Green propolis extract as additive in the diet for lambs in feedlot

Abstract

-The objective of this paper is to assess the effects of the inclusion of different levels of green propolis extract in the diet of lambs in feedlot on ingestive behavior, nutrients digestibility, physiological parameters and performance.Eight lambs were distributed in double Latin Square with four treatments, corresponding to the inclusion levels (4, 8, 12, 16 mL) of green propolis ethanolic extract (30 g of ground crude propolis was infused in a 100-mL hydroalcoholic solution, 700 mL/L). The diets were composed of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 hay and a commercial concentrate (roughage:concentrate ratio was 50:50) in a dry matter basis. No effect was observed on dry matter (31.2 g/kg of BW), crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients content (TDN) intakes. No significant effect was seen on the digestibility coefficients, presenting an average of 65.94% of TDN. The green propolis extract levels do not have a significant effect on behavior or physiologic parameters. Seeking to maximize feeding efficiency, the inclusion of 7.60 mL/day (2.1189 mg of dry matter and 0.1123 mg of flavonoids) of green propolis extract in the diet of lambs in feedlot is recommended.

New emerging fields of application of propolis

“…The test subjects have been different animal species, including poultry (chickens, laying hens, quails) [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48], lambs [49,50], cattle [51], sheep [52], pigs [53], and fish: sea bass [54], rainbow trout [55][56][57], Nile tilapia [58][59][60], and carp [61] (Table 2). In general, propolis has a positive effect on the biochemical parameters, growth and productivity of the test animals, and is regarded as a possible alternative to antibiotics in animal feed.…”

“…However, the large-scale commercial use of propolis as a food preservative is not yet a reality, because it would require proper standardization. [35] Ross 308 Broiler Chick (heat stressed) 70% Ethanol extract Eastern Anatolia [36,37] Broiler chicks (male Ross 708) -Brazilian green type [38] Broiler chickens 70% Ethanol extract Poplar type, Iran [39] Broilers (Ross 308) 70% Ethanol extract Poplar type, China [40] Broiler chickens 50% Ethanol extract Adquirió en Maringá-PR, Brazil [41] Chickens Hubbard JV 80% Ethanol extract Slovak Republic [42] Chicken hybrid combination Ross 308 80% Ethanol extract Slovak Republic [43] Meat-type chicken Nanbu Kashiwa Propolis residue after alcohol extraction Iwate, Japan [44] Broiler chick Alcoholic extract Brazilian green type [45] Local quails Raw propolis Duhok, Iraq [46] Laying hens, heat stressed 70% Ethanol extract Eastern Anatolia [47] Hens' egg incubation -Central zone of Republic of Moldova [48] Ungulate domestic animals Lambs 70% Ethanol extract Brazilian green propolis [49] Lambs (Santa Inês x Dorper) 70% Ethanol extract Brazilian red propolis [50] Crossbred (½ Angus vs. ½ Nellore) bulls Ethanol extract Maringá PR, Brazil [51] Castrated male sheep 70% Ethanol extract Pernambuco State, Brazil. [52] Growing pigs 70% Ethanol extract Poplar propolis [53] Fish Juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) at low temperature stress Water extract Dalmatia region, middle Croatia [54] Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 95% Ethanol extract Kunming, China [55] Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 96% Ethanol extract Iran [56] Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 80% Ethanol extract Urmia, Iran [57] Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Water extract Egypt [58] Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Cereal alcohol extract Brazilian brown propolis [59] Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings Ethanol extract Dakahlia province, Egypt [60] Carp (Cyprinus carpio) 70% Ethanol extract Poplar type [61] Preservative effect in food industry Beverages Unpasteurized fruit juices (apple, orange, white grape and mandarin) Ethanol extracts Turkey …”

Dietary addition of crude form or ethanol extract of brown propolis as nutritional additive on behaviour, productive performance and carcass traits of lambs in feedlot

“…We have already compared propolis (alcohol extract, extract residue and even crude form) with monensin as it is a recognized nutritional additive with proven efficacy results for ruminants (Ítavo et al, 2009;2011a;2011b;Silva et al, 2014;Heimbach et al, 2014;Gomes et al, 2016). We have noted that regardless of the form, propolis exerted a positive effect on intake.…”