Effect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (Lam.) pods as feed additive on egg antioxidants, chemical composition and performance of commercial layers

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the influence of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) pod meal (MPM) on production, immunity, and functional food index of chicken eggs. Two hundred HyLine W36 layer birds aged 50 weeks, 1469 ± 46.63 g, were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design, with five replicates and ten birds each. Diets A, B, C, and D were formulated with the same caloric and protein levels, but with differing MPM dose levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15g MPM/kg finisher diet, respectively. Data for production performance, quality, and chemical composition of eggs were analysed by one-way ANOVA, and means were compared with Duncan's multiple range test. As a result of this study, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg mass (EM) were significantly decreased and recorded lowest in Group B, which was offered 5 g/kg above the basal diet. Bioactives such as β-carotene, quercetin, and selenium levels were increased (540, 121, & 72.21µg/100g of yolk, respectively), whereas cholesterol levels in egg yolk and serum were decreased significantly, that is, 201.87 mg/100g and 8.47 mg/dl, respectively. Serum biochemical indicators, including serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), glucose, creatinine and cholesterol levels, were lowered significantly. Proximate analysis of egg yolk showed that moisture and ether extract were decreased, whereas crude protein (CP), ash and minerals, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) contents were increased. The outcomes of this study showed that MPM supplementation affects EM, serum biochemistry and bioactive compounds of the egg yolk positively. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Layer performance, fatty acid profile and the quality of eggs from hens supplemented with <i>Moringa oleifera</i> whole seed meal

“…This subsequently leads to a deficiency of amino acids, which leads to a decrease in animal weight and growth (Akinmutimi & Okwu, 2006). Contrary to the results found by the above researchers, Ahmed et al (2017) found Moringa oleifera seed pod meal to have no effect on FI. Similarly, Paguia et al (2014) found the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal to have no effect on FI.…”

“…Results from studies carried out by Tsuzuki et al (2003) and Shi et al (2012) observed that SSM supplementation had no effect on the ROL and this may validate the ANF justification since SSM is low in ANFs like phytic acid and saponins. These results are in line with Ahmed et al (2017) when it was reported that the inclusion of Moringa oleifera pod meal had no effect on the ROL.…”

“…Similar results were found by Ahmed et al (2017) when EW was not affected by the inclusion of Moringa oleifera pod meal in layer hen diets. Concurring results were also found when Ahmed and Abdelati, (2009) and Shi et al (2012) reported that EW was not affected by the presence of LLS and SSM in the layer diet, respectively.…”

“…Hassan et al (2017) concurred with these results and attributed the decrease in FI and BW to the phytate available in the MOWSM which reduces bioavailability of minerals and the digestibility of starch and protein. Ahmed et al (2017) also reported that the decrease in production performance of layer chickens fed with M. oleifera pod meal was a result of the high fibre and ANFs which resulted in a bulky diet that decreased nutrient digestibility in the gut. Sayda et al (2011) observed that the dietary inclusion of seed meals such as SSM and LLS had a decreasing effect on BW.…”

“…Among other non-conventional CP sources, Moringa oleifera whole seed meal (MOWSM) has been reported to have the potential to be used in monogastric diets (Moreki & Gabanakgosi, 2014;Ayasan, 2015, Ahmed et al, 2017. There are ten to twelve species of the Moringaceae family that belong to the genus Moringa and M. oleifera is said to be the most commonly used of them all (Abdulkarim et al, 2005;Alikwe & Omotosho, 2013).…”