MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE AND ITS EFFECT ON GUT MICROBIOME OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of monosodium glutamate on the gut microbiome of broiler chickens. A total of One hundred and forty-four (144) day old broiler chicks were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly allotted to four dietary (4) treatment (T) groups having 36 birds per treatment which was further sub-divided into -10birds per replicate. The control groups (T1) were fed diet without monosodium glutamate (MSG) while other groups were fed diets containing different inclusion levels of monosodium glutamate of 3g/kg (T2), 6g/kg(T3) and 9g/kg (T4). At the end of the experiment intestinal cecal content was collected and analyzed according to standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design using (SAS). Results obtained showed that significantly(p<0.05) higher total bacteria count was obtained from birds fed diet containing 3g/kg of monosodium glutamate compared to lower count obtained from birds fed 9g/kg of monosodium glutamate. Total coliform count was significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed diet containing monosodium glutamate across treatment groups compared to lower mean value recorded for the control groups. Higher fungi count was obtained from birds fed diet containing 3g/kg and 6g/kg compared to lower count observed in the control groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that inclusion of monosodium glutamate in the diet of broiler is capable of lowering bacteria count in the gastro intestinal tract of broiler chickens and maintaining a balance in the intestinal microflora by increasing beneficial microorganisms and reducing harmful or pathogenic organism as identified during the study.