International Journal of Poultry Science1682-83561994-7992Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ijps.2017.50.55Manihot esculenta Crantz) Leaves on Productive Performance, Intestinal Microorganisms and Villi Morphometry in Broilers: A Preliminary Study]]>AengwanichWorapol BoonsornThongchai 22017162Background and Objective: Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae) leaves contained plentiful of tannic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tannic acid extracted from cassava leaves on productive performance and ecology within the small intestines of broilers. Materials and Methods: An in vivo experiment was conducted to study the effect of tannic acid extracted from cassava leaves on productive performance, intestinal microflora and gut morphology in broilers. Treatments included an antibiotic-free diet (control group), a positive control diet and an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid extracted from cassava leaves at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg L1 in drinking water. Body weight, feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were investigated for 6 weeks. At week 6, digesta pH, Lactobacillus spp., E. coli populations and villi height of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were examined. Results: The results revealed the following: The feed intake of broilers fed a positive control diet was lower than that of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 10, 20 and 40 mg L1 in drinking water (p<0.05). The body weight and average daily gain of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet, a positive control diet and an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 10, 40 and 50 mg L1 in drinking water were significantly higher than those of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 20 mg L1 in drinking water (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet, a positive control diet and an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 10, 30 and 50 mg L1 in drinking water were significantly lower than those of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 20 mg L1 in drinking water (p<0.05). The digesta pH in the ileum of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 30 mg L1 in drinking water was lower than that of broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet, a positive control diet, or an antibiotic-free diet with tannic acid at 50 mg L1 in drinking water (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the most suitable level of tannic acid extracted from cassava leaves for broiler was 10 mg L1 in drinking water.]]>Blagbrough, I.S., S.A.L. Bayoumi, M.G. Rowan and J.R. Beeching,20107119401951Piyachomkwan, K. and M. Tanticharoen,20113160170Poramacom, N., A. Ungsuratana, P. Ungsuratana and P. Supavititpattana,201334351Oresegun, A., O.A. Fagbenro, P. Ilona and E. Bernard,20162016Ravindran, V.,199361141150Latif, S. and J. Muller,201544147158Masek, T., K Starcevic and Z. Mikulec,20142014Ye, M.H., Y.L. Nan, M.M. Ding, J.B. Hu, Q. Liu, W.H. Wei and S.M. Yang,2016Microtus brandti).]]>1961926Lee, S.H., P.L. Shinde, J.Y. Choi, I.K. Kwon and J.K. Lee et al.,2010131281286EFSA., PAPSAF and FEEDAP.,20142014Fasuyi, A.O.,2005Manihot esculenta, Crantz) antinutrients.]]>43742NRC.,19949th Edn.,Pages: 176Pages: 176Redondo, L.M., P.A. Chacana, J.E. Dominguez and M.E.F. Miyakawa,20072007Sugiharto, S.,20142014Samanta, S., S. Giri, S. Parua, D.K. Nandi, B.R. Pati and K.C. Mondal,2004163234Aengwanich, W. and M. Suttajit,2010Tamarindus indica L.) seed coat on physiological changes, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, oxidative stress and body weight of broilers (Gallus domesticus) under chronic heat stress.]]>81264270Aengwanich, W. and M. Suttajit,2013Tamarindus indica L.) seed coat on pathophysiological changes and red blood cell glutathione peroxidase activity in heat-stressed broilers.]]>57137143