Abstract
Simple SummaryIn recent decades, the use of phytogenic feed additives as natural growth promoters has been substantially increased in the poultry industry. Fermented pine (Pinus densiflora) needle drink is used as a functional beverage in Korea due to its antioxidant effects. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to determine the effects of fermented pine needle extract on laying performance, egg quality, lipid parameters, and lipid oxidation of eggs in laying hens. Supplementation of fermented pine needle extract in laying hens’ diet improved productive performance and egg quality parameters.This study aimed to investigate the supplemental effects of fermented pine (Pinus densiflora) needle extract (FPNE) in laying hen diets on productive performance, egg quality, and serum lipid metabolites. A total of 108 40-week-old Hy-line brown laying hens were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatment groups: (1) basal diet + 0 mL FPNE/kg diet (CON), (2) basal diet + 2.5 mL FPNE/kg diet (T1), or (3) basal diet + 5 mL FPNE/kg diet (T2) for 6 weeks. Each group consisted of four replicates of nine hens each. Feed and water provided ad libitum. Results showed that dietary supplementation of FPNE increased egg production percentage (linear, p < 0.01 and quadratic, p < 0.05), egg mass (linear, p < 0.05), and feed intake (linear, p < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. In addition, dietary inclusion of FPNE significantly increased the eggshell color (linear, p < 0.01), egg yolk color (quadratic, p < 0.01), and eggshell breaking strength (linear, p < 0.05 and quadratic, p < 0.05) while the Haugh unit decreased (quadratic, p < 0.05). However, serum lipid profile did not differ among the dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Notably, antioxidant activity of egg yolk was improved by significantly decreasing the malondialdehyde content in egg yolks after 6 weeks of storage (linear, p < 0.001 and quadratic, p < 0.05). In summary, dietary inclusion of FPNE could improve laying performance and the antioxidant capacity of eggs.
Highlights
In the past two decades, the increasing consumer demand for poultry products from hens raised without antibiotics has intensified the research on the development of antibiotic alternatives to maintain or improve poultry health and performance [1,2]
This solution was termed as a fermented pine needle extract (FPNE)
It could be possible that FPNE might have stimulated the hepatic secretion of egg yolk precursors through protecting hepatocytes from oxidative damage resulting in the enhancement of yolk formation and ovulation [22,23]
Summary
In the past two decades, the increasing consumer demand for poultry products from hens raised without antibiotics has intensified the research on the development of antibiotic alternatives to maintain or improve poultry health and performance [1,2]. In this context, phytogenic feed additives (PFA), plant-based extracts containing various bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, organic acids, essential oils, terpenoids, and aldehydes, have gained significant attention, and are reported to have beneficial effects on animal production and health [3,4]. Pine needles contain several bioactive components such as α-pinene, caryophyllene, beta-pinene and bisbenzene, camphene, borneol, phellandrene, quercetin, kaempferol, and terpene, which have been reported to have antimicrobial, antimutagenic, and antioxidant effects [6,7,8]
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