The effect of dietary supplementation of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) and Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa on some biochemical traits and intestinal bacterial content in broilers

The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) (MPLP) and Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa (EVSP) powder on some biochemical traits and microbial content of intestines in broilers. A total of 600 referenced broiler chicks were used in this study from 1-45 days of old (duration of the experiment). The sixty chicks were randomly distributed into three groups (20 chicks per group); the MPLP group was received 2% MPLP per Kg of diet, the EVSP group 2% EVSP per Kg of diet), and the control group a normal diet. At the end of the experiment, six blood samples and six intestinal content samples were collected from six birds of each group. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, protein, and urea were evaluated in the blood samples of all groups. The intestinal-content bacterial-count (ICBC) of the total bacteria, coliforms, and lactobacilli was recorded for each group. The findings showed significant improvements in the levels of the tested enzymes in the EVSP group. The MPLP and EVSP groups showed a significant decrease in the serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, and significant increases in the total serum protein. However, the blood urea levels were significantly higher in the EVSP while were significantly lower in the MPLP. For the ICBC, both treatment groups showed significant decreases in the total bacteria, coliforms, and lactobacilli when were compared with those from the control group. The present study showed promising effects of M. piperita and E. vesicaria in enhancing the performance of broilers with less bacterial contents.