Effect of dietary supplementation of Kappaphycus alvarezii (marine macroalgae) on immune response in commercial broiler Chickens

Abstract

The principal aim of present study was to explore the potential advantages of supplementation Kappaphycus alvarezii (KPA) on broiler performance. A total of 240 day-old Ven Cobb 400 chicks were divided into four groups: T0 (control), T1 (basal diet + Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD) at 50 mg/kg), T2 (basal diet + 1% KPA), and T3 (basal diet + 2% KPA), with six replicates of 10 birds each for 35 days. Results revealed that broilers supplemented with Kappaphycus alvarezii showed significant improvements in humoral immunity, particularly in Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titers indicating enhancement in immunity. Our findings indicate Supplementation of KPA, particularly at 2%, significantly improved immune status without adverse health effects. These findings suggest KPA is a promising natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.