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Dietary glycine-coated phytogenic Ag/TiO2 nanohybrids attenuate aflatoxin B1 induced physiological perturbations without impacting performance, meat quality, and carcass-visceral traits of finisher br

Nonsindiso Masuku¹, Mercy C. Ogwuegbu^2,3*, Makiwa S. Mthana⁴, Doctor M. N. Mthiyane^1,2, Damian C. Onwudiwe^5,6 , Mulunda Mwanza^2,7

¹Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Private Bag X 2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa.
²Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Mmabatho 2735, South Africa.
³Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.
⁴School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
⁵Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Private Bag X 2046, Mmabatho, South Africa
⁶Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sci

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2026 29(1): 59-82

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This study investigated the ameliorative effects of dietary glycine-coated green Ag/TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles (Gly-G-Nano-Ag/TiO2) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity in finisher broilers. One hundred and twenty (120) 21-day old Cobb 500 male chicks were offered in a completely randomized design 3 treatment diets [i.e., Control diet without AFB1 (AF); and Diets with 0.04 mg/kg AFB1 (+AF); and 0.04 mg/kg AFB1 plus 25 mg/kg Gly-G-Nano-Ag/TiO2 (+AF+Glyn)] each with 8 replicate pens of 5 for 21 days. Data on performance, carcass traits, hemato-biochemistry, and meat quality were collected and statistically analysed. Results showed no effect of diet on growth performance, carcass traits, internal organs, meat quality, and most haemato-biochemistry variables (P > 0.05). However, dietary AFB1 decreased white blood cells and serum albumin, both of which were restored by Gly-G-Nano-Ag/TiO2 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Also, it decreased blood lymphocytes, though this response was however not ameliorated by the green bimetallic nano-hybrids (P < 0.001). In contrast, both AFB1 and Gly-G-Nano-Ag/TiO2 increased blood heterophils and platelets (P < 0.001). In conclusion, dietary AFB1 and Gly-G-Nano-Ag/TiO2 induced no effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, meat quality, and most haemato-biochemistry variables but increased blood heterophils and platelets of broilers as the aflatoxin decreased their blood lymphocytes. The green nanoparticles attenuated detrimental effects of AFB1 on white blood cells and serum albumin.