Dietary Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract enhances growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of licorice powder extract (LPE) supplementation via drinking water on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and selected hematobiochemical parameters in broiler chicks. A total of 280 Cobb 500 chicks (5 days old) were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, receiving water supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mL LPE per liter for the duration of the experiment. Broilers receiving 3.0 mL LPE/L demonstrated significantly greater body weight than all other groups ( P < 0.05). LPE supplementation positively influenced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), with no significant effects on overall water consumption or carcass yield parameters. Birds administered 2.0 mL LPE/L showed a reduction in serum total protein and albumin levels, whereas no significant differences were observed in serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT). LPE supplementation also improved lipid metabolism, as evidenced by decreased levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), alongside increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), particularly in the 1.0 mL LPE/L group. Antioxidant status was significantly enhanced in the 3.0 mL LPE/L group, which exhibited elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with LPE improved growth performance, modulated serum lipid profiles, and enhanced antioxidant capacity in broiler chicks, suggesting its potential as a natural growth promoter and health modulator in poultry production.