Inclusion of Moringa Leaf Powder (Moringa oleifera) in Fodder for Feeding Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

• Autor(a) principal: Castillo,LRI
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Portillo,LJJ, León,FJ, Gutiérrez,DR, Angulo,EMA, Muy-Rangel,MD, Heredia,JB
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-635X2018000100015
• topic: AGP; antioxidant; Coturnix; Moringa oleifera; phenolic.

ABSTRACT This research evaluated the nutritional, nutraceutical, antimicrobial, as well as the growing promoter effect of Moringa oleifera (MOR) leaves flour in fodders for fattening Japanese quails. The antimicrobial activity was measured using the method of Kirby-Bauer. A completely random design with 4x2 factorial arrangement was used, fodders included 0, 7, 14, and 21% of MOR, with and without Virginiamycin (100 ppm), during 35 d of fattening, 480 one-day old unsexed quails were used, each treatment had 5 replicates with 12 quails/cage. MOR inhibited the growth of bacteria gram (+) and gram (-). The inclusion of MOR in the period from 1 to 14 d inhibited the weight gain (p<0.001), increased feed conversion (p<0.001), without affecting the feed intake; however, in the period of 15 to 35 d MOR did not affect weight gain and the feed intake; the hematological and biochemical profile were within the normal range for quails. The inclusion of MOR decreased (p≤0.001) cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), and creatinine decreased (p≤0.001) when the amount of substitution of MOR was 21%. The carcass weight and its yield with MOR up to 14% were similar (p<0.001). The results of this experiment showed that flour from leaves of Moringa oleifera is a viable alternative to be included up to 14% in commercial diets of birds offering an option for AGP replacement without compromising the health of the animal and therefore its productivity.