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This study aimed to assess the synbiotic effect of nutmeg flesh extract and Lactobacillus plantarum on the growth performance and serum enzyme concentrations of broiler chickens raised at high stocking density (HSD). A total of 410 broiler chickens with an average body weight of 142 ± 4.71 g were randomly divided into five treatments. Data on feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight gain, and serum enzymes, e.g., aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, were collected. Body weight and weight gain were lower (P < 0.05) at CONT+ as compared with CONT-, SNP0.5, SNP1.0, and SNP1.5. The birds in SNP1.0 had higher FCR (P < 0.05) as compared with those in CONT-, CONT+, and SNP0.5 treatments. Similarly, the cumulative feed consumption was higher in SNP1.0 and SNP1.5 (P > 0.05) than in CONT-, CONT+, and SNP0.5. The levels of total serum protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in broiler chickens were not affected (P > 0.05) by HSD or synbiotic administration of nutmeg flesh extract and L. plantarum. In conclusion, the use of synbiotics from nutmeg flesh extract and L. plantarum as much as 1.5 ml/kg of feed can improve the performance of broiler chicken while not interfering with enzyme serum metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to see if increasing the concentration of nutmeg flesh extract in vitro could increase the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria and if it had any effect on broiler chicken performance. Materials and Methods: Different concentrations of nutmeg flesh extract (5, 10, 15, and 20/100 ml distilled water) were combined with 10 ml L. plantarum (bacterial concentration 1 × 109 cfu/ml) to produce synbiotics. A total of 250 unsexed Lohmann broiler chickens were reared together from 0 to 7 days of age in the in vivo study. Beginning on day 8, synbiotics nutmeg flesh extract and L. plantarum were added to the ration in amounts of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 ml/kg for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, while no synbiotics were added to the control diet (T0). Results: The levels of nutmeg flesh extract had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on L. plantarum growth. In the survival test against gastric acid, bile salts, and temperature, the addition of nutmeg flesh extract (20/100 ml distilled water) significantly (p < 0.05) maintained the population of L. plantarum. In vivo studies showed that the T1,T2,T3, and T4 groups gained more body weight (p < 0.05) than the T0 group during the rearing period but had no effect (p > 0.05) on the internal organ weight and carcass of broiler chickens. Conclusions: Nutmeg flesh extract could stimulate the growth of L. plantarum bacteria, and using it as a synbiotic could improve broiler chicken performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]