Abstract

The effects of using Moringa leaf powder (MLP) as feed additive on the differential cholesterol profile of broiler chickens at finisher phase was investigated in view of the scientific urge to find means of reducing fatty compounds in common meat products. One hundred and twenty,4-weeks old Abor acre broilers were used for this experiment and allotted to four different treatment groups (T1-T4). The control group; T1 was without MLP inclusion, T2 with 0.40% (of the total diet on dry matter basis) MLP inclusion, T3 with 0.80% MLP inclusion and T4 with 0.40% Liver fit powder (LVP-commercial product). Each group had three replicates with 10 chickens in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted four weeks at the end of which blood samples were collected for the serum lipid fractions analysis. Parameters investigated were Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis of variance. The results revealed that TC, TG, LDL and VLDL fractions of the serum cholesterol got reduced significantly (p<0.05) in birds on T3 and T4 while HDL got increased significantly with inclusion of MLP. These results suggest that MLP is hypocholesterolemic in nature.  Consequently, MLP inclusions compared favorably well with LVP and therefore can be used for reducing bad lipid fractions of serum of broilers at finisher phase to reduce the risk of high fat related diseases among the consumers.

Keywords: Broilers, cholesterol, fatty meat, moringa leaf powder.