Impact of Dried Fig Fruit Extract Conjugated with Selenium Nanoparticles on Productive and Blood Parameters of Chicken

Abstract This study evaluated the efficacy of dried fig fruit powder extract conjugated with selenium nanoparticles (Se-Nano-FFPE) as an alternative to antibiotics and a growth enhancer in broiler diets. A total of 264 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four groups, each consisting of six replicates of 11 chicks. The groups included a control group receiving a basal diet and three treatment groups receiving diets supplemented with 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg of Se-Nano-FFPE per kg of feed, respectively. The results revealed significant differences in body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) among the groups, with the 3.0 mg Se-Nano-FFPE group exhibiting the highest values (P≤0.032, P≤0.026, respectively). While feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were only slightly affected (P≤0.035), FI was significantly increased in the 1.0 and 3.0 mg Se-Nano-FFPE groups (85.66±0.95 and 87.24±0.95, respectively). Carcass components, including the liver, heart, and gizzard, were heavier in the Se-Nano-FFPE groups compared to the control group. Additionally, Se-Nano-FFPE supplementation led to a significant reduction (P≤0.05) in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased. The 2.0 mg Se-Nano-FFPE group exhibited improved levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine. Furthermore, all Se-Nano-FFPE supplemented groups showed significant increases (P≤0.05) in immunoglobulin Y (IgY), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, along with a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the control group. In conclusion, incorporating Se-Nano-FFPE into broiler diets significantly enhanced growth efficiency, carcass quality, blood parameters, and antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that Se-Nano-FFPE can serve as a promising alternative to traditional growth promoters and natural antioxidant agents in poultry production.