Researchers tested whether a powder made from melegueta seeds could protect chickens from aflatoxin B₁, a dangerous toxin found in moldy grain. They fed 320 chickens different diets over six weeks: some got normal food, some got food with the toxin, and others got the toxin plus different amounts of the seed powder. The chickens that received the seed powder showed better growth, healthier blood, and less liver damage compared to those exposed to the toxin alone. This suggests the natural powder could be a safe way to protect farm chickens from mold-related health problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural spice powder made from melegueta seeds could protect chickens from getting sick when exposed to aflatoxin B₁, a poisonous substance that grows on moldy grain.
  • Who participated: 320 young broiler chickens (Cobb 500 breed) divided into four groups, studied over six weeks from hatching to near market weight.
  • Key finding: Chickens that received the higher dose of seed powder (1.0 g per kilogram of feed) recovered almost completely from the toxin’s harmful effects on growth, blood health, and liver function, while lower doses provided partial protection.
  • What it means for you: If you raise chickens or work in poultry farming, this natural supplement may help protect birds from mold toxins in feed. However, this study was done in a controlled lab setting with chickens, so more testing is needed before using it on farms. Always consult with a veterinarian before adding supplements to animal feed.

The Research Details

Scientists divided 320 young chickens into four equal groups and fed them different diets for six weeks. One group ate normal, clean food (the control group). Another group ate food containing aflatoxin B₁, a poison from moldy grain. The remaining two groups ate the poisoned food but also received different amounts of melegueta seed powder mixed into their feed. The researchers measured how well the chickens grew, tested their blood, checked their liver function, and examined their liver tissue under a microscope at the end of the study.

Before the main experiment, the scientists analyzed the seed powder to identify which natural compounds it contained and tested how well it could fight harmful molecules in the body (antioxidant activity). This helped them understand what made the powder potentially protective.

The study used a completely randomized design, meaning each chicken was randomly assigned to a group. This helps ensure the results weren’t influenced by which chickens happened to be healthier at the start.

This research approach is important because it tests a natural solution to a real problem in poultry farming. Aflatoxin B₁ is a serious concern worldwide because moldy grain can contaminate animal feed, causing major economic losses and health problems. By testing the seed powder in a controlled setting first, scientists can determine if it’s worth investigating further on actual farms. The combination of measuring growth, blood markers, liver enzymes, and actual tissue damage gives a complete picture of how well the treatment works.

This study has several strengths: it used a large number of animals (320), tested multiple dose levels, measured many different health markers, and included microscopic examination of liver tissue. The researchers also tested the seed powder’s chemical composition beforehand. However, the study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with one chicken breed, so results may differ on commercial farms or with different breeds. The study doesn’t mention whether the researchers were blinded to which group each chicken was in, which could affect how they evaluated results.

What the Results Show

Chickens exposed to aflatoxin B₁ without the seed powder grew much slower and weighed significantly less at the end of the study (about 428 grams lighter) compared to healthy chickens. They also had worse feed efficiency, meaning they needed to eat more food to gain the same amount of weight. When researchers added the higher dose of seed powder to the poisoned feed, the chickens’ growth recovered almost completely, reaching nearly the same weight as the healthy control group. The lower dose of seed powder provided some improvement but not complete recovery.

The toxin severely damaged the chickens’ blood health, reducing both the number of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen). The seed powder treatment restored these blood markers to normal levels, especially at the higher dose. The toxin also caused the liver to release more enzymes into the bloodstream, a sign of liver damage. The seed powder brought these liver enzyme levels back down to normal.

The toxin triggered an inflammatory response in the chickens’ bodies, increasing stress hormones and inflammatory markers. The seed powder reduced these stress and inflammation signals, bringing them closer to normal levels. Microscopic examination of the liver tissue showed that the toxin caused inflammation and damage to the liver’s structure, but the seed powder prevented or greatly reduced this damage.

These improvements suggest the seed powder’s natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds protected the chickens’ cells from the toxin’s harmful effects.

The study found that the seed powder affected multiple protective systems in the chickens’ bodies. It increased levels of IL-10, a substance that helps reduce inflammation and protect tissues. It also normalized creatinine levels, indicating the kidneys were functioning better. The seed powder appeared to work by fighting harmful molecules (free radicals) that the toxin creates in the body and by reducing the body’s inflammatory response to the toxin.

Previous research has shown that aflatoxin B₁ damages poultry in multiple ways, and this study confirms those findings while adding new information about how natural supplements might help. Other studies have tested various plant-based supplements for protecting against aflatoxins, but melegueta seed powder appears to be particularly effective based on these results. The comprehensive approach in this study—measuring growth, blood markers, liver function, and tissue damage—provides stronger evidence than many previous studies that only looked at one or two markers.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with one breed of chickens (Cobb 500), so results might be different on commercial farms or with other chicken breeds. The study lasted only six weeks, so it’s unclear if the protection would continue longer or if the chickens would develop tolerance to the supplement. The researchers didn’t test the seed powder against other known protective treatments, so it’s unclear how it compares to existing solutions. The study also didn’t examine whether the seed powder affects the taste or quality of the chicken meat or eggs. Finally, the exact dose that works best in real farm conditions remains unknown.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, melegueta seed powder at a dose of 1.0 gram per kilogram of feed appears to effectively protect chickens from aflatoxin B₁ toxicity (moderate confidence level). However, these findings are from a controlled study, and more research is needed before recommending widespread use on farms. If you’re considering using this supplement, consult with a poultry veterinarian or nutritionist first. The lower dose (0.5 g/kg) provided partial protection but was less effective than the higher dose.

Poultry farmers and feed manufacturers should pay attention to this research, especially in regions where mold contamination of grain is common. Veterinarians who work with poultry operations may want to consider this as a potential protective strategy. However, this research was done with chickens, so it’s unclear if the same benefits would apply to other poultry like turkeys or ducks. Home chicken keepers might find this interesting but should wait for more practical guidance before trying it.

Based on this six-week study, improvements in growth and blood health appeared within the study period, with the most dramatic improvements visible by the end of six weeks. However, real-world results on farms might take longer to become apparent, and the timeline could vary depending on how severe the mold contamination is in the feed. Consistent use of the supplement would likely be necessary to maintain protection.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using this supplement on a farm, track weekly body weight gains, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (amount of feed needed per pound of weight gain) to monitor if the supplement is working as expected.
  • For poultry farmers: implement a testing program to check feed for mold toxins, and if contamination is detected, add melegueta seed powder at the recommended dose to the feed while working to source cleaner grain. Monitor flock health closely during this period.
  • Establish a baseline of normal growth rates and blood markers for your flock, then monitor these same markers monthly if using the supplement. Keep records of feed quality test results and any health issues observed. Compare results over time to determine if the supplement is providing the expected protection.

This research was conducted on chickens in a controlled laboratory setting and has not been tested in commercial farm conditions. The findings suggest melegueta seed powder may help protect poultry from aflatoxin B₁ toxicity, but more research is needed before widespread farm use. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian or poultry nutritionist before adding any supplements to animal feed. Do not use this information to replace professional veterinary advice. The safety and effectiveness of this supplement in other animal species or under different farming conditions has not been established. Feed safety should always be the first priority—source clean grain and store it properly to prevent mold growth.