Effect of feeding Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) Leaf Powder in diet of broilers for quality meat production

Abstract

The research was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder on meat cholesterol and serum lipid profile of broiler from day old to six weeks of age. A total of 72 (Arbor-Acres) day old chicks were used in this study. Four levels of a Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder at the rate of 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1% were incorporated into the basal diet for six weeks. Feeding period for all groups was lasted for 42 days. All the birds were reared under standard managemental conditions. The observations were recorded for cholesterol content of meat and serum lipid profile of broilers. Supplementation of tulsi leaf powder at the rate of 1% for 42 days showed the significant decrease (P<0.01) in breast muscle and thigh muscle cholesterol. Group T₃ showed the significant reduction in thigh muscle cholesterol but not in breast muscle cholesterol. The average serum total cholesterol was reduced significantly (P<0.01) in T₄ group but not in T₃. The average serum HDL cholesterol was increased significantly (P<0.01) in T₃ and T₄. The average serum triglycerides were significantly reduced in T₃ and T₄. But higher reduction obtained in birds fed with 1% tulsi leaf powder in diet. The average serum LDL cholesterol was significantly reduced (P<0.01) in T₄ followed by T₃ group. The study concluded that supplementation of tulsi leaf powder at the rate of 1% in broiler diet for 42 days reduced meat and blood cholesterol levels of broiler.