Abstract
ABSTRACTThe comparative effects of green tea extract (GTE) and powder (GTP) on performance of broilers were studied. A total of 405-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 9 groups containing 3 replicates of 15 chicks each. The treatments consisted of a control and diets supplemented with 4 levels (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/kg) of GTP and GTE. Feed intake and body weight gain were suppressed (P < .05) by GTP supplementation (P < .05). The best feed conversion ratio was observed on the GTE supplemented group. The highest mortality rate was recorded on the control and the lowest on the GTP groups (P < .05). The best economic index was achieved with GTE supplementation of the diet (P < .05). Relative weights of carcass, breast and drumstick were significantly reduced on GTP compared to GTE (P < .05). GTE up to 40 g/kg diet will maintain growth and feed utilization but inclusion of the powder even as low as 10 g/kg the diet may compromise feed intake, growth performance and carcass traits. Differences in the polyphenol content of the extract (10.2%) and powder (14.9%) may be reasons these performance results. Further studies on green tea source and method of processing are recommended.
Highlights
The gradual ban of commercial antioxidants in animal feed due to their health hazards to both the animal and human consumer of animal products (Yamashita et al 2009) has increased research interest in natural products with antioxidant activities (Ahmad et al 2012)
Breast and drumstick were significantly reduced on green tea powder (GTP) compared to green tea extract (GTE) (P < .05)
During the starter (1–21 d), finisher (22–42 d) and overall (1–42 d) growth periods, feed intake was significantly reduced (P < .05) on the GTP supplemented group compared to the control
Summary
The gradual ban of commercial antioxidants in animal feed due to their health hazards to both the animal and human consumer of animal products (Yamashita et al 2009) has increased research interest in natural products with antioxidant activities (Ahmad et al 2012). The beneficial effects of GT by-products (Yang et al 2003; Cao et al 2005;), extract (Shomal et al 2012; Farahat et al 2016) and powder (Biswas and Wakita 2001; Alimohammadi-Saraee et al 2014) on performance and health of poultry have been reported. These effects of dietary green tea have been mainly attributed to its polyphenols (Ninomiya et al 1997; Gramza et al 2005; Khan 2014) which are reported to have antioxidant (Molan et al 2009; Sahin et al 2010) and antimicrobial (Jang et al 2007; Erener et al 2011; Khan 2014) activities. The present study tested the hypothesis that GTE and GTP may differently influence the growth and carcass traits of broiler chickens
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