Public concern on the excessive use of synthetic food additives has raised a great interest to use natural products due to their potential in food and pharmacological industries. Nowadays, chemical food additives are questioned due to their contribution to the health risks and environmental impacts. Among natural additives, essential oils (EOs) are extracted from aromatic compounds and responsible for their biological activities namely antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity. Incorporation of bio-active compounds particularly EOs directly in food or edible/biodegradable food packaging seems to enhance the shelf life and quality characteristics of processed food and protect the consumers against oxidative and bacterial deterioration effects. However, inclusion of EOs in films/coatings for food packaging may put some effects on various properties (optic, tensile and etc.), which can affect the consumer acceptability. Their addition in food can cause some allergic and hypersensitivity reactions to the individuals who use them often. This paper aims to review the latest findings on the use of EOs incorporated with edible/biodegradable films and coatings to enhance the shelf life and quality of the food. Further investigations about essential oils are expected to clarify their exact action and build up their standard use in food industry.

-This study was performed to determine the effect of shell colour in eggs acquired from Ross-308 broiler breeders on the interior and exterior quality of the egg, the antibody content of the egg yolk, and growth performance. The shell colours of a total of 1350 eggs were classified, using a colorimeter, into three groups: dark (E<64), medium (E:64.00-67.00), and light (E>67). The difference between groups with respect to egg weight, shape index, shell weight, and Haugh unit value was significant. Egg yolk antibody content (IgY) was 6.658 mg/mL in the dark colour group, 5.130 mg/mL in the medium colour group, and 5.242 mg/mL in the light colour group. Among incubation characteristics, the fertility rate as, in order, 94.66%, 92.14%, and 87.92% in dark, medium, and light shell colour eggs, and the hatchability was 87.00%, 84.28%, and 80.57%, in the same order. No significant difference was observed between groups with respect to hatchability of fertile eggs and embryonic mortality rates. No significant difference was observed between groups for live weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio either. The eggshell colour has an effect on yolk antibody content and on the hatchability, but it has no influence on hatchability of fertile eggs, Haugh unit and growth performance.

The current study was conducted to determine the effect of adding black cumin (Nigella sativa) powder (BCP) to the Japanese quail diet on the carcass characteristics and meat quality. In this research, 240 Japanese quail chicks (mean initial body weight 9.15 ± 0.12) were divided into four groups of four replications each. Treatments consisted of the addition of BCP at levels 1, 2, and 4% to the mixed feed and control group without the BCP additive. Compared to the other groups, the group with the 2% BCP diet had a higher live weight (LW), body weight gain (BWG), and a better feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.05). BCP administration had no impact on the carcass characteristics, however, BCP had a significant effect on the thigh and breast meat. The animal study protocol was approved by the Niğde Governorship, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey (protocol code: E-15018773-050.01.04-75932 and date of approval: 26 April 2021) for studies involving animals. Lower thiobarbituric acid (TBA), pH, peroxide, and total psychrophilic bacteria levels were found in the BCP added groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). When compared with the control, the sensory properties such as color, juiciness, softness, and flavor were significantly higher in the BCP treated groups, especially when fed the 2% BCP diet. It can be concluded that BCP as an additive to quail feeds had a significant effect on the performance of quails as well as on the shelf life of the meat. In order to avoid health and environmental concerns, it was concluded that BCP can be used as a natural additive to replace synthetic antimicrobials and antioxidants at the level of 1–2% in quail compound feeds.

Phytogenic feed additives have replaced the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diet of poultry particularly broiler chickens. Researchers are moving towards the use of natural products such as herbs, spices, plants and plant products, which possess influential effects on growth performance parameters, immune response and treatment of various diseases. Aloe vera is a well-known medicinal plant and is being used for commercial and therapeutic purposes such as antimicrobials, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, wound healing, antioxidant and antiprotozoal agents. From a few last decades, the use of Aloe vera has been increased as a natural additive to broiler diet. Based on the review of literature, Aloe vera can improve immune response, growth performance in the broiler, as well as an excellent alternative of AGPs and anticoccidial drugs. It can be used for broiler diet in the form of gel, powder, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract. This review provides information about the use of Aloe vera in broiler production with reference to the effects on growth performance, immune system, intestinal microflora and coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

This research was conducted to determine the effect of quinoa seed (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) extract on the performance, carcass parameters, and meat quality in Japanese quails. In this study, 400 quail chicks were divided into a control group (without quinoa seed extract addition) and 3 experiment groups (4 replicates containing 25 quails in each). Commercial feed and the addition of different concentrations of quinoa seed extract (QSE) 0.1 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg, and 0.4 g/kg were used in the study. During the second week of the experiment, the highest feed intake was obtained from the supplemented groups (p < 0.01). After 5 weeks of experimentation, the highest feed consumption was noticed in the group with 0.4 g of QSE additive. The QSE additive affected the live weight gain values of all experimental groups during 1 week of the experiment. The highest values of hot carcass weight were noticed in groups with 0.2 and 0.4 g of QSE additive (p < 0.01). While the highest value of cold carcass weight was noticed in a group with 0.2 g of QSE additive (p < 0.05). Thigh, breast, back and neck ratio, and internal organs (except gizzard) were not affected by the supplementation of QSE. As a result of storage of breast meat at 4 °C for 0, 1 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days, it was determined that the number of pH, thiobarbituric acid, peroxide, and total psychrophilic bacteria were lower in the groups with QSE as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the best results of quail performance were obtained with 0.2 g/kg and 0.4 g QSE/kg of the quail’s fodder. While the addition of 0.4 g QSE/kg of the quail’s fodder had a significant effect on meat shelf life and could be used in poultry mixed feed to prevent or delay lipid oxidation of meat.

The current study was conducted to determine the effects of the licorice root (Glycyrrhriza glabra) in laying hens diets on performance, egg cholesterol, some plasma parameters and antioxidant capacity. One hundred, 40-week old laying hens were divided into four groups, each group consisted of 25 hens and were placed in individual cages. The mean of the initial body weight of laying hens was 1829.18±9.595 g. Commercial laying hen diet was supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% levels of licorice root powder and four different dietary groups were formed. From the experimental findings, it was ascertained that the licorice root supplementation had no significant effect on egg weight and feed conversion ratio (p>0.05), but feed consumption decreased with increasing licorice root (p<0.05).Egg yield was recorded as 88.94%, 89.56%, 86.82% and 85.02% in the groups of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, respectively (p<0.05).Plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and egg yolk cholesterol level decreased with the addition of licorice root, while plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased with licorice root addition (p<0.05). Licorice root addition had a positive effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAS) of plasma. It was determined that the total antioxidant capacity was increased by increasing amount of licorice root. From the overall findings, it can be concluded that licorice root could be used as a feed additive without any adverse effect on performance. It has been demonstrated that the licorice root enables the production of functional eggs.

This study was conducted with the objectives to determine the effects of licorice root powder (Glycyrrhriza glabra) on performance, serum parameters, egg yolk cholesterol and antioxidant capacity in laying Japanese quail. Two hundred and forty 10-wk-old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, each one four times replicated with fifteen quails per dietary groups. Control group fed the basal diet; other groups were fed basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% licorice root powder. There were no significant differences in terms of final live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentration between treatment groups. Egg production was higher in control group and 0.5% licorice root powder supplemented groups. 1.0% licorice root powder supplemented group had lower egg production rate. Licorice root powder supplementation decreased Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentration and increased glucose concentration significantly. Licorice root powder supplementation increased total antioxidant status (TAS) and reduced total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). It was concluded from this study that supplementation of licorice root powder at the level of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% to the feed of laying quails had no adverse effects on performance. Licorice root powder supplementation can be used to reduce cholesterol level and increase antioxidant status in quails.

Bu çalışma, Hatay ili kırsalında halk elinde yetiştirilen pekin ördeklerine ait yumurtaların matematiksel formüller kullanılarak bazı iç ve dış kalite özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada 417 adet pekin ördeği yumurtası kullanılmış ve tartımla bireysel yumurta ağırlık değerleri baz alınarak matematiksel formüller yardımıyla yumurta boyu ve eni, yumurta yüzey alanı, yumurta kabuk ağırlığı ve kalınlığı, gözenek sayısı, yumurta sarı oranı değerleri hesaplanmıştır. Determination of The Egg Quality Characteristics with Mathematical Formulas in Pekin Ducks Grown in Public Farms A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Research ArticleReceived 23 June 2017 Accepted 02 October 2017This study was carried out with the aim of determining some internal and external quality characteristics of pekin duck eggs grown by families living in rural Hatay province by using mathematical formulas. In the study, 417 pekin duck eggs were used and with the help of mathematical formulas based on individual egg weight values, egg length and width, egg surface area, egg shell weight and thickness, pore number, egg yolk ratio values were calculated. Average egg length calculated according to egg weight were determined as 62,48 mm, egg width 43.76 mm, egg shell thickness 0.358 mm, egg shell weight 6.03 g, egg surface area 81.23 cm 2 , pore number-1 8.915.29, pore number-2 7.993.13 and pore number-3 8.934.70 units and egg yolk ratio 37.68%. In addition, shape index of egg external quality characteristics 69.69%, elongasyon 1.436, egg volume 66.38 cm 3 , pore density-1 109.89, pore density-2 98.34, pore density-3 109.74 pore number/cm 2 and egg shell ratio 8.48%, the yolk weight of egg internal quality characteristics 26.78 g, albumen weight 38.26 and albumen ratio were calculated as 53.85%. As a result, the characteristics of the external and internal quality of the pekin duck eggs raised at the public hand within the Hatay province were revealed without deteriorating the egg integrity. Keywords:Egg shell mass Pore number and density Albumen and yolk mass Pekin duck Mathematical formula