Phytochemical properties of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> Calyx and the effects of its aqueous extract supplementation on haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler birds

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract on the haematological and serum biochemistry indices of broiler birds. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. Ninety six broiler birds of agro-tech strain were randomly assigned to four treatments each replicated three times with twenty four birds per treatment. The treatment groups are: T1 control (anti-biotic), T2 (50 ml of Hibiscus extract into 1litre of water), T3 (100 ml of Hibiscus extract into 1 litre of water), T4 (150ml of Hibiscus extract into 1 litre of water) respectively. Results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the four treatment groups for all the haematological parameters studied except for PCV. However, all the values fall within the normal range for healthy chickens. The serum total protein, AST, ALP, ALT, creatinine and glucose values showed no significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatment groups. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the serum urea in T4 compared to T2. Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract from the present research have no harmful effect on the internal organs such as the livers and the kidneys.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, blood profile, poultry, phytogenic compound and alternative antibiotics