The efficacy of Artichoke leaf extract conjugated with organic zinc nanoparticles on growth, carcass traits and blood biochemical parameters of broilers

This study aimed to discover how using nano artichoke leaf extract Stabilized with zinc Nanoparticles (ZnO-Nano-ALPE) as an alternative to antibiotics and an antioxidant in broiler feed affected their growth, meat quality, and blood. In a completely randomized design experiment, 210 1-day-old chicks (Arbor Acres) were assigned to three trial groups. Each group was subdivided into seven replicates, each with ten unsexed chicks. The groups formed were as follows: the control group received a basal diet without additives. In contrast, the ZnO-Nano-ALPE1 and ZnO-Nano-ALPE2 groups received a basal diet plus 1.0 and 2.0 cm³ of nano artichoke leaf extract ZnO-Nano-ALPE /kg diet, respectively. The results showed significant changes in LBW on days 28 and 31 of their lives, with the ZnO-Nano-ALPE groups showing the greatest changes. Variation analysis revealed no discernible changes between the treatment groups; however, there were notable variations in the calculated feed intake (FI) on days 29 and 31. There were no notable variations in carcass features between treatments, except for the percentage of carcass, dressing, thigh, heart, and intestine cecum in the control group. In addition, we found significant differences in total protein, albumin, and globulin levels between treatments, with the control group showing higher levels compared to the other two groups. The diet increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and elevated cholesterol levels. The study revealed significant differences in immunoglobulins, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels among the treatments, with the 1.0 cm³ treatment group exhibiting the highest levels. Thus, adding ZnO-Nano-ALPE to growing chick feeds at 1.0 and 2.0 cm³ rates could improve productivity, some carcass characteristics, and blood parameters.