Evaluation of Fermented Pineapple Peel and Fish Meal Blend as a Prebiotic Supplement for Improved Broiler Chick Performance and Health

Abstract

The increasing demand for poultry products necessitates improved chicken nutrition. Pineapple peel, a waste product, is rich in nutrients but underutilized. This study evaluated the prebiotic potential of fermented pineapple peel and fish meal blend on broiler chick performance and health. The fermenter, Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSN20079 (LADSM), was isolated and characterized using standard microbiological techniques. The effects of the fermented feed on broiler chicks were determined using in vivo techniques. The study showed that the test group had significantly higher body weights (p<0.05) than the control group from week 2 to week 6. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the test group from week 3 to week 6. Organ weights were not affected by the feed additive. White blood cell count and lymphocyte percentage were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the test group. The study demonstrates that pineapple peel and fish meal blend fermented by LADSM has potential as a probiotic feed additive for broiler chicks, improving growth performance and blood indices without adverse effects on organ weights.