Waste ‘Nagpur Orange’ Peel Essential Oil for Improved Performance, Gut Health and Immune Response in Broiler Chicken: In Vivo Studies

Essential oil with 91.88% limonene extracted from waste Nagpur orange peels using indigenously designed and patented extraction mechanism was used to investigate effect of its supplementation on performance, immune response and gut health in broilers. 300 chicks (VenCobb-430) were distributed in 5 groups having 15 chicks per replicate using completely randomized design. The diet was formulated as per BIS (2007) standards for control, while antibiotic was added in T₁ @ 500 g/ton and orange peel essential oil (OPEO) @ 50, 100, 150 g/ton were added in T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. The cumulative feed intake, body weights and FCR for overall period was significantly improved (P < 0.05). The percent nutrient metabolisability improved numerically and Nitrogen Free Extractives (NFE) metabolisability was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in treatment groups. Carcass characteristics and sensory attributes were not affected (P > 0.05) except gizzard weight. The hematological parameters remained comparable (P > 0.05); while Lipid peroxidase (LPO) increased significantly (P < 0.05) in OPEO supplemented groups. The total protein, albumin, Albumin:Globulin (A:G) ratio and uric acid remained comparable (P > 0.05); while globulin improved significantly (P < 0.05) in OPEO supplemented groups. The serum antibody titre against Ranikhet Disease (RD) virus, bursa and spleen weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T₃. Morphometry of intestine and liver remained comparable; however, lung morphometry altered significantly (P < 0.05). Hence, it is concluded that dietary supplementation of OPEO at 100 g/ton improved performance, gut health and immune response of broilers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to evaluate the effect of essential oil extracted from Nagpur orange peels in broilers.