Sugarcane Derived Polyphenol Feed Additive Supplemented to the Wheat Diet Improved Broiler Performance

Abstract

This study examined effects of incremental levels of sugarcane derived polyphenol on most commonly used cereals in the poultry feed industry; wheat and maize. Both cereals rapidly digestible starch, which is usually digested completely than protein itself whereas polyphenol slows down glucose absorption in rat without compromising feed intake. Polyphenol may enhance depositing of muscle in broilers due to synchronous availability of the plasma glucose and amino acid. In this experiment, 240 Ross 308 male broilers (5 birds/cage; n=6) were given 8 different diets, wheat and maize; without or with polyphenol inclusion level at 0.5%, 2% and 4% respectively. Feeds were given ad-libitum in 2 phases as grower (day 11-24) and finisher (day 24-38). Parameters assessed were body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), drip loss%, shear force and meat color. Birds were euthanized at day 38 for meat quality inspection using Pectoralis muscle. The research revealed that 2% polyphenol in wheat diets significantly reduced ADFI (day 24-38) as compared to unsupplemented wheat diets (p<0.0001). At the same level, polyphenol numerically improved FCR (day 24-38) in broilers fed wheat diets (FCR 1.93) and maize diets (FCR 1.63) as compared to unsupplemented wheat diets (FCR 1.98) and maize diets (FCR 1.70) respectively. However, 4% polyphenol inclusion level had adverse effect on BW (day 17 and 38) and ADG (day 10-38, day 24-38) in broilers fed wheat diets as compared to unsupplemented wheat diets. On other hand, maize diets supplemented with different level of polyphenol did not have any significant effect on BW, ADG, ADFI and FCR in broilers as compared to unsupplemented maize diets. Also, there was significantly higher ADFI (day 24-38) in broilers fed wheat diets as compared to maize diets (p<0.0001). Regarding meat qualities, there were not any effect of polyphenol on drip loss%, shear force and meat color. However, cereal type itself had significant effect on meat color appearance as maize fed broilers had more yellowness value of meat (b*; p<0.0001) than broilers fed wheat diets. In conclusion, polyphenol supplementation found to be useful for broilers mainly on wheat diets at 2% inclusion level.