Phytochemical profile of Moringa oleifera ethanolic extract and its effects on immunity, gut microbiota, and performance in broiler chickens: A preliminary study

Increasing concerns about food safety and antimicrobial resistance drive the rise in antibioticfree poultry farming. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaf extracts and evaluated the effects of these extracts on immune function, gut microbiota, and broiler growth performance. Using established biochemical and chromatographic methods, both ethanolic and aqueous extracts were assessed for phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and fatty acids. One-day-old broilers (Cobb500) underwent one of two treatments and were reared for 35 days. The birds (n=50) were randomly assigned to a control group or a treatment group that received 300 mg/kg of M. oleifera leaf ethanolic extract daily from day 15 to day 35 of life. Analysis of the phytochemicals indicated that the ethanolic extract contained high levels of phenolics (49.6± 2.11 mg/g), flavonoids (28.2±0.29 mg/g), and alpha-linolenic acid. Immunologically, serum avidin levels were significantly lower in groups with M. oleifera compared to the control group. The total immunoglobulin Y levels were significantly higher for the M. oleifera group than for the control group, indicating immunomodulatory activity. Total anaerobic bacterial counts were significantly higher in the M. oleifera group compared to the control group (9.3 vs. 9.1 log CFU/g). Also, Enterococcus spp. counts were significantly higher in the M. oleifera group compared to the control group (5.6 vs. 4.7 log CFU/g). Meanwhile, Lactobacillus spp. counts were significantly lower in the M. oleifera group than in the control group (7.4 vs. 7.7 log CFU/g). Chickens supplemented with M. oleifera showed an increase in the final body weight compared to the control group (1580 g and 1633 g). Overall, while M. oleifera leaf ethanolic extract demonstrated notable immunomodulatory effects and altered gut microbiota composition in broilers, it did not significantly improve growth performance, suggesting its potential as a natural feed additive focuses primarily on immune enhancement rather than weight gain in antibiotic-free poultry production systems.