Phytochemical-Mediated Nutrient Effects of Ensiled Cassava and Sweet Potato Leaves on Transient Growth Responses in Broiler Chickens with Low Protein Diets

Ramoso.Jr., Gilmore Minerva and Hebron, Imelda Ulep and Taylaran, Renante Decenella and Alcantara, Charly Guillermo and Gonzaga, Nelda Ruba and Politud, Eric Randy Reyes and Camay, Rudy Mirabueno (2026) Phytochemical-Mediated Nutrient Effects of Ensiled Cassava and Sweet Potato Leaves on Transient Growth Responses in Broiler Chickens with Low Protein Diets. World's Veterinary Journal. 80 - 96. ISSN 23224568

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Abstract

Improving the efficacy of low-protein feeding strategies is important for reducing feed costs and nitrogen emissions in broiler production. The present study aimed to evaluate whether a standard-protein broiler diet can be replaced by a low-protein diet containing 18 crude protein (CP) supplemented with ensiled cassava or sweet potato leaf meal. Ensiled cassava leaf (ECL) at 100 g kg^-1, ensiled sweet potato leaf (ESPL) at 100 g kg^-1, and ECL-ESPL blends (50 g kg^-1) were incorporated into both low-protein (18 CP in starter and grower) and standard-protein diets (22.5 CP in starter and 20 CP in grower). The present study used a 2 � 3 factorial design with 108 broiler chickens from day 1 to day 42. The treatment groups included ECL, ESPL, and a 50:50 blend of both protein levels, with 36 chickens in each group. Chemical analysis indicated that ECL exhibited stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity (IC50: 33.35 versus 88.08 µg mL^-1) and higher total phenolics (21.43 versus 12.34 mg Gallic acid equivalent g^-1) compared to the ESPL group, whereas ESPL contained higher flavonoids (12.00 versus 2.86 mg Quercetin equivalent g^-1) compared to the ECL group. During the dietary transition phase (days 14�21), broiler chickens subjected to the low-protein diet demonstrated superior average daily gain (51.57 versus 44.91 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.78 versus 2.11) in comparison to those fed the standard-protein diet. However, from day 22 onward, broiler chickens fed the standard-protein diet grew faster than those fed the low-protein diet, resulting in higher final body weight (1,887.89 g versus 1,751.67 g, respectively). Carcass yield, dressing percentage, meat cuts, income over feed and chick cost, and return on investment did not differ among protein levels or silage sources. Overall, an 18 CP diet supplemented with either ECL, ESPL, or the ECL plus ESPL blend can replace a standard-protein diet without adverse impact on carcass yield, dressing percentage, commercial meat cuts, or economic returns, despite a moderate reduction in final body weight. These findings supported the feasibility of using low-protein diets for broiler chickens, incorporating locally available ensiled leaf meals as a cost-effective strategy for smallholder producers. © The Author(s) 2026. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Broiler chicken; Ensiled cassava leaf; Ensiled sweet potato leaf; Low-protein diet; Phase-dependent growth; Phytochemical compound
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Divisions:	World's Veterinary Journal (WVJ)
Page Range:	80 - 96
Journal or Publication Title:	World's Veterinary Journal
Journal Index:	Scopus
Volume:	16
Number:	1
Publisher:	Scienceline Publication
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.54203/scil.2026.wvj8
ISSN:	23224568
Depositing User:	Dr. Alireza Sadeghi
URI:	https://eprints.science-line.com/id/eprint/1730

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