**10. Impact of nanominerals on anti-oxidative activity**

Trace minerals particularly Zn, Se, Cu, and Mn play a major role in anti-oxidant system, either being a component of the antioxidant metallo-enzymes or indirectly by regulating their activities. These enzymes act an indicator of the wellbeing of the animals and they increase or decrease depending on the mineral level in the animal or birds. Hence, better bioavailability of a mineral source can be determined by monitoring these enzyme levels which are mineral specific. Different mineral NP have been shown to improve antioxidant status in birds compared to their conventional forms (**Figure 3**). Supplementation of ZnO-NP at 40 and 80 mg/ kg in the diet of broiler chickens augmented their antioxidant status as evidenced from increased activity of SOD and catalase, and decreased concentration of malondialdehyde [100]. Zhao et al. [17] observed higher total antioxidant activity in serum and liver tissue, serum catalase activity and reduced serum and liver malondialdehyde concentration in the 20 mg/kg nano-ZnO group of broiler chickens


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*Essential Nanominerals and Other Nanomaterials in Poultry Nutrition and Production*

compared to the control (60 mg/kg ZnO) chickens. Zhao et al. [17] also reported higher activity of serum and liver Cu-Zn-related SOD and serum catalase in the diets containing 60 and 100 mg Zn/kg from ZnO NP. Bami et al. [50] reported that ZnO NP at 25 and 50 mg/kg as well as conventional ZnO at 100 mg/kg did not affect feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency and, and carcass traits, but higher dose of ZnO NP lowered malondialdehyde content and cooking loss in meat compared with 100 mg/kg of ZnO. Lina et al. [101] also observed increased GPx activity, total antioxidant activity in serum and reduced serum malondialdehyde content in Arbor Acres broiler chickens at 40 mg/kg of Zn supplementation from nano-ZnO. At higher levels (80 mg/kg) of Zn supplementation through either green nano-Zn or commercial nano-Zn in broiler birds showed significantly higher serum SOD, GPx, and catalase levels than their 40 and 60 mg/kg diet and inorganic Zn at 40, 60 or 80 mg/kg diet [74]. Ahmadi et al. [65] observed significantly increased SOD activity at 60–90 mg Zn/kg diet from ZnO NP in broiler chicken ration compared to 30 mg/kg diet. However, they observed inhibitory action of nano-Zn at further increased level (120 mg/kg diet) apparent from decreased SOD activity. Supplementation of 0.19 mg Se/kg diet from Se-NP increased serum SOD and GPx activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration compared to 0.15 mg Se/ kg diet from coarse Se in broiler birds [102]. Nano-Se at 0.3 mg/kg diet expressed improved GPx activity, free radical inhibition, immunoglobulin M concentration and decreased glutathione and malondialdehyde content in serum, improved GPx activity and free radical inhibition in liver and GPx activity in muscle [57]. Elkloub et al. [70] observed better total serum antioxidant activity in Ag-NP supplemented groups (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mg/kg) and best in 4 mg/kg diet in Ag-NP supplemented group than un-supplemented group. Jankowski et al. [103] observed no adverse effect on antioxidant defense on reducing Mn concentration from 100 to 10 mg/kg diet in the form of NP-Mn2O3 whereas a 50% reduction in Mn level in the form of

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96013*

MnO enhanced lipid oxidation processes in turkeys.

with the optimum production levels [1, 2].

**11. Effect of nanominerals on health and immunity**

Trace essential minerals also act as immune stimulants in birds. Hence balanced mineral mixture is given much priority to maximize the animal or bird productivity and minimize the stress (biotic as well as abiotic) in animals and birds. Minerals particularly Zn, Cu, Se and Mn are studied on their immune-stimulant effects profusely, which may require at higher concentrations for better immunity compared

Different nanominerals have showed to exhibit better immune responses (**Figure 3**). Hafez et al. [100] observed enhanced cellular immunity evidenced from increases in serum IgY concentration, total lymphocyte count, macrophages, phagocytic activity and phagocytic index in ZnO-NP fed groups compared to ZnO supplemented group. Nano-Zn supplementation at 0.06 mg/kg in the basal diet improved immune status of broiler equivalent to that of 15 mg/kg diet of organic Zn supplementation in term of increased weight of lymphoid organs and improved

humoral immunity [47]. Supplementation of ZnO-NP in dry broiler ration

improved carcasses yield and relative weight of lymphoid and digestive organs compared to wet diet during the starter period [104, 105]. Retention of Se in liver and muscle increased in a dose dependent manner with dietary intake of nano-Se (0.3, 05, 1 and 2 mg/kg diet), but did not affect growth performance whereas improved meat quality, immune function, and oxidation resistance were observed for nano-Se level ranging from 0.3 to 1 mg/kg diet [57]. Addition of Cu-NP in drinking water (10 mg/l) improved immunity, and productivity more efficiently compared to

#### **Figure 3.**

*Beneficial effect of different nanominerals in poultry production.*

#### *Essential Nanominerals and Other Nanomaterials in Poultry Nutrition and Production DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96013*

compared to the control (60 mg/kg ZnO) chickens. Zhao et al. [17] also reported higher activity of serum and liver Cu-Zn-related SOD and serum catalase in the diets containing 60 and 100 mg Zn/kg from ZnO NP. Bami et al. [50] reported that ZnO NP at 25 and 50 mg/kg as well as conventional ZnO at 100 mg/kg did not affect feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency and, and carcass traits, but higher dose of ZnO NP lowered malondialdehyde content and cooking loss in meat compared with 100 mg/kg of ZnO. Lina et al. [101] also observed increased GPx activity, total antioxidant activity in serum and reduced serum malondialdehyde content in Arbor Acres broiler chickens at 40 mg/kg of Zn supplementation from nano-ZnO. At higher levels (80 mg/kg) of Zn supplementation through either green nano-Zn or commercial nano-Zn in broiler birds showed significantly higher serum SOD, GPx, and catalase levels than their 40 and 60 mg/kg diet and inorganic Zn at 40, 60 or 80 mg/kg diet [74]. Ahmadi et al. [65] observed significantly increased SOD activity at 60–90 mg Zn/kg diet from ZnO NP in broiler chicken ration compared to 30 mg/kg diet. However, they observed inhibitory action of nano-Zn at further increased level (120 mg/kg diet) apparent from decreased SOD activity. Supplementation of 0.19 mg Se/kg diet from Se-NP increased serum SOD and GPx activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration compared to 0.15 mg Se/ kg diet from coarse Se in broiler birds [102]. Nano-Se at 0.3 mg/kg diet expressed improved GPx activity, free radical inhibition, immunoglobulin M concentration and decreased glutathione and malondialdehyde content in serum, improved GPx activity and free radical inhibition in liver and GPx activity in muscle [57]. Elkloub et al. [70] observed better total serum antioxidant activity in Ag-NP supplemented groups (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mg/kg) and best in 4 mg/kg diet in Ag-NP supplemented group than un-supplemented group. Jankowski et al. [103] observed no adverse effect on antioxidant defense on reducing Mn concentration from 100 to 10 mg/kg diet in the form of NP-Mn2O3 whereas a 50% reduction in Mn level in the form of MnO enhanced lipid oxidation processes in turkeys.
