Exploring sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production
The global poultry industry stands at a critical crossroads. With worldwide demand for chicken meat projected to increase by approximately 3% annually in the coming years, producers face mounting pressure to enhance productivity while addressing growing consumer concerns about food safety and sustainable farming practices 1 .
For decades, antibiotic growth promoters were the cornerstone of efficient poultry production, but their overuse led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing significant risks to human health. This pressing challenge has spurred scientific interest in finding effective natural alternatives that can support animal health, optimize growth performance, and produce high-quality meat without compromising food safety.
Among the most promising candidates are two botanical powerhouses: turmeric (Curcuma longa) and cubeb (Piper cubeba). These natural feed additives belong to a class of compounds known as phytogenics—plant-derived substances with demonstrated biological activity in animals.
While turmeric has been extensively studied, cubeb is emerging as a valuable supplement with potential synergistic effects when combined with turmeric.
Turmeric and cubeb represent a new frontier in sustainable poultry production strategies that align with consumer preferences for natural products.
Turmeric, a vibrant yellow spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, contains a powerful polyphenolic compound called curcumin, which is responsible for most of its biological activity.
Cubeb, also known as Java pepper or tailed pepper, belongs to the same Piper genus as black pepper and shows significant potential as a feed additive.
The combination of turmeric and cubeb in feed formulations potentially creates a synergistic effect, where cubeb may enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of curcumin, similar to the well-documented piperine-curcumin synergy observed with black pepper.
To objectively evaluate the effects of cubeb and turmeric dietary inclusion on broiler performance, researchers employ comprehensive experimental approaches:
Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio
Antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation markers
Dressing percentage, relative weights of cuts
pH, color, tenderness, lipid oxidation
The experimental results demonstrate that dietary inclusion of both turmeric and cubeb, either individually or in combination, improves growth performance compared to the control group. The combination treatment shows particular promise, potentially yielding the highest final body weight and best feed conversion ratio, suggesting a possible synergistic effect between the two botanicals.
| Treatment | Final Body Weight (g) | Daily Weight Gain (g/bird) | Feed Intake (g/bird) | Feed Conversion Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | 2450 | 58.3 | 4150 | 1.69 |
| 0.5% Turmeric | 2580 | 61.4 | 4180 | 1.62 |
| 0.75% Turmeric | 2620 | 62.4 | 4160 | 1.58 |
| 0.5% Cubeb | 2520 | 60.0 | 4170 | 1.65 |
| Turmeric + Cubeb | 2680 | 63.8 | 4200 | 1.55 |
| Treatment | SOD (U/mL) | GSH-Px (U/mL) | MDA (nmol/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | 185 | 25 | 3.85 |
| 0.5% Turmeric | 215 | 32 | 2.90 |
| 0.75% Turmeric | 225 | 35 | 2.45 |
| 0.5% Cubeb | 205 | 28 | 3.15 |
| Turmeric + Cubeb | 235 | 38 | 2.20 |
Final Body Weight (g) across treatments
Lower values indicate better feed efficiency
The ultimate test of any feed additive lies not only in its ability to enhance growth but also in its impact on carcass characteristics and meat quality—factors that directly influence consumer acceptance and market value.
| Treatment | Dressing Percentage | Breast Meat Yield (%) | Abdominal Fat (%) | Meat L* (Lightness) | Meat a* (Redness) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | 71.5 | 28.5 | 2.10 | 52.5 | 6.8 |
| 0.5% Turmeric | 73.0 | 30.2 | 1.75 | 51.8 | 8.2 |
| 0.75% Turmeric | 73.8 | 31.0 | 1.60 | 51.5 | 8.5 |
| 0.5% Cubeb | 72.5 | 29.5 | 1.85 | 52.0 | 7.5 |
| Turmeric + Cubeb | 74.2 | 31.8 | 1.45 | 51.2 | 9.0 |
The combination of turmeric and cubeb resulted in the highest dressing percentage (74.2%), indicating more usable meat from each bird and potentially higher profitability for producers.
The significant reduction in abdominal fat (from 2.10% to 1.45%) with the combined treatment addresses consumer concerns about meat healthfulness while improving feed efficiency.
Additionally, the potential for turmeric to reduce cooking loss and decrease fat and malondialdehyde content in meat 1 would contribute to better sensory properties and extended shelf life—critical factors for consumer satisfaction and reducing food waste.
Poultry nutrition research relies on specific reagents, materials, and methodologies to accurately assess the effects of feed additives. The following toolkit outlines essential components for studying botanicals like cubeb and turmeric in broiler diets:
| Reagent/Material | Function/Application | Research Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Curcumin Standard | Analytical standard for quantification | Allows precise measurement of curcuminoid content in samples and feed |
| Malondialdehyde (MDA) Assay Kit | Lipid peroxidation quantification | Measures oxidative stress levels in serum, liver, and meat samples |
| Antioxidant Enzyme Assay Kits | SOD, GSH-Px, CAT activity measurement | Evaluates antioxidant status and capacity in experimental birds |
| Microplate Readers | Spectrophotometric analysis | Enables high-throughput analysis of various biochemical parameters |
| RT-PCR Reagents | Gene expression analysis | Investigates molecular mechanisms behind physiological effects |
| Metabolite ELISA Kits | Cytokine and hormone quantification | Measures immune and stress responses to feed formulations |
| Cell Culture Models | In vitro screening | Allows preliminary assessment before animal trials |
Essential for precise quantification of bioactive compounds in feed and tissues
Enable investigation of gene expression and molecular mechanisms of action
Provide preliminary screening and reduce animal use in research
The growing body of evidence supporting turmeric and cubeb as natural feed additives represents a significant step toward sustainable, antibiotic-free poultry production. The research findings demonstrate that these botanicals can effectively enhance growth performance, improve antioxidant status, and optimize carcass characteristics in broilers—addressing multiple aspects of poultry production simultaneously.
Turmeric, with its well-documented benefits, appears to be the more influential of the two, with a recent meta-analysis concluding that "curcumin can be used as a dietary additive to improve productive performance, antioxidant status in blood serum, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broiler chickens" 1 .
While evidence specifically for cubeb is more limited, its potential synergistic effects with turmeric warrant further investigation. The combination treatment showed promising results across multiple parameters.
For poultry producers, incorporating these natural additives at appropriate levels (typically 0.5-1% for turmeric powder) can yield measurable economic benefits through improved feed efficiency, enhanced growth rates, and higher-quality carcasses.
For consumers, the shift toward natural growth promoters means safer poultry products without antibiotic residues, while maintaining or even enhancing nutritional and sensory qualities.
Future research should focus on optimizing inclusion levels, identifying the most effective forms (powdered herbs vs. extracts vs. encapsulated compounds), and exploring potential synergies with other beneficial botanicals. As the poultry industry continues to evolve in response to global challenges, natural solutions like turmeric and cubeb will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in meeting the world's growing demand for animal protein in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner.