RESUMO
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds (SGE) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry. A total of 300 one-day-old male Cobb-500® broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (basal diet supplemented with 120 mg vitamin E/kg and basal diet supplemented with 0, 600, 800, or 1,000 mg SGE/kg) and six replicates of ten birds each. Performance was evaluated at seven and 21 days of age; digestibility of nutrients was determined by total excreta collection from 18 to 21 days of age; and histomorphometry of the small intestine was assessed at 21 days of age. Broilers fed diets supplemented with SGE or vitamin E had higher body weight and weight gain and better feed conversion than those fed unsupplemented diet at seven days of age. At the same age, there was a quadratic effect of SGE levels on body weight and weight gain, with better weights for 715 and 716 mg SGE/kg, respectively; and a decreasing linear effect for feed conversion. At 21 days of age, body weight and weight gain increased linearly with the inclusion of SGE in diet. Digestibility of feed nutrients was not influenced by treatments. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 800 or 1,000 mg SGE/kg had greater villus height and villus:crypt ratio of the duodenum than those fed unsupplemented diet. Villus height in the jejunum of broilers fed diet supplemented with 600 mg SGE/kg was lower than that of broilers that received vitamin E. Guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds can be used in diets for broilers in the starter phase, considering that the extract increases weight gain, reduces feed conversion, and helps in the development of the intestinal mucosa.