Neltuma ruscifolia extracts for poultry feed preservation

Authors: Analía de los A. Gómez, Melina A. Sgariglia, Osvaldo D. Delgado, José R. Soberón, Dante J. Bueno, and Diego A. Sampietro

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2025. vol. 5, Iss. 3 pp:18-30
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2025.3.0145

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Abstract:

Neltuma ruscifolia, also known as vinal, is an invasive tree that grows in the semi-arid and subhumid regions of the South American Chaco. Its abundant leaves are a valuable source of bioactive constituents, which are currently underutilized. This study examined the ethanol extract (ELE) and its alkaloid fraction (AF) from Neltuma ruscifolia leaves for their phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity. Their toxicological and antifungal properties were evaluated, both alone and in combination with potassium sorbate (PS). ELE, ELE+PS, or PS were also added to a poultry feed to examine their protective impact against oxidative damage and antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties against A. flavus. ELE had a total content of phenolic compounds of 132 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g, with a significant content of apigenin C-glycosides, mainly isoschaftoside and schaftoside, and moderate antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ DPPH = 250 mg/L). AF, which was mainly composed of julifloridine, showed negligible antioxidant capacity. ELE and AF suppressed the growth of Fusarium and Aspergillus strains at concentrations (750–1500 mg/L and 375–750 mg/L, respectively) lower or similar to that of PS (1500 mg/L). They also synergized the antifungal activity of PS. Toxicity evaluated by the brine shrimp lethality assay confirmed that both ELE and its combination with PS are non-toxic (LC₅₀ > 1,000 mg/L). In application trials in poultry feed artificially inoculated with A. flavus, ELE and ELE+PS, at minimum inhibitory concentrations, significantly reduced fungal viability, biomass, and aflatoxin contamination by 93–99%, 60–70%, and 90%, respectively, outperforming PS alone. Additionally, ELE showed a moderate protective effect against feed oxidative damage, lasting for at least one week. These findings suggest that ELE, alone or in combination with PS, is a promising phytogenic additive for poultry feeds, capable of controlling fungal and aflatoxin contamination, as well as oxidative spoilage.

Keywords:

Alkaloids, Aflatoxin, HPLC-DAD phenolic compounds, Neltuma, Poultry feed

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