Polyphenols rich plants extract supplementation to enhance the desaturation and antioxidant activity in goat kids

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation of tanniniferous Terminalia chebula plant extract at different levels on plasma antioxidative property, immunity and desaturation level in crossbred kids. Crossbred (Alpine × Beetal) kids (18) were divided into 3 equal groups and fed a basal diet containing concentrate mixture and green maize fodder for 90 days. In addition, treatment groups T1 and T2 were supplemented with aqueous extract of T. chebula @ 6 and 18 g/kg DM intake, respectively. Average body weight gain per day was higher (P<0.05) in group T2 (58 g) compared to control (44 g) and T1 (55 g) groups. The digestibility of DM, OM and EE were also higher (P<0.05) in group T2 compared to control. Superoxide-dismutase [U/g haemoglobin (Hb)/ min] and catalase (μmols of H2O2 consumed/ min/mg of Hb) activities in T1, T2 groups were 3.37, 14.27 and 0.61, 27.45% lower (P<0.05) than control respectively. Plasma total antioxidant activity on day 90 in T2 group was 9.60% higher than control. Total immunoglobulin concentration was 19.72 and 24.95% higher in T1 and T2 group as compared to control at 90 days of experimental feeding. In T1 and T2 group total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in muscle were enhanced by 20.25, 24.97 and 26.36, 34.77%, whereas saturated fatty acid (SFA) was reduced by 6.97, 19.65% respectively. Results of the present study indicated that the supplementation of one percent polyphenols through aqueous extract of T. chebula could also be used as an efficient strategy to improve the immunity, antioxidative status and unsaturated fatty acid level in small ruminants’ meat.