An evaluation of palygorskite inclusion on the growth performance and digestive function of broilers

Abstract Palygorskite (Pal), a natural non-toxic silicate clay mineral with abundant resource reserve on the Earth, has received increasing attention in animal nutrition either as an efficient and safe feed additive or ingredient to promote the growth of animals. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Pal supplementation on the growth performance and digestive function of broilers. 144 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were allocated into 3 dietary treatments consisting of 6 replicates with 8 chicks each. Birds in the 3 treatments were given a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5 mass% and 1.0 mass% of Pal for 42 days, respectively. The broilers fed diets containing either 0.5 mass% or 1.0 mass% Pal showed similar growth performance to those given the basal diet. Compared with the control group, the relative weight of the pancreas was increased by Pal inclusion at 42 days. 1.0 mass% Pal supplementation increased nitrogen retention and organic matter digestibility of broilers during 32 to 34 days. Similarly, 0.5 mass% Pal inclusion significantly enhanced pancreatic and jejunal lipase activity at 21 days. In addition, birds fed diet supplemented with 1.0 mass% Pal showed a higher level of jejunal trypsin activity at 42 days compared with the control group. The results indicated that dietary Pal supplementation could enhance relative weight of pancreas, nitrogen retention and organic matter digestibility (1.0 mass% Pal only), and the activities of digestive enzymes of broilers, which may account for the similar growth performance.