Enancine B® and Immunocine® as Phytogenic Water Additives for Broiler Chickens: Effects on Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Economic Returns
Ewane D, Ndam LM, Naihibu MN, Atabongawubg EA, Keubiwou BRF and Oben PM
Published on: 2026-01-23
Abstract
The global push for antibiotic-free poultry systems necessitates the validation of standardized phytogenic blends. This study evaluated the efficacy of two Cameroonian phytobiotics - Enancine B® (EB) and Immunocine® (IM) - as alternatives to synthetic Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs) and conventional prophylactic protocols. A total of 216-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly assigned to six treatments: T0 (conventional control), T1 (positive control; Oxytetracycline 80), T2/T3 (0.5 and 2.0 g/L EB), and T4/T5 (0.5 and 2.0 g/L IM) administered via drinking water.
Results indicated that while both products share a qualitative profile (beta-carotene, alkaloids, tannins, and 1,8-cineole), they exhibited distinct biological and economic outcomes. All phytogenic groups achieved growth performance statistically similar to the conventional prophylactic control (P > 0.05). Notably, T4 (0.5 g/L IM) yielded the highest dressing percentage (98.7 %, P = 0.025) and a Benefit-Cost Ratio (0.718) that closely rivaled the antibiotic control (0.736). High-dose EB (T3) significantly improved breast weight percentage (30.08 %) but correlated with elevated serum ALT levels (P=0.035), suggesting a dosage-sensitive hepatic metabolic load. Conversely, Immunocine® demonstrated superior carcass quality, justifying its higher commercial valuation.
EB and IM appear to be promising tools for precision feeding, with 0.5 g/L Immunocine® emerging as the most effective inclusion level for improving carcass yield and economic returns relative to the conventional prophylactic control and a single antibiotic growth promoter (oxytetracycline). These findings support the potential of locally formulated phytogenic blends to sustain broiler performance and profitability in antibiotic reduced systems, but direct impacts on antimicrobial resistance require dedicated microbiological investigations.