets consisted of a basal diet with no supplement (control), and three diet supplement groups containing 40, 60 and 80 ppm of saffron petal extract.Results: Adding 80 ppm of saffron petal extract to layer diets increased egg production (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde,1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl value and Superoxide dismutase significantly improved by saffron petal dietary supplementation. The yolk weight and colour, Haugh unit and shell weight and thickness were also influenced (p < 0.05) with highest values achieved in the 60 ppm saffron extract supplemented diet. Results demonstrated a significant effect of saffron extract inclusion in the diet on the growth of Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 and Prostate Cancer Cell in a positive dose‐dependent manner (p < 0.05) and the most intense inhibitory effect on cancer cells was observed with 60–80 ppm extract.Conclusions: Saffron petal extract can be used to potentially modulate the antioxidant status of laying hens and the inhibitory effect on cancer cells, best achieved with 60–80 ppm extract.

Background: There have been some reports indicating that supplementation of zinc could alleviate the negative effects of age on egg quality in laying hens. However, information regarding these positive effects on health and zinc deposition in the body is limited.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic sources of zinc on the antioxidant activity, bone strength, and zinc deposition in the tissues of older laying hens.Methods: In a completely randomized design, 175 Leghorn laying hens (w36) aged 80 weeks were allocated into seven treatment groups and five replications: control (without zinc supplementation), zinc sulphate treatments (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg), and organic zinc treatments (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg).Results: There was a significant increase in feed intake in the zinc sulphate and organic zinc treatments compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The egg mass in organic and sulphate zinc showed a significant increase. The feed conversion ratio was decreased significantly in the organic zinc treatments (p < 0.05). Both organic and sulphate zinc supplements enhanced serum superoxide dismutase activity as an antioxidant index (p < 0.05). The cortical thickness of the tibia was improved in laying hens receiving 30 mg/kg organic zinc. Supplementation of zinc could lead to an increase in zinc deposition in tissues, and organic zinc boosts bone strength.Conclusion: Zinc supplementation can improve antioxidant activity, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio and enhance egg mass and optimal absorption of zinc in tissues. The use of 30 mg/kg organic zinc is recommended for improving the cortical thickness of the tibia in aged laying hens.

Background: Contamination is not surprising in light of the ubiquitous nature of the fungi that produce aflatoxin and ochratoxin A. The presence of these toxins in the broiler diet leads to increased losses, an increased feed conversion ratio, and decreased productivity.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the use of hydroalcoholic extracts of saffron petals, yeast cell walls and bentonite in the diets of broiler chickens contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A.Methods: In a completely randomised design, 350 one‐day‐old Ross 308 broilers were allocated into seven treatment groups and five replications: a negative control diet (without toxins or additives), a positive control diet (2.5 mg/kg aflatoxin + 2 mg/kg ochratoxin A (mg/kg) and diets containing toxins with a commercial toxin binder or yeast cell wall, processed bentonite or saffron petal extract alone or together.Results: Compared with those in the positive control treatment, the relative weights of the carcasses, breasts and drumsticks improved with the addition of toxic adsorbent compounds (p < 0.05). Compared with the control treatment, the inclusion of a toxin binder had a significant effect on the concentration of glucose (p < 0.05). The concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyltransferase enzymes in the yeast cell wall + processed bentonite + saffron petal extract treatment were lower than those in the other treatments (p < 0.05). Toxin adsorbent compounds significantly improved the morphology of the small intestine in chickens fed contaminated diets (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The inclusion of toxic adsorbent compounds can reduce the negative effects caused by the presence of Aflatoxin B₁ and Ochratoxin A. Saffron petal extract can potentially be used to modulate diets contaminated with Aflatoxin B₁ and Ochratoxin A, which is best achieved with 750 mg/kg saffron petal extract along with 0.1% yeast cell wall extract and 1% processed bentonite.

Background: There have been some reports that supplementation of fat could alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on performance in broilers. However, information regarding compensation for the adverse effects of heat stress with diets differing in fatty acids source on immune system, bone strength and carcass quality of heat‐distressed broilers is limited.Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diets differing in fat source on performance, immune system, bone strength, and carcass quality of heat‐distressed broilers.Methods: In a completely randomized design with 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments, 320 24‐day‐old Ross 308 chickens, with average initial weight of 1220 ± 10 g were divided into eight treatments included sesame oil, tallow, sunflower oil and palm oil in either 22 or 32 degree of centigrade temperature. The broiler performance of each fat source‐treated group was not different in this experiment and decreased significantly in heat stress condition.Results: Heat stress showed a significant increase on fat, energy and ash content of thigh muscle. Tibia absolute length, width, ash and bone breaking strength were affected by fat source and increased when sesame and sunflower oil were used. Data analysis revealed that hot temperature decreased tibia weight, length, width, ash and bone breaking strength. Heat stress led to decrease of immune system parameters.Conclusion: Results suggest that there is no beneficial effect of broiler performance due to adding different sources of fat in broiler chicken diet under hot condition. Furthermore, the unsaturated fatty acids could improve the profile of fatty acids in thigh and enhance immune responses in broiler chickens.