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The aim of this study was to investigate whether microalgae in Japanese quail feed alters performance, fatty acid profiles in the eggs and egg quality. One hundred quails were distributed in four groups and five replicates of five birds per experimental group. The treatments consisted of four levels of Spirulina platensis microalgae (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) in the diets. We evaluated the productive performance and chemical-physical characteristics of eggs, the oxidant/antioxidant status in egg yolks, and the fatty acid profile in the diet and egg yolks. Microalgae in the diet did not influence egg production; however, it increased the yolk index as well as the color intensity of the yolk. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels decreased in egg yolks, and monounsaturated fatty acid levels increased in the yolks. Lipid peroxidation levels were lower and total antioxidant capacity was higher in egg yolks of quails receiving microalgae in the diet. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Microalgae in quail diets improves egg quality and provides benefits to consumer health, acting as an antioxidant and immune-stimulant. Microalgae in quail diets had positive effects on egg quality. This is because it reduced levels of saturated fatty acids that are undesirable, and increased monounsaturated fatty acid levels that are beneficial to the health of consumers. Finally, antioxidants increased in egg yolks, consequently reducing lipid peroxidation., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

1. This work investigates the apparent metabolisable energy (AME), its nitrogen-corrected form (AMEn) and amino acid (AA) digestibility coefficients of the microalgae Spirulina platensis as an ingredient in broiler chicken diets. 2. One group of birds was fed with a basal control diet (BD), and another was fed with a test diet composed of the BD with the addition of the microalgae at a proportion of 200 g/kg. AME and AMEn were assessed by total excreta collection and indigestibility analysis using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as a marker. 3. The microalgae comprised 888.0 g/kg dry matter (DM), 18.42 MJ/kg gross energy, 514.7 g/kg crude protein, 9.9 g/kg ether extract, 10.6 g/kg crude fibre, 94.4 g/kg ash, 3.1 g/kg Ca and 11.0 g/kg P. 4. The values obtained for AME (13.48 MJ/kg DM) and AMEn (11.72 MJ/kg DM) were higher (p < 0.01) than those obtained using the AIA method (9.39-8.29 MJ/kg DM). The microalgae ileal digestibility coefficients were 0.80 ± 0.04 and 0.78 ± 0.04 for essential and non-essential AA, respectively. 5. Overall, the metabolisable energy content and digestibility of AA for S. platensis indicated that the microalgae are potentially an alternative nutrient source for broilers. The AIA method underestimated AME and AMEn in comparison to the total excreta collection method.

Three experiments were carried out to estimate the optimal ratios of digestible phenylalanine + tyrosine (Phe + Tyr), histidine (His), and leucine (Leu) relative to digestible lysine (Lys) for performance and carcass criteria of Cobb-500 broilers from 8 to 17 d of age. In each experiment, 160 male chicks were allocated to a completely randomized experimental design with eight replicate pens, each receiving five dietary treatments. A common, semi-purified basal diet was formulated to meet all dietary recommendations except for those of the tested amino acids (i.e., Phe + Tyr, His, and Leu). Growth performance and carcass characteristics data were analyzed using various requirement-estimation models, including 95% of the quadratic regression, linear response plateau (LRP; i.e., stepwise regression), LRP-to-quadratic regression ratio; and quadratic broken line (QBL). Graded digestible Phe + Tyr ratios elicited a quadratic response (P < 0.05) in body weight gain and linear responses (P < 0.05) in breast and breast fillet weights. Linear effects (P < 0.05) were also observed when graded ratios of digestible His were fed for feed intake and weight gain, and quadratic responses (P < 0.05) were noted for feed conversion ratio and breast and breast fillet weights and yields. Graded Leu ratios elicited quadratic responses (P < 0.05) in feed intake, weight gain, and breast and breast fillet weight and yield. Based on growth and carcass parameters, the estimated ideal digestible ratios of Phe + Tyr, His, and Leu relative to digestible Lys were 112, 38, and 104%, respectively, for broiler chicks raised from 8 to 17 d of age., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Poultry Science Association.)