FEED ADDITIVES ▶▶▶
Okrais an eco- nomically im- portant vegeta- ble crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical are- as and is mainly cultivated for its seeds and healthy fruits.
(see Table 1). A clear improvement in the growth rate of chicks supplemented with okra fruit was observed with the 3 g/kg inclusion rate. It was suggested that thisimproved growth might be due to the bioactive components which en- hance the utilisation and efficiency of feed; bioactive compo- nents cause alterations in the permeation characteristics and membrane dynamics and in the protein synthesis associated with cytoskeletal function, which increases the absorptive surface area of the small intestine. On the other hand, the ef- fects of okra supplementation on FCR were not significant. However, diets supplemented with okra fruit at the level of 1 g/kg feed resulted in a better FCR, both during the second
Table 1 – Lysozymes, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) values and body weight gain of groups supple- mented with different okra treatments.
Treatment
Immunological parameters
IgM (µg/mL)
Okra fruit (g/kg): 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0
10
227 260 261 259
Lysozymes (µg/mL)
12 23 25 26
Body weight gain (g) 1-3 wks
48 54 53 52
3-5 wks
162 165 158 170
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 8, 2020 1-5 wks
105 110 106 111
(3-5 weeks) and the entire experimental period (1-5 weeks). It was also suggested that phytogenic additives may enhance the bird’s feed intake, stimulate the secretion of digestive en- zymes and the conversion of feed; however, the mode of ac- tion is not clear. The feed intake was highest in chicks fed okra fruit at 1 g/kg feed, while the lowest intake was recorded in the control diet.
Okra or synthetic pigments? Pigmentation is also an important factor in consumer accept- ance and perception of broiler meat quality in many coun- tries. In a similar study, the use of natural (okra) and synthetic pigments in broiler diets was evaluated. Pigmentation of the chicken skin and abdominal fat were significantly improved in the 4 and 5% okra inclusion levels. The pigmentation effect reached a satisfactory level after four weeks of treatment. It was concluded that the xanthophyll-rich okra meal can be used as a natural pigment source in poultry feed, thus reduc- ing feed costs associated with expensive synthetic pigments.
In conclusion, at appropriate inclusion levels, okra fruit can be used as a natural supplement in broiler diets for improving meat quality, growth performance and the immune system. In addition, it is a safe and cheap way to improve the techno- logical and sensory qualities of stored chicken meat products. Furthermore, its richness in pigments offers an affordable source of natural pigment in poultry feed.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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