THE IMPACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS EXPOSED TO AFLATOXIN B1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf powder extract (VLAE) on the performance of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B1. A total of 200-day-old broilers were divided into four groups, designated as treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 (with 50 birds per treatment and 10 birds per replicate). Treatment assignments were as follows: Treatment 1 (Control), Treatment 2 (0.5 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 contamination), Treatment 3 (0.5 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 contamination + 1g VLAE per liter of water), and Treatment 4 (0.5 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 contamination + 2 g VLAE per liter of water). The body weight gain of broiler chickens in Treatments 3 and 4 was statistically similar (P > 0.05) but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the remaining diets. Conversely, the body weight gain of birds in Treatment 2 was lower (P < 0.05) compared to the other treatments. The feed conversion ratio was the lowest in Treatment 3, while the feed conversion ratio in Treatment 4 was comparable (P > 0.05) to Treatments 2 and 1. In conclusion, Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf powder extract (VLAE) demonstrates the potential to alleviate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the performance characteristics of broiler chickens exposed to 0.5 mg/kg aflatoxin B1.