Potential of Pomegranate (Punicagranatum L.) Peel By-product in Broiler Nutrition: Linking Performance with Antioxidant Status, Gene Expression, and CecalMicrobiota Modulation

Antibiotic alternatives are urgently needed to enhance growth performance, maintain gut ecosystem equilibrium, and support the immune system of broilers. Pomegranate peel (PP) by-product comprises 50% of the fruit and possesses antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, as well as fungicidal aspects. This study specifically aimed to evaluate, over a 35-day feeding period, the impact of dietary inclusion of graded levels of pomegranate peel by-products (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidants, gene expression of intestinal markers, and cecal microbial balance in broiler chickens to determine the most effective fortification level for optimizing health and productivity. A total of 240 male one-day Cobb500® broiler chicks were randomly split up into four distinct groups, with 3 replications (20 chicks/replicate). G1, the control group, was offered a base diet. The fortified groups, G2, G3, and G4, were offered a base diet enriched with various concentrations of PP by-products (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%), respectively. The chicks offered a diet enriched with 0.5% PP achieved a substantial (p < 0.05) improvement in final BW development, cumulative BWG, FCR, as well as percentage of dressing yield, breast, and bursa versus the control group. Serum TAC, CAT were also jejunalGPx levels were also substantially elevated (P < 0.05) in PP-fortified groups versus the control group. Furthermore, mRNA expression of FABP2 was significantly upregulated in all PP-enriched groups compared to the control group. In the G4 (0.5% PP) enriched group, the greatest expression level was registered. However, there was no discernible variation in IL-1β across groups. Incorporation of 0.5% PP by-products significantly balanced cecal microbial composition, exhibited by a notable elevation in Lactobacillus population and a reduction in coliform counts. In conclusion, broiler diets supplemented with PP by-product, especially at 0.5%, maximize productivity and efficiency through fostering BWG, FCR, antioxidant status, and balanced gut health biomarkers.