Effect of dietary esterified glucomannan (Mycosorb) on carcass trait and organ weights in broilers exposed to experimental aflatoxicosis

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Mycosorb (esterified glucomannan) in counteracting induced aflatoxicosis in commercial broilers. The counteracting agent was fed at three graded levels, i.e. 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 per cent in experimental aflatoxicosis by feeding of aflatoxin B₁ @ 300 ppb. Results were compared with other 3 groups maintained under normal-, toxin-only- and mycosorb-only fed diets. Dietary aflatoxin significantly (P<0.05) depressed dressing, eviscerated and ready-to-cook yields in the aflatoxin alone fed group as compared to control counterpart. The condition was improved after addition of Mycosorb in diet on dose dependent fashion. The dietary aflatoxin significantly increased the relative weights of liver, gizzard, heart and proventriculus. However, their sizes were reduced towards normalcy as Mycosorb was incorporated in the toxin mixed feed. It is concluded that supplementation of Mycosorb at 0.1% in diets improved the carcass traits and organ weights of broilers exposed to experimental aflatoxicosis at a level of 300ppb.