The elemental status of broiler chickens when used the cocoa husks in the diet

Abstract

Cocoa husk can become a desirable feedstock and mineral source for poultry farming due to its nutritional value and valuable bioactive compounds. The article deals with the biological effect of cocoa husk on the metabolism and elemental status of broiler chickens of the Arbor-Icres cross. When replacing 5% of wheat treated with alkali in the amount of 45 g/kg in the diet of broiler chickens of the II experimental group with cocoa husk, there was an increase in the elements lithium - by 66.5% (p≤0.05), cadmium – by 25.8% and phosphorus – by 18.5%, nickel – by 31.1% (p≤0.05), cobalt – by 33.9%, iron – by 21.5%, manganese – by 15.6%, selenium – by 41.0%, iodine – by 40.1% (p < 0.05), aluminum – by 43.7% (p < 0.05), against the background of a decrease in toxic, relative to the control bird. Cocoa husk in experiments has a protective effect on toxic elements, reducing mercury in the body – by 53.5% (p < 0.05), lead – by 18.2%, tin – by 69.4% (p < 0.05) and strontium – by 26.3%. Thus, cocoa husk is a valuable by-product of the food industry, which can be used in the cultivation of broiler chickens.