Effects of Liquid and Encapsulated Lactic Acid in Broiler Diets on Performances, Intestinal Characteristics and Intestinal Microflora

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of non-encapsulated liquid lactic acid produced by Bacillus coagulans fermented molasses and its encapsulated form of lactic acid on broiler performances, intestinal characteristics and intestinal microflora. Ninety six 1-day-old COBB broiler chicks were subjected to 8 different dietary groups, namely 2 forms of acidifier (non-encapsulated liquid and encapsulated) lactic acid and 4 levels of inclusion (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%). The results showed that encapsulated lactic acid significantly improved (P<0.01) broiler performances, reduced (P< 0.05) intestinal pH, increased (P<0.05) intestinal villi length and reduced (P<0.05) only the number of Salmonella sp. With regard to level of lactic acid in the diet, it significantly affected (P<0.01) villi number and length, the number of lactic acid bacteria, and Escherichia coli. It is concluded that the use of 0.6% encapsulated lactic acid might be included in the broiler diet to improve performances.