Effect of graded levels of soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on reproductive performance in broiler breeders

Anadara granosa shell powder improves the metabolism, testosterone level, and sound frequency of Pelung chickens

Background and Aim:

Pelung chickens make unique, pleasant, and rhythmic sounds in addition to having strong muscle mass. Performance is controlled by testosterone. A natural aromatase blocker is an agent capable of blocking the aromatase enzyme, which consequently prevents testosterone from being changed into estradiol. Such a condition results in consistently high testosterone levels. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the administration of the shell powder of Anadara granosa on the testosterone level, frequency and quality of sounds, and metabolism of Pelung chickens within set parameters of thyroid hormone levels, the triiodothyronine (T₃)/thyroxine (T₄) ratio, and weight gain.

Materials and Methods:

This study used four Pelung chickens aged 14 months. Control data consisted of data before treatment (day 0). Shell powder of A. granosa was administered for 56 days. Body weight (BW) was measured, and blood samples were drawn. In addition, the sounds from Pelung chickens were recorded once every 2 weeks on days 14, 28, 42, and 56. The blood samples were analyzed using the enzyme immunoassay method to determine testosterone, T₃, and T₄ levels. The sounds of Pelung chickens were recorded using the Hagemon touch method and analyzed using the Audacity application.

Results:

The results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the levels of testosterone, BW, and sound frequency after the administration of A. granosa shell powder, but the administration did not have a significant effect on the levels of T₄ and T₃ hormones (thyroid hormone), T₃/T₄ ratio, or sound duration. The testosterone content and BW of Pelung chickens increased from day 14 to day 56, whereas T₃ was indicative of the same profile as the T₄ hormone. However, T₃ and T₄ levels and the T₃/T₄ ratio decreased and increased, respectively. The sound frequency of Pelung chickens increased from day 0 to day 14, although sound duration decreased.

Conclusion:

The administration of A. granosa shell powder at 0.9 mg/kg BW orally could improve the metabolism, testosterone level, BW, and sound frequency of Pelung chickens.

Extraction and Quality Evaluation of Biodiesel from Six Familiar Non-Edible Plants Seeds

Biodiesel produced from non-edible plant sources is cost-effective, biodegradable, environment friendly, and compatible with petro-diesel, but new sources and extraction processes still need to be discovered. Here, we explored the fuel properties of seeds from six non-edible plant sources, including Sapindus mukorossi (Soapnut, SP), Vernicia fordii (Tung, TO), Ricinus communis (Castor, CA), Toona sinensis (Juss. TS), Ailanthus altissima (Heaven tree, AA), and Linum usitatissimum L. (Lin seed, LS) from China. The optimum extraction conditions were obtained by optimizing the most important variables (reaction temperature, ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil, catalyst, mixing intensity, and purity of reactants) that influence the transesterification reaction of the biodiesel. All six plants contained high seed oil content (SOC; % w/v) with the highest in the TO-54.4% followed by SP-51%, CA-48%, LS-45%, AA-38%, and TS-35%, respectively, and all expressed satisfactory physico-chemical properties as per international standards of ASTM D6751 and EN14214. Our data provide a scientific basis for growing these plants in unproductive agricultural lands as an alternative energy sources for biodiesel production either standalone or blended with petro-diesel.