Benefits of seaweed-based pellet binders in broiler diets

Moreover bettering hen efficiency, the feed trade goals for feed high quality that lowers the price of manufacturing by lowering feed dustiness and wastage. There are a number of elements that have an effect on pellet high quality, however the primary one is feed formulation, which includes the uncooked supplies and components used within the formulation.

Seaweed is a crucial supply of hydrocolloids. These water-soluble carbohydrates improve the viscosity of options to kind gels. Photograph: Koos Groenewold

Some feed substances have a constructive influence on pellet high quality, whereas others can adversely have an effect on high quality. In earlier research it has been noticed that feed formulation and grinding have a larger influence (60%) on bodily pellet high quality than different elements associated to the pelleting course of (40%). Nevertheless, using artificial pellet binders, corresponding to calcium lignosulfonate and bentonite, haven’t any particular advantages by way of the expansion efficiency of the hen. Along with hen efficiency, pellet binders from pure sources like seaweed can contribute to a greater surroundings and probably to improved choice for the meat product.

A supply of hydrocolloids

Seaweed is a crucial supply of hydrocolloids, corresponding to agar, alginate, and carrageenan. These hydrocolloids might be described as water-soluble carbohydrates used to extend the viscosity of options to kind gels. Based mostly on these seaweed properties, researchers from the College of Malaysia Pahang carried out a examine to judge the advantages of utilizing seaweed-based pellet binders in relation to numerous parameters.

On this examine, 2 seaweed species, Kappaphycus alvarzeii and Sargassum polycystum had been used as pellet binders to judge their advantages on pellet high quality, progress efficiency, feed effectivity and the carcass traits of broilers from 1-35 days of age. The diets consisted of a management (no additive), a industrial binder and three ranges of every seaweed; Seaweed 1: basal food plan + S. polycystum at 2%, 5%, and 10%, and Seaweed 2: basal food plan + Okay. alvarezii at 2%, 5%, and 10%.

An enchancment in pellet high quality

Pellet high quality was measured utilizing the Pellet Sturdiness Index (PDI), together with pellet hardness for all of the diets. PDI primarily signifies the flexibility of the pellet to withstand attrition throughout storage and transport. By way of pellet hardness, it’s typically accepted that more durable pellets will even be extra sturdy.

The outcomes of the PDI and pellet hardness measurements carried out on the pellets produced with the addition of seaweed powder (Okay. alvarezii and S. polycystum) indicated an enchancment in pellet high quality. The remedy with S. polycystum added confirmed the next PDI rating than the management, the Okay. alvarezii and the industrial binder diets. Whereas the PDI of each the Okay. alvarezii and the industrial binder had been no higher than the management food plan, for each seaweed species, the PDI values had been larger for the two% and 5% inclusion ranges than the ten% stage.

Pellet hardness

By way of pellet hardness, the Okay. alvarezii at 5% confirmed the very best worth in comparison with the remainder of the diets, whereas the S. polycystum and industrial binder had been higher than the management. In comparison with S. polycystum, the larger hardness values from Okay. alvarezii had been attributed to its larger swelling capability and water retention capability that enhance the bodily and structural properties of the pellet. As well as, Okay. alvarezii confirmed a larger gel power and extra viscosity in comparison with S. polycystum. This was attributed to the kind of polysaccharide content material within the 2 species. Whereas Okay. alvarezii produces carrageenan, S. polycystum doesn’t produce carrageenan however alginate as an alternative. Carrageenan can kind a robust and inflexible gel when blended with water.

A rise in feed consumption

All of the completely different ranges of seaweed addition confirmed elevated feed consumption throughout each the starter and the grower-finisher phases. A comparability between the two seaweed species confirmed that the pink seaweed (Okay. alvarezii) was extra acceptable to broiler chickens than the brown seaweed, S. polycystum. Physique weight achieve was extra for the Okay. alvarezii in comparison with the S. polycystum food plan. Broilers fed with 2% Okay. alvarezii had the very best physique weight achieve in comparison with the 5% and 10% inclusion ranges of the identical seaweed species.

Higher feed conversion

The feed conversion ratio (FCR) measured throughout the finisher interval was higher for each the Okay. alvarezii and the S. polycystum in comparison with the management on the 2% and 5% inclusion charges. The ten% inclusion stage for each the Okay. alvarezii and the S. polycystum was larger in comparison with the management. The most effective FCR was noticed with the two% Okay. alvarezii food plan. This was attributed to higher pellet high quality noticed with Okay. alvarezii as a great pellet binder will maintain all of the substances intact and might be simply consumed by birds.

Inclusion stage

There was no vital distinction between therapies apart from thigh and breast yield. Breast yield was larger with 5% Okay. alvarezii in comparison with the opposite therapies. Highest thigh yields had been discovered with the 5% S. polycystum and the industrial binder diets. The yield of carcass, wings, drumstick, liver and stomach fats weren’t affected by dietary remedy.

The researchers concluded that each seaweed species Okay. alvarezii and S. polycystum at 2-5% might function a possible pellet binder that improves progress efficiency and feed effectivity in broilers with no antagonistic results on carcass parameters. As well as, owing to their hydrocolloid content material and different properties, corresponding to swelling capability, water retention capability and gel formation capability, each of those seaweed species can enhance the standard of pellets in broiler diets.