Effect of Different Fermentation Methods on Growth Indices and Serum Profile Of Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different fermentation methods of soyabeans on growth and serum indices using 240 days-old Anak broilers that were randomly divided into four (4) experimental groups of three replicates each. Dietary treatments were as follows: T1, T2, T3 and T4 representing lactobacillus (control), Cooking and fermenting, Daddawa fermentation and Cooking with potash before fermentation based groups at both starter and finisher phases and fed starter (1- 35 d) and finisher (36- 63 d ) diets. T2, T3 and T4 significantly (P < 0.05) increased SGR and GE when compared to T1 at the starter phase. FCR, PER and EER were significantly affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Variations in serum profile were significant (P>0.5) except cholesterol. This suggest that fermentation processes provides effective mechanism for the improvement in growth indices, PER, EER and reduction in serum cholesterol in broilers Key Words: Broilers, Fermentation, Growth Indices and Serum Profil

Fatty acid composition of meat from the hind leg cut of rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus): Fed diets containing graded levels of processed tallow (Detarium microcarpum) seed meal

Eighty one (81) weaned rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes (male and female) were randomly allotted to nine treatment groups with nine rabbits per treatment. Each treatment had three replicates with three rabbits per replicate. Processed tallow was included in the diets as a source of protein which was set at 16 % CP. The control diet had 100 % palm kernel cake (PKC) and 0 % tallow seed meal (TSM). Diets 1 - 4 contained cooked tallow seed meal (CTSM) included at 75 % PKC: 25 % CTSM, 50 % PKC: 50% CTSM, 25% PKC:75 % CTSM and 0 % PKC: 100 % CTSM, while groups 5 - 8 had fermented tallow seed meal diets (FTSM) and included at the same levels as in the cooked diets. Fifty four rabbits were randomly selected for slaughtering from the nine groups with six rabbits (male and females) per group. Fatty acid content of the hind leg of rabbits were determined. All the fatty acids measured were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the processing methods except decosenoic acid methyl ester and pentadecanoic acid methyl esters. The levels of inclusion of tallow also significantly (P<0.05) affected all the fatty acids composition measured. It was therefore concluded that irrespective of the processing methods the use of tallow in the diets of rabbits has no negative effect on the fatty acid composition of rabbit meat

Effects of cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob based diets on performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to assess the effects of feeding locally produced cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob based diets on performance and carcass characteristics of one day-old chicks with initial average body weight of 60g ± 1.25. Corncobs were pretreated with NaOH to remove the lignin contents and later hydrolyzed. The degradation of the high fibre components was done for five days using locally produced cellulase and pectinase enzymes. Completely Randomized Design was the experimental design. Four experimental diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) were formulated in all. The first diet (T1) was a standard diet that did not contain corncob and served as the control, while other three diets (T2, T3 and T4) had cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncobs at 5, 10 and 15 % levels respectively. Each treatment had 45 chickens divided equally to three replicates while each replicate had fifteen birds. Diets and water were given ad libitum. The chickens had positive growth rate. However, dry matter (DM) intake varied significantly (P&lt;0.05) in chickens on control diets and those on enzyme treated corncob diets. Birds on control diets consumed higher (2273.38 g ± 83.41) feeds than those on enzyme treated diets (2142.94g) but had lower performance indices in all parameters measured at the end of the eight week feeding trial. Broilers fed hydrolyzed corncob based diets had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher and better performance in terms of feed conversion efficiency (0.82 compared with 0.48 ± 0.09) in control chicks. Protein efficiency ratio (4.17 compared with 1.69 ± 0.94) in chickens on control diet, dry matter digestibility and final body weight of (2383.38g compared 1666.67g ± 41.67). Chickens fed enzyme treated corncob diets also had higher dressing percentage (80.22% versus 73.93% ± 0.71) higher, cut-up parts and organ proportions. The result showed that locally produced cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob diets at 5 to 15 % levels improved broilers performance and carcass quality. It was concluded that for optimum performance, enzyme treated corncob could be included in diets of broiler chickens up to 15 % level.Keywords: Performance, Broiler chickens, Corncob, Cellulase and Pectinas

Comparative evaluation of graded levels of untreated and cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob based diets on performance, carcass yield, haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding graded levels of untreated and cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob based diets on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Three hundred and fifteen day-old broiler chicks with an average initial body weight of 60g were used for the study. Seven dietary treatments were formulated such that Diet 1 was a control. Diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 5%, 10%, and 15% levels of untreated corncob, while diets 5, 6 and 7 contained cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob at 5%, 10% and 15% levels respectively. The birds were randomly distributed into seven treatment groups in three replicates and each replicate had fifteen birds. Crushed corncobs were pretreated with NaOH to remove the lignin contents and later subjected to locally produced cellulase and pectinase enzymes for the degradation of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) for five days. Proximate analyses of untreated corncobs, cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob, standard diet, diets containing untreated corncobs and diets containing cellulase and pectinase treated corncobs were carried out to determine the nutrient composition of the ingredients and feeds. Data obtained from Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical profile as well as carcass yield were determined in a 2x4 factorial arrangement. Feeding regime was twice daily for all the treatment groups while diets and water were supplied to birds ad libitum. The results showed that at the end of week eight when the experiment was terminated, the broilers placed on untreated corncob diets consumed higher quantities (2497.28 g) of feed than birds placed on enzyme treated diets (2142.94 g) and conversely recorded lower performance indices in all parameters measured. The result also showed that as the levels of untreated corncob diets increased, the final body weight of birds (1450.00 g) significantly (P&lt;0.05) reduced when compared to 2385.33g obtained for enzyme treated birds. The result equally showed that broilers fed hydrolyzed corncob diets had significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) and better performance in terms of feed conversion efficiency (0.67 as compared to 0.50) in the untreated birds, protein efficiency ratio (4.17 as compared to 1.69) in the untreated birds, feed conversion ratio (1.21 as compared to 2.70) in the untreated birds, nutrient digestibility, final body weight, dressed carcass percentage (80.22 as compared to 73.93%) in the untreated birds and carcass cuts when compared to broilers fed untreated corncob diets. Enzyme treated corncob diets significantly (P&lt; 0.05) lowered the blood cholesterol levels (1.85 g/dL as compared to 2.15 g/dL) in the untreated birds and also improved other haematological indices measured in the birds compared to the control broilers. Generally, broilers fed enzyme hydrolyzed corncob diets performed better with birds fed 15.00% enzyme treated corncob diets having the highest and the best performance record which could be attributed to better utilization of nutrients since the enzymes have hydrolyzed the nutrient releasing monomers and hence are better metabolized. It is concluded that feeding broilers with enzyme hydrolyzed corn cob at the levels 5 to15.0 % improved performance and carcass values. In addition, it elevated albumin, globulin, total protein, Aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and Alanine amino transaminase (ALT) levels in the blood

Effect of soft and moderately hard water intake on meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens

A Fifty-six (56) days experiment was conducted to evaluate the “Effect of soft and moderately hard water intake on meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens”. Three hundred (300) day old broiler chickens of Hubbard breed were used. The  chickens were randomly allotted to two (2) treatment groups. Group one are chickens administered soft water (SW) and group two are chickens administered moderately hard water (MHW). Each treatment had six replicates with twenty-five (25) birds per  replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on carcass  cut-up parts and visceral organs, breast meat quality   characteristics and breast meat proximate composition. The percentage cut-up parts and visceral organ characteristics were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different. Breast meat quality characteristics was also significantly (P&lt;0.05) different in cold breast meat water holding capacity. Breast meat proximate composition values were also significantly different in the ether extract. MHW can replace SW without any adverse effect on meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens.Key words: Soft; Moderately, Hard water; Meat quality; Broiler chickens

Biochemical characteristics of tea fungus produced during kombucha fermentation

10.1007/s10068-010-0119-6Food Science and Biotechnology193843-84