Moringa leaf meal improves haemato-biochemical and production indices in broiler chickens: a review

The high cost of feed materials and feed additives in developing nations has elicited interest in the search for sustainable alternatives having in mind the human food security. Moringa (Moringa oleifera), one of such sustainable alternatives, is a tropical plant with excellent nutritive and phytochemical content. It is one of the species in the family of Moringaceae and thrives well in the tropics. The excellent nutritional quality of M. oleifera has positioned it as a choice feed ingredient/additive for broiler production. Furthermore, the high carotenoid content of moringa leaves offers great potential for its use in pigmentation of egg yolk and broiler meat. Moringa has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant properties. Besides the nutritional and phytochemical value of this plant, their use as a feed supplement or feedstuff and their beneficial attributes on production indices and heamato-biochemical values of broiler chickens are also discussed. Alongside their excellent chemical composition, this paper also tends to showcase the plant as a promising novel feedstuff/additive source in broiler nutrition. The use of moringa in broiler nutrition as a novel feed additive and nutrient source will not only reduce feed cost but will also improve production performance, ensure healthy animal products and a better environment.