Phytobiotic Effect of Anacardium occidentale L. Leaves Powder on Performance, Carcass Traits, and Intestinal Characteristics in Broilers

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the phytobiotic effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) leaves powder (CLP) on growth performance, carcass traits, lymphoid organ weights and cecal lactic-acid bacteria in broilers, a total of 720 unsexed broilers of the Ross 308® genetic line were distributed according to a completely randomized design with three experimental treatments, five repetitions and 48 chickens per repetitions. The experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet (DB; T0) and DB + supplementation with 0.50 (T1) and 0.75% (T2) of CLP. At 32 days, the body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not modified (p>0.05) by the experimental groups; however, T1 increased (p<0.05) the viability compared to T0. Additionally, T2 improved (p<0.05) the carcass and leg yields, although without significant changes (p>0.05) for the other edible portions. Moreover, this natural product (A. occidentale) increased (p<0.05) the ash content and the range of the red tone and decreased (p<0.05) the L* in the breast, although moisture, fat, pH, and b* were not affected by the experimental diets (p>0.05). Similarly, T1 favored (p<0.05) the growth of green bacterial colonies with a white halo, and both treatments with CLP the total cecal acid-lactic bacteria. No significant changes were observed (p>0.05) in the relative weight of the immune organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen). Dietary supplementation with cashew leaves powder enhanced the viability of the batch (0.5%), some edible portions (0.75%), the breast pigmentation, and the cecal beneficial bacteria count in broilers.