Germinated Papaya Seed Alone or in Combination with Chitosan on Growth, Health and Meat Quality of Broilers During Grower Period

The study investigated the effect of a mixture of germinated papaya seed flour and chitosan (GPS-CH) in comparison to the germinated papaya seed flour (GPS) alone on growth, blood profile, intestinal indices and meat quality of broilers. A total of 288 14-day old Cobb chicks were divided into three groups with 8 replications, including CONT (chicks receiving basal feed with no additive), GPS (chicks receiving basal feed supplemented with 0.5% GPS), and GPS-CH (chicks receiving basal feed supplemented with 0.5% GPS and 0.2% chitosan). Treatments had no effect ( > 0.05) on broiler growth. Spleen was lower ( < 0.05) in GPS and GPS-CH than in CONT. Thrombocytes were lower ( < 0.05) in GPS and GPS-CH than in CONT. Total triglyceride and protein were higher ( < 0.05) in GPS and GPS-CH than in CONT. Jejunal villi height (VH) and ileal VH to crypt depth ratio of GPS-CH were higher ( < 0.05) than that of CONT and GPS birds. Total fat in breast meat was lower ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH than in CONT and GPS. The highest ( < 0.05) pH was found in GPS-CH breast. The yellowness values were lower ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH than in CONT and GPS breast. GPS thigh had lowest ( < 0.05) moisture and highest ( < 0.05) fat. Ash was higher ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH than in CONT thigh. Water holding capacity (WHC) was higher ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH than in CONT and GPS thigh meats. Cooking loss was lower ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH than in GPS thigh meats. Compared to GPS, the pH values of thigh meats were higher ( < 0.05) in GPS-CH and CONT meats. The yellowness values were lower in GPS and GPS-CH than in CONT thigh. In conclusion, GPS-CH was beneficial in improving immune responses, nutrient bioavailability, intestinal morphology and meat quality of broilers during the grower period.