Nutritive value of azolla as poultry feed-a review

Abstract

Azolla has great prospective as poultry feed due to its high content of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12, a-Carotene), growth promoter intermediaries and minerals. Azolla contains (on DM basis) 20.4–28.5% crude protein, 2.37–6.70% ether extract,12.6–17.5% crude fibre, 15.7–19.9% total ash, 30.0–47.0% nitrogen free extract,48.2–54.8% neutral detergent fibre, 36.5–37.1% acid detergent fibre,0.80–2.22% calcium and 0.35–1.39% total phosphorous. It contains 9.10–26.2 ppm copper, 83.9–2418 ppm manganese, 30.0–225 ppm zinc, 283–1569 ppm iron and 206–632 ppm carotene. The total flavonoid and total phenolic contents (µg/ml) in methanolic extract are 56.2 and 87.3, respectively. It has good potential for imparting rich colour to egg yolk due to presence of a-carotene pigment. It has higher potential to proliferate without inorganic nitrogen fertilization and high rate of growth in water. Azolla on meal basis can be included in broiler ration and pullet chick ration up to a level of 5 and 10%, respectively without any adverse effect on their performance. Fresh azolla at a rate 200g/duck/day in White Pekin duck feeding was economical. Higher levels of inclusion of azolla limit its beneficial effect due to decrease in feed consumption owing to higher level of fibre comprising mostly of ADF and lignin in azolla. Azolla production through low cost technology can be popularised and supplemented in the diets chicken and ducks either in fresh or dried form for economic production of meat and egg.