Journal of Applied Phycology

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-018-1498-y

Production performance, immune response and carcass traits of broiler

chickens fed diet incorporated with Kappaphycus alvarezii
S. S. N. Qadri 1 & A. Biswas 1 & A. B. Mandal 1 & M. Kumawat 1 & R. Saxena 1 & A. M. Nasir 1

Received: 2 February 2018 / Revised and accepted: 23 April 2018

# Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature 2018

Abstract
This study evaluates the production performance, immune responses and carcass traits in broiler chickens (0 to 42 days) fed diet
with incorporated Kappaphycus alvarezii (AF-KWP). Day-old chicks (280) were randomly distributed into 35 groups with 8
chicks in each group (7 dietary treatments × 5 replicates). Seven experimental diets were formulated by adding 0 (control—T1),
0.25 AF-KWP (T2), 0.50 AF-KWP (T3), 0.75 AF-KWP (T4), 1.00 AF-KWP (T5), 1.25 AF-KWP (T6) and 1.50 AF-KWP (T7)
respectively. Body weight gain (g) significantly (P < 0.05) improved in the growing phase (21–42 days) and overall value (0–
42 days); however, feed intake (g) differed significantly (P < 0.05) in T7 and T6 groups only in the growing (21–42 days) phase,
compared to control and other treated groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) by the feeding of
diets containing different levels of AF-KWP. Haemagglutination (HA) titre and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were significantly
increased (P < 0.05) in AF-KWP supplemented groups as compared to the control group. No significant (P > 0.05) difference
was recorded in the percentage of carcass traits and organ weights but significant improvement (P < 0.05) was recorded in cut up
parts (percentage of live wt.) between the control and some AF-KWP-supplemented groups. From the results, it may be
concluded that K. alvarezii (AF-KWP) can be incorporated at 1.25% level in broiler diets for improved performance,
immuno-responsiveness and breast yield in broiler chickens.

Keywords Kappaphycus . Rhodophyta . Production performance . Immunity . Carcass trait . Chicken

Introduction algae or weeds which contribute to inhibition or suppression

Algae are a large and diverse group of plant-like organisms
ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms. Kappaphycus
alvarezii (AF-KWP) is a red alga which is consumed by coast-
al people in the Tamil Nadu, India, and elsewhere (Mantri
et al. 2017; Peryasami and Subba Rao 2017). Fresh and dried
seaweeds are utilised as human food. Soluble polysaccharides
have hyper-cholesterolaemic and hypoglycaemic effects,
whereas water insoluble polysaccharides decrease digestive
tract transit time (Santoso et al. 2004) and thus retention time
is increased, which may be beneficial for improving digest-
ibility of nutrients. Seaweeds have recently received signifi-
cant attention for their potential as natural antioxidants attrib-
uted to carotenoids, tocopherols and polyphenols present in
* A. Biswas
drbiswas007@rediffmail.com
1 micronutrients, as an antioxidant and to produce designer
Avian Nutrition and Feed Technology Division, ICAR-Central Avian
Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P. 243122, India
of free radical generation (Athukorala et al. 2006; Wells et al.
2017). Kappaphycus alvarezii is rich in enzymes, nutrients,
minerals, calcium, iron, multitude fibres and jelly-forming
polysaccharides. Kappaphycus alvarezii contains 64.2% car-
bohydrates, 4.5% protein, 0.9% fat, 1.07% calcium,
9.3 mg kg−1 iron, 1520 mg kg−1 magnesium and 22 mg kg−1
niacin as well as 0.180 mg g−1 fresh weight chlorophyll
(Abirami and Kowsalya 2011). Carotenoids in seaweeds
have beneficial effects by acting either as an antioxidant
or pro-oxidant depending on the environment and
K. alvarezii has been shown to have a total carotenoid
content of 0.634 mg g −1 fresh weight (Abirami and
Kowsalya 2011). Kappaphycus alvarezii has been intro-
duced throughout the warm tropics for commercial culti-
vation (Hurtado et al. 2014). It is a major producer of
kappa-carrageenan, which is used for medicinal purposes
and as a homogeniser in milk products, toothpaste and
jelly. Thus, the selected seaweed biomass could well be
included in practical poultry feed to combat deficiency
poultry products with functional attributes.
 J Appl Phycol

The present research work studied the growth performance, was kept at 30 °C for the first week and then decreased 2 °C
immune response and meat qualities as influenced by per week.
Kappaphycus alvarezii in the diet of broiler chickens.

Determined the nutrient content

Material and methods
Experimental birds
Two hundred and eighty (280) straight-run day-old broiler
chicks were housed and randomly distributed into 35 groups,
each of 8 chicks (7 treatments × 5 replicates). The experiment
had a complete randomised design (Snedecor and Cochran
1994). The experiment was conducted strictly in accordance
with the guidelines of the Institutional Animal Ethics
Committee (IAEC). The temperature of the experimental shed
The nutrient contents of AF-KWP are as follows: moisture
05.18%; crude protein 10.26%; fat 04.68%; crude fibre
02.91; total ash 60.24%. Moisture content of the sample was
estimated by heating it in an oven to a constant weight at 100–
105 °C under atmospheric pressure. Ash is the inorganic or
mineral component of the sample left after complete ignition
of the sample at 600 °C in a muffle furnace. The crude protein
(%) in AF-KWP was determined by a modified macro-
Kjeldahl method (Jackson 1973), while phosphorus content
was determined by a vanado-molybdophosphoric acid yellow
colour method in a HNO 3 system with a colourimeter

Table 1 Ingredient and nutrient

composition of pre-starter diet (0– Ingredients (kg/100 kg)−1 Pre-starter diet (0–14 days)
14 days of age)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Maize, yellow 48.915 48.665 48.415 48.165 47.915 47.615 47.365

AF-KWP 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5
Soya bean meal (S. ext.) 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1
Rapeseed meal (S. ext.) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Oil 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.65 1.65
Limestone powder 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9
Di-calcium phosphate 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7
Salt 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
DL-meth 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17
L-lysine HCl 0.01 0 0 0 0 0 0
TM. premix1* 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Vit. premix2** 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
B complex premix 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
Ch. chloride (60%) 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Calculated value
Crude protein (%)*** 22.50 22.51 22.51 22.51 22.51 22.51 22.52
M energy (kcal/kg−1)## 2899.89 2899.52 2899.14 2898.77 2898.39 2900.64 2900.27
Calcium (%)# 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.01
Available P (%)# 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
Lysine (%)## 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28
Methionine (%)## 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56
Threonine (%)## 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.99

AF-KWP Kappaphycus alvarezii and red sea weed based formulation

*Trace mineral premix supplied Mg 300, Mn 55, I 0.4, Fe 56, Zn 30 and Cu 4 mg kg−1 diet
**Vitamin premix supplied vitamin A, 8250 IU; vitamin D3, 1200 ICU; vitamin K, 1 mg; vitamin E, 40 IU;
vitamin B1, 2 mg; vitamin B2, 4 mg; vitamin B12, 10 mcg; niacin, 60 mg; pantothenic acid, 10 mg; choline,
500 mg kg−1 diet
***Analysed values
#
Calculated based on analysed ingredient values
##
Calculated tabulated values
J Appl Phycol

(Jackson 1973). Fat content was evaluated by a wet digestion ad lib feeding, but with care to avoid spoilage and wastage of
method with Soxtec apparatus (Jackson 1973). feed. Clean and fresh water was always made available in
suitable troughs to all the birds during the study period.
Formulation of experimental diets

Seven experimental diets were formulated by adding 0 (con- Production performance

trol—T1), 0.25 AF-KWP (T2), 0.50 AF-KWP (T3), 0.75 AF-
KWP (T4), 1.00 AF-KWP (T5), 1.25 AF-KWP (T6) and 1.50
AF-KWP (T7) and all the diets were isocaloric and iso-nitrog-
enous. The ingredient and chemical compositions of the diets
used in this study are presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Feeding and watering
Weighed amounts of each test diet used during the starting
period (0–3 weeks) and finishing period (4–6 weeks) were
offered daily in five replicates of eight chicks each to ensure
Body weight changes were recorded periodically (0–3 and 4–
6 weeks) during the experimental period to ascertain the
weekly and overall body weight gain. A weighed quantity of
the respective diet was offered ad lib daily to quadruplicate
groups of each dietary regimen in the morning and the residue
was weighed next day on a daily basis in order to arrive at
overall feed intake. Based on the data pertaining to the feed
intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG), the weekly and
period-wise feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds was
determined.

Table 2 Ingredient and nutrient

composition of starter diet (14– Ingredients (kg (100 kg)−1) Starter diet (14–21 days)
21 days of age)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Maize, yellow 51.485 51.235 50.985 50.735 50.485 50.235 49.985

AF-KWP$ 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5
Soya bean meal (S. ext.) 40.3 40.3 40.3 40.3 40.3 40.3 40.3
Rapeseed meal (S. ext.) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Oil 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Limestone powder 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9
Di-calcium phosphate 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
Salt 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
DL-meth 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
L-lysine HCl 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
TM. premix1* 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Vit. premix2** 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
B complex premix 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Ch. chloride (60%) 51.485 51.235 50.985 50.735 50.485 50.235 49.985
Calculated value
Crude protein (%)*** 21.51 21.52 21.52 21.52 21.52 21.53 21.53
M energy (kcal kg−1)## 2952.07 2951.69 2951.32 2950.94 2950.57 2950.19 2949.82
Calcium (%)# 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98
Available P (%)# 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43
Lysine (%)## 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.21
Methionine (%)## 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48
Threonine (%)## 0.96 0.96 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95

AF-KWP Kappaphycus alvarezii and red sea weed based formulation

*Trace mineral premix supplied Mg 300, Mn 55, I 0.4, Fe 56, Zn 30 and Cu 4 mg kg−1 diet
**Vitamin premix supplied vitamin A, 8250 IU; vitamin D3, 1200 ICU; vitamin K, 1 mg; vitamin E, 40 IU;
vitamin B1, 2 mg; vitamin B2, 4 mg; vitamin B12, 10 mcg; niacin, 60 mg; pantothenic acid, 10 mg; choline,
500 mg kg−1 diet
***Analysed values
#
Calculated based on analysed ingredient values
##
Calculated tabulated values
 J Appl Phycol

Table 3 Ingredient and nutrient

composition of finisher diet (21– Ingredients (kg (100 kg)−1) Finisher diet (21–42 days)
42 days of age)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Maize, yellow 57.085 56.835 56.585 56.335 56.085 55.835 55.585

AF-KWP 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5
Soya bean meal (S. ext.) 34.2 34.2 34.2 34.2 34.2 34.2 34.2
Rapeseed meal (S. ext.) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Oil 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7
Limestone powder 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
Di-calcium phosphate 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Salt 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
DL-meth 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
L-lysine HCl 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
TM. premix1* 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Vit. premix2** 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
B complex premix 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Ch. chloride, 60% 57.085 56.835 56.585 56.335 56.085 55.835 55.585
Calculated value
Crude protein (%)*** 19.50 19.50 19.50 19.51 19.51 19.51 19.52
M energy (kcal kg−1)## 3051.03 3050.65 3050.28 3049.90 3049.53 3049.15 3048.78
Calcium (%)# 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
Available P (%)# 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
Lysine (%)## 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06
Methionine (%)## 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
Threonine (%)## 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.86

AF-KWP Kappaphycus alvarezii and red sea weed based formulation

*Trace mineral premix supplied Mg 300, Mn 55, I 0.4, Fe 56, Zn 30 and Cu 4 mg kg−1 diet
**Vitamin premix supplied vitamin A, 8250 IU; vitamin D3, 1200 ICU; vitamin K, 1 mg; vitamin E, 40 IU;
vitamin B1, 2 mg; vitamin B2, 4 mg; vitamin B12, 10 mcg; niacin, 60 mg; pantothenic acid, 10 mg; choline,
500 mg kg−1 diet
***Analysed values
#
Calculated based on analysed ingredient values
##
Calculated tabulated values

Immunological studies
To investigate the effect on the humoral immune response,
three birds were selected from each of the replicated
groups (15 birds per dietary treatment providing 105 birds
in all) at 28 days of age and were inoculated intravenously
with 1.0 mL of 1% suspension of sheep red blood cell
(SRBC). Blood samples were obtained from the jugular
vein from all SRBC injected birds at 0 and 6 days post-
inoculation. All samples were incubated at 37 °C for 1 h to
aid clotting and retraction, then centrifuged at 15000×g for
5 min for collection of sera. All the microtitre plates (U-
bottomed) were rinsed with phosphate-buffered saline
(PBS; pH 7.6) then dried before the haemagglutination
antibody (HA) titre was estimated by a micro-
haemagglutination method (Siegel and Gross 1980) using
twofold serial dilutions of sera.
The foot web index (FWI) was used as an index of the cell-
mediated immune response. During the fifth week (35 days),
three birds from each replicate of the treatment groups were
selected and 0.2 mL phyto-haemagglutinin (PHAP) mitogen
(1 mg mL−1 PBS) was injected intra-dermally into the left foot
web. Sterile PBS (0.2 mL) was injected into the right foot web
to serve as a control. A micrometer was used to measure
changes in the thickness of both foot webs. Measurements
were made at 0 and 24 h after the injection, as described by
Cheng and Lamont (1988). Foot web swelling was calculated
by subtracting skin thickness at 24 h post-injection from that at
0 h pre-injection.
Carcass traits and cut up part weight
At the end of the experiment, three birds from each replicate of
the treatment (15 birds per dietary treatment, n = 105) were
J Appl Phycol

Table 4 Effects of dietary inclusion of Kappaphycus alvarezii and red sea weed based formulations on production performance of broiler chickens
(N = 15)

Group Dietary treatments Body weight gain (g) Feed intake (g) Feed conversion ratio

0–21 days 21–42 days 0–42 days 0–21 days 21–42 days 0–42 days 0–21 days 21–42 days 0–42 days

T1 Control diet 492.7 915.6a 1408.3a 845.6 1884.1a 2575.8 1.71 2.05 1.83
a a
T2 T1 + 0.25% AF-KWP 495.8 937.8 1433.6 862.8 1896.1a 2609.1 1.74 2.02 1.82
T3 T1 + 0.50% AF-KWP 505.5 936.2a 1442.2a 879.6 1900.4a 2509.5 1.74 2.03 1.74
T4 T1 + 0.75% AF-KWP 490.9 960.1ab 1450.9a 829.6 1955.4ab 2539.0 1.69 2.04 1.75
T5 T1 + 1.00% AF-KWP 484.9 964.7ab 1449.6a 806.4 1978.6ab 2568.9 1.66 2.05 1.77
T6 T1 + 1.25% AF-KWP 533.9 1026.2b 1560.1b 865.0 2124.5b 2699.0 1.62 2.07 1.73
T7 T1 + 1.50% AF-KWP 513.9 1021.1b 1535.1b 827.5 2052.5b 2640.4 1.61 2.01 1.72
SEM – 6.20 11.5 19.56 5.9 23.12 28.45 0.001 0.002 0.001
P value – 0.319 0.038 0.027 0.057 0.033 0.240 0.052 0.062 0.051

Mean values bearing the same superscript in a column did not differ significantly (P < 0.05)

selected randomly and killed to determine the carcass traits,
cut up parts and relative weight of the lymphoid organs (bursa
of Fabricius and thymus) and the liver. The thymus tissue was
carefully dissected from each side of the neck to ensure com-
plete removal. Organ relative weights were measured to the
nearest 0.01 g.
Statistical analysis
Data were analysed using statistical software SPSS-20 version
and followed standard (Snedecor and Cochran 1994) proce-
dures for ANOVA. Duncan’s (Duncan 1955) multiple range
test by comparing means for significant (P < 0.05) differences
was used.
Results
Growth performance
Immune response
The results of immune response (cell mediated and humoral)
assessed through PHAP and HA methods are presented in
Table 5. Cell-mediated immune response (CMI) measured
by foot web index thickness differed significantly (P < 0.05)
among control and dietary treatment groups. The T2, T3 and
T4 treatment groups showed intermediate values and were
statistically similar to the control. Humoral immune response
expressed as HA titre (log2) also differed significantly
(P < 0.05) between control and other dietary treatment groups.
The highest value was found in T7 (1.50% AF-KWP) follow-
ed by statically similar T6 (1.25% AF-KWP) and lowest value
in T1 (control) followed by T2, whereas T3, T4 and T5 showed
intermediate values and did not differ significantly (P > 0.05)
from each other. Both cell-mediated and humoral immune
responses showed an increasing trend from T1 to T7 group.
Table 5 Effects of dietary inclusion of Kappaphycus alvarezii and red
sea weed based formulations on immune response of broiler chickens
(N = 15)

The results pertaining to body weight gain, feed intake and Group Dietary treatments Immune response
feed conversion ratio (FCR) are presented in Table 4. Body
weight gain did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) due to die- CMI (mm) HA titre (log2)
tary treatment groups during 0–21 days of age. However, the
T1 Control diet 0.50a 1.92a
body weight gain differed significantly (P < 0.05) during the
T2 T1 + 0.25% AF-KWP 0.51a 1.94a
finishing phase (21–42 days) and overall (0–42 days) with
T3 T1 + 0.50% AF-KWP 0.52ab 1.98ab
highest body weight gain in T6 (1.25% AF-KWP) followed
T4 T1 + 0.75% AF-KWP 0.52ab 2.02ab
by T7 (1.50% AF-KWP) and lowest body weight gain in T1
T5 T1 + 1.00% AF-KWP 0.53b 2.03ab
(control). The feed intake among the treatments did not differ
T6 T1 + 1.25% AF-KWP 0.53b 2.05b
significantly (P > 0.05) in the starting growth phase; however,
T7 T1 + 1.50% AF-KWP 0.54b 2.06b
during the finishing period (21–42 days), significant differ-
SEM – 0.05 0.07
ences were seen among the treatment groups. The feed con-
P value 0.013 0.038
version ratio (FCR) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05);
however, the FCR improved linearly with the increased level Mean values bearing the same superscript in a column did not differ
of AF-KWP with the highest value in T1 and lowest in T7. significantly (P < 0.05)
 J Appl Phycol

Table 6 Effects of dietary inclusion of Kappaphycus alvarezii and red sea weed based formulations on carcass traits and organ weight of broiler
chickens (N = 15)

Group Dietary treatments Live weight (g) Dressing yield (%) Eviscerated yield (%) Heart (%) Liver (%) Gizzard (%)

T1 Control diet 1589.17 68.76 63.76 0.61 2.26 2.13

T2 T1 + 0.25% AF-KWP 1633.33 69.54 64.44 0.65 2.28 2.17
T3 T1 + 0.50% AF-KWP 1664.17 69.99 64.74 0.66 2.39 2.10
T4 T1 + 0.75% AF-KWP 1674.00 70.17 64.88 0.66 2.40 2.20
T5 T1 + 1.00% AF-KWP 1676.92 70.25 64.81 0.67 2.44 2.22
T6 T1 + 1.25% AF-KWP 1686.33 70.62 65.06 0.67 2.51 2.33
T7 T1 + 1.50% AF-KWP 1713.33 72.68 67.38 0.69 2.54 2.36
SEM – 16.86 0.34 0.41 0.02 0.04 0.05
P value – 0.525 0.079 0.124 0.055 0.065 0.072

Mean values bearing the same superscript in a column did not differ significantly (P < 0.05)

Carcass traits and cut up parts
The results pertaining to the effects of feeding of test diets
(AF-KWP) on carcass traits (%), organ weight (%) and cut
up parts (% of live weight) are shown in the Tables 6 and 7. No
significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in carcass char-
acteristics in terms of dressing and eviscerated percentage and
different organ weights among the control and dietary treat-
ment groups. However, higher dressing and eviscerated per-
centage were recorded in T7 group flowed by T6 and T5 group.
On the other hand, cut up parts (percentage of live wt.) in
terms of thigh, breast, back and wings differed significantly
(P < 0.05). Breast yield was higher at high levels of AF-KWP.
Discussion
microalgae has a positive effect on body weight gain in broiler
chickens. However, the results of the present study were not in
agreement with findings of Evans et al. (2015) who observed
no significant differences among the dietary microalgae-
treated groups. There are very few reports available in the
literature regarding the effect of AF-KWP in poultry diets.
In the present study, AF-KWP had a positive effect on growth
performance, which was associated with the manipulation of
improved immunity. Data for feed intake and feed conversion
ratio (FCR) in the present study differ from the findings of
Ross and Dominy (1990) who found no significant difference
in feed intake and FCR of broilers. However, Mariey et al.
(2014) and Evans et al. (2015) reported that microalgae had a
positive effect on feed intake and FCR which corroborated the
present findings. The specific reports regarding feed intake
and FCR were not available concerning supplementation of
K. alvarezzi to a basal diet.

Growth performance
The results of the present study are in agreement with the
findings of Mariey et al. (2014), Shanmugapriya et al.
(2015) and Byoung et al. (2016), who reported that 1%
Immune response
In the present study, humoral and cell-mediated response
were significantly improved in T7 (1.5%) followed by T6

Table 7 Effects of dietary

inclusion of Kappaphycus Group Dietary treatments Thigh Breast Back Wings Neck Drumstick
alvarezii and red sea weed based
formulations on cut up part yield T1 Control diet 9.57a 16.04a 19.86b 8.44a 4.46 10.33
(% of live weight) of broiler T2 T1 + 0.25% AF-KWP 9.67a 16.25a 19.20ab 8.79ab 4.20 10.45
chickens (N = 15) T3 T1 + 0.50% AF-KWP 9.79a 16.55a 18.37ab 8.92ab 4.48 10.34
T4 T1 + 0.75% AF-KWP 9.83a 16.80ab 19.86b 9.05ab 4.20 10.10
T5 T1 + 1.00% AF-KWP 10.12ab 16.92ab 19.20ab 9.07ab 4.32 10.21
T6 T1 + 1.25% AF-KWP 10.25b 17.25b 19.20ab 9.87b 4.48 10.60
T7 T1 + 1.50% AF-KWP 10.30b 18.35b 18.70ab 9.84b 4.67 10.84
SEM – 0.37 0.56 0.42 0.22 0.12 0.67
P value – 0.042 0.049 0.024 0.020 0.089 0.120

Mean values bearing the same superscript in a column did not differ significantly (P < 0.05)
J Appl Phycol
(1.25%). Kang et al. (2013) also reported that the
microalga Chlorella has some beneficial effect on immune
characteristics, i.e. the number of WBCs, lymphocytes and
IgA, IgM and IgG concentrations. Likewise, Kotrbacek
et al. (1994) found that broilers fed a diet of 0.5%
microalgae significantly (P < 0.05) increased the phagocyt-
ic activity of leucocytes and lymphatic tissue development.
However, the present results were not in accordance with
the findings of Dlouha et al. (2008) who reported no sig-
nificant effect of supplementation of Chlorella to a basal
diet. The present results are reported for the first time in the
case of broiler chickens following the dietary supplemen-
tation of K. alvarezii. Allen and Pond (2002) reported that
sea weed extract improved activities of the immune system
in poultry. In accordance with their results, the increased
serum concentration of immunoglobulins and antibodies
increased. The IgA and IgM antibody results suggest that
antibody production in broilers may be improved by
supplementation of sea weed in basal diet.
Carcass traits and cut up parts
Regarding organ weights, our results were in agreement
with findings of Kulshreshtha et al. (2014) who reported
that dietary supplementation of red sea weeds has no sig-
nificant effect on the organ weights. Lokaewmanee et al.
(2012) also reported that there was no significant differ-
ence observed in carcass characteristics, cut up parts and
organ weights after dietary supplementation of sea weed in
broiler chickens. However, the results of the present study
were not in agreement with the finding of the above re-
searchers. In this study, no significant differences were
observed in carcass characteristics and organ weights, al-
though significant differences were observed in cut up part
(thigh, breast, back and wings) weights.
Conclusions
It was concluded from this study that K. alvarezii (AF-
KWP) can be incorporated at the 1.25% level in broiler
diets for improved performance, immuno-responsiveness
and breast yield in broiler chickens. However, further stud-
ies on the immunomodulatory effect of probiotics in
chickens are required.
Acknowledgements The study was funded by the Centre for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India.
Authors’ contributions QSSN carried out the animal experiment, AB
designed the study and manuscript drafting, ABM carried out the data
analysis and final drafting and KM, SR and NAM carried out the animal
experiment and conducted the laboratory analysis.
Compliance with ethical standards
All institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory
animals were followed.
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
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