Optimization of an ultrasound-assisted extraction method to obtain gallic acid-rich extracts from mango seed kernels.

Gallic acid is a widely recognized bioactive compound that falls under the category of secondary polyphenolic metabolites and is fairly found in mango fruit waste, specifically in mango seed kernel (MSK). This study aimed to adopt a green extraction approach to extract this valuable compound via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) without using organic solvents but only water to obtain hazard-free extracts, and the cost of extraction can be minimal. pH (2-8), solvent ratio (20-60 mL/g), temperature (30-60°C) and time (30-60 min) of extraction were the independent variables used for extraction optimization. Single-factor experiments to obtain working ranges for selected extraction variables were carried out. A central composite design using response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum condition to obtain the maximum yield of gallic acid from MSK. The optimized extraction conditions were 3.9 pH, 36.25 mL/g solvent ratio, and 39.4°C of extraction temperature for 21.3 min. As a result, the optimized yield was 5.76 ± 0.41 mg/g, which was comparably equal to and/or better than the other solvent extraction systems. The results showed that gallic acid could efficiently be extracted via UAE under these optimal conditions. It is safer than extraction systems involving hazardous solvents that can be feasibly used for its nutraceutical and therapeutic applications.

Effects of Supplemented Coriander, Ajwain, and Dill Seed Essential Oils on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Gut Health, Meat Quality, and Immune Status in Broilers.

Numerous studies have assessed the benefits and optimal dosage of supplementation with essential oils (EOs), including extracts from plants of the Apiaceae family, as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in broilers. However, little consideration has been given to the actual chemical composition of the evaluated EOs when drawing critical conclusions, even though EO composition can vary with different extraction conditions and plant characteristics. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of EOs from seeds of plants of the Apiaceae family: coriander (CEO), ajwain (AjEO), and dill (DEO), containing 56.8% linalool, 68.2% thymol, and 41.1% carvone, respectively, on the growth performance, gut health, and immune status of broilers. In total, 660 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into 11 experimental diet groups and fed for 35 days with either the control diet, basal diet with added AGP (lincomycin, 500 mg/kg), or one of nine EO diets supplemented with CEO, AjEO, or DEO at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Final body weights were improved by supplementation with not only AGP but also any EO except AjEO at 600 mg/kg; within each EO, supplementation of CEO at 400 mg/kg, AjEO at 200 mg/kg, and DEO at 200 mg/kg afforded the best growth performance. EO supplementation had beneficial effects on gut morphology, such as increased villus height in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and against harmful microbiota, such as reduction of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. populations. Furthermore, EOs enhanced humoral immunity and improved meat quality by reducing drip loss, likely consequent to their antioxidant properties. Overall, this study presents evidence that CEO, AjEO, and DEO can each play a pivotal role in replacing AGPs, as well as providing information regarding optimal doses for broilers.

Profiling of phenolic compounds, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolytic activity of mango seed kernel using different optimized extraction systems.

Mango seed kernels (MSKs) have been reported to show antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores the influence of different optimized extraction systems on the extraction of MSK. The effects on gallic acid (GA) content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic activity of MSK extracts from different extraction systems (65.45% ethanol-ultrasound assisted extraction [UAE], 62% ethanol-incubator shaker, 19.4% ethanol-UAE, and 100% water-UAE) were assessed. Based on the results, a nonsignificant difference in phenolic (p = 0.222), flavonoids (p = 0.058), antioxidant (p = 0.165), and antimicrobial activity (p = 0.193) against Staphylococcus aureus whereas a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in hemolytic, GA content, and antimicrobial activity against Clostridium perfringens was observed. Among different extraction systems, aqueous extraction showed significantly lower hemolytic (1.09%) and higher GA content (4.72 mg/g) and comparable results in all other experiments; yield (32.40%), TPC (58.79 mg/g), TFC (2.16 mg/g), and antioxidant (73.19%). Hence, it has been concluded that aqueous extraction system could be considered a sustainable extraction system for practical applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Aqueous extraction system could be a sustainable option for extraction of mango seed kernel for practical applications as it is readily available, cheap, nonflammable, and nontoxic.

Impact of graded levels of coated calcium butyrate on growth performance and serological indices during pre-weaning stage in Holstein calves.

The study aimed to analyze the impact of calcium butyrate supplementation in calf starter on growth performance indices associated with early rumen development to decrease the volume of milk or milk replacer feeding and enhance early starter intake in Holstein calves. For this purpose, twelve Holstein calves were randomly assigned into three treatments (n = 4/treatment); a control without coated calcium butyrate, T1, and T2 treatments supplemented with coated calcium butyrate 3 g and 6 g per day/head, respectively. Body weight was measured at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 of the trial, and the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined. Blood samples were collected at 14, 28, 42, and 56 days of trial for serological parameters. Gut morphometry was performed at the end of trial at slaughtering by collecting duodenal samples. Furthermore, the meat was also evaluated for its quality parameters including pH and tenderness after slaughtering. The results indicated that the feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and gut morphometric parameters involving villus height and crypts depth of calves were improved in coated calcium butyrate-supplemented groups. Furthermore, the supplementation of calf starter with coated calcium butyrate significantly enhanced serum concentrations of glucose and total protein. Besides, Beta hydroxy butyrate (BHBA) levels of blood were also found to be elevated in both treatment groups. However, it was revealed that coated calcium butyrate supplementation had no significant effect on meat quality parameters. In conclusion, the supplementation of calf starter with coated calcium butyrate could improve calf performance.

Coupling CRISPR/Cas9 and Lambda Red Recombineering System for Genome Editing of Salmonella Gallinarum and the Effect of ssaU Knock-Out Mutant on the Virulence of Bacteria.

The poultry industry in developing countries still faces a significant threat from fowl typhoid, a disease caused by Salmonella Gallinarum that has been well contained in more economically developed countries. In addition to the virulence exhibited by large virulence plasmid (85 kb), Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 in S. Gallinarum plays a key role in mediating disease through its type III secretion systems (TTSS). The TTSS secrete effector protein across the Salmonella containing vacuoles and mediate the internalization of bacteria by modulating vesicular passage. In this study, candidate virulent ssaU gene (~1 kb) encoding type III secretion system was successfully deleted from indigenously isolated S. Gallinarum genome through homology-directed repair using CRISPR/Cas9 and lambda recombination systems. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of poultry-derived Salmonella Gallinarum has not been previously reported, which might be linked to a lack of efficiency in its genetic tools. This is the first study which demonstrates a complete CRISPR/Cas9-based gene deletion from this bacterial genome. More importantly, a poultry experimental model was employed to assess the virulence potential of this mutant strain (ΔssaU_SG18) which was unable to produce any mortality in the experimentally challenged birds as compared to the wild type strain. No effect on weight gain was observed whereas bacteria were unable to colonize the intestine and liver in our challenge model. This in vivo loss of virulence in mutant strain provides an excellent functionality of this system to be useful in live vaccine development against this resistant and patho genic bacteria.

Characteristics of Essential Oils of Apiaceae Family: Their Chemical Compositions, in vitro Properties and Effects on Broiler Production.

There has been an upsurge of interest in the phytobiotics coincident with the onset of the potential ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in the broiler industry and because many kinds of nutraceuticals play an important role in improving growth performance, feed efficiency, and gut health of broilers. In the previous years, significant biological activities of essential oils (EOs) belonging to phytobiotics were observed, including anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. We found new perspectives on the roles of EOs, particularly extracts from the Apiaceae family, which is one of the largest plant families, in potential replacement of AGPs, and on the chemical composition involved in regulating microorganism activity and oxidative damage. Furthermore, the positive effects of EOs on broiler production and the possible mechanisms inducing the involvement of gut health and growth performance have been studied.

Bio-diesel production of sunflower through sulphur management in a semi-arid subtropical environment.

Energy security is a prime focus of policy makers to support agriculture, industrialisation, and transportation. Due to limited conventional energy sources, there is a need to harness non-conventional energy sources. In this regard, one of the proposed approaches is using biomass (e.g. energy crops) to produce biofuel-a renewable source of energy. Sunflower has several agronomic features to be exploited for a renewable, non-conventional, and environment-friendly source of bioenergy. Sulphur (S) fertilisation holds key for realising sunflower potential for seed and oil yield. In response to variable S supply rates, here we compared and quantified sunflower yield (seed, oil, and biodiesel) and biodiesel quality according to the ASTM international standards. We used a combined approach of field experimentation and rigorous lab analysis. Firstly, in a field experiment laid out in randomised complete block design with split-plot arrangement, response of two local sunflower hybrids (FH-331 and FH-689) to four S supply rates (0, 25, 50, 75 kg S ha-1) was evaluated in terms of agronomic traits. Experimental data showed that fertilisation of S significantly influenced growth and yield (seed, oil) traits; the response was different between two hybrids which also interacted with S supply rate. FH-331 recorded the highest achene yield at S fertilisation of 75 kg S ha-1, whereas FH-689 recorded the highest achene yield at 50 kg ha-1; achene yield of FH-331 was 13.6% higher than FH-689. Compared to control, S at 75 kg S ha-1 increased oil yield of FH-331 by 22% whereas S at 50 kg ha-1 increased oil yield by 23% of FH-689. Seed samples were analysed for different biodiesel quality parameters. The ranges of all quality parameters of sunflower biodiesel such as viscosity, calorific values, acid value, iodine value, saponification value, cetane number, and pour point were in ASTM standard range. We conclude that sunflower is a promising and sustainable option for producing biodiesel, the potential of which can be increased by optimal S management under field conditions.

Isolation, toxinotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Clostridium perfringens isolated from Pakistan poultry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clostridium perfringens is a causative agent of enteric infections in animals including poultry by producing twenty different types of toxins. A single strain produces only a subset of these toxins, which form the basis of its classification into seven toxinotypes (A-G). C. perfringens toxinotype A is a widespread cause of necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of different toxins and antimicrobial susceptibility of C. perfringens isolated from Pakistan NE affected poultry. METHODS: A total of 134 intestinal samples of the diseased birds were collected postmortem and processed for isolation of C. perfringens using tryptose sulphite cycloserine (TSC) agar supplemented with d-cycloserine. Isolates were confirmed by Gram's staining, biochemical and molecular analyses. Toxinotyping was performed by multiplex PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolates was performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: A total of 34 strains of C. perfringens were isolated from 134 samples with prevalence rate of 25.37%. All the isolated strains were toxinotype A, as they were positive for alpha toxin (CPA) and negative for other tested toxins such as beta (CPB), epsilon (ETX), iota (ITX), enterotoxin (CPE), toxin perfringens large (TpeL) and necrotic B-like toxin (NetB). Interestingly, all the isolated strains of C. perfringens were multidrug resistant. The highest resistance was observed against Neomycin, Trimethoprim, Tetracycline and Lincomycin which are routinely used at Pakistan poultry production. CONCLUSION: C. perfringens toxinotype A is prevalent in Pakistan poultry. Incidence of C. perfringens with prevalence rate of 25.37% can pose serious threat to Pakistan's poultry industry given that all the isolated strains were multidrug resistant. Our findings highlight the need for new antibiotics and antibiotic alternatives to overcome multidrug resistance.

Heavy metals immobilization and improvement in maize (Zea mays L.) growth amended with biochar and compost.

Soil with heavy metals contamination, mainly lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) is a progressively worldwide alarming environmental problem. Recently, biochar has been used as a soil amendment to remediate contaminated soils, but little work has been done to compare with other organic amendments like compost. We investigated biochar and compost's comparative effect on Pb, Cd, and Cr immobilization in soil, photosynthesis, and growth of maize plants. Ten kg soil was placed in pots and were spiked with Pb, Cd, and Cr at concentrations 20, 10, 20 mg kg-1. The biochar and compost treatments included 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% were separately applied to the soil. The crop from pots was harvested after 60 days. The results show that the highest reduction of AB-DTPA extractable Pb, Cd, and Cr in soil was 79%, 61% and 78% with 4% biochar, followed by 61%, 43% and 60% with 4% compost compared to the control, respectively. Similarly, the highest reduction in shoot Pb, Cd, and Cr concentration was 71%, 63% and 78%with 4% biochar, followed by 50%, 50% and 71% with 4% compost than the control, respectively. The maximum increase in shoot and dry root weight, total chlorophyll contents, and gas exchange characteristics were recorded with 4% biochar, followed by 4% compost than the control. The maximum increase in soil organic matter and total nitrogen (N) was recorded at 4% biochar application while available phosphorus and potassium in the soil at 4% compost application. It is concluded that both biochar and compost decreased heavy metals availability in the soil, reducing toxicity in the plant. However, biochar was most effective in reducing heavy metals content in soil and plant compared to compost. In the future, more low-cost, eco-friendly soil remediation methods should be developed for better soil health and plant productivity.

Meat Production and Supply Chain Under COVID-19 Scenario: Current Trends and Future Prospects.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted meat production, supply chain, and meat prices that caused a severe socio-economic crisis worldwide. Initially, meat and meat products' prices increased due to less production and increased demand because of panic buying. Whereas, later on, both meat production and demand were significantly decreased due to lockdown restrictions and lower purchasing power of the consumers that results in a decrease in meat prices. In early April 2020, meat packing facilities started to shut down due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus among workers. Furthermore, meat producers and processors faced difficulty in harvesting and shipment of the products due to lockdown situations, decrease in labor force, restrictions in movement of animals within and across the country and change in legislation of local and international export market. These conditions adversely impacted the meat industry due to decrease in meat production, processing and distribution facilities. It is suggested that the integration among all the meat industry stakeholders is quite essential for the sustainability of the industry's supply chain to cope with such devastating conditions the future may hold. This review aimed to discuss different aspects of the meat industry and supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposed some future directions.

Effects of dietary organic acids on performance, cecal microbiota, and gut morphology in broilers.

Organic acids have exhibited great potential as an antibiotic replacement and as an additive work tremendously for health maintenance of broiler chicken. To explore more about organic acids, a total of 900 day-old broiler chicks (Cobb-500) were procured from a local hatchery and distributed into 9 treatment groups having 5 replicates of 20 birds each; duration of the biological trial was of 35 days. Group T1 served as control group without any dietary supplementation. Other groups T2 and T3 were boosted with different levels (125 g/ton and 250 g/ton) of enramycin (antibiotic), T4, T5, and T6 were supplemented with different levels (2 kg/ton, 3 kg/ton, and 4 kg/ton) of ammonium formate and ammonium propionate, and T7, T8, and T9 were fed with different levels (2 kg/ton, 3 kg/ton, and 4 kg/ton) of calcium formate and calcium propionate. The findings declared significant improvement (P < 0.05) in body weight gain and FCR in groups T3, T5, and T9 while feed intake was not affected. Carcass evaluation depicted significantly better (P < 0.05) dressed and eviscerated weight along with carcass yield (T5, T7, T8, T9). Broilers fed organic acid supplemented diet had significantly lower (P < 0.05) total bacterial count (T3, T5, T8, T9) and positively improved (P < 0.05) villi length (T5, T6, T9) as compared with control group. However, total protein, globulin, HDL, and LDL levels were determined to be non-significant (P > 0.05) among different organic acids treatments. Hence, organic acids can be utilized as a better replacement for antibiotics. Supplementation of organic acids at a dose rate of 3 kg/ton and 4 kg/ton is recommended for efficient performance of broilers.

Effect of animal age, postmortem chilling rate, and aging time on meat quality attributes of water buffalo and humped cattle bulls.

The study was aimed to investigate the influence of animal age, post-slaughter chilling rate, and aging time on meat quality of M. longissimus dorsi (LD) of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and humped cattle (Bos taurus indicus) bulls. After slaughtering, one side of carcasses was subjected to rapid chilling (RC) (0 ± 2°C) and other side was hanged in controlled room temperature (25 ± 2°C) for 3 hr, then allowed to the chiller (0 ± 2°C). The meat quality traits were analyzed at 1, 7, and 14 days of storage. It was noted that rapidly chilled carcasses from the younger animals of both species missed the ideal pH/temperature window, which affects the toughness of the meat. Buffalo meat presented higher shear force, color L* values, and lower b* value as compared to the cattle meat. Moreover, meat shear force values decreased while all color coordinates and cooking loss values increased with lengthening the storage time in both age groups of cattle and buffalo. In conclusion, the tenderness of cattle meat was superior to that of buffalo and RC adversely affect the shear force values of young cattle and both age groups of buffalo bulls.

Determining the Structures of the Snake and Spider Toxins by X-Rays.

Snake and spider venom is a complex mixture that contains proteins, peptides, and small organic and inorganic compounds. In contrast to spider venom, snake venom proteins are well known both functionally and structurally. This work describes methods for purification and crystallization of snake and spider venom toxins and their three-dimensional structure determination by X-ray crystallography.

Molecular Identification and Genetic Characterization of Macrophomina phaseolina Strains Causing Pathogenicity on Sunflower and Chickpea.

Macrophomina phaseolina is the most devastating pathogen which causes charcoal rot and root rot diseases in various economically important crops. Three strains M. phaseolina 1156, M. phaseolina 1160, and M. phaseolina PCMC/F1 were tested for their virulence on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The strains showed high virulence on both hosts with a disease score of 2 on chickpea and sunflower. The strains also increased the hydrogen per oxide (H2O2) content by 1.4- to 1.6-fold in root as well as shoot of chickpea and sunflower. A significant increase in antioxidant enzymes was observed in fungal infected plants which indicated prevalence of oxidative stress during pathogen propagation. The M. phaseolina strains also produced hydrolytic enzymes such as lipase, amylase, and protease with solubilization zone of 5-43 mm, 5-45 mm, and 12-35 mm, respectively. The M. phaseolina strains were identified by 18S rRNA and analyzed for genetic diversity by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The findings based on RAPD markers and 18S rRNA sequence analysis clearly indicate genetic variation among the strains collected from different hosts. The genetically diverse strains were found to be pathogenic to sunflower and chickpea.

Prevalence of Diabetes Type 2 in Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Kpk, Pakistan.

Hepatitis C (HCV) and diabetes mellitus are the two main health concerns that cause devastating health and financial worries worldwide. It has been observed in the past that both diseases have a high correlation that might be due to the abnormal conditions of the liver. But the mechanism of the prevalence of diabetes in patients with chronic HCV infection still remains unclear. In our study, we have investigated T2DM in the male and female patients at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar. The blood samples of both in- and outpatients were analysed in the PCR laboratories of LRH from December 2014 to April 2015. Great prevalence of diabetes in hepatitis C infected male and female patients was observed during this study. The data were collected from the patients through a preplanned questionnaire that included name of the patient, HCV, being diabetic, age, gender, location, educational background, family history of the disease, other diseases, and any treatments if taken. The results of our study have found 26.42% prevalence of T2DM in HCV infected patients. So we conclude that HCV infection may be one of the reasons that could lead to T2DM.

Comparative ileal digestibility of amino acids in 00-rapeseed meal and rapeseed meal fed to growing male broilers.

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a commonly used protein source in poultry diet but its usage is limited due to antinutritional factors, the glucosinolates (GLS) and erucic acid. The 00-rapeseed meal (00-RSM) is the developed variety of rapeseed with reduced GLS and erucic acid content through genetic selection. The present study was conducted with the objective of comparing the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in 00-RSM and RSM when fed to growing broilers. Three samples of each ingredient were collected from different sources. Two hundred and fifty two day-old male broilers (Hubbard × Hubbard) were fed a corn-soybean meal based starter diet in crumble form from day 1 to 13. On day 14, all chicks were individually weighed and randomly distributed to 42 replicate pens (6 birds in each pen). Six test diets (2 ingredient × 3 samples) with approximately 20% crude protein were made in mash form in such a way that the 6 test ingredients served as the sole source of AA in one diet. The endogenous AAs (EAA) were determined by feeding a nitrogen-free diet to six replicate pens. Each test diet was fed to six replicates of broiler chicks from 14 to 21 days of age. Results indicated that the SID of all AA differed (P < 0.001) among 00-RSM samples. Among RSM samples, the SID of AA varied for arginine, methionine (P < 0.01), histidine, leucine, lysine, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine (P < 0.05). A greater (P < 0.05) SID of all AA except arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, cysteine, and glutamic acid was observed in 00-RSM compared with RSM. In conclusion, 00-RSM had greater SID of AA compared with RSM and it is nutritionally superior to RSM to be used in broiler diets.

Management of diabetic complications through fruit flavonoids as a natural remedy.

Diabetes mellitus is a global disorder, and a major issue for health care systems. The current review outlooks the use of fruit flavonoids as natural remedy in the prevention of diabetes mellitus. The onset of diabetes mainly depends upon genetics and lifestyle issues. Currently used therapeutic options for the control of diabetes, like dietary amendments, oral hypoglycemic drugs, and insulin, have their own limitations. Fruit flavonoids possess various antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potentials and act on various cellular signaling pathways in pancreas, white adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver function, which in result induces antidiabetic effects. Recently, antidiabetic effect of fruit flavonoids has been studied using various animal models and clinical trials. Research studies revealed a statistically significant potential of fruit flavonoids in managing the altered glucose and oxidative metabolisms in diabetes. Unlike synthetic antidiabetic agents, fruit flavonoids manage diabetes without compromising cellular homeostasis thereby posing no side effects. Further studies are required in purification and characterization of different fruit flavonoids with respect to their beneficial effect for diabetic patients.

Bioconcentration of some macrominerals in soil, forage and buffalo hair continuum: A case study on pasture irrigated with sewage water.

The present study aimed to evaluate the bioaccumulation of some macrominerals in grazing buffaloes fed forage irrigated with sewage water or canal water. In particular, the transfer of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) from soil to plant and in turn to animals was evaluated under sub-tropical environmental conditions. Samples of soil, forage and buffalo hair were collected and digested by wet method. Sodium and K concentrations were significantly higher in the soil but lower in the forages; however, Mg and Ca concentrations in both soil and forages were higher. The correlation between soil, forage and hair showed an imbalanced flow of Na, Mg and K and a balanced flow of Ca from soil to forage and then to animals. Based on the findings, the highest rates of transfer of minerals were found for sewage water treatment, whereas lowest rates were found for canal water treatment, except for Na. As the transfer of minerals depends on their bioavailability, the highest values may be due to the high rates of mineral uptake by plants. Thus, the high transfer rate of some elements by plants could become toxic in future causing detrimental effect to grazing livestock.

Evaluation of a natural methionine source on broiler growth performance.

BACKGROUND: Methionine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, is essential for the health and growth of broilers, so its optimum level should be provided in broiler diets. Synthetic methionine sources used by poultry nutritionists may cause health hazards in broilers as, during conversion of synthetic methionine to the active form, homocysteine is produced which may be injurious to body tissues when there is a lack of coordination between methyl group donors and acceptors. Thus the present study evaluates the efficacy of a natural methionine source. RESULTS: The comparative growth performance of broilers fed synthetic and/or natural methionine was observed. Results revealed that the basal diet has a lower growth performance (P < 0.05) than all other diets. However, replacement of synthetic methionine with a naturally sourced methionine has no significant effect (P > 0.05) on weight gain, feed consumption or feed conversion ratio. Serum biochemistry values and slaughter data also indicated no effect due to two different methionine sources (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that synthetic methionine may effectively be replaced with a naturally sourced methionine without affecting the health and growth performance of broilers. However, additional research is needed to further explore other natural sources of methionine.