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Review
. 2022 Apr;101(4):101684.
doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101684. Epub 2022 Jan 7.

Hot red pepper powder as a safe alternative to antibiotics in organic poultry feed: an updated review

Mohamed E Abd El-Hack  1 , Mohamed T El-Saadony  2 , Ahmed R Elbestawy  3 , Ahmed R Gado  3 , Maha M Nader  2 , Ahmed M Saad  4 , Amira M El-Tahan  5 , Ayman E Taha  6 , Heba M Salem  7 , Khaled A El-Tarabily  8
Affiliations
Review

Hot red pepper powder as a safe alternative to antibiotics in organic poultry feed: an updated review

Mohamed E Abd El-Hack et al. Poult Sci. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Globally, several studies have investigated the utilization and efficacy of promising medicinal herbal plants to enhance livestock and poultry production. The most commonly investigated phytobiotics in broiler ration were oregano, garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, hot red pepper (HRP), and sage. Phytobiotics are classified on the basis of the medicinal properties of plants, their essential oil extracts, and their bioactive compounds. The majority of bioactive compounds in plants are secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, phenolic, glycosides, and alkaloids. The composition and concentrations of these bioactive constitutes vary according to their biological factors and manufacturing and storage conditions. Furthermore, HRP is one of the most important and widely used spices in the human diet. Capsicum annum, that is, HRP, is a species of the plant genus Capsicum (pepper), which is a species native to southern North America and northern South America and is widely grown and utilized for its fresh or cooked fruits. Moreover, these fruits may be used as dried powders or processed forms of oleoresins. Researches have proven that C. annuum is the only plant that produces the alkaloid capsaicinoids. Approximately 48% of its active substances are capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonemide), the main active compound responsible for the intense effects of HRP varieties and the main component inducing the hot flavor. This review aimed to highlight the effects of HRP as a phytobiotic in broiler nutrition and its mode of action as a possible alternative to antibiotics and clarify its impact on broiler and layer productivity.

Keywords: antibiotic alternatives; hot red pepper; organic poultry; phytobiotic; poultry diet.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biologically active constituents and properties of hot red pepper.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of hot red pepper on bird digestibility.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Impacts of hot red pepper supplementation on carcass characteristics.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of hot red pepper on blood parameters. Abbreviations: AST, aspartate aminotransferase; Hb, Hemoglobin; H/L, heterophils and lymphocytes ratio; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; PCV, packed cell volume; RBC, red blood cells; WBC, white blood cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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