Juniper oil improves oxidative stability and eggshell and albumin quality of quail eggs

The Influence of Dehulling on the Nutritional Quality of Lupine Seeds (Lupinus albus L.) and the Effect of Their Use in the Feed of Laying Quails on the Live Performance and Quality of Eggs

Lupinus albus seeds from low-alkaloid varieties are a valuable alternative source of protein for reducing the dependence on soybean meal for the feeding of monogastric animals. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the dehulling influence of lupine seeds (L. albus, cv. Amiga) and the effect of their use in the laying quails feed on live performance and egg quality. A total of 200 laying quails (Coturnix japonica), with an age of 10 weeks, were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (five replicates/group). Each group was randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments: the control group (C) diet was based on soybean meal, while the experimental groups received either 200 g/kg (WLS₂₀) or 250 g/kg (WLS₂₅) of whole lupine seeds in their diets, or 200 g/kg (DLS₂₀) or 250 g/kg (DLS₂₅) of dehulled lupine seeds in their diets. The results show that by dehulling the lupine seeds, the nutritional value of the seeds increased. The use of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet of laying quails did not affect the live performance (egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio), yolk cholesterol content, and physico-chemical quality indices of the eggs, compared with control. The presence of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet improved the nutritional quality of the yolk lipids because of the increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, the lipid quality indices of the yolk became more favorable to consumer health because of an increase in the h/H ratio (hypocholesterolemic/Hypercholesterolemic FA) and a decrease in the atherogenic index and thrombogenic index values. The higher content in carotenoids also contributed to the higher nutritional quality of the eggs obtained by lupine utilization. In conclusion, dehulling of lupine seeds had a positive influence on the nutritional quality of the seeds, the live performance of quails, and the quality of eggs.

Effects of dietary phytoncides extracted from Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) cone on performance, egg quality, gut microflora, and immune response in laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary phytoncides extracted from discarded Korean pine cones (Pinus koraiensis) on the performance, egg quality, immune response and gut microflora in laying hens. A total of 400 Hy-Line brown laying hens (50-week old) were allotted into four dietary treatments including a control diet or a diet supplemented with phytoncides at 0.002%, 0.004% and 0.008%. During the 6 weeks of experimental feeding, 0.008% of dietary phytoncides improved egg production, feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05), but not feed intake, egg weight or feed efficiency. Although dietary phytoncides had no effect on egg quality, decreases in Haugh units depending on storage periods were improved by 0.008% of dietary phytoncides (p < 0.05). To investigate the roles of dietary phytoncides on the alteration of the immune response during inflammation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline was intraperitoneally injected into 10 hens per diet group on the end date of the experimental feeding period. Serum immunoglobulins and splenic cytokine expression at mRNA levels were then measured at 4 hr postinjection. Although the levels of IgA were decreased by LPS injection in all dietary groups, dietary phytoncides at 0.008% showed a higher level of IgA by LPS (p < 0.05). Interestingly, although LPS injection resulted in an enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6, dietary phytoncides at 0.008% showed less increased levels of them (p < 0.05). Gut microflora was examined from 10 hens per diet group at the end of the experimental period. While the number of Lactobacillus spp. was increased (p < 0.05), Escherichia coli counts in the cecal contents were decreased by 0.008% of dietary phytoncides. Taken together, these results demonstrate that dietary supplementation of 0.008% phytoncides improved the egg production, immune responses during inflammation and gut microflora in laying hens.

The effect of volatile oil mixtures on the performance and ilio-caecal microflora of broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of rosemary, oregano and fennel volatile oil (FVO) supplementation on the performance and ilio-caecal bacteriological flora of broiler chickens. A total of 800 male Ross-308 broiler chickens were divided equally into 8 groups; each contained 100 chickens. The study included a control treatment (NC) with no dietary additives that was supplemented with oils according to the following 7 treatments: 200 mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg (PC), 100 mg oregano volatile oil (OVO)/kg, 100 mg rosemary volatile oil (RVO)/kg, 100 mg FVO/kg and an equal mixture of oregano+rosemary+fennel VO (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, VOM-1, VOM-2 and VOM-3, respectively). The experiment lasted for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol, oregano, rosemary and FVO and two different volatile oil mixtures (VOMs) (VOM-2; VOM-3) significantly increased the body weights (BWs) of broilers at 7, 14 and 21 d of age compared to the negative control (NC) (-) and VOM-1 groups. At 0-42 d, birds fed on VOM-3 were considerably heavier and also gained more weight than NC (-) and VOM-1 groups. The blend of VOs at 400 mg/kg significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. in faeces. The blends of oregano, rosemary and FVOs (VOM-3) at 400 mg/kg concentration and also VOM-3 group exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against coliform bacteria compared to the NC (-) group. In conclusion, the blend of oregano, rosemary and fennel VOs at higher concentrations (400 mg/kg concentration) in diets can be used to stimulate the growth and can improve the intestinal microbial balance (including a reduction of coliform bacteria and an increase in Lactobacillus spp. counts) of broiler chickens.