Potential of Morinda (Morinda citrifolia L.) Products as Alternative to Chemicaladditives in Poultry Diets

THE CONCERN overuse of chemical substances in poultryfeed has increased research into feed additives from plant origin. Morinda (Morinda citrifolia), a well-adapted and distributed shrub in the tropics, contains several substances which have nutritional and nutraceutical properties. These attributes justify the maximum utilisation of Morinda products in poultry feeding. Several products from the fruit, and leaves have antimicrobial, digestion enhancing, cholesterol reducing, immune modulation and heat stress reducing effects in poultry. Morindafruit powder at 2 g/kg diet relieved heat stress in broilers; 30 g/kg reduced plasma cholesterol below 50% in broilers and 150 g/kg improved weight gain and feed efficiency in quails. Extracts from thefruit/leaf at 50 g/kg diet improved weight gain, feed efficiency, immunomodulation and reduced plasma cholesterol and E. coli count in broilers; at 1.5ml/bird/day and 50 g/kg diet improved weight gain and feed efficiency in broilers and quails, respectively. Morinda fruit granules at 200 g/kg was recommended as optimum for egg production in quails.There is however, need for more research into plant and animal factors and processing methods for maximum utilisation of these products in poultry diets. Morindaroot has many functional properties but itsuse in poultry feeding is still limited and needs investigationin orderto broaden our knowledge of the application of Morinda products in poultry nutrition.