Effects of Partial and Complete Replacement of Conventional Dicalcium Phosphate with Nano Dicalcium Phosphate on Growth Performance and Mineral Homeostasis in Broiler Chickens

During a 35-day feeding trial, 240 male Cobb500 broiler chickens that were one-day- old were placed into 4 nutritional treatment categories, each formed of 60 chickens. Each group was subsequently separated into 3 replicates, each with twenty chickens.Treatment categories were as follows: The control group (G1) was fed a basal diet that was isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and contained 1.7% conventional DCP (100% DCP); the second group (G2) was given a diet that contained 0.85% DCP + 0.1% nano DCP (50% DCP); the third group (G3) was given a diet that contained 0.43% DCP + 0.1% nano DCP (25% DCP); and the fourth group (G4) was given a diet that contained 0.05% nano DCP only and zero DCP (0% DCP). All diets formulation keeps the mineral balance between calcium and phosphorus 2:1. Aspergillustubingensis was used in the biosynthesis of nano-dicalcium phosphate (nano-DCP). The produced nanoparticles, which ranged in size from 6 to 75 nm, had a rod-like shape.The predominance of calcium, oxygen, and phosphorus, together constituting approximately 89% of the total mass, confirms their major incorporation into the DCP nanoparticles framework. The results indicated that, as compared to the control group, replacement by nano-DCP at all evaluated levels (G2, G3, and G4) did not significantly affect (p ˃0.05) growth performance, blood calcium, phosphorus levels, or mineral retention within tissues. However, G3 and G4 exhibited a significant decrease (p˂0.05) in Ca and P level in excreta compared to the control group.Conclusion A very small inclusion level of synthetic nano-dicalcium phosphate (0.05%) in broiler diets presents a practical and effective alternative to conventional DCP. This supplementation enhances mineral utilization efficiency, reduces feed costs, and minimizes environmental mineral excretion.