The effect of manganese oxide nanoparticles on chicken growth and manganese content in excreta

1 Department of Poultry Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland; 2 Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland; 3 Department of Animal Resources, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq; 4 Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegaardsvej 3, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Highlights

• Administration of Mn₂O₃ nanoparticles did not affect negatively growth and development of chickens. 

• Use of nanoparticles in 30 % of standard level maximised a reduction of Mn excretion. 

• Nanoparticles can replace Mn₂O₃ in broiler diets.

Abstract

Manganese in animal organisms is responsible for proper bone formation and many biochemical processes. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of manganese oxide nanoparticles (NanoMn₂O₃) as a mineral additive to the feed mixture on the growth, slaughter characteristics, femur bone strength, mineral content of tissues and Mn excretion. The male chickens were randomly divided between a control group without Mn₂O₃ in a premix, three groups receiving NanoMn₂O₃ (nano group 30, 60 and 100 % of the standard level) and three groups receiving Mn₂O₃ (30, 60 and 100 % of the standard level). Each group consisted of seven birds. The highest feed intake and body weight at 42 day was in the 60 % nano group, but there were no differences in the feed conversion rate. Slaughter characteristics, physicochemical properties, bone morphometry, the content of Mn in tissues and health status evaluated by blood parameters were not affected by supplying different forms of Mn₂O₃. Furthermore, the excretion of Mn was lower in NanoMn₂O₃ than in Mn₂O₃ groups. The results indicate that the application of NanoMn₂O₃ had no negative effects on chicken growth and development, but reduces Mn excretion, suggesting that commercial Mn₂O₃ can be replaced by NanoMn₂O₃ in broiler diets. However, follow-up research at farm conditions is necessary to validate the results.

Keywords: Broilers, Bones, Carcass, Manganese oxide, Nanoparticles.

Abstract published in Animal Feed Science and Technology, Volume 268, October 2020, 114597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114597.