Vacuum-Dried Encapsulation of Crude Bromelain from Pineapple Peel (ECBPP) on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Histomorphology of Broiler Intestines

| Pineapple peel waste is a potential source of bromelain that may improve broiler performance and feed digestibility.This study evaluated the effects vacuum-dried encapsulated crude bromelain from pineapple peel (ECBPP) as a feed additive broiler. ECBPP was produced using a vacuum-drying method with 8% maltodextrin and 2% chitosan as coating agents. A total of 308 MB 202 broilers were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments (0%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.60%, 0.75%, and 0.90% ECBPP), each replicated four times. Parameters measured included growth performance, meat quality, and small intestinal histomorphology. ECBPP supplementation significantly improved body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the starter phase, with the 0.90% level producing the best results (p<0.05), showing a 4.99% increase in BW and a 2.54% reduction in FCR compared with the control. In contrast, no significant effects were observed on feed intake (FI), BW, FCR, or carcass during the finisher phase (p>0.05). ECBPP did not affect moisture, water-holding capacity (WHC), or L* values (p>0.05), but significantly increased meat color parameters at the 0.90% level (p<0.05), with a* values of 2.5 vs. 1.2 and b* values of 11.3 vs. 8.3 compared with the control group. Supplementation with 0.60–0.90% ECBPP improved intestinal morphology, particularly villus height, apical width, and basal width in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p<0.01). In conclusion, ECBPP supplementation, especially at 0.90%, improved growth performance during the starter phase, enhanced meat color quality, and promoted intestinal health in broilers.