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Bioequivalence & Bioavailability International Journal Research Article 11 min read

Prosopis Africana Extracts as Potential Natural Alternatives to Synthetic Antibiotics and a Key for Sustainable Broiler Production: A Review

John AO*
* Corresponding author
ISSN: 2578-4803  10.23880/beba-16000227  Received: February 05, 2024  Published: March 06, 2024
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Keywords
Prosopis Africana Medicinal Plants Phytochemicals Food Safety Antibiotics
Abstract

The chicken sector is more vulnerable to antimicrobial resistance, the buildup of toxic or dangerous residues in meat and eggs, and environmental contamination as a result of the widespread and careless use of antibiotics in most nations. Natural solutions, such as medicinal plants, are required to address these issues. These plants have been shown to contain a variety of phytochemicals, including phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. These chemicals endow plants with a multitude of medicinal qualities. One of the many alternatives to antibiotics is Prosopis africana extract, which includes stem bark, leaves, roots, and their essential oils. Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-helminthic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, immune-stimulatory, and antimicrobial properties are among the many pharmacological activity of P. africana preparations. They are also an abundant supplier of vital minerals and amino acids that support enzyme function and provide defense against the effects of oxidative stress. Using extracts from Prosopis africana is the way forward for effective chicken production, environmental sustainability and food hygiene.

Introduction

Public concern over potential antibiotic resistance risks related to human health has driven interest in poultry nutrition and adoption of antibiotic free feeding systems. This has led to the development of feed additives such as Prosopis africana extracts that can be used as in-feed antibiotic alternatives in livestock feeding strategies. The extracts have a wide range of potential benefits all targeting the enhancement of performance of livestock.

The medium-sized, annual savannah tree Prosopis africana is a member of the fabaceae family. The majority of Asia and Africa (both East and West Africa) are home to the plant [1]. There are roughly forty-five species of it, and it can reach heights of 4 to 20 meters. It has a thick tap root that expands quickly and deeply into the earth. The plant’s leaves range in size from 12 mm to 30 mm and are bipinnate, with 9–16 oblong leaf pairs. When dried, the seeds of Prosopis africana can open freely inside a yellow-intermeshed pod. According to Kolapo, et al. [1], the plants’ seeds, leaves, roots, and stem bark have lots in phytochemicals and are typically used to treat bronchitis, fever, gonorrhea, toothache, stomachache, dysentery, and body aches.

The variances in plant extract effectiveness can be attributed to a variety of factors, including climate, location, harvest stage, and storage conditions, as well as variations in the chemical content of the extracts made from Prosopis africana (Jan, 2020). Numerous phytochemicals found in P. africana extracts have been shown to have a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti- helminthic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immune-stimulatory, anti-fungal, and hepatoprotective qualities.

Essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and copper are present in Prosopis africana [2]. According to Yanwuyi, et al. [3], these minerals are critical for the activation of essential enzymes and for protecting against a state of oxidative stress. Additionally, P. africana contains the amino acids methionine, lysine, threonine, leucine, alanine, phenyl alanine, cysteine, and proline, as well as vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B9, and B12. These nutrients are essential for reducing cellular damage, scavenging free radicals, promoting collagen formation, and further enhancing antioxidant activities [4].

Considering the wealth of potential found in Prosopis africana and the growing awareness of the need to offer natural antibiotic substitutes instead of manufactured ones. This review summarizes earlier research and emphasizes the need of advancing food safety and sustainable livestock practices.

The Phytochemical Makeupof Extracts from Prosopis Africana

Phenols

Due to their antioxidant and free-radical scavenging qualities, phenolic compounds help keep animals healthy [5]. Phenols work by depriving bacteria of their substrate, which causes fragmentation of the bacterial cytoplasm [6]. In their investigations, Cushnie and Lamb [7]and Davies, et al. [8] found that the inhibition of enzymes by oxidized substrate was the cause of phenols’ potency against bacteria.

Alkaloids

According to Nath, et al. and Singh [9], alkaloids are naturally occurring organic molecules that have a nitrogen heteroatom in their framework. According to Ayushi, et al. and Wink, alkaloids may have a variety of medicinal effects on birds, including antibacterial, analgesic, and antioxidant qualities. It has been found that alkaloids prevent the synthesis of proteins and RNA.

Flavonoids

According to Cowan [6], the carbonyl group of flavonoids has hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and 7. Moreover, it has been proposed that they possess antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. Additionally, they may attach to bacterial cell proteins, inhibiting and deactivating enzymes [7].

Tannins

Every portion of a plant, including the stem, bark, roots, leaves, fruits, and flowers, contains tannins. The capacity of tannins to form complexes with proteins and polysaccharides via covalent and hydrogen bonding is one of their primary characteristics. Enzyme inactivation results from tannins’ capacity to bind to surface proteins and form complexes that do so.

Enzyme inactivation results from tannins’ capacity to bind to surface proteins and form groups that do so. According to Lim, et al. it also causes membrane rupture and substrate restriction as a result of complex formation.

Saponins

A class of phytochemicals known as saponins is one of the main defense mechanisms plants have against microbial, fungal, and insect invasion. Whilst the quantity and concentration of saponins in plants differ from species to species, they are present in the majority of plant species. According to Morrissey and Osbourn, saponins function by building compounds with sterols or polysaccharides inside the microbial cell membrane, which destroys the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane.

Pharmacological Properties of Prosopis Africana

Antimicrobial Properties

A study carried out by Badri, et al. showed essential oils from Prosopis africana have the capacity to inhibit the activities of some bacteria’s, such as: Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus due to the presence of phytochemicals like phenols, tannins and flavonoids which have been suggested to perform multiple biological activities against pathogenic organisms. Another studies have showed that methanolic and ethanolic extracts from the leaves, stem bark and roots of Prosopis are effective against Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes.

The Properties of Antioxidants

Extracts that are aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic have a number of medicinal uses and have the ability to scavenge free radicals that can lead to infections in an animal’s body. Additionally, according to Saad, et al. prosopis oil demonstrated efficacy against Erwinia spp., C. albicans, P. vulgaris, E. coli, and Shigella spp. Additionally, research has demonstrated that adding 400 mg/kg of prosopis oil to broiler diets can have a major impact on the activity of enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde [10].

Hypolipidemic Characteristics

According to earlier research by Rahman, et al. Prosopis extracts administered to rats at doses of up to 600 mg/ kg significantly affected their levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and atherogenic index (meat safety index), indicating a potential preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, according to Alagbe, et al. [11] adding 800 mg/kg of Prosopis africana essential oil to the diet can lower the amount of saturated fat and raise the amount of polyunsaturated fat in broiler meat [12].

Active compoundsMedicinal propertiesReferences
Prosogerin A (6 Methoxy-7-hydroxyl
dioxyflavone)		Antibacterial, antioxidant and immune-stimulaory[13]
Prosogerin B (2,4 dihydroxyl -5 methyl
dioxychacon)		Antimicrobial, hepato-protective and antioxidant[14]
2,4-bis (1-phenylethyl) phenolAntioxidants, antifungal[15]
β-phenethylamineAntifungal and immune-stimulatory[16]
2,4,6-tris(1-phenylethyl) phenolAntibacterial, antiviral[17]
α-pineneAntioxidant and digestive stimulants[11,12]
α-terpineneAntioxidant, antibacterial,[18]
β-pineneAntioxidant, antimicrobial[19]
β-myrceneAntioxidant, digestive stimulants[20]
α-phellandreneAntioxidant, Antifungal and antimicrobial[21]
α-terpinoleneAntioxidant, antibacterial[13]
γ-terpineneAntioxidant, immune-stimulatory[14]
1-terpineoldigestive stimulants[22]
4-terpineoldigestive stimulants[16]
HumuleneAntibacterial, anti-helminthic[17]
Caryophyllenedigestive stimulants[11,12]
CopaeneAntimicrobial[23]
Cis-linaloxideAntifungal[24]
α-SelineneAntioxidant, anti-inflammatory[25]
γ-Elemenedigestive stimulants[26]
α-GurjuneneImmuno-stimulatory, antioxidant[27]
β-ElemeneAntimicrobial, antioxidant, digestive stimulants[28,29]
β-CyclocitralAnti-inflammatory, digestive stimulants[1]
3-hexenyl-2-methylbutanoateAnti-bacterial[30]
Exo-methyl-camphenilolAntimicrobial[31]
Caryophyllene oxideAntibacterial, antioxidant[32]
Benzene -1-methoxy-2-methylAntifungal[33]
Napthalene, 1,2 hydro-1,1, 6 –trimethylAntimicrobial[30]
Cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethylAnti-inflammatory[34,35]
Nerolidyl acetateAnti-inflammatory[36]
1-Cyclohexene-1- butanal, alpha, 2, 6, 6-
tetramethyl		Anti-inflammatory[37,38]

Table 1: Some bioactive compounds in Prosopis africana oil and their properties Adapted from [39-44].

Summary

Medicinal plants are infinitely capable of producing phytochemicals, which are chemical substances with a vast range of possible benefits, all aimed at improving bird performance. Prosopis africana extracts contain several substances, which have been demonstrated to be safe, efficacious, and environmentally benign. Additionally, studies have revealed that P. africana extract includes considerable amounts of phenols, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which provide them antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and other beneficial properties. Additionally, adding nutrition to broiler feed may improve the birds’ performance. These will increase the output of chickens and lower the rising number of antibiotic-resistant illnesses.

Type of Extracts UsedConcentration UsedEffect on broilers
Prosopis africana essential oil400 mg/kgIncreased body weight gain
Increased pancreatic enzyme production
Improved nutrient utilization
Increased feed intake
Reduced mortality rate
Increased in carcass weight
Prosopis africana essential oil800 mg/kgIncreased production of polyunsaturated fatty acid in
meat sample
Improved sensory attributes of meat
Increased in pack cell volume, red blood cell,
haemoglobin, white blood cell, total protein, amongst
others
Scavenging free radicals
Increasing antibody titres in birds after vaccination
Decrease in population of pathogenic microorganisms
Prosopis africana stem bark
extracts (aqueous)		8ml/litre of waterIncreased final body weight gain, feed intake and
Lactobacillus sp count in the gut of broilers

Table 2: Effects of Prosopis africana extracts on the general performance of birds.

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@article{john2024,
  title   = {Prosopis Africana Extracts as Potential Natural Alternatives
to Synthetic Antibiotics and a Key for Sustainable Broiler
Production: A Review},
  author  = {John AO},
  journal = {Bioequivalence & Bioavailability International Journal},
  year    = {2024},
  volume  = {8},
  number  = {1},
  doi     = {10.23880/beba-16000227}
}
John AO (2024). Prosopis Africana Extracts as Potential Natural Alternatives
to Synthetic Antibiotics and a Key for Sustainable Broiler
Production: A Review. Bioequivalence & Bioavailability International Journal, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.23880/beba-16000227
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prosopis Africana Extracts as Potential Natural Alternatives
to Synthetic Antibiotics and a Key for Sustainable Broiler
Production: A Review
AU  - John AO
JO  - Bioequivalence & Bioavailability International Journal
PY  - 2024
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
DO  - 10.23880/beba-16000227
ER  -