Research Article
Effects of Aqueous Extract of Artemisia Annua on Immune System, Hematological Characteristics, Intestinal Micro-flora, Growth Performances and Carcass Yield of Broilers
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-13
Received:
8 November 2025
Accepted:
8 January 2026
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20261001.11
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Abstract: Antibiotic residues are constantly being deposited in human organisms from the consumption of food of animal origin, leading to resistance and the health risks related to their use as growth promoters in animal feed and this has led to the ban of their use in animal feed by authorities. This restriction of their use has led to a resurgence of morbidity and mortality, a drop in growth performance, and consequently a decline in the economic profitability of farms making researchers to seek substitutes that play the same role without the same side effects. Plant-based products have been shown to possess properties that can play this role but their effects vary with form, dose, mode of administration and other factors. The present study was therefore designed to assess the effects of increasing levels of A. annua aqueous extract on growth performance, carcass and immune system organ characteristics, hematological parameters and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. 288-day-old chicks were allocated to a completely randomized system comprising a base ration with no additives (T0-), a ration containing 0.1% antibiotic (T0+) and four rations with inclusions of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g aqueous extract of A. annua/Kg of feed with 3 replications each containing 16 chicks and treated till 49 days of age before sacrificing for data collection. The main results showed that the greatest live weight was obtained in T0.75-treatment birds with the least value in T0- at 49 days old with highest weight gain in T1. Feed conversion ratio was maximum in T0.25 and least in T1. T0.75 recorded significantly lower values for Escherichia coli while lactobacillus recorded values significantly (p<0.05) lower in T0+ than the others. Granulocytes and platelets registered the greatest values in T1. Thus, aqueous extract of A. annua had greater beneficial effects in most characteristics at a rate of 1 g/kg feed, and may be used as natural source of feed additive instead of antibiotics in broilers.
Abstract: Antibiotic residues are constantly being deposited in human organisms from the consumption of food of animal origin, leading to resistance and the health risks related to their use as growth promoters in animal feed and this has led to the ban of their use in animal feed by authorities. This restriction of their use has led to a resurgence of morbi...
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Research Article
Assessment of Milk Yield and Quality Among Trained and Untrained Smallholder Dairy Cattle Farmers in Muheza District, Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
14-30
Received:
29 December 2025
Accepted:
12 January 2026
Published:
27 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20261001.12
Downloads:
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Abstract: Smallholder dairy farming plays a crucial role in Tanzania’s agricultural sector. However, their milk productivity remains low. Therefore, the study aimed at examining how training affects milk productivity, quality, and safety. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, whereby data and milk samples were collected from 70 randomly selected smallholder dairy farmers (35 trained and 35 untrained) with lactating dairy cows. The study also involved direct measurement of daily milk yield and laboratory analysis of physical-chemical characteristics and hygienic quality. The data were analyzed using R software version 4.5.1, whereby both descriptive and inferential statistics were determined. Findings show that trained farmers reported higher milk yields (P<0.001), averaging 12.07 ± 2.02 L/day, compared to 6.56 ± 1.4 L/day for untrained farmers. Additionally, milk from trained farmers demonstrated superior physicochemical properties, recording a higher mean pH (6.65 ± 0.1) and specific gravity (1.026 ± 0.85 g/cc) compared to untrained farmers (6.49 ± 0.13; 1.024 ± 1.09 g/cc). Hygienic parameters also showed better results for trained farmers, whose milk had lower mean somatic cell counts 5.04 vs. 5.51 log cells/ml), total plate counts 5.08 vs. 5.30 log CFU/ml), and Escherichia coli loads 2.49 vs. 2.81 log CFU/ml). Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus mean counts were lower in milk from trained farmers 4.34 vs. 4.59 log CFU/ml). The mean contamination of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was lower in trained farmers compared to their untrained counterparts. Findings also show that training had a highly significant (p< 0.001) effect on aflatoxin M1 contamination. Overall, it can be concluded that training enhanced smallholder dairy farmers' milk yield and quality through better management and hygiene. Therefore, there is a need for expanding extension services and training programs as these boost smallholder dairy farmers' productivity and livelihoods and general food safety.
Abstract: Smallholder dairy farming plays a crucial role in Tanzania’s agricultural sector. However, their milk productivity remains low. Therefore, the study aimed at examining how training affects milk productivity, quality, and safety. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, whereby data and milk samples were collected from 70 randomly selected sma...
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Noumbissi Marie Noel Bertine
