TITLE:
Phytoremediation Potential of Chromoleana odorata Leaf Powder, as a Feed Supplement against Glyphosate Damage on the Growth Traits, Reproduction and Biochemical Parameters of Japanese Quails
AUTHORS:
François Djitie Kouatcho, Armel Ngnintedem Tangomo, Hippolyte Watsop Mekuiko, Hervé Mubé, Laure Bouba Anavai, Emile Miegoué
KEYWORDS:
Glyphosate, Chromoleana odorata, Japanese Quail, Toxicity, Growth, Reproduction, Herbal Medicine, Weeds, Herbicides, Food Poisoning
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are considered the world’s most widely used herbicides in agriculture and households for controlling invasive weeds. Through bio-accumulation, residues of GBHs are detected in water, soil, crops, and food products, potentially exposing non-target organisms, such as humans, wildlife, and livestock, leading to food poisoning and even death. However, data on the potential of suitable medicinal plants to mitigate the toxic effects of GBHs on bird productivity and health are limited. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the safety of Chromolaena odorata leaf powder (COLP) in mitigating the toxic effects of glyphosate on the production performance and biochemical parameters of Japanese quail. Materials and Methods: COLP was used as a supplement in the formulation of four experimental diets tested in this study. The diets were: T0 (only basal diet), T1 (basal diet supplemented with 1% COLP), T2 (basal diet + glyphosate 655 mg/L in drinking water), and T3 (basal diet + 1% COLP + glyphosate at 655 mg/L in drinking water). Each diet was fed to a total of 120 quails (male and female) for a 9-week period. Quail growth, reproduction, carcass characteristics, and blood biochemical parameters were collected and used as indicators for assessing COLP efficacy and safety. Results: The results showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in feed intake, live weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass parameters (breast, thigh, wing, and neck weight). Biochemical parameters such as ALAT, ASAT, creatinine, urea, and protein levels also showed significant differences between the treatment groups. Glyphosate did not induce negative effects on the quails, while COLP supple-mentation improved growth parameters (feed intake, live weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio) and carcass traits (proportion of different body parts relative to live weight). Glyphosate increased serum concentrations of transaminases (ALAT, ASAT), urea, and creatinine. COLP-treated groups also showed improved egg laying, fertility, and hatchability compared to groups exposed to glyphosate alone, indicating that COLP supplementation enhances reproductive parameters. Conclusion: COLP can be used as a phytobiotic feed supplement to improve growth performance (feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and reproductive performance (egg laying rate, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality) in Japanese quail. For animals intoxicated by GBHs, COLP as a feed additive can help mitigate the toxic effects of GBHs on growth and reproductive performance. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal COLP dose for mitigating the harmful effects of GBHs on quail productivity. Additional implications of these fin-dings are discussed.