Evaluation of Muscle Chemical and Amino Acids Composition in Broiler Chicks Fed Sorghum or Sorghum-Pea Diets

The study evaluated the chemical and amino acids (AA) composition of breast and thigh muscle in broilers fed sorghum and sorghum-pea diets, as partial substitute of corn and soybean meal (SBM). A total of 540 3-wk-old broilers (Cobb 500) randomly assigned to three groups were fed with corn-SBM control diet (C), corn-sorghum-SBM diet (S) and corn-sorghum-peas-SBM diet (SP) for finisher phase. At slaughter, muscle samples were collected for chemical analyses. The results showed that dietary sorghum or sorghum-pea inclusion did not affect (p>0.05) the chemical composition (dry matter, protein, fat and ash) of broilers muscle tissue. The total AA (TAA), essential AA (EAA) or flavour-related AA (FAA) concentrations from breast or thigh muscle did not differ (p>0.05) between treatments. A significant effect (p<0.05) was found for some individual EAA. The valine and phenylalanine concentrations were higher, and cysteine and methionine levels were lower in both muscles than the C group. The higher deposition (p<0.05) was found for most AA, except glycine and arginine, in the breast vs thigh, as an effect of muscle tissue. As results, the TAA, EAA, NEAA, FAA and EAA/NEAA ratio increased in the breast vs thigh muscle. Interactions between diets and muscle tissue were noticed for serine, threonine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, TAA and EAA. In conclusion, sorghum or sorghum-peas can partially substitute the corn and SBM in broiler diets, with no adverse effects on chemical composition and beneficial nutrients, such as EAA and FAA that are important for the nutritional quality of meat.

Evaluation of Muscle Chemical and Amino Acids Composition in Broiler Chicks Fed Sorghum or Sorghum-Pea Diets

The study evaluated the chemical and amino acids (AA) composition of breast and thigh muscle in broilers fed sorghum and sorghum-pea diets, as partial substitute of corn and soybean meal (SBM). A total of 540 3-wk-old broilers (Cobb 500) randomly assigned to three groups were fed with corn-SBM control diet (C), corn-sorghum-SBM diet (S) and corn-sorghum-peas-SBM diet (SP) for finisher phase. At slaughter, muscle samples were collected for chemical analyses. The results showed that dietary sorghum or sorghum-pea inclusion did not affect (p>0.05) the chemical composition (dry matter, protein, fat and ash) of broilers muscle tissue. The total AA (TAA), essential AA (EAA) or flavour-related AA (FAA) concentrations from breast or thigh muscle did not differ (p>0.05) between treatments. A significant effect (p<0.05) was found for some individual EAA. The valine and phenylalanine concentrations were higher, and cysteine and methionine levels were lower in both muscles than the C group. The higher deposition (p<0.05) was found for most AA, except glycine and arginine, in the breast vs thigh, as an effect of muscle tissue. As results, the TAA, EAA, NEAA, FAA and EAA/NEAA ratio increased in the breast vs thigh muscle. Interactions between diets and muscle tissue were noticed for serine, threonine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, TAA and EAA. In conclusion, sorghum or sorghum-peas can partially substitute the corn and SBM in broiler diets, with no adverse effects on chemical composition and beneficial nutrients, such as EAA and FAA that are important for the nutritional quality of meat.(AU)

Influence of Artemisia Annua on Broiler Performance and Intestinal Microflora

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Artemisia (Artemisia annua) supplementation as essential oil and powder, in broiler diet on performance and intestinal microflora. One hundred and eighty Cobb 500 broiler chicks assigned to three experimental groups (six replicates with 10 broilers per replicate) were housed in an environment-controlled house. Compared to the control diet, the experimental diets included 0.05 g kg-1 Artemisia essential oil (E1), 0.05 g kg-1 essential oil plus 0.1 g kg-1 powder of Artemisia (E2), respectively. Growth performance was monitored throughout days 14-42. Artemisia supplementation (E1, E2) did not influence growth performance of the chicks. Compared to the C and E1, the chicks from E2 group had a lower count of Enterobacteriaceae in the intestinal and caecal content, both at 35 and at 42 days. The Artemisia supplements did not influence the staphylococci populations from the intestinal content of the chicks (42 days), but in the caecal content samples, this count was lower in E2 (8.836 log10 cfu g-1) than in C (8.876 log10 cfu g-1) and E1 (8.870 log10 cfu g-1). The count of lactobacilli increased in the intestinal and caecal contents of chickens fed the diet supplemented with Artemisia at the 35th and 42nd day. Diet supplementation with A. annua essential oil and powder could be an effective solution in maintaining the proper microflora balance in the chicks intestine.

Influence of Artemisia Annua on Broiler Performance and Intestinal Microflora

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Artemisia (Artemisia annua) supplementation as essential oil and powder, in broiler diet on performance and intestinal microflora. One hundred and eighty Cobb 500 broiler chicks assigned to three experimental groups (six replicates with 10 broilers per replicate) were housed in an environment-controlled house. Compared to the control diet, the experimental diets included 0.05 g kg-1 Artemisia essential oil (E1), 0.05 g kg-1 essential oil plus 0.1 g kg-1 powder of Artemisia (E2), respectively. Growth performance was monitored throughout days 14-42. Artemisia supplementation (E1, E2) did not influence growth performance of the chicks. Compared to the C and E1, the chicks from E2 group had a lower count of Enterobacteriaceae in the intestinal and caecal content, both at 35 and at 42 days. The Artemisia supplements did not influence the staphylococci populations from the intestinal content of the chicks (42 days), but in the caecal content samples, this count was lower in E2 (8.836 log10 cfu g-1) than in C (8.876 log10 cfu g-1) and E1 (8.870 log10 cfu g-1). The count of lactobacilli increased in the intestinal and caecal contents of chickens fed the diet supplemented with Artemisia at the 35th and 42nd day. Diet supplementation with A. annua essential oil and powder could be an effective solution in maintaining the proper microflora balance in the chicks intestine.(AU)

Artemisia annua as phytogenic feed additive in the diet of broilers (14-35 days) reared under heat stress (32 ºC)

The 21 days feeding trial was conducted on 90, Cobb 500 broilers (aged 14 days), assigned to 3 groups (C, E1 and E2) housed in an experimental hall at 32° C constant temperature and 23 h light regimen. During the growth period (14-35 days), the conventional diet (C) had corn and soybean meal as basic ingredients. Unlike the conventional diet formulation (C), the diet formulations for the experimental groups also included 0.005% Artemisia annua oil (E1) and 0.005% Artemisia annua oil plus 1% Artemisia annua powder (E2). Six broilers per group were slaughtered at 35 days of age in order to measure the weight of the carcass and internal organs of broilers, and samples of intestinal and caecal content were collected for bacteriological assessment (Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, staphylococci, Lactobacilli, Salmonella spp.).The following parameters were monitored during the experimental period: bodyweight (g); average daily feed intake (g feed/broiler/day); average daily weight gain (g/broiler/day); feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain). Under heat stress (32 ºC), E2 broilers (mixture of A. annua oil and powder) had a significantly (p 0.05) higher average of daily feed intake than the broilers receiving the C diet or the diet supplemented just with A. annua oil (E1). Both samples of intestinal and caecal content, showed the lowest count (p 0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and staphylococcus colony forming units in E2 broilers. Diet with A. annua oil and powder provided proper conditions for lactic acid bacteria proliferation in the intestine and caecum of heat stressed broilers.

Artemisia annua as phytogenic feed additive in the diet of broilers (14-35 days) reared under heat stress (32 ºC)

The 21 days feeding trial was conducted on 90, Cobb 500 broilers (aged 14 days), assigned to 3 groups (C, E1 and E2) housed in an experimental hall at 32° C constant temperature and 23 h light regimen. During the growth period (14-35 days), the conventional diet (C) had corn and soybean meal as basic ingredients. Unlike the conventional diet formulation (C), the diet formulations for the experimental groups also included 0.005% Artemisia annua oil (E1) and 0.005% Artemisia annua oil plus 1% Artemisia annua powder (E2). Six broilers per group were slaughtered at 35 days of age in order to measure the weight of the carcass and internal organs of broilers, and samples of intestinal and caecal content were collected for bacteriological assessment (Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, staphylococci, Lactobacilli, Salmonella spp.).The following parameters were monitored during the experimental period: bodyweight (g); average daily feed intake (g feed/broiler/day); average daily weight gain (g/broiler/day); feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain). Under heat stress (32 ºC), E2 broilers (mixture of A. annua oil and powder) had a significantly (p 0.05) higher average of daily feed intake than the broilers receiving the C diet or the diet supplemented just with A. annua oil (E1). Both samples of intestinal and caecal content, showed the lowest count (p 0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and staphylococcus colony forming units in E2 broilers. Diet with A. annua oil and powder provided proper conditions for lactic acid bacteria proliferation in the intestine and caecum of heat stressed broilers.(AU)