Influence of pulp from Kalanchoe daigremontiana on performance, egg quality and selected blood parameters of laying hens Einfluss von Kalanchoe daigremontiana Brei auf Leistung, Eiqualität und ausgewählte Blutparameter bei Legehennen

Introduction Since January 2006, when a ban on feed antibiotic use in animal diets was introduced in all EU countries, changes in the nutritional programs to enhance natural immunity and stabilize beneficial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of animals have been necessary (PIETRZAK et al., 2009). Additives with immunomodulatory properties (PIETRZAK et al., 2009) or for increasing absorption of nutrients such as vitamins and microelements (DOLIŃSKA et al., 2011; JANECZEK et al., 2012; MICHALAK et al., 2011; OPALIŃSKI et al., 2012; POPIELA et al., 2013; SAEID et al., 2013a, b; WITKOWSKA et al., 2014) have become an ever more popular alternative to coccidiostats and growth-promoting antibiotics. The feed supplements include probiotics, prebiotics (MATEOVA et al., 2008), preparations based on natural products and herbal plants (JAMROZ et al., 2003, 2005, 2006; KAPICA et al., 2006), for example Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Species of the Kalanchoe genus have been known for their medicinal properties for centuries. In folk medicine they were used in the treatment of kidney stones, gastric ulcers, respiratory infections and rheumatoid arthritis. Kalanchoe plants owe their healing properties to their phytochemical composition. They contain active compounds such as alkaloids (bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate, bufadienolide-bryophillin-B), flavonoids (7-trihydroxyflavone, friedelin, epigallocatechin-3-o-syringate, luteolin, rutin, quercetin, quercetin-3L-rhamonsido-L-arabino furanoside), phenolic compounds (kaempferol-3-glucoside, kaempferol), macroelements (magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium), trace elements (iron, zinc, copper), vitamins (ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin), phytosterols (clionasterol, codisterol, 24-ethyldesmosterol, isofucosterol, Peposterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol) and acids such as caffeic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid and phosphoenolpyruvate acid (MAJAZ et al., 2011; PATTEWAR, 2012). Kalanchoe daigremontiana is a source of free fatty acids, β-carotene, sterols, hydrocarbons, phospholipids, and carotenoids, including monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, which exhibits strong antibacterial properties (ANISIMOV et al., 2009; JAMROZ et al., 2009; PATTEWAR, 2012). Numerous investigations on laboratory animals indicate protective and medicinal properties of Kalanchoe plants. The ethanol extract of the pinnata species accelerates wound healing, acting as a stimulant on the immune and hematopoietic system. These properties are caused by the presence of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, zinc, niacin and vitamin B2 in the plant. (UFELLE et al., 2011). Additionally, numerous studies (MAJAZ et al., 2011; PATTEWAR, 2012) have shown its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunosuppressive properties towards hepatocytes. The disintegration of hepatocytes increases with liver overloading. ANISIMOV et al. (2009) demonstrated an antibacterial effect of Kalanchoe daigremontiana extract during in vitro studies. Because of these characteristics, this plant can be a valuable source of bioactive substances and can be applied in intensive poultry production. Europ.Poult.Sci., 78. 2014, ISSN 1612-9199, © Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. DOI: 10.1399/eps.2014.71