Effect of Dietary Nano-encapsulated Mindi (Melia azedarach Linn.) Leaf Extract on Growth Performance and Intestinal pH of Broiler Chickens

A four weeks study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nano-encapsulated Mindi (Melia azedarach Linn.) leaves extract inclusion in drinking water on growth performance and intestinal pH in broiler chickens. A hundred and ninety two chicks were allotted into eight treatment groups: a negative control group without any treatment in the drinking water (T1), a positive control group with tetracycline 100 ppm (T2), groups with 100 mg (T3), 200 mg (T4), 400 mg (T5) mindi leaves extract per litre, or groups with 100 mg (T6), 200 mg (T7), 400 mg (T8) nano-encapsulated mindi leaves extract per litre (L). Each treatment was replicated four times with six birds per pen. Oneway ANOVA was used to analyse collected data, continued with Duncans new Multiple Range Test for data with significant difference. No treatment effect were detected on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, water intake, or final weight. However, inclusion with 200 mg mindi leaves extract per L reduced pH (P<0.05) in the jejunum and ileum. Current research indicated that addition of low dose Mindi leaves extract-nanocapsulated or non-nanoencapsulated-might give significant effect on improving intestinal health condition in broiler chickens.