Potential, risks, and benefits of the extract recycled from Pteris vittata arsenic-rich biomass as a broiler growth promoter

Abstract The arsenic-rich biomass of Pteris vittata is a heavy burden to phytoremediation, but the compositions of extracts recycled from arsenic-rich biomass, such as rutin, may promote broiler growth. As such, this extract can be used to reduce the usage of antibiotics in the broiler industry and the cost of phytoremediation at the same time. Therefore, the critical issues for using extract from arsenic-rich biomass as a growth promoter have been studied, including its effective composition, health and environmental risks, and potential benefits and feasibility. Forty-five compounds were identified in the extract, and they were mainly flavonoids, chlorogenic acids, and proanthocyanidins, which can directly or indirectly influence the growth of broiler. The lifetime carcinogenic risks of broiler edible parts may be maximally increased by 4.75 × 10-9 due to feeding the extract. The arsenic concentration of the farmland fertilized with the excrement from the broiler fed with the extract may increase by 0.00003–0.01857 mg/kg per year. Results revealed a feasible scenario that the sustainability of phytoremediation and broiler industry could be benefited through wastes from each other.