Dietary Willow Bark Extract for Broilers Reared Under Heat Stress

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted on 60, Cobb 500 broilers (14 days), assigned to 2 groups (C, E) housed in an experimental hall (32° C, 23 h light regimen). Compared to the conventional diet C, the experimental diet (E) included 1% white willow bark extract (WBE). At 42 days of age, 6 blood samples /group were collected and 6 broilers/ group were slaughtered and caecal content was collected. The dietary WBE didn’t influence broiler performance. The serum concentrations of glycaemia, cholesterol and triglycerides were lower (P <0.05) in E group than in C group. E broilers had the lowest count (P<0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and staphylococci colony forming units in the caecal content. The inclusion of WBE (1%) in the diet of broilers reared at 32° C had an hypocholesterolemiant and hypoglycaemic effect and reduced the pathogenic bacteria in the caecum

Ranking the dietary treatments of broiler chickens in order to reduce nitrogen pollution of the environment

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was used to rank the tested nutritional solutions and to choose the best nutritional solution in order to reduce environmental pollution with nitrogen. The evaluation methodology consisted in comparing by three evaluators the diets based on the zootechnical performances/thigh meat quality / environmental impact. The diets of tested nutritional solutions were contained either medicinal and aromatic plants (basil, thyme, sage) in a proportion of 1% (batch 2), respectively essential oils (0.05%) of the same plants (batch 1). The application of the AHP methodology indicated that the best nutritional alternative was obtained for basil, either in the form of essential oil or vegetal material

Feeding Strategies and Nutritional Quality of Animal Products

Feeding strategies play a crucial role in determining the nutritional quality of animal products [...

Effect of Vegetable By-Products Supplements on Coefficients of Apparent absorption from laying Hen Diets

The in vivo feeding trial was conducted on 6 weeks with 126 Tetra SL laying hens, 56-week old, assigned to 3 groups. The layers were housed in an experimental hall with controlled microclimate, in three-tier digestibility cages (2 layers per cage) which allowed the daily recording of the feed intake and excreta. All hens received a conventional compound feed (C), based on corn and soybean meal, which contained 2750 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 17.50% crude protein. Each experimental group had as supplement one fat and one antioxidant vegetal source, rapeseed meal and grapeseed meal (RGM) respectively flaxseed meal and buckthorn meal (FBM). The balance study was conducted for 5 days, on the last experimental week. During this period, average weights from each cage (6 samples per group) of feed and excreta were recorded, collected and sampled for: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extractives (EE), crude fibre (CF) ash and amino acids determinations from feeds. The layers from FBM group had significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of ingested, excreted and digested amount of CP and the lowest (P≤0.05) EE and CF absorption coefficient. Significantly higher (P<0.05) values for ingested, excreted, digested and absorption coefficient of CF nutrient, was registered for RGM group

Apparent Digestibility Coefficients and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Growing-Fattening Pigs Fed with Different Dietary Sources and Levels of Crude Fiber with Additional Pro/Prebiotics

The study investigated the effect of different fiber levels and sources on the blood profile and digestibility coefficients parameters. Compared to C diet that contained 3.5% crude fiber (CF), the feed formulation has takeninto consideration a level of 6.5% CF on E1 group and 7.5% CF on E2 group provided by adding alfalfa meal and sunflower meal. The experiment was conducted on 9 pigs randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups for 8 weeks trial period with an initial average weight of 25 kg. During the balance period, average samples of faeces/pig were collected to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients; blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture in heparin tubes and centrifuged (3000 rpm for 15 min) for plasma separation. The highest values were registered for serum creatinine (SCR) parameter for group E1 group compared to C and E2 groups, and also, high levels of lactat dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed on E1 group was significantly different (P<0.05) compared to C and E2 groups.Biochemical serum parameters LDH and SCR are important indicators to evaluate animal health and although we observed higher values for E1, there were within species limits. The different levels and sources of fiber content of feeding formula did not affect the apparent digestibility coefficients, nor the blood parameters

Effect of the Dietary Oil Mixture for Laying Hens on the Apparent Absorption Coefficients of Some Trace Elements

A 4-week feeding trial was conducted on 48 Lohmann Brown layers (55 weeks) to evaluate the effect on zootechnical parameters and coefficients of apparent absorption of micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn). The layers, assigned to 2 groups, were housed in three-tier digestibility cages (4 layers/cage) which allowed the daily recording of the feed intake and excreta, located in an experimental hall under controlled environmental conditions (temperature: 22.41±0.980C; humidity: 66.35±5.68%; ventilation/chick 0.50±0.24%; CO2 level 686.39±104.38 ppm) and 16h/24h light regimen. The control group (C) received a conventional diet (2760 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 16.8% crude protein). Compared to C formulation, the experimental diet (E) included 0.50% oils mixture (20% buckthorn oil, 20% sesame oil, 20% rosehip oil, 20% grape oil and 20% walnut oil). The daily feed intake (at weeks 3 and 4) recorded significant decreases (P≤0.05) in group E (113.29 respectively 114.38 g/chick/day) compared to C group (115 respectively 116.13 g/chick/day). Copper absorption in E group was significantly (P≤0.05) higher (with 32.21%) than in C group, which means that the concentrations of Cu in the excreta significantly (P≤0.05) decreased in E group (0.36 mg/chick/day) compared to C group (0.52 mg/chick/day). This is a positive aspect regarding the soil pollution with Cu. For Fe and Mn, the mineral concentrations in the excretion did not differ significantly (P≥0.05), showing that the supplement administered in the E diet did not affect the possible mineral load at the soil level

The Influence of Dietary Citrus Peel on Performances, Carcass Traits, Color, Texture and Primary Oxidation Products of Broiler Chicken Thigh Meat

In this study, 126 Cobb 500 commercial broiler chicks were fed a control basal (C) diet (corn-soy basal diet on an ad libitum basis) alone or with two different citrus peel. A completely randomized design with 42 chickens was used to investigate the effect of 2% orange peel (OP) or 2% grapefruit peel (GP) on broiler performances and thigh meat quality. The treatment containing 2% OP had a significant (P<0.05) effect on broiler performances. At the end of the trial (d 42), 6 broiler chickens per group were sampled for determination of thigh meat color, TPA, proximate chemical composition and primary oxidation products. Rations containing up to 2% OP and GP had a slight effect on proximate composition of raw broiler thigh meat. The Cie-Lab parameters have changed significantly (P<0.05) through in an increase in lightness, L*, and yellowness, b*, but they did not affect redness, a*. The color difference, ΔE*, between the OP and GP samples vs. C samples, was highlighted. The results of Warner Bratzler mechanical test showed a significant (P<0.05) increase of hardness in OP group while the cohesiveness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in GP group compared with C group. Chewiness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in both experimental treatment while resilience and springiness were similar in all three treatments. Regarding the primary oxidation products, conjugated diene (CD) and conjugated trienes (CT) of broiler thigh meat after 7 days of refrigeration were significantly (P<0.05) lowered in both experimental treatments showing that degradation process was delayed in thigh meat from experimental treatments

Effect of dietary orange and grapefruit peel on growth performance, health status, meat quality and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens

In our experiment we studied the effect of dietary orange peel (OP) and grapefruit peel (GP) on broilers health and thigh meat quality. The experiment was conducted on 126 Cobb 500 broiler chicks, assigned to three dietary treatments with 42 broilers per group. Each treatment was conducted in 3 experimental growth boxes, corresponding to 6 replicate pens per treatment and 7 broilers per pen. The growth boxes had identical size with a capacity of 3.5 m2 per box. Experimental dietary treatments differed from control diet (C) by addition of 2% OP or 2% GP supplement. A significant increase in body weight was exhibited in OP group compared to GP group (p < .05). Serum energetic profile (glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride) were lowered in both OP and GP supplemented groups compared to C birds (p < .05). Among fatty acids in thigh meat, OP group has increased the sum of PUFA compared to GP group. Dietary OP and GP have effectively reduced the oxidation process occurring during storage measured by the thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) values in thigh meat. Therefore, lipid oxidation was delayed by incorporating the two citrus peels in broiler diet. Monitoring the antimicrobial effect of OP and GP on intestinal and caecal microbiota population, the supplements reduced the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp., proving their antimicrobial effect, while the beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus spp. was significantly improved.Highlights The use of vegetable residues in the animal diets is an important economic and environmental factor. The positive effects were observed on thigh meat lipid oxidation, serum energetic profile and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. Citrus peel in broilers feeding can act as natural antioxidant and feed additive

Comparative Analysis of Black Chokeberry (<i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> L.) Fruit, Leaves, and Pomace for Their Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Polyphenol Bioaccessibility

The study aims to compare the nutrient composition, antioxidant potential, and polyphenol bioaccessibility of the fruit, leaves, and pomace of black chokeberry. Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant activity, and the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the individual phenolic compounds of fruit, leaves, and pomace of black chokeberry were assessed. Results showed that leaves had a higher content of polyphenols (61.06 mg GAE/g dw), flavonoids (8.47 mg QE/g), and tocopherols (1172.20 mg/kg) than fruit (27.99 mg GAE/g dw polyphenols, 5.23 mg QE/g flavonoids, 38.48 mg/kg tocopherols) and pomace (22.94 mg GAE/g dw polyphenols, 1.89 mg QE/g flavonoids and 157.19 mg/kg tocopherols), with superior in vitro antioxidant activity. Chlorogenic acids were the dominant phenolic compounds in black chokeberry undigested samples (2.713 mg/g in fruit, 17.954 mg/g in leaves, and 1.415 mg/g in pomace) but are poorly absorbed (bioaccessibility index in intestinal phase of 28.84% for fruit, 8.81% for leaves, and 31.90% for pomace). Hydroxybenzoic acids were highly stable in leaves and fruit during simulated digestion and had high bioaccessibility. In conclusion, residues from black chokeberry processing are also valuable sources of bioactive compounds, but the pomace had higher polyphenol bioaccessibility than leaves and might be a promising supplement for the food industry

Blackcurrant (Fruits, Pomace, and Leaves) Phenolic Characterization before and after In Vitro Digestion, Free Radical Scavenger Capacity, and Antioxidant Effects on Iron-Mediated Lipid Peroxidation

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a berry bush widely cultivated in Europe for producing juices, jams, jellies, and syrups. In addition to berries, blackcurrant leaves and pomace, as byproducts, have also been shown to have health-promoting effects. Static digestion, simulating oral, gastric, and small intestinal digestion, was applied, and blackcurrant leaves, fruits, and pomace and the polyphenol bioaccessibility were evaluated in terms of recovery index. The results were related to sample type, and the recovery index presented higher values in the case of fruits, indicating this morphological part of blackcurrant as the most bioaccessible. The antioxidant potential of blackcurrant was evaluated using four different methods, with the leaves proving to be a significant and powerful antioxidant compared to fruits and pomace. The counteracting potential of inhibiting the oxidation process was evaluated using in vitro-induced lipid peroxidation and the inhibition potential of superoxide and hydroxyl anions. The antioxidant evaluation and the inhibition of biological and non-biological radicals indicate the leaf extract is the most powerful antioxidant studied. Also, the results proved that not only fruits but also the blackcurrant byproducts (pomace and leaves) are promising sources of bioaccessible antioxidants with potential benefits in animal nutrition