ABSTRACT
This study aims to see how supplementing broiler chickens with Ficus exasperata leaf powder (FELP) and vitamin C affects carcass characteristics, brain and meat oxidative enzymes and cholesterol levels in tropical conditions. Three hundred thirty-six-day-old chicks (comprising of 168 Cobb 500 breed chicks and 168 Arbor Acre breed chicks) of broiler chicks weighing 37.40 ± 0.45 g were assigned to 8 experimental diets of 7 replicates (6 birds/replicate; 42 birds/treatment). Diets 1 and 2 were not supplemented, while diets 3 and 4 had vitamin C (200 mg/kg of basal diet) supplementation. Then, diets 5 and 6 received 1 g FELP/kg of basal diet supplementation each while diets 7 and 8 had 1 g FELP/kg of basal diet + 200 mg of vitamin C. The breed and FELP affected (P < 0.05) the dressing percentage. The relative weights of the gizzard and heart were affected (P < 0.05) by the vitamin c and FELP, while the lung weight was affected by vitamin C. The proventriculus was affected by the breed, FELP and vitamin c. The brain catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased with vitamin c and FELP supplementation while catalase and glutathione peroxidases were higher in CO. Vitamin c and FELP reduced the meat lipid oxidation but increased the glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Conclusively, dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg of vitamin C and 1% FELP could increase the brain's antioxidant capacity and improve the meat quality of broiler chickens.
