Natural and synthetic pigments in diet of Japanese quails

• Autor(a) principal: Valentim, jean kaique
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Bittencourt, Tatiana Marques, Lima, Heder José D'Àvilla, Barros, Fernanda Keller Queiroz, Almeida, Guilherme Resende de, Ziemniczak, Henrique Momo
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciAnimSci/article/view/47364
• topic: antioxidants; canthaxanthin; yolk color; plant extracts

The objective of this study was to evaluate productive performance and egg quality of Japanese quails (Cortunix japonica) fed with synthetic and natural pigments. The treatments used were: 0.8% paprika extract (Capsicum annuum), 0.8% marigold flower extract, 4% paprika extract and 4% marigold flower extract and 0.045% synthetic pigment (Canthaxanthin) in feed. A total of 240 Japanese quails at 20 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and six replicates, with eight quails per experimental unit (30 experimental units). There was no difference (p > 0.05) for the evaluated parameters, except for yolk color which showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between the treatments used. The inclusion of 0.8% natural pigments in diet of Japanese quails can be used to substitute canthaxathin because it is effective on improving yolk color without affect performance and the quails egg quality.