Abstract
The effects of using Moringa leaf powder (MLP) as feed additive on the differential cholesterol profile of broiler chickens at finisher phase was investigated in view of the scientific urge to find means of reducing fatty compounds in common meat products. One hundred and twenty,4-weeks old Abor acre broilers were used for this experiment and allotted to four different treatment groups (T1-T4). The control group; T1 was without MLP inclusion, T2 with 0.40% (of the total diet on dry matter basis) MLP inclusion, T3 with 0.80% MLP inclusion and T4 with 0.40% Liver fit powder (LVP-commercial product). Each group had three replicates with 10 chickens in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted four weeks at the end of which blood samples were collected for the serum lipid fractions analysis. Parameters investigated were Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis of variance. The results revealed that TC, TG, LDL and VLDL fractions of the serum cholesterol got reduced significantly (p<0.05) in birds on T3 and T4 while HDL got increased significantly with inclusion of MLP. These results suggest that MLP is hypocholesterolemic in nature. Consequently, MLP inclusions compared favorably well with LVP and therefore can be used for reducing bad lipid fractions of serum of broilers at finisher phase to reduce the risk of high fat related diseases among the consumers. Keywords: Broilers, cholesterol, fatty meat, moringa leaf powder.
Highlights
It has been clinically proven that human requires a balanced diet in order to survive (Stadelman, 1994)
The objective of this work is to establish the effect of inclusion of M. oleifera leaf powder on serum lipid component concentrations of broiler chickens at finisher phase of production
One hundred and twenty day old Abor Acre broiler chicks purchased from a reputable farm in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria was used for this investigation
Summary
It has been clinically proven that human requires a balanced diet in order to survive (Stadelman, 1994). One of the essential requirements for this balanced diet is protein, which is supplied by meat (Oyewole et al, 2003). Broilers are white meat producing chickens that grow and ready for table after forty- two days of rearing with good management (Adesehinwa and Iyayi, 2010). Their feed is concentrated with energy and protein content (Nworgu et al, 1999). Broiler starter requires high metabolic energy of about 3240 kcalkg-1 and 24% of protein while finisher requires between 21 and 24% protein and energy content of 2900 to 3000 kcalkg-1 (Low, 2004)
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