The Effects of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Leaf Powder on Performance, Egg Quality, Egg Antioxidant Capacity, and Yolk Cholesterol Levels in Laying Hens

Abstract

Different antioxidant substance are supplemented to prevent oxidative stress and improve egg quality in poultry nutrition. It is known that synthetic antioxidants negatively affect human health. For this reason, natural antioxidants are often investigated. In this study, the possibilities of using different levels of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) leaf powder (BML) in laying hens were revealed. For this purpose, 3 groups were formed, 24 in each group, and a total of 72 hens (35 weeks-old, Brown Nick) were distributed to individual cages. The control group (BML-0) was fed with a basal diet. Experimental groups were fed with the supplementation of 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg BML to the basal diet, respectively. Performance, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk TBARS, DPPH, and cholesterol levels were evaluated in the trial, which lasted for a total of 8 weeks, one week of which was the acclimatization period. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding performance, egg quality characteristics, and DPPH reducing % in egg yolk (P>0.05). Egg yolk TBARS and cholesterol levels were significantly affected from supplemented-BML diet (P