The Effect of Gum Arabic (<i>Acasia senegal</i>) as a Natural Prebiotic Supplementation for Broiler Chickens

Gum Arabic (GA) belongs to the Fabaceae family and contains indigestible soluble fibers (80--85%) that can be fermented by commensal bacteria to enhance performance, immune response, and intestinal integrity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of gum arabic (GA) on overall growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, relative weight of visceral and lymphoid organs, intestinal histomorphology, and selected pathogenic bacteria in broiler chickens. A total of 450 day-old Ross chicks were assigned to four groups, containing 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g gum arabic along with basal feed for 35 days. Results indicated that supplementation of GA at 10.0 g significantly (p < 0.05) improved feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) while no effect on livability of broiler chickens. Chickens fed GA between 0.25% and 1.0% had higher total protein, globulin, and HDL but lower cholesterol, LDL, glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine levels. A high level (10.0 g) of GA significantly (p < 0.05) increased the relative weights of the heart, liver, and gizzard, whereas no significant effect was observed on the pancreas or numerically increased lymphoid organs. GA decreased the pH of the proventriculus, duodenum, and cecum with increasing GA levels. Significantly high (p < 0.05) villus height (VH), low crypt depth (CD), and high VH: CD were recorded at 10.0 g GA in different parts of the intestine. Similarly, the counts of E. coli and Salmonella were significantly lower, whereas the count of Lactobacillus was significantly higher in the ileum, cecum, and colon. Supplementation with 10 g GA resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth performance and visceral organs, improved histomorphology, and limited growth of pathogenic bacteria in broiler chickens.