EVALUATION OF THE ANTICOCCIDIAL PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF ANNONA SENEGALENSIS IN BROILERS

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the anticoccidial properties of aqueous leaf extract of A. senegalensis. One hundred and twenty (120) broiler birds were procured after brooding for four (4) weeks. The birds were experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella and they were then divided into four groups designated T1, T2, T3 and T4 of 30 Birds each, with three replicates in each group. They were subsequently treated with various concentrations of the aqueous leaf extract of A. senegalensis at 1ml/ bird orally, twice a day for five (5) days. To T1 was treated with 5mg/ml; T2, 10mg/ml; T3, 20mg/ml and T4, 0mg/ml, respectively. Results of phytochemical and chromatographic analysis of A. senegalensis leaf showed the presence of Alkaloids, Saponins and Glycosides with Rf values0.63, 0.51 and 0.73 (not identified), respectively; Flavonoids chlorogenic acid, anthocyanin, rutin, catechol and quercetin with Rf values 0.75, 0.95, 0.22, 0.95 and 0.61, respectively; Tannin, catechin with Rf value 0.20; Terpenoids, kauronoic acid and oleanic acid with Rf values 0.39 and 0.51. Other active principles present include; Volatile oils and Steroids. Minerals observed in the leaf of A. senegalensis include, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Mortality rates of 33.3%(T1); 6.7%(T2); 0%(T3) and 80%(T4), respectively were observed. Duncan count was carried out on the dead and on some birds that survived for the scoring of hemorrhage. From the study, it was suggested that A. senegalensis has great potentials in being used to control coccidiosis in birds given that T3 (20mg/ml) had the lowest mortality rate (0%), while T4 (0mg/ml) control had the highest mortality rate (80%). The ANOVA of the Duncan Count indicated that the degree of haemorrhage is concentration dependent