Studies on the Biotin Requirement of Broilers Fed Sunflower Seed Meal Based Diets

A total of 560 day-old commercial broiler chicks were used in two experiments conducted to 'investigate the biotin requirement of broilers fed sunflower seed meal (SSM) based diets. Two basal biotin-deficient diets based on dehulled (Experiment 1) and non-dehulled (Experiment 2) SSM were each supplemented with graded levels of biotin so that the rations had 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 and 280 mcg/kg feed. Therefore a total of 14 treatments were tested. Each treatment was given to duplicate floor pens with 20 chicks eaoh for a period of 28 days. Estimation of the live weights, live weight gain, feed intake, blood glucose and free fatty acid concentrations, lipid contents and weights of liver and leidney, and liver pyruvate carboxylase activity and the records of incidence of dermal lesions, fatty liver and kidney syndrome (FLKS) mortality and leg deformities indicated that in the case of dehulled SSM, dietary biotin of of 160 mcg/kg feed waS'" marginal while at least 200 mcglkg appeared to be needed for optimum performance of the birds. When non-dehulled SSM was incorporated in the diet, 200 mcg biotin1k:g feed was found to be the lowest dietary level needed. However, as it seems that better "results could be obtained with higher levels, 240 mcg biotin1k:g with non-dehulled SSM is being recommended

Responses of Broilers Fed Guineacorn/Palm Kernel Meal Based Ration to Supplemental Biotin

Seven duplicate floor pens with 20 day-old commercial broiler chicks each were fed a practical type broiler diet formulated with guineacorn/palm kernel meal and supplemented vvith graded levels of biotin WOO, 0'04, 0·08, 0'12, 0·16, 0·20 and 0·24 mg kg-1 feed) for a period of 6 weeks. Significantly poorer feed utilisation and carcass characteristics, higher blood lipid, lower blood glucose, lower pyruvate carboxylase activity in the liver, higher liver and kidney weights (% live weight), more lipid deposition in these organs coupled with more frequent incidences of foot dermatitis, higher mortality due to fatty liver and kidney syndrome (FLKS) and abnormal development of leg bone in broilers maintained on the diet without biotin supplementation indicated that they suffered vitamin deficiency. However, the responses of experimental birds indicated that a dietary supplement of 0·20 mg biotin kg - 1 feed was adequate for the promotion of good performance and prevention of dermal lesions, FLKS mortality and leg deformities .

Physical Properties, Chemical Composition And Nutritional Quality Of Two Cultivars Of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus Cajan L.) .

Physical properties, chemical composition and nulritional quality potentials of the seeds of Iwo cultivars of Cajanus cajan were stlldied. D!fferences between the t,vo cultivars were less pronounced except in their conterJls oj calcium, phosphorus, pl1ytic acid, lIYjJqin in{1ibitolY activity and g(utelins. :/n addUion, botl1 cultivars c;ontained valuable nutrie~1t:~amj food elu;rgy comparable to those of the :comlllon~v cons)lmed seed legumes. Presence of ta/1l1ins, phytie aGie/, m'alate, phenolics and tl)'Psininhibilors in the seeds may not constitute any problem in the utilization of the nutrients once the seeds are subjected to processing involving either heat treatment, soaking, dehu/ling and ge;'mination or their combination before consumption

Processing Effects on the Chemical Composition and Nutritional Potential of the Pigeon Pea(cajanus Cajan L.)

The effects of processing on the chemical composition and nutritional potential of the seeds of Cajanus cajan have been estimated. Raw, soaked, cooked, and autoclaved seeds were analysed for proximate composition, calcium, magnesium •. ·phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, structural carbohydrates, nutritive and non-nutritive matter and certain antinutritional factors (phytic acid, total oxalate, tannins, total phenolics and trypsin inhibitor activity). The results indicated that the caloric value of the seeds was improved by soaking, cooking and autoclaving, and that cooking and autoclaving ·significantly lowered the levels of antinutritional factors in the seed

Studies on the Production of Protein Hydrolysates from Palm Kernel Meal and Jatropha Curcas Seed Meal

Three trials were conducted to study the optimum conditions required for production of protein hydrolysates from palm I<ernel meal and Jatropha curcas seed meal. Hydrochloric (HCI) and sulphuric (H2S04) acids of varying concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 moles dm") were tested for hydrolysis of each of the two plant sources at different temperatures (65, 80, 95, 110, 125°C) and for different durations (6, 12, 18, 24,' 30 h). Results indicated that with both acids, protein hydrolysates yield and amino acid decomposition were positively and significantly correlated with acid concentration, temperature and duration of hydrolysis. However, HCI produced higher yield of hydrolysates with lower decompositiQn of amino acids from both p'rotein sources. High yield of hydrolysates coupled with higher degree of amino acid decomposition were observed in J. curcas seed meal tllan in palm I<ernel meal. Optimum yield of hydrolysates was obtained from J. curcas seed meai when hydrolysed with either 6 moles dm-" HCI or 8 moles dm" H2S04 at 95°C for 18 h. In case of palm I<ernelseed meal, optimum yield was achieved at 11O°Cwith either 8 moles dm-"HCI or 10 moles dm" H2S04, for 24 hand 18 h, respectivel

Proximate Composition of Seeds of Some Lesser-Known Crops

Seeds of Jatropha curcas, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Annona muricata and Citrullus vulgaris were analysed for proximate composition, cell wall carbohydrates, nutritive and non-nutritive components and then their energy values were estimated. Crop seeds contained per kg: 113.1 - 324.5 g crude protein, 364.8 - 483.3 g fat, 29.3 - 296.8 g crude fibre, 29.8 - 37.8 g total ash, 111.9 - 222.8 g soluble carbohydrate, 41. 0 - 363.4 g cell wall carbohydrate, 18.0- 169.0 g cellulose, 23.9- 194.4 g hemicelluloses, 706.5 - 970.7 g cellular matter, 685.3 - 947.0 g organic cellular matter, 10.4 - 29.6 g soluble ash, 5.2 - 19.4 g acid-insoluble ash, 25.5 39.4 g non-nutritive matter, 20.0 - 48.6 g lignin, 19.2 - 25.6 MJ total energy, 9.0 - 21.9 MJ digestible energy and 66.5 - 269.4 g digestible crude protein. It was concluded that except for Annona muricata, all the seed samples are potentially good sources ofdietary energy and protein supplements for ruminants. The need to further investigate the inorganic matter for their mineral element constituents in order to ascertain adequacy or otherwise in meeting the animal requirement is suggested

Studies on the Intrinsic Physico-Chemical Properties of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.)Seed Flour

Intritlsic physico~chemical properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L cv. IITA 8860) s~ed flour c '(were investigated .. The results indicated that although pigeon pea seed weight, volume and /density were in the range reported for 'some [commonly consumed seed legumes, ~he seed ,"exhibited lower hydration and swelling coefficients. The seed flour was a good gel-forming agent; more hydrophobic but less lipophilic in 'nature; and it had poor foaming qualities and 'poor emulsion stability. Furthermore', its protein showed least solubility at pH 4.0

Pyridoxine Requirement of Broilers on Fed Guinea Com-Pahn Kernel Meal Based Diet

A t1ial was conducted to establish pyridoxine requirement of broilersfed on jJractical ration, in which 8 duplicate groups of 25 commercial broiler chicks were fed guinea corn-palm kernel meal based diet supplemented with graded levels ofPy1idoxine (4.5,5.0,5.5,6.0,7.0,7.5 and 8.0 mg/hgfeed) from day-one to 42 days. Data on feed utilisation, nutrient retention and carcass characteristics showed that 6.0mg pyridoxine/kg feed is the minimum requirement whereas 5.5mg/hg feed was required for prevention of mortality and maintenance of normal haemoglobin concentration, pached cell volume (PCV) and aspartate aminotransferase activities in serum and liver

PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS FED VARYING LEVELS OF BIOTIN AND PALM KERNEL OIL

A total of four hundred and eighty day-old commercial b+oiler chicks were assigned t? 12 dietary treatments in a 2 x 6 factorial experiment to study the effects of biotin and palm kernel oil supplementation on their performance and carcass characteristics. Measurements of average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, carcass weight,' dressing percentage, total edible meat weight and total bone weight showed that a minimum of 120 mcg biotin per kg of feed was needed by broiler chicks for optimum perfor~ance. All carcass characteristics examined except total bone expressed as percentage of carcass weight were positively correlated with di.et~ry biotin level, although none was significant , (P>0.'05). Supplementation of diet with 2% palm kernel oil significan.tly (P<0.05) reduced average daily feed intake and ' average weight gain but did not affect feed efficiency (gairi/feedintake) and carcaSB characteristics of broiler

Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Dietary Supplement Biotin and Palm Kernel Oil on Blood,Liver and Kidney Lipids in Chicks

A total of 480 day-old broiler chicks were used in two trials conducted to investigate the performance and lipid contents of blood, liver and kidneys of birds when fed varying levels of palm kernel oil (0% and 2%) and biotin (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 I1lcg/kg feed) in a 2 x 6 factOlial experimental design. The results showed that blood, liver and kidney lipid concentrations were significantly affected by dietary biotin treatments. While total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol contents were negatively correlated with dietary biotin level, phospholipid concentrations were positively correlated. Biotin-deficient chicks had significantly higher total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol but lower phospholipid contents in their blood and the two organs. Supplementation of the diet with 2% palm kernel oil significantly elevated blood phospholipid concentration, but depressed the accumulation of the other lipid fractions in both organs and the blood of birds. Blood, liver and kidney cholesterol concentrations were not affected by 2% fat supplementation. Observation on the lipid parameters coupled with the results on feed utilisation appeared to suggest that a minimum of 120 mcg of the vitamin per kilograme of diet was required by broiler chicks for optimum performance