A combination of Dayak onion (Eleutherine palmifolia) extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus on antioxidant capacity and intestinal bacteria in broiler chickens

Abstract

Abstract The study was conducted to determine the effect of Dayak onion (Eleutherine palmifolia) extract combined with Lactobacillus acidophilus on intestinal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coliform in broiler. In vitro study (first experiment) was assigned in a completely randomized design with 3 x 3 factorial scheme. Levels of Dayak onion extract (first factor) were 25% (D1), 50% (D2) and 75% (D3), and levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus (second factor) were 106 cfu/mL (L1), 107 cfu/mL (L2) and 108 cfu/mL (L3). Parameters measured were total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant activity. To investigate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coliform, in vivo study (second experiment) was conducted using 192 birds of one-day old broiler and were divided into 4 treatments (6 replications, 8 birds each). Dietary treatments were basal diet without combination of Dayak onion extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus (EpLa0), basal diet added with 0.1% EpLa (EpLa1), 0.2% EpLa (EpLa2) and 0.3% EpLa (EpLa3). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test (p<0.05). Increasing levels of Ep extract combined with La significantly (p<0.05) increased phenolic and flavonoid contents, and improved antioxidant activity. Intestinal LAB growth significantly enhanced (p<0.01), while coliform counts significantly decreased (p<0.05) with the increasing level of feeding EpLa. In conclusion, feeding combination of Dayak onion extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus effectively increase antioxidant capacity and improve digestive tract condition based on the higher LAB and lower coliform populations in broiler.