A comparative study between cinnamon extract and cinnamon nanoparticles on growth performance, blood metabolites and gut microbiota of broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with bark powder extract of cinnamon and cinnamon nanoparticles on growth performance, antioxidant status, hematological parameters, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. A total of 500 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with five replicates of 20 birds each. The experimental treatments included a control (no additive), 200 and 400 mg/kg cinnamon extract (CIN-200 and CIN-400), and 200 and 400 mg/kg cinnamon nanoparticles (NANO-200 and NANO-400), administered via feed for 42 days. Results demonstrated that both forms of cinnamon significantly improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to the control (P < 0.05), with the highest gains observed in the NANO-400 group. Mortality rate was also significantly reduced in all supplemented groups. Antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, T-SOD, and CAT) were markedly increased, while MDA levels decreased, particularly in the NANO-400 group (P < 0.05). Hematological analysis revealed improved RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit levels, along with lower cortisol and HET/LYM ratios in NANO-400 group birds. Furthermore, the population of beneficial lactic acid bacteria increased significantly in the NANO groups, whereas E. coli counts were not significantly affected. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with cinnamon nanoparticles, especially at 400 mg/kg, effectively enhanced growth performance, antioxidant capacity, blood health, and beneficial gut microbiota in broiler chickens, suggesting its potential as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.