Composition of some botanical mixtures as potential feed additives for laying hens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of four botanical mixtures (AFC): AFC 1 (containing red corn, pumpkin pulp and marigold), AFC 2 (containing alfalfa meal, pumpkin pulp and marigold), AFC 3 (containing kale, alfalfa meal, marigold and spinach leaves), AFC 4 (containing buckthorn, red corn, pumpkin pulp and marigold), in terms of proximate analysis (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash), amino acid (AA) profile, vitamin E concentration and lutein and zeaxanthin content, in order to determine the potential of AFCs as feed additives in laying hens nutrition. The crude protein content for the analysed botanical mixtures ranged between 9.07-18.18% DM, and crude fiber between 10.41-30.83% DM. The amino acid profile of the mixture AFC 4 revealed a content of limiting essential amino acids required for laying hens: lysine 5.719% CP, methionine 1.058% CP and threonine 4.415% CP. The highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin was found in the mixture AFC 4 (66.659 mg/100 g), which also had the highest amount of vitamin E (640.93 mg/kg). With regard to safety of the botanical mixtures, lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Concentration of lead ranged from 0.28-0.75 μg/g DM and 0.06-0.09 μg/g DM for concentration of cadmium, which was within the legislation of maximal limits of EU regulations. It can be concluded that the botanical mixture AFC 4 had the highest concentration of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E, with an adequate content of essential amino acids. Furthermore, all four botanical mixtures had high amounts of xantophylls and should be tested in laying hens trials in order to establish their effects on lutein and zeaxanthin concentration in egg yolk.

Chemical Composition and Nutritional Evaluation of Pasteurized Egg Melange

“…Amino acids are determined after samples' derivation with ortophtalaldehide and detection at 338 µm. Method was effectuated in according with standard SR EN ISO 13903:2005 [31,32], concentration calculus being made by reporting of drops area to calibration curve.…”

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and fructooligosaccharides, alone or in combination, on performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens

“…Prior to amino acid analysis, the fecal samples were thawed and oven-dried at 65°C for 72 h, then weighed again and pulverized into finely ground powder that can pass through a 0.05 mm mesh. Amino acids determinations from samples of feed and feces was 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1125897 Frontiers in Microbiology 05 frontiersin.org performed by HPLC, following an established method by Varzaru et al (2013). The HPLC system was Finnigan Surveyor Plus and HyperSil BDS C18 column, size 250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm (Thermo-Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA).…”

Comparative analysis of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of selected plants as phytogenic feed additives for poultry nutrition

“…Following centrifugation, the extracts were stored at 4 °C for analyses. The extraction of lipophilic compounds (ß-carotene, vitamin E) was performed according to Varzaru et al, (2015).…”