Influence of Crude Phenolic Extract from Coffee Pulp Supplementation in Broiler Diets on Productive Performance, Gut Microbiota, and Immune Response

Our study hypothesized that crude phenolic extract (CE) from coffee pulp could enhance microbial homeostasis, gut health, and immune response in broilers, ultimately improving their growth performance. The research aimed to assess the antimicrobial properties of CE in vitro and evaluate its dietary effects on broiler productivity and health.
To test this, we conducted in vitro assays to determine CE’s antibacterial and anti-adherent properties. Additionally, 160 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: a control group (CE0) and groups supplemented with 0.25 g/kg (CE0.25), 0.5 g/kg (CE0.5), and 1 g/kg (CE1) of CE. Growth performance, gut microbiota composition, and immune markers were measured throughout the trial.
Our findings demonstrated that the CE0.5 group had significantly higher final body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05) compared to the control. The gut microbiome analysis revealed a favorable shift, with increased levels of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) and decreased pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella). These effects were most prominent at the 0.5 g/kg dosage. In vitro assays confirmed CE’s antimicrobial activity, further supporting its role in promoting gut microbial balance.
Immune response analysis showed an increase in IgA-positive cells in the cecal tonsil, suggesting enhanced mucosal immunity. Additionally, CE supplementation activated antioxidant-related genes, highlighting its potential role in oxidative stress mitigation.
These results indicate that coffee pulp-derived CE can serve as a functional feed additive, improving broiler growth, gut microbiota composition, and immune defense. The optimal dosage appears to be 0.5 g/kg, balancing efficacy and practicality. Further research should focus on long-term effects and potential applications in commercial poultry production.